New School vs. Old School. Adapt & Change or Get Left Behind

I've had many of conversations with different people lately, and I'm starting to see a trend. New School vs. Old School. The biggest thing I've realized over the last year is that the times are changing. Technology is changing, and changing the game. Social Media is blowing up. Twitter and Facebook are becoming household names. Which by the way if you haven't seen this video on the Social Media Revolution, check it out, the stats will blow your mind. The internet has created a gateway for anyone to be an expert at what they do. It's created a platform for anyone to enter the the world of getting their work out there. This IS an amazing thing… IF you use it to your advantage.

New School vs. Old School. There is a ton of truth to both, and you need a fair amount of the old school to carry into the new school. In the Old School photography world it's about having amazing work and creative, which in turn gets you jobs. Which is 100% true. Hone your craft and do it well. Make amazing images, and someone will recognize you. Ten years ago, hell even 5 years ago it was much harder to get in the game. The internet didn't exist(with the capabilities it does now) which meant to get your great work into the eyeballs of the right people, you had to send physical portfolios, post card promos, prints, and be seen in printed magazines. A rep that was hitting the pavement with your portfolios all the time. This is all VERY expensive. Getting into the game COSTED a lot.

This is exactly why the "Greats" don't all have websites(or have terrible ones). Annie Leibowitz, Ellen Von Unwerth, Patrick Demarchlier, etc. EVERYONE knows who they are (that hire them at least). They've been in the game for years. They ARE established. Being published in all the major magazines is their portfolio. (don't get me wrong would it benefit them to adapt and spend of their cash reservoir on a web presence? of course.)

Now enter the New School: Getting someone to recognize honed craft. With all the benefits of the digital revolution and the ease of putting your work out there into the world wide web of eyeballs, we've encountered a downside. It's made it extremely cheap to get into the game. Let me rephrase that. It's made it FREE to get into the game. In turn, the downside is the volume of people that are doing it creates white noise. Everyone is a "photographer" these days and images are flying around the web like nobody's business. Having amazing work has now just become the entry way to getting anywhere. Anyone not at the "greats" level are struggling to adapt to the times. The older folks who choose not to learn the digital media opportunities. The ones in the game for probably 5-10 years that started in the filmic old school world and just got used to it before it changed. These are the ones that are getting left behind should they not choose to adapt.

Creating your "Personal Brand" is the key to getting anywhere. Create a voice that people remember your work by. Not only graphically, but what you project through social media outlets. The content you put out there to the world creates people's perception of you. Consistency of brand creates longevity.

What am I saying with all this? Move with the current of technology. Adapt, and try to get ahead of where technology is moving. Then use it to your advantage. Use social media and internet connectivity for your business. "Old School" is also a mentality. It really comes down to a choice as all things do. Only YOU can make S#$@ happen.

It's where the world is moving and if you don't get on the train, you may get left at the station. Be a game changer.

Comments

[Lauren @ Every Last Detail]

This is SO true! I've seen so much of this in the wedding industry, and the "old school" people very often look down upon the "new school" people. Little do they do know what they're missing out on! Thank you for this perspective! :)

[Ben Bender]

I'm always impressed by the "old school" guys that are using the new technology/media, and being "new school". The rest of us would do well to know our stuff like they do, and then market ourselves using the tools they never had, and are having to learn.

I also see the danger in being too "new school". People who spend 95% of their time mastering social media, without creating great images.

Somehow we need to be both.

[nickonken]

Yep, when the old school guys get on the train and adapt to the new school, they do big things!

You're totally right. If you are totally new school and just develop the social media side, you won't really get too far either because if the work isn't there then even though it's seen by more eyeballs, it won't necessarily turn into more jobs.

Make better pictures, then show more people.

[Clark]

great post once again Nick!While social media and technology are changing the game. Getting out there and showing your book and getting that face to face contact is still just as crucial if not more.

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[Juliette]

Thank you for publishing this. I come from the web design and advertising world so for me, moving forward and keeping up with social media, branding and web wasn't the hard part. The hard part is the recognition...Getting published is difficult and what makes it harder is the "white noise" from those who say they are photographers as well. Fairly new to the game, I am really careful to call myself "emerging photographer" out of respect to those who have worked hard and walked the line for this business. Nevertheless, being an artist is tough. Your post gives me hope!

- Juliette
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school to carry into the new school. In the Old School photography world it's about having amazing work and creative, which in turn gets you jobs. Which is 100% true. Hone your craft and do it well. Make amazing images, and someone will recognize you. Ten years ago, hell even 5 years ago it was much harder to get in the game. The internet didn't exist(with the capabilities it does now) which meant to get your great work into the eyeballs of the right people, you had to send physical portfolios, post card promos, prints, and be seen in printed magazines. A rep that was hitting the pavement with your portfolios all the time. This is all VERY expensive. Getting into the game COSTED a lot.

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