It’s like asking: “What can you tell me about working as a photographer?”
DON’T SHOOT | 66 Reasons NOT to Become a Professional Photographer is a humorous look at my very serious commercial photography business written by me, a pro photographer with over 30 years of experience. After teaching workshops, mentoring university students, and advising interns, assistants, and newbies,I decided to cram an informal chat in between the covers of a funny book about the business. It’s a bit like having brews with a mentor… and it has it’s fair share of tough lessons, stupid mistakes, cautionary tales, and hard-won advice.
This book is the down-to-earth reality-show of how hard, rewarding, and funny life as a professional photographer can be. It’s chock full of relevant quotes by famous photographers, and stories about the process of establishing a business in an era when everyone has a camera. Written for those contemplating a picture-making career, DON’T SHOOT is a brutal (and funny) look at all the twiddly bits that go into succeeding as a photographer who gets paid. The book covers relationships, ethics, gear, contracts, branding, copyrights, working for free, perseverance, portfolios, style, critiques and what to expect from galleries, schools, spouses, clients, assistants, workshops and more…
If you’ve heard the advice from jet-setting superstars photogs and want the straight dope rom a guy makes his camera pay the rent, this is the book. You’ve never heard of Dirk Schafer because he’s one of tens of thousands of pros in the world that wake up every day and get paid to take the pictures you see in websites and magazines. I’ve made mistakes, traveled the world, lost clients, bought a house, done reshoots and heard “the check’s in the mail” more times than I care to remember, but I keeps doing it and I keep loving it.
Image-wrap hardcover with glossy lamination. 6×6 inches, Zero photos, 160 pages.
Don’t Shoot 