One of the things that I (and many others) preach is that today geography doesn’t matter. Now, of course it matters if you are driving near Gila Bend and are low on gas–the location of the nearest station is vital–but if you are creating intellectual property (i.e., photos, books, articles, music, illustrations, software, etc.), then where you are is mostly unimportant.
Yesterday, I was contacted by someone in Italy about what I do. I’ve worked with clients in South Africa, Copenhagen, and Antibes. I’m writing this from Atlanta, though my office is in San Diego. Where I am doesn’t significantly alter what I can do and do do, and the same is true for creatives.
Of course where you are may affect your images but only to the extent of, say, a travel shooter in Bali will make different images than when s/he’s in Vancouver, or a fashion shooter doing shots on the streets of Paris versus Los Angeles. But, for your marketing, it’s not very important.
If your work is of a certain level (or better), there is no reason why a photographer in Kansas City, MO can’t work with clients from NYC, or Dubai for that matter. The only thing is putting your work out there so that these targets can match you with their needs.
And if your work is not at that level, then you need to work on your art. Why sit on your butt and make do with difficult local clients, making work that doesn’t challenge you? What is the point of being a creative then?
Thank you for this reminder. As a young aspiring photographer in a 3rd tier city in the Northwest, this comes as a breath of fresh air. To be sure, as you said, the onus is still squarely on me to get to the level I aspire to, but it sure is nice to be reminded that it’s possible (from an ‘outside’ source like yourself).
Really, Leslie? It “doesn’t matter” in any way at all? I think so. Because in my world it still matters quite a lot, even if marketing has gotten easier, or if every country has access to your website through a browser.
Personally, I lose jobs on a regular basis because the budget doesn’t allow for me to fly, stay in a hotel, travel with all my gear, MY CREW, etc. And I am 99% certain that I’m not the photographer who has this happen.
Also, when I relocated from Denver to Los Angeles, my work and income dramatically changed for the better by growing and expanding exponentially.
Final note, all of those photographers trying to shoot fashion or beauty in Los Angeles who move to New York and suddenly have their careers take off might also disagree that “today geography doesn’t matter”. Not to mention that currently New York’s talent base is much stronger than LA’s group of models. Much, much stronger.
Location? Definitely a big deal, unless you, or your client, has deep pockets and is willing to dig into them.
Just another perspective…
Chris: I encourage you to read what I wrote a bit more closely. I didn’t say it didn’t matter at all and of course there are situations where geography is a factor. However, my point was that for many photographers, their habits of self-restricting to a geographical market is, in fact, not good for their businesses.
-Leslie
Now those are words I will quite agree with. 🙂