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Well, this is my first go at a "philosophical" discussion, but it's something that's been bugging me for quite some time.

I've been trying to get a minor photography business going for some time now. Not too long ago I found a photographer who had the kind of business I wanted. What they were doing was exactly what I wanted to be doing. I though, "who better to give me advice on how to aspire to their level, than them?" At first, I was hesitant about contacting this person, as I didn't figure they would "help the competition" but I abated my fears, rationalizing that they were located over 800 miles away from myself, so why would they care if I fall into the same niche as them?

I wrote a polite e-mail to this person; told them who I was, how much I loved their work, how much I admired them, and then told them that I was aspiring to be what they are. I asked if they wouldn't mind giving me some advice, and, if it's not too much trouble, could I ask a few questions.

I'm sad to say that the reply I recieved was less than friendly and I was told in not so many words to stop bugging them (remember, I'd sent a single e-mail) and go away. I must be crazy to think that they'd want to help a competitor and besides, if I didn't have any business savvy or experience, they couldn't help me anyway.

I was blown away. I, personally, have always been willing to help others if there was anyway. I don't have an immense knowledge in many subjects, but those that I do, I love to share. I've spoken to many a person who say the best way to learn something (particularly starting a business) is to find someone who's "been there done that" and get advice. As a teacher (I know, it's different than starting a business), my first 3 years I was assigned a mentor to get me through the tough spots. Silly me for thinking this could apply outside of the teaching profession.

So my question is this. If you were asked to be someone's mentor, what would your response be and on what would you gauge your response? Is mentoring a thing from the good-ole-days that should stay in the past or was person a "nut-job" fluke that has their own distorted opinion?

I look foward to the discussion I hope this starts...

J

Yes I would, and also I've been lucky to assist a couple of established pros in my area in the last couple of years. I'd be more than happy to share what I can if it will help, and I'm lucky in that alot of people have shared their knowledge with me, both on UF and in my community.

At the same time, I understand the relucentance to help your possible competition. Personally, almost every photographer I've encountered, whether working as a paid assistant or jockeying for space on a press boat, has been courterous and, to a point, ready to share info and techniques.

It's like Bill Walsh. Early in his career, he felt he was held back by Paul Brown. So Walsh made a point to help junior coaches move up, even if it was to other teams. Some photographers may just be a little squirrelly, even if they know their subject. Paul Brown was a great coach. Others, having been held back, or put down, might make a point to help others. But the 'mean ole' guy may be the real expert. On the other hand, if someone who knows your subject wants to help, that's great too.

It's like anything, you might show an interst. When some guy wants to learn, craps, it can be a complicated game, stretching back to antiquity. But he takes it in, reads, watches, studies. So in addition to the expert, one thinks about their camera, about what they are looking at, even meditates a bit on things, reads, considers what was read, studies. I'm sure it's both.

That is sad Jacob...

We all have need of a mentor and guiding hand at some stage... Some are recognisable, others less obvious...

Mentoring does/should encompass most things in life... Teachers are everywhere... A parent, as their childs first teacher... School... Scout/Guide groups, sport coaches, workforce, from the lowest paid to the upper echelons...

Maybe, if this business you aspire to, had met you face to face rather than an impersonal e-mail, the outcome *may* have been different... Are you ever in the vicinity?... I know 800 miles is quite a distance, but, you still knew of them... How? Was it advertising, had you seen their work? Word of mouth by a happy customer?...

My advice would be to use some lateral thinking... Aspire to be your best, not their best which you now know involves rudeness...

Keep your dream alive, but work toward it by stepping around the *unhelpful blocks*... There must be others nearer, be it a photographic business or photography courses that encompass small business issues... work from that point upwards...

Write down your goals... PLUS also write down the things you do not want to become... ie. the type of person/people of that unhelpful business...

I've written almost the same as Joe above, and always thought of it as an honor to help another with anything from a sponge cake to how perspective in a sketch works...

Go for it Jacob, and all the best... Be the best YOU can be...:)

Onie...

Hi Jacob,

I believe their business is not doing very well. That's why they're agressive to possible future competition. Look for other photographers. Those who are confident always share.

The biggest example I can thing of is Ansel Adams, who even donated many of his negatives to universities so students could drink from the same fountain. The more I know about him, the more I respect him.

As for myself, why not share? Someday you'll be on the other's position, asking for help/knowledge. From what I've seen in my life, the confident ones share, the lesser don't. But they also don't have too much to share. So, go for those who have.

An article on this:

http://www.kenrockwell.com/tech/share.htm

Regards,

Jos� Azevedo

Well, look at the bright side, at least they didn't try to feed you a bunch of bad information or disinformation. But I know what you are saying, once long ago I started working in a photo processing place.
The shop boss was very knowledgeable so I took every opportunity to listen & seek advice from this person. When he started telling how they used to remove the emulsion from the base material . . . ya, right & I wasn't being anything more than anxious to learn.
Lesson learned, listen but take the information with a grain of salt. Remember that what might work for them doesn't necessarily mean it applies for you.

I sure hope this isnt true. Im trying to find an apprenticeship this summer break instead of a job.

If someone rejects a chance to mentor, it seems to me that the person is afraid that some sort of awful secret may be discovered. In this case, I think you discovered it anyway... he's not a very nice person to be around and would rather others just go away. Thank your lucky stars you don't work for him.

There are two ways to be valuable: 1) do outstanding work and 2) keep everything a secret because you know you can't do better than competition that comes along.

Mentoring in all fields seems to have slowed down. In the days of old, apprenticeship was a given. These days, you have to seek such opportunities. Good luck with what is an admirable project, finding a mentor.

"The biggest example I can thing of is Ansel Adams, who even donated many of his negatives to universities so students could drink from the same fountain.' That's beautiful, Jos�! Poetic, in fact...

"Mentoring in all fields seems to have slowed down. In the days of old, apprenticeship was a given. These days, you have to seek such opportunities. Good luck with what is an admirable project, finding a mentor. "

That's because competition has stiffened considerably.
In the past someone would take an apprentice who'd stay an apprentice until the master was old and retired, or else the apprentice would go out towards another town or village that didn't have a master for his profession and set up shop there.
Neither is the case now. An apprenticeship lasts half a year, maybe a year, these days, and after that the former apprentice sets up shop next door (as it were) to his former master and starts outcompeting him by offering the same service to lower prices.
As a result the master is wary of taking on apprentices, because he doesn't want to be driven out of business by them.

Riny K.	Jan S.	Ayan M.	Nanda B.	a. S.	The P.	Peter M.	a. S.

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