Photo Forward Ben Brewer

Have you ever stepped back in your career, whether you’re a visual creator or not, and thought, “Well, shit… is this it? Is this really as good as it gets? Is this what I want to be doing for the next X years of my life?” Don’t worry, that’s a positive thing (despite however dark night of the soul it may feel like in the moment) And, you are definitely not the only one feeling that way.

When you think about what people or places have moved your career forward the most (regardless of whether you consider yourself a visual creator or not) what comes to mind as common traits? Has it been the upstart entrepreneur who shook you out of the “we’ve always done it this way” way of seeing the world? the wise-sage type whose time-tested ideas and messages resonated just right with what you were seeking? Or just a simple meetup over a cold beverage with a colleague where you hash out pros and cons of a creative project you’re working on. You might be seeing where I’m going with this... When you really break it down, I think there is a brilliantly effective and simple (but sure as shit not easy) way to give yourself a leg up in your career or building your skills – Three words: Plus, Minus, and Equals.

Do you as a photographer ever feel like you’re just not connecting with the right clients? Or that you keep getting assignments/work that just doesn’t light you up or bring you any creative joy to work on? Well, you are so very far from the only one. But it is avoidable, by honing your creative style and making work that draws people in. Put simply, Post eye-catching photos, get eye-catching assignments, put up a generic portfolio – get generic work. Pulling from the world of marketing, there’s a great principle that all photographers can take a cue from and it boils down to this. It’s effective to be better, it’s intriguing to be different, but the best creators of all meld these two facets into their work and are both better and different – That’s what catches the eyes of the public, editors, and art directors and gets you hired.

It is the winter (slightly post-holiday) season! A time to step back, reflect on the year behind us (what goddamn wild one…) and look forward to the future and how your photographic work can and should evolve.

So, without further ado, let’s get into this week’s episode on my curated list of five of the best pieces of reading material for you, the photographer, or the visual storyteller in your life. (With a bonus item on the list that should just flat out be required material for every fucking human that’s sufficiently old enough to read it)

One of the core questions I’m always looking to find answers to on this show is “What makes a brilliant visual creator?” Is it the grasp of technical aspects like lighting, composition, and moment? Or a personal skill or special gift of connecting with individuals in your images? There’s obviously a nearly infinite number of talented photographers out there, so what gives certain shooters a true “visual voice”. Well, today’s guest is such a brilliant example of forging that visual voice, that photographic identity, that brand... by melding artistic influences to create as Aristotle so brilliantly said “A Whole that is greater than the sum of its parts.” – Chris McDuffie

It’s only been a few short weeks since our last episode, but it already feels like the entire world has been flipped on its head. We all saw and were outraged beyond words at the murder of Goerge Floyd at the hands of the Minneapolis Police Department. Soon after, my city responded to a collective pain, sadness, and anger with protests that engulfed the Twin Cities in the days after Floyd’s death. The message was and is clear: Now is the time for change. Now is the time for justice.