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Why Do I Need a Mentor?

Why Do I need a Mentor?
13 Aug 2016

Why Do I Need a Mentor?

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Most successful photographers in the world have great mentors who help them unlock their potential. The journey from novice to expert is long and full of mistakes and major obstacles. This is why mentors are so important. They will help you to make progress quickly. As they’ve already been there and done that, they can give you the advice they wish they had been given when they first started out.

Mentor will provide a different perspective, help you to choose a path forward.

There are thousands of different things to keep in mind when you are trying to be a successful photographer, and it can often be confusing and disorienting when trying to figure out what’s important and what’s not. Mentors will cut through the noise and give you advice on what should be your priority, depending on your needs at the time. They will provide a different perspective, help you to choose a path forward, and assist you to make it happen.
Not all mentors are the same, so the first thing you need to figure out is what kind of mentor you should be looking for. You need to find the one that’s compatible with you and your photography. Generally speaking, what you’re looking for in a mentor is someone who is more experienced than you in a specific area where you need to improve. You want someone who will challenge you when necessary and give you support when you need it most. You want someone who will offer you constructive feedback, good and bad. Most importantly, your mentor needs to be a great communicator and teacher. A mentor should provide useful and honest guidance while ensuring that you make your own decisions about the next steps or the best course of action.

A true mentor wants to see you succeed!

Before you try to connect with a mentor, first figure out what it is that you want. Start by asking yourself a few questions. What is it that I really want to do? What am I doing really well, helping me to get there? What am I not doing well, preventing me from getting there? Where do I need the most help? Once you know what you need to learn, then you can go about finding the right mentor.

Before you try to connect with a mentor, first figure out what it is that you want. Start by asking yourself a few questions. What is it that I really want to do? What am I doing really well, helping me to get there? What am I not doing well, preventing me from getting there? Where do I need the most help? Once you know what you need to learn, then you can go about finding the right mentor.
Write down the names of your favourite photographers. Look online. Check out your local photographic scene. Visit all the art galleries in your area until you find a good match for your topics and style.

Finding a photography mentorship is not easy, but having someone to guide and teach you is always beneficial.

Finding a photography mentorship is not easy, but having someone to guide and teach you is always beneficial. You can learn so much from someone else’s experiences and improve your craft in the process. You have to remember that you and your mentor will not always agree on everything. Just keep an open mind and you will be on your way to becoming a better photographer!

Here are ten qualities of a great mentor:
1. A great mentor is willing to share skills, knowledge, and expertise.
2. A great mentor challenges you. He or she always pushes your thinking and helps you grow in new ways.
3. A great mentor has relevant experience and wisdom to draw upon.
4. A great mentor has the same vision of success as you.
5. A great mentor always supports you and will pick you up when you stumble and fall.
6. A great mentor is a great listener.
7. A great mentor is always available to provide the help and advice you need
8. A great mentor provides guidance and constructive feedback.
9. A great mentor guides you towards the answer. He or she will give your tools to enable you to figure out your next step yourself, instead of just telling you what to do.
10. A great mentor is interested in your success.

Mentorships are typically long-term relationships that rely on reflection and feedback. If you want more of a condensed, fast-paced route to a lot of knowledge, attending a workshop (or a series of workshops) may be a better route for you.

Do you need help with Impressionist Photography? Check out a variety of my workshops and mentorship programme.