When did you know you finally "made it" as a professional?
© Brenda Tharp
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Brenda Tharp:
Well, I began my business in photography officially in 1985, but it really wasn't until 1994 that I began to feel that I was actually accomplishing my goals - to work on books, magazine assignments, and teach workshops. Those earlier years were certainly busy with work, but in an unfocused, "grab anything that came in" sort of way.
By 1994, having photographed for two books, and done a variety of magazine assignments on travel and outdoor recreation, I really felt I had "arrived." But it never ends, really. One project finishes and you think "great, what an accomplishment" and suddenly you find yourself lusting after the next adventure! Even while one project is still finishing, you are already working on the next best thing.
© Brenda Tharp
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Do you remember your first photography sale?
Brenda Tharp:
Not really. I think it was portrait or wedding photography, which I did part time back in 1977-1982. But for magazines, my first sale was to Modern Photography magazine.
How did you get your first book deal?
Brenda Tharp:
A good friend in the business referred me to a graphic designer working on a book series, and after she saw my portfolio and met me, I was chosen over two other photographers to do a book on Muir Woods redwoods here in northern California.
You teach on-location workshops as well as online classes. What do you like about these two ways of interacting with students of photography? Do you find that they complement each other?
Brenda Tharp:
© Brenda Tharp
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They both serve a valuable function in the processing of growing as
photographers. The on-location workshops offer a chance to be
one-on-one with the instructor, and to deal with the challenges of
different shooting conditions each day and each field trip. In a
field workshop, you will live, eat, and breathe photography each day.
The camaderie shared in person with fellow students is also great -
we have such fun on these field workshops!
The on-line classes at BetterPhoto.com offer
an opportunity to learn the same skills you might learn in the field
workshop, but at a flexible pace, and using your own familiar turf in
many cases, to make your pictures. They also allow you to learn while
you are still holding down your job, or dealing with family
obligations, etc. The on-line sharing process has been terrific, if
the group is active in sharing their ideas with each other, a virtual
classroom setting! They really complement each other very well. I
have had several on-line students attend a field workshop, and vice
versa.
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