Back when I first moved to Atlanta, I was a photo assistant. My job was to assist commercial photographers in putting together photo shoots. I did everything from sweeping the floor and taking out the trash to lighting design and film tracking. With some photographers, I actually pulled the trigger and shot the job... with their "oversight."
I loved my job. I didn't make a lot of money, but I had some great experiences, met a lot of fun people, and really enjoyed work most days. And, I worked with a number of different photographers.
There are two that I worked with very early on that were a study in contrasts. Obviously, I'm not going to name them, because I am about to dish...
Shooter A was an incredible artist. I mean seriously. In a lot of ways. His imagery, in a non-digital age, was something special. I knew his secrets, and kept them. I had a key to the studio and free access to him, his equipment and knowledge. I was never an employee, but had more run of the business than many employees had in other businesses... and that was where I could see the other side.
He was not a good businessman. He didn't bill his clients. He didn't pay his bills. I would be in the studio and answer the phone and there would be a client that NEEDED to get a bill for the $40,000 they owed him. He was broke, but he didn't have a clue who owed him what... and they wanted to pay him.
He ended up working for someone and making more money than he did on his own... but WAY less than he could have made.
Shooter B was a businessman. He would tell me about the prestigious school he graduated from... regularly. He always had lunches lined up with art directors and agency buyers. The calendar was always full. I had no key. I was not even allowed to talk with the clients (not terribly unusual as most assistants, including me, were also shooters and photographers didn't want us pitching their clients... I never did). But, often instead of being the dutiful assistant, I would do everything but shoot the job. I would set the lights, place the camera, tune, tweak and make it all happen. B would come out of his office, look at a Polaroid and then shoot a bracket (set of shots at various exposures). Photography was no different to him than running any other business.
As far as I know, he is still in business, and should be doing quite well.
So, let's relate this to real estate...
There are different types of real estate agents. Some are scared to death that their client might talk to another agent about anything (like both of these... but A would only say to the assistant "don't steal my client."). Some are great at getting the business... but they don't know what to do with it once they get it. Others can't get the listings or the buyers, but look out when they do... they make a great impression.
There is a Shooter C... and I'm going to say his name. Chipp Jamison. I was Chipp's 1st Assistant for around 7 years. Key to the studio, alarm code... the whole shebang. Although I never went there unless he asked me to. Chipp had the positive qualities of both of the other guys. At first I didn't recognize his true artistry. But, Chipp's real gift was that he was able to make good photos in bad places, and great photos in good places. Everyone can make a great picture in an incredible location... but Chipp could shoot boring and ugly places and make them look cool... fast... with the equipment we were able to transport there.
Chipp was not worried that I was going to steal his clients. In fact, he would hand off shoots he didn't want to do. He never minimized my role... quite the opposite. He was a supremely confident photographer. He told me a few times that he was worried about one job or another, but clients never saw him sweat.
Just to let you know, even as a real estate agent, I ask myself how Chipp would handle a specific situation.
That is right... he is still a mentor, even though we haven't really spoken in a few years. Had balance in his business.
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