Photo Live Issue 3

JOHN MONTESI
Q: Why did you decide to
make an income from your
photography? When did you
get serious about it?
I was unemployed. So I went back
to my old trade — graphic design,
as a freelancer. Through that I did
some product photography. I’d
shot a few wedding previously but
once some old work contacts knew
I was now doing a bit of corporate
photograph I received more work.
The photography increased to the
point that I pretty much stopped all
the graphic design.
Q: How did you deal with doubt?
I found myself going through this
cycle of “nup this isn’t for me” so
let’s see what employment is out
there . . . Then I go “nup!” and end
up back doing what I’m doing. Also, I
remember hearing someone say “to
succeed you’ve got to forget about
what other people might think of
you”. I kind of found that liberating.
Q: Do you still struggle with
doubt?
I think I’ve got a pretty good idea
of what good photography is but I
56
often I feel I’m so far from it. Not that
my work is necessary bad but I’ve
got a long way to go.
Q: What was your first paid or pro
job you got hired for?
Apart from a few weddings, my first
commercial job was photographing
product for a handmade chocolate
manufacturer.
Q: You often hear from people
that they need to “hustle” to
work on the marketing, to
network, get clients - how hard
is that for you?
Like a lot of creatives, I’d much
sooner be left alone to do the work
rather than chase it. Fortunately for
me, practically all of my work has
been through word-of-mouth so
the “husltle” hasn’t been necessary.
In saying that, I have done some
marketing and attended networking
groups etc. But to be honest, not
much eventuated from it.
Q: Where do you feel you’re at
today with your photography -
both in artistic growth and as a
business?
When you’re being paid by a client
to photograph their product or
service art isn’t always the objective
— sure things need to look good and
communicate a message but as far
as being free to express yourself
creatively — that’s not what you’re
there for. What does this mean for my
artistic growth and where I’m at today?
. . . Ideally I need do some of that on
the side otherwise the artistic side will
slump. And as a business . . . Being a
freelance photographer has caused
me to grow so much as a business
person and as a result in myself
personally – You’ve no choice really!
Q: What’s your plans for 2018?
No real plans. I’d be happy for things
to continue as they are. Maybe earn
a bit more; work a bit less. Perhaps
one or two new clients . . . And
the opportunity to do some more
involved shoots using specialist
lighting and composite images. I’d
like to do one or two personal shoots
to experience a few new things for
myself.