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Fast Track Photographer, Revised and Expanded Edition: Leverage Your Unique Strengths for a More Successful Photography Business
Become the professional photographer you were meant to be.
Competition in the photography industry has never been fiercer. But in this empowering guide, acclaimed photographer and speaker Dane Sanders reveals that the key to success is to stop worrying about what everyone else is doing and start focusing on your most powerful you . Discover how
· Use your unique skills and talents to carve out a niche all your own.
· Avoid the mistakes most photographers make.
· Choose a business style that fits the way you want to spend your time—and live your life.
Fast Track Photographer is not just another how-to book—it’s an entirely fresh way of thinking about your business, whether you’re just starting out, or an industry veteran wondering why all your hard work isn’t working. If you want to build a competition-proof creative business in the twenty-first century, it’s time to throw out the old rulebook and get on the fast track!
Includes free access to Dane’s popular self-assessment test (a $20 value) to jumpstart your journey!
"I can't think of a better way for anyone to start their professional photo career than to read Fast Track Photographer ."
—Scott Bourne, publisher and host of Photofocus.com
"As much about finding out who you are as it is about how to become a truly great photographer. Highly recommended!”
—Amit Gupta, founder of Photojojo.com
“This book is worth its weight in gold.”
—Gary Fong, photographer, author, and creator of the Lightsphere
“The best resource for today’s photographer—BAR NONE!”
—Scott Sheppard, host of “Inside Digital Photography”
Competition in the photography industry has never been fiercer. But in this empowering guide, acclaimed photographer and speaker Dane Sanders reveals that the key to success is to stop worrying about what everyone else is doing and start focusing on your most powerful you . Discover how
· Use your unique skills and talents to carve out a niche all your own.
· Avoid the mistakes most photographers make.
· Choose a business style that fits the way you want to spend your time—and live your life.
Fast Track Photographer is not just another how-to book—it’s an entirely fresh way of thinking about your business, whether you’re just starting out, or an industry veteran wondering why all your hard work isn’t working. If you want to build a competition-proof creative business in the twenty-first century, it’s time to throw out the old rulebook and get on the fast track!
Includes free access to Dane’s popular self-assessment test (a $20 value) to jumpstart your journey!
"I can't think of a better way for anyone to start their professional photo career than to read Fast Track Photographer ."
—Scott Bourne, publisher and host of Photofocus.com
"As much about finding out who you are as it is about how to become a truly great photographer. Highly recommended!”
—Amit Gupta, founder of Photojojo.com
“This book is worth its weight in gold.”
—Gary Fong, photographer, author, and creator of the Lightsphere
“The best resource for today’s photographer—BAR NONE!”
—Scott Sheppard, host of “Inside Digital Photography”
- GenresPhotographyBusiness
240 pages, Paperback
First published January 1, 2010
12 people are currently reading
75 people want to read
About the author
Dane Sanders
4 books8 followersHi. I’m Dane. I’ve authored two business books for creatives – both published by Random House – as well as a number of other resources for photographers.
More recently, I founded fasttrackcreative.com, home of the Better Together Creative Community and Converge: the business of creativity podcast.
In addition to my books, I’ve been grateful to have some of my work featured in a number of publications including Rangefinder, Professional Photographer, Grace Ormonde Wedding Style, You & Your Wedding (UK), Shutterbug & Photojojo.
Readers of Photo District News named me one of the 30 most influential living photographers of the last decade – a crazy idea but still felt great. I’ve taught at Brooks Institute, PPE, WPPI, iUSA, an impromptu speech at SXSW as well as international events throughout North and South America, Europe and Asia.
My family & I make our home in Newport Beach, California.
More recently, I founded fasttrackcreative.com, home of the Better Together Creative Community and Converge: the business of creativity podcast.
In addition to my books, I’ve been grateful to have some of my work featured in a number of publications including Rangefinder, Professional Photographer, Grace Ormonde Wedding Style, You & Your Wedding (UK), Shutterbug & Photojojo.
Readers of Photo District News named me one of the 30 most influential living photographers of the last decade – a crazy idea but still felt great. I’ve taught at Brooks Institute, PPE, WPPI, iUSA, an impromptu speech at SXSW as well as international events throughout North and South America, Europe and Asia.
My family & I make our home in Newport Beach, California.
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Displaying 1 - 13 of 13 reviews
October 24, 2020
Imi place sa merg in anticariate. Este locul in care sper sa gasesc comori din alte vremuri. Fast Track Photographer, a aparut in 2010, ca editie revizuita, asa cum specifica si titlul, la cea tiparita in 2008 care era concentrata pe fotografia de nunta.
2008-2010 nu este atat de in spate, dar presupun ca dinamica in domeniul fotografiei s-a schimbat destul de mult in aceasta perioada, dar traiectoria pare sa fi fost trasata inca de pe atunci. Nu pot stii cu siguranta fiindca in 2008 nici nu ma apucasem de fotografie, dar citind-o am simtit ca multe din principiile prezentate inca se aplica, chiar daca unele mici detalii pot suna "outdated" precum importanta cartilor de vizita si cu siguranta atunci nu era atat de relevanta prezenta in social media.
Din anumite perspective poate ca in acest deceni cartea ar fi introdus alte concepte, dar consider ca reprezinta un bun fundament pentru cei care se gandesc sa faca din hobbyul sau pasiunea lor o afacere.
In linii mari autorul imparte fotografii profesionisti (cei care traiesc din fotografie) in 2 subcategorii: Freelancer Photographer si Signature Brand Photographer. Pentru a se integra in una din cele doua categorii autorul adauga si conceptul de pDNA un tool care ar trebui sa ajute cititorul fotograf sa isi clasifice activitatea in functie de cativa parametri.
Din felul in care este sugerat acest pDNA si, conform autorului, pentru a beneficia la maximum de el ar trebui refacut cel putin anual, cartea este folosita aici ca material de marketing, un freemium, care iti ofera acces la un test pe care daca ai vrea sa il repeti ar trebui sa platesti in plus.
Trecand peste incercarea de a mai vinde ceva pe langa carte, faptul ca este totusi o perspectiva personala asupra fotografiei, venind din partea unui fotograf profesionist de nunti din America, este o lectura educativa si din care orice fotograf poate avea de invatat. Probabil esenta cartii ar putea fi rezumata in 2-3 articole pe vreun blog de fotografie, dar optimismul lui Dane Sanders m-a tinut conectat si mi-a dat un refresh la motivatie in munca pe care o fac.
2008-2010 nu este atat de in spate, dar presupun ca dinamica in domeniul fotografiei s-a schimbat destul de mult in aceasta perioada, dar traiectoria pare sa fi fost trasata inca de pe atunci. Nu pot stii cu siguranta fiindca in 2008 nici nu ma apucasem de fotografie, dar citind-o am simtit ca multe din principiile prezentate inca se aplica, chiar daca unele mici detalii pot suna "outdated" precum importanta cartilor de vizita si cu siguranta atunci nu era atat de relevanta prezenta in social media.
Din anumite perspective poate ca in acest deceni cartea ar fi introdus alte concepte, dar consider ca reprezinta un bun fundament pentru cei care se gandesc sa faca din hobbyul sau pasiunea lor o afacere.
In linii mari autorul imparte fotografii profesionisti (cei care traiesc din fotografie) in 2 subcategorii: Freelancer Photographer si Signature Brand Photographer. Pentru a se integra in una din cele doua categorii autorul adauga si conceptul de pDNA un tool care ar trebui sa ajute cititorul fotograf sa isi clasifice activitatea in functie de cativa parametri.
Din felul in care este sugerat acest pDNA si, conform autorului, pentru a beneficia la maximum de el ar trebui refacut cel putin anual, cartea este folosita aici ca material de marketing, un freemium, care iti ofera acces la un test pe care daca ai vrea sa il repeti ar trebui sa platesti in plus.
Trecand peste incercarea de a mai vinde ceva pe langa carte, faptul ca este totusi o perspectiva personala asupra fotografiei, venind din partea unui fotograf profesionist de nunti din America, este o lectura educativa si din care orice fotograf poate avea de invatat. Probabil esenta cartii ar putea fi rezumata in 2-3 articole pe vreun blog de fotografie, dar optimismul lui Dane Sanders m-a tinut conectat si mi-a dat un refresh la motivatie in munca pe care o fac.
January 6, 2018
Mostly absolute bloody nonsense. A great way for Dane Sanders to make more money, though.
September 13, 2018
Mostly stuff I already know. I did work through the exercises to clarify my sense of self.
January 3, 2021
Very important book for creatives, especially Photographers. The practical approach by the author was very helpful. Will definitely re-read it.
July 24, 2014
More reviews (and no fluff) on the blog http://surrealtalvi.wordpress.com/
The budding professional photographer has a library of photography-related topics available in book form: technical ("Understanding Exposure"), business ("Best Business Practices for Photographers"), inspiration (name your favorite photographer coffee book), and now motivational ("Fast Track Photographer").
Honestly, if you've ever been to a photography workshop or seminar, you soon find that they are more about motivation than they are about sustainable learning. The same applies to this book: Mr. Sanders' book covers all the usual motivational subjects (be a brand, be unique, build your business from you and not a product like a photograph) and cheerleading without you needing to book a single hotel room at a workshop. In doing so, other topics such as inspiration and business lightly get glossed over as well. But that is also the problem - it's a slim book and it's mostly about using his evaluation test to determine how to develop the 'you' in the photographer. That means there is a lot of rhetoric and not as much meat. I don't know how much is really relevant since the people he uses as inspiration examples all established themselves before the digital revolution took off in the last two years. Certainly, they did not have to compete in such a saturated market.
Those with a business or marketing degree will likely already understand and utilize the concepts. For everyone else, Sanders glosses over a few hard marketing and branding topics in a very easy and friendly manner without all the business double speak. Since so many are starting businesses without even a small fundamental understanding of sound marketing and business practices, there is a strong need for this book in those photographers' libraries. It would be nice if more people realized that aping a professional will never yield the same results as developing their own innate talent.
Mr. Sanders says it early in the book: starting a business is easy and many are doing it; the only way to not have competition from them is to be completely separate and unique - to be a brand unto yourself. Of course, that doesn't really help you get from starting point A of newbie photographer to ending point B of being a unique distinct desirable brand (nor how to get your brand out to potential clients). What I thought the book missed is that being your own brand (or the most amazing photographer ever) doesn't translate into clients. So, you can follow the book and create a YOU brand, being personable and charming, but still be invisible to potential clients unless you do some hard connecting and marketing.
The thing I liked most about the book is that it will enlighten those who don't realize they have no idea what they are doing and will be eaten alive by those who do. You can't compete on price/product - you can only compete by being uniquely you. It is nearly impossible to sustain a business on selling photographs; what you have to learn to do is sell an experience by you.
I'm not sure where the 'fast track' comes in other than that he would like to encourage people not to make the common mistakes that prevent successful businesses. It's going to be a long track either way.
Reviewed from an ARC.
Read
October 24, 2012I choose neither the path of the Freelancer nor the Signature Photographer. Money or fame is not my motivation. I'm more of a hobbyist. I take pictures as my chosen form of artistic expression (mainly because I can't sculpt, paint, or draw with s***). While the fortune or renown that may stem from a full-blown or side-bar career in photography sounds appealing, I still think it's nice to get some sort of laudatory notice once in while.
Anyway, I picked out Fast Track Photographer in a public library, thinking that the book might have something for hobbyist me. It didn't, unless there was something I might have missed within all those lessons focusing on the freelancer and the signaturer. Regardless, I read the book from cover to cover, picking up eye-opening tidbits here and there about the person behind the camera lens: that it's he or she and not so much the product and photographic style that flourishes or flounders a career. It's all in the person's pDNA.
So what is this pDNA? Well, it stands for photographer's DNA, and that is determined by taking an online survey put together by author, Dane Sanders. I never took the survey (didn't bother to try) because of the unique log-in/account code printed inside the book's back cover. Mind you, the copy I had was a library book, and a code can only be used once. Because of the sheer number of borrowers (as indicated by the myriad of due dates stamped on the inside back cover), I could only imagine the previous attempts to use the code. If I wanted my pDNA so badly, I would've purchased my own copy of Fast Track, new code and all. Otherwise I could pay for a new account online and take the pDNA survey. Then again, why? Having no pDNA results did not impact the learning process or continuity, although Sanders does make the reader refer to them occasionally.
This companion survey, the pDNA test, is testament to Sanders's business sense and savviness. What other way to make extra money aside from selling the book--and taking pictures for clients? Sanders not only sells (or tries to sell the reader) on the online survey, but he also promotes his follow-on product, The Fast Track Photographer Business Plan. I didn't count the number of times he's mentioned Business Plan, but I easily picked up on the sales pitch. But enough of my rambling on about someone's marketing strategy. Fast Track is not a bad book. Rather, it is an okay book.
Sanders is anecdotal and writes in motivational speaker style. By golly, he is a motivational speaker. He shares some his of insights and experiences in the photography profession. Whether one wants to go the way of the Freelancer or follow the beat of the Signature Photographer drummer, Sanders plays the role of guide for the aspiring, or even the experienced photographer. Whichever path is to be taken, he's got the GPS while you drive your pDNA along the way. But for every road taken, there will surely be the proverbial bumps to impede progress. Pros and cons there are, and adaptation is key if you're absolutely determined enough to keep trekking along and break through barriers (the ones of the mental and intangible kind).
Anyway, I picked out Fast Track Photographer in a public library, thinking that the book might have something for hobbyist me. It didn't, unless there was something I might have missed within all those lessons focusing on the freelancer and the signaturer. Regardless, I read the book from cover to cover, picking up eye-opening tidbits here and there about the person behind the camera lens: that it's he or she and not so much the product and photographic style that flourishes or flounders a career. It's all in the person's pDNA.
So what is this pDNA? Well, it stands for photographer's DNA, and that is determined by taking an online survey put together by author, Dane Sanders. I never took the survey (didn't bother to try) because of the unique log-in/account code printed inside the book's back cover. Mind you, the copy I had was a library book, and a code can only be used once. Because of the sheer number of borrowers (as indicated by the myriad of due dates stamped on the inside back cover), I could only imagine the previous attempts to use the code. If I wanted my pDNA so badly, I would've purchased my own copy of Fast Track, new code and all. Otherwise I could pay for a new account online and take the pDNA survey. Then again, why? Having no pDNA results did not impact the learning process or continuity, although Sanders does make the reader refer to them occasionally.
This companion survey, the pDNA test, is testament to Sanders's business sense and savviness. What other way to make extra money aside from selling the book--and taking pictures for clients? Sanders not only sells (or tries to sell the reader) on the online survey, but he also promotes his follow-on product, The Fast Track Photographer Business Plan. I didn't count the number of times he's mentioned Business Plan, but I easily picked up on the sales pitch. But enough of my rambling on about someone's marketing strategy. Fast Track is not a bad book. Rather, it is an okay book.
Sanders is anecdotal and writes in motivational speaker style. By golly, he is a motivational speaker. He shares some his of insights and experiences in the photography profession. Whether one wants to go the way of the Freelancer or follow the beat of the Signature Photographer drummer, Sanders plays the role of guide for the aspiring, or even the experienced photographer. Whichever path is to be taken, he's got the GPS while you drive your pDNA along the way. But for every road taken, there will surely be the proverbial bumps to impede progress. Pros and cons there are, and adaptation is key if you're absolutely determined enough to keep trekking along and break through barriers (the ones of the mental and intangible kind).
December 21, 2014
A good attitude adjustment
I felt like I got some good life advice and attitude advice from this book, but maybe not as much realistic applicable career advice as I was expecting. I felt like most of the book was vague and nonspecific. I think this book would be most beneficial for potential pro photographers who maybe need help with their personal insight, but as someone who already overthinks things and has a lot of natural personal insight I don't feel like I got as much out of the book as I would have liked. The other thing I was disappointed about was the lack of discussion about fine art photography. The author admits that his description of only two career paths is limited, and encourages you to find your own, but I think he really missed an opportunity to speak to a large section of his audience who are not interested in event photography. However I really loved his emphasis on maintaining a good attitude in the art world. That lesson can be learned by everyone. The book was worth the read on this alone. I see a lot of these people with grumpy attitudes when a cooperative one would be so much more beneficial to everyone, most of all themselves. Finally, as a fine art photographer I wish he had elaborated more on how photographers can collaborate on team efforts. Honestly, as a solo artist I would have appreciated some more specific examples of how photographers commonly work together rather than just vague references to it.
I felt like I got some good life advice and attitude advice from this book, but maybe not as much realistic applicable career advice as I was expecting. I felt like most of the book was vague and nonspecific. I think this book would be most beneficial for potential pro photographers who maybe need help with their personal insight, but as someone who already overthinks things and has a lot of natural personal insight I don't feel like I got as much out of the book as I would have liked. The other thing I was disappointed about was the lack of discussion about fine art photography. The author admits that his description of only two career paths is limited, and encourages you to find your own, but I think he really missed an opportunity to speak to a large section of his audience who are not interested in event photography. However I really loved his emphasis on maintaining a good attitude in the art world. That lesson can be learned by everyone. The book was worth the read on this alone. I see a lot of these people with grumpy attitudes when a cooperative one would be so much more beneficial to everyone, most of all themselves. Finally, as a fine art photographer I wish he had elaborated more on how photographers can collaborate on team efforts. Honestly, as a solo artist I would have appreciated some more specific examples of how photographers commonly work together rather than just vague references to it.
February 28, 2013
I found most of the worth in this book being in the pdna test and the recommendation to take a strengths test. The problem is that I've read so many books and watched so many videos at this point that advice saying "be yourself, be awesome!" all kind of blends together. Worst, I found that on the pdna test, I am almost 100% medium in everything, which left me with a lot of ambiguity reading the rest of the book. I'm already on the Signature Boutique path as it is, so I'll have to work to change my scores in that direction. It just felt sad not having an actual real "oh, I'm high or low on this!" ... I guess the one positive was that I was low on the grumpiness factor??
I did login and take the basic VIA strengths test on another site, and that was much more uplifting. Now if only I could figure out how to leverage love of learning and kindness.
I did login and take the basic VIA strengths test on another site, and that was much more uplifting. Now if only I could figure out how to leverage love of learning and kindness.
October 6, 2010
not too shabby - he tells it like it is and his advice is sound.
i hate books where you have to take a quiz online which also costs additional money (at least, it did in my case since i got this from the library). even though i didn't take the quiz or join the forum, i felt like i got a lot of good information from the book.
i hate books where you have to take a quiz online which also costs additional money (at least, it did in my case since i got this from the library). even though i didn't take the quiz or join the forum, i felt like i got a lot of good information from the book.
June 11, 2014
Pretty good wisdom in this book. Not just for photography but for any business. It won't teach you anything new but bring out the things you have been aware but ignorant to the fore and urge you to take action. The latter part of the book is especially too engrossing.
May 26, 2015
Quick read! Some good points! The test he offers is a bit of a scam and you should read this book knowing it probably won't download! The whole book is designed for people with no business or life experience! Still worth reading but not life changing by any means !!
March 6, 2012
Definitely worth a revisit (once I finish his other book!)
September 18, 2015
Great book!
Displaying 1 - 13 of 13 reviews