Here's how you can navigate rejection or not being chosen for a photography job.

Remember in the photography world both personal and commercial , what we provide as photographic artists is subjective. I have learned in my 30 years that providing not only value but incredible customer service will increase your success. I have been turned down numerous times for commercial and personal jobs. DO NOT TAKE IT PERSONALLY!! There are clients who will see what you provide is invaluable. You have to have thick skin in this field . Do not try and compete on price. This is the quickest way to failure and bankruptcy. I have tried a few times to find out why I did not get a specific job. What I have found is that most people don't want to answer that question. Focus on what you do best but don't get discouraged when you get reject

We are not here to be liked by everyone - nor are we here to work with everyone. Not everyone resonates with everyone. Some clients are just not the right match and at times a no is much better than a job that does not create joy. The more authentic and honest we show up, the more we concentrate on what really gives us joy in our work, the more we will attract the right people in our world - the right clients and those who value what we can bring to them. "Rejection" can be a true blessing. It's rarely personal. And sometimes it is just a Not Yet or a Not Now. So, say thank you, do not hold grudges and continue doing and showcasing what you love and do best.

Instead of merely accepting feedback, proactively seek out detailed critiques from the clients who didn’t choose you. Understanding their reasons in depth can provide invaluable insights that help you refine your approach and better align with client expectations in the future.

Always take it on the chin, it’s never personal. Try to find out why you weren’t selected. Did you miss the mark, was it bad timing, or some other reason outside of your control.

First, assume you're not the only one. Second, that you're not necessarily the best. Third, keep in mind that today so many people possess enough technical skills this will not be determining. The best in my opinion is to be sincere. To start ands deliver images from your own sensitivity because that 's the true personal dimension you can offer.

Every photographer has an individual vision and perspective which they bring alive through framing and compostion and while you might get a million dollar shot it is important to keep in mind whether it hits the brief or fulfils the objective otherwise the shot will remain as a masterpiece with no usability. For brand based or commercial photography it becomes even more important to strike that balance between your artistic vision vs the rational purpose. However, in spite of doing everything right, your vision may still not match with the client's, in that case first try to build a mental picture based on the client's thought processand then shoot. Keep questioning pre, during and post shoot and reflect on how to nail the brief.

If the feedback is painful to you just focus on capturing it (write, record, etc) for the time being. Revisit it when you can be more objective. Remember that painful feedback strikes at the heart of something we hold dear and this might be the thing that helps us let go. And when we let go, our world expands - and with that so do our capabilities.

1. Ask for constructive criticism: Request specific feedback to understand the client's decision. 2. Learn from feedback: Use it to improve your skills, portfolio, and future pitches. 3. Don't take it personally: Separate your self-worth from your work. 4. Focus on the next opportunity: Channel energy into new prospects. 5. Refine your pitch: Adjust your approach based on feedback. 6. Build resilience: Develop a growth mindset to handle future rejections. 7. Seek support: Share experiences with fellow photographers for encouragement. 8. Celebrate small wins: Acknowledge smaller successes along the way. 9. Stay open-minded: Consider different perspectives and genres.

Navigating rejection or not being chosen for a photography job requires resilience and a proactive approach. Use rejection as an opportunity for self-reflection and growth. Seek feedback to understand areas for improvement and learn from the experience. Stay persistent and continue pursuing new opportunities. Network actively to expand your connections and visibility in the industry. Focus on honing your skills and refining your portfolio. Trustworthy and reliable, Lee Pitts Photography understands the challenges and values perseverance, turning setbacks into stepping stones toward future success. For unrivaled event coverage, explore leepitts.pics now!

Find out and observe closely the reasons why you were not chosen. It usually comes from one of these pitfalls: price, quality, services. But these issues are always seen - by the client - through the prism of your presentation; quite often, the issue is in the way you communicate, rather than in the content.

Rather than only reflecting honestly on why you weren’t chosen, use this opportunity to conduct a comprehensive review of your portfolio and recent projects. This thorough self-assessment can reveal consistent patterns or gaps in your work that you can address to improve your chances next time.

It is nothing like your style. Look elsewhere. Keep doing what you love, take hints from their criticism, . Try to learn something new one or twice a week. Look at other artwork see what people are liking.

Don't forget to look at your overall business practices. Do your business practices hold up to your competitions? Did you communicate your practices in your proposal in a way that the client can have confidence that you will ameliorate the unexpected better than their other choices?

As a photographer, you produce the best images you can. Your portfolio should reflect your position on the visual path you follow. But medium is part of the message: the way you show your work is crucial.

Photography is a very competitive field. Rejection is one of the most common and most difficult situations to handle continuously. It is very important that you are thoroughly critic with yourself about the state of your work, the skills required for the jobs and projects you are applying for, and most important of all, always clear and honest. Review your own work, ask for constructive criticism from your close peers and don't be afraid to admit about your weak areas. Work on them, then try again.

Enhancing my pitch to clearly communicate how my approach benefits clients can make my offerings more compelling. For instance, I can demonstrate how my focus on honesty and authenticity not only captures beautiful images but also builds trust and creates lasting memories for clients. Understanding that not being chosen can often be about fit or timing rather than talent allows me to approach feedback constructively. This mindset encourages continuous growth and adaptation, helping me stay competitive in the photography job market.

Being honest to your work is the utmost favour we can do to ourselves. We can love a design or a composition, we do save it for our reference work but never ever you should try to own an idea which is already there in the universe.

Before reflection comes acceptance, neither pull yourself down nor be in denial, just rationally approach the issue and note down the probable reasons for rejection and identify what could have gone wrong in any of these aspects. It's great to have a signature style and a specific approach to briefs but sometimes its also important to unlearn and have a change in perspective. Keep looking at good work and references and track what's trending and how you can value add or make it better. When you get the brief, think of multiple ways to approach the shot. In the process never for once doubt your capabilities, stay humble, keep learning, keep tuning your portfolio to cater to different needs and charge ahead to the next one.

Instead of just expanding your network indiscriminately, focus on building quality relationships within specific niches or industries that interest you. Deepening these connections can lead to more tailored opportunities and recommendations that match your strengths and passions.

Maintain a positive attitude despite rejection. Confidence in your abilities and resilience in the face of setbacks can be just as important as technical skills in photography. Keep creating, sharing your work, and believing in your vision. A positive mindset will not only help you navigate rejection but also attract clients who value your enthusiasm and dedication.

Be relatable, a camera is a bit intimidating for some, balance being professional with being approachable, it will help you drop your subject's facade and a good way to be in networks as well

Here I have learnt a good and healthy network is so important for your business. Wishing someone on a birthday or on their work anniversary is a great way to start.

Sensitive point! You obviously have to be able to create many different genres of photography, from still life to portraits, landscape etc to be a pro. But many photographers do not communicate but on one or two niches. Now, photographic skills are not the only ones you need to shoot good pictures: interpersonnal relationships, curiosity, culture, and genuine interest for your subject are key.

Dans la photographie il est très crucial d’avoir sa niche mais aussi de savoir toucher un peut partout pour élargir son horizon mais aussi toucher un maximum des clients par rapport à leur demande et ce que tu sait faire.

Many photographers, as artists, take rejection very personally. “They don’t like the work I create/me?” That may be true. It means that this was not a good fit for a working relationship. Accept it, and keep moving forward. But the majority of the time it has to do with budget. They could like your work, but not be able to afford you. They reached out for 5 quotes and picked the cheapest. Or, they don’t see enough proof that you can create the end result they are looking for, and someone else is a better fit. But most of the time, it’s about the money. Keep in mind: If you get every job you pitch, that could be an indication that your services are way cheaper than your peers. If you can’t afford health insurance - reevaluate.

It's important to remember that photography is a very personal thing. I think of it as matchmaking. Not every photographer is a match for every person. So when you lose a job, it's not so much a loss as a mismatch. There are so many things that go into making a decision on a photographer, including price, shooting style, editing style, products, personalities, other direction from family members, etc. All we can do as photographers is present our unique selves and then be hopeful that the right people are finding us and the people we don't match well with will take themselves out of the picture.

It is inevitable to feel discouraged and frustrated when we lose out on jobs. This form of rejection is just part of our industry. Sometimes our style isn’t right, sometimes our budget isn’t right, sometimes they can the whole project. You can ask for feedback, but you won’t always get it. The best thing is to stay positive and think about how someone else that was in your shoes did get the job and it’s a big day for them and it has positive impacts on the industry. If people are being hired for jobs, then it’s only a matter of time until it’s your turn.

Staying positive is the best business skill you must acquire at any cost. No business is evergreen, there will always be hurdles but only by maintaining a positive outlook you can solve a problem at hand.

it's okay to feel bummed or discouraged. Take some time to process your emotions in a healthy way, like talking to a friend or taking a walk.

La persévérance la consistance c’est la clé de la réussite , ne vous arrêtez jamais il faut être rejeter pour pouvoir s’améliorer et se présenter très fort prochainement

Muitas vezes a questão que levou o fotógrafo a não ser escolhido ou contratado para certo trabalho não tem a ver com as habilidades ou estilo, mas somente com o orçamento do cliente. Nestes casos, é importante manter o relacionamento comercial para que os clientes possam se programar para trabalhos futuros, ou para que o fotógrafo busque alternativas para melhoras os orçamentos como for possível.

Consider the value of taking breaks and recharging after rejections. Periodically stepping away from the pursuit of new jobs can help you gain fresh perspectives and renewed energy. Use this time to explore personal projects or new inspirations, which can reinvigorate your passion and creativity.