MENTOR'S CORNER
THAT TIME I NEARLY LOST IT IN FLAGSTAFF
"It's not working", I exclaimed to the smartly dressed consultant I had hired to tell me why it wasn't working. "I know the work is good", I was starting to whine a bit here. (Not proud, just truthful.) It was the early 80's. Big hair, wide belts, and mullets. I was...
THERE IS NO GOOD TIME OR BAD TIME… THERE IS JUST NOW
I was sitting in a local pub listening to a photographer explain why they were upset at the way their business was starting out. He was pouring out about how there was no work in his town and how impossible to get anyone to look at his book. When I asked...
ON GETTING A DEPOSIT…
ON GETTING A DEPOSIT… Do it. Or risk more than just the time you have given to the gig already. Back in the day, I got fed up working with the advertising agencies in my city. They started making a habit of 60 - 90 - 180 payment schedules for photographers...
Is Curiosity a Vital Element for Photography?
Is Curiosity a Vital Element for Photography? I think it is. The incredibly important book "The Americans" was created out of Robert Frank's curiosity about America and what the Americans were up to at that point in time. What many of us took for granted,...
WHAT TO DO AFTER A NEGATIVE PORTFOLIO REVIEW
WHAT TO DO AFTER A NEGATIVE PORTFOLIO REVIEW Hey, it happens. It happens to all of us at some point. We are not going to please all the people all of the time. Ever. So we will have negative reviews and portfolio showings. It may go something like this....
Arnold’s Five “SECRETS” for Success
ARNOLD'S "SECRETS" TO SUCCESS. First of all, there are no secrets. There are only rules. Some are societal, some are biological, some are physical but they exist. There are pathways to success that are so time-tested, and often proven that they become...
Why Weekly Assignments Work (and why I love Unsplash)
When I started Project 52 Pros back about 7 years ago, I knew I wanted it to introduce a wide variety of commercial photography to photographers who were not steeped in that tradition. It is difficult to find assistant gigs, and even harder to find them when you are...
Article for Petapixel: Pricing Work by Understanding Value
"The fact that you own a lot of gear that cost a lot of money, have purchased a vehicle to transport that gear, and spent long hours mastering its use is a given. Of course you have. Otherwise you would not be a professional photographer. Period. I do not care how...
Site Redesign: Pro Digital Image
My bud Steve Burger is the driving force of Pro Digital Image. He is a Photoshop genius who loves to make photographs, awesome prints, and teach. He has been THE guy to go to for Photoshop in Phoenix and Arizona for more than a decade. I have built all of his...
Don Giannatti, Mentor
I’m Don Giannatti-mentor, creative consultant, and passionate supporter of photographers and creatives at every stage. Whether you’re looking to refine your craft, build a standout portfolio, or grow your creative business, I’m here to help you achieve your goals. Reach out with your questions or ideas-I look forward to connecting and helping you take the next step in your creative journey!