A great question to ponder for all those seeking change in the year ahead. The New Year often triggers a desire for change, a better way of life and to be enriched by giving yourself the opportunity to have a far happier lifestyle. The Aspire training team meets lots of budding aspirational enthusiasts, all with one common goal in mind; to build a business base from their passion and to become the best photographer they could be. The question is will your age hold you back? And does it matter more whether you’re a guy or a gal? In my opinion it is all about the impression you give and the attitude you have to life. What is beautiful about our industry is how open minded we all are, few will judge and those that do are a limited crowd. The secret will be to give this limited crowd little to frown upon.

You have to be equipped to work in the industry, it’s an industry heavily influenced by the female consumer and you must, regardless of whether you are a boy or girl, have a detailed understanding of what your consumer wants. Always be alert to the opinion your consumer has of you. Women naturally have a stronger understanding of women, yet it does not mean we will succeed over the boys. As a girl who trains hundreds of photographers, I know it really does not matter whether you are a boy or a girl.

The perception of age differs; and I am sure it varies depending on who you ask, and perhaps more importantly, depending on where they are at in their life. The consumer doesn’t tend to be age driven; they are more driven by talent. The consumer is a smart cookie; in my experience they are a tribe that are totally switched on by product, innovation and excellence on all levels of service. Do they judge age? No - I am not convinced that they do. What they will judge is what you do and how you do it. We don’t live in an ageist world; think about the success of people such as Karl Lagerfeld. Age brings experience, life skills and an ability to communicate effectively. It’s not about the age you are; it’s about the attitude you have and what you bring to the party! We have taught photographers from as young as sixteen through to those in their seventies, and both scales of age throw challenges into the arena. If you are reading this article and are young and new to the industry, be prepared to work hard - become the guardian of your business. Ensure you learn about the importance of service, serving and gain experience every day. Those at the opposite end of the scale, be prepared to work hard, become the guardian of your business and bring your life experience into the business. People of all ages in business have to be aware of how they present themselves; we are in an image driven business, and because of that image really matters. 

One of the biggest gifts you could deliver to a budding business is a positive “I can do” attitude. Many in business face and travel though various challenges; and I am a great believer in never creating your own. My stepdaughter is 22 and worries about becoming a professional photographer. She has concerns over the opinion of her age, and naturally she does lack the life experience of somebody more mature; however her belief and commitment to her vision will wand her though. The consumer will crave an excellent product and it is all about how you handle yourself. I am a great believer in erasing the boundaries and things that hold you back; few people are actually that concerned about your age, they are more concerned about what you can do for them.

If photography is your second or third career, bring your life experience into this blossoming new adventure. It’s all about building a business that connects and has relevancy to the tribe you crave; you certainly have to be alert to the consumer expectations regardless of age. You have to be aware of being relevant, being on brand, up to date with consumer trends and understand the importance of service whilst providing a product that captures imagination, and is far better than your tribe could produce themselves. Over the years I have coached a broad range of photographers; and those that will succeed are those that understand all aspects of being in business, and how excellent their photography has to be compared to what the consumer could achieve themselves.

Whether you are young or old, becoming a photographer is about preparing yourself for all that is required to do your job. If you have the right mindset, you’re determined to succeed and your ability can compare to other professionals my tip is “life is too short, go for it, nothing should hold you back. We have a wonderful industry - embrace the whole shabang”. I am 46 do I feel too old? Nope, those who know me will tell you I am first on the dance floor, last off the dance floor and I only just feel I have begun. I am determined to pioneer the industry towards success; I have a bounty of energy and ideas. If you feel ready to revolutionise yourself too, join the vibe, grab your camera and shoot to your hearts content. We all aim to make you feel very, very welcome in this wonderful world I call ” world photography”.

By Catherine Connor