The Politics of Fashion Photography Part 27 There is the One Percent and then there is the Rest

Success Failure

The Fashion, Fashion Photography, Music, Film and Entertainment Industries in general are probably the most ferociously guarded, fought to maintain and difficult to succeed in. In fact, based on my couple of years of experience x 15, I would go so far as to say that less than 1 percent of those embarking on one of the above careers will succeed and be able to maintain themselves in it.

To put a different light on this, it is akin to attempting to get in to a major medical, architecture or law school, where you have an average of 2000 or more applicants per school where approximately 100 get accepted and only 10 percent graduate at the end of the duration of studies.

Now I am not saying that you will not succeed.  In fact, if you have the will, talent and intestinal fortitude to pursue one of the above careers, by all means do so.  In fact, I would go as far as to say that to succeed, you must focus yourself on one goal and only one goal and focus with all of your soul to achieve your goal. Those that think about alternative possibilities after giving themselves a couple of years for succeeding in one of the above careers, in my opinion rarely do so.  One who is afforded the luxury of cruising rarely realize their goals.

Fear

Your raison d’être must be your will and desire to accomplish your one goal and only that goal.  Don’t listen to the nay sayers around you. Generally the road is a difficult one, but from all that I have experienced in my life, I can say this with certitude… Only listen to those who encourage you to strive for your goals and ignore those that live in fear of the joy of success.  They have already resigned themselves to a major compromise in their lives.

 However, take heed, because if you do decide to take the leap and give up your quest, you will be exposed to a major onslaught of “I told you so” and “I TOLD YOU SO!!!”

In most cases you won’t get any sympathy except from your loved ones.

 So what part of my title are you?  The One percent or the Rest?

About Benjamin Kanarek
Fashion and Beauty Photographer. Some of the magazines I have shot for include: VOGUE (China, Portugal, Brazil, Italia, Paris and South America & Mexico editions), RG VOGUE Brazil, Harper’s BAZAAR (China, en Español & Latin America, Hong Kong, Italy editions), L’Officiel Paris, ELLE (Spain, Portugal and Greece editions), Madame Figaro (France), Cosmopolitan (France and Italy editions), Glamour (France), Votre Beauté, Jardin des Modes, Dépêche Mode, New York Daily News, Fashion District News, New York Times Magazine, W (British edition), WWD, Fashion Magazine (Canada), Flare (Canada), Oyster, Tank, WestEast…