The art of acting like a professional

As a photographer who shoots primarily marketing photos for companies, my portfolio is vastly different from the work that comes my way.  I normally end up shooting ads for local companies and regional offices, non-profits, and bars and restaurants that are in no way my vision.  It's just the nature of my usual work.  The clients generally wants my style but their setup and background elements.

It may feel like I'm sacrificing artistic integrity but, in reality, you can't eat integrity.  You can't live in integrity. What you can do is deliver your best work adhering to the client's guidelines or shot-list and get paid.  That's the problem I see with so many people in the art world.  They get hung up on integrity of their art.  That's just not how you get paid.

My product portfolio is filled with shots like this.  Simple, understated, well lit, and(as I see it) beautiful.  What I typically end up sending to print is, to my eye, slightly overdone and a little garish but it makes the clients happy and they're the ones cutting checks at the end of the day.

Just remember, you can't get hung up on making yourself happy.  when someone approaches you and says they like your style and they want you to take the reigns and go with it, take that as a compliment to your style and your work.  Be happy when those gigs come along.  when someone comes to you and says they need a photographer and want their ideas, be happy you're about to get paid.