Art directors, photo editors, looking for a style?

[tcphotodesign]

So I've read a lot about commercial photographers, gone to their web sites, study their images, after a while they all kinda look alike in style and substance, meaning what they shoot.

How do you/ photogs break out and find your own style that art directors and photo editors, art buys are looking for that seperate us all from eachother?

We all use the same or similar techniques, we are all creative, and want that certain look to our images. It seems we all copy that signature product shot or car shot or fashion shot we want in our portfolio.

Q: How do any of you seperate yourselves from the pack or do you?

What is the "look" Style" that magazine editors, art directors etc are looking for?

[Picture North Carolina]

So I've read a lot about commercial photographers, gone to their web sites, study their images, after a while they all kinda look alike in style and substance, meaning what they shoot.

How do you/ photogs break out and find your own style that art directors and photo editors, art buys are looking for that seperate us all from eachother?

We all use the same or similar techniques, we are all creative, and want that certain look to our images. It seems we all copy that signature product shot or car shot or fashion shot we want in our portfolio.

Q: How do any of you seperate yourselves from the pack or do you?

What is the "look" Style" that magazine editors, art directors etc are looking for?

Yes and no. You answered your own question. When you say same equipment, same shot, copy each other, etc. you are supplying the solution: in the fine arts world, if you want to stand out and offer something unique, you need to develop your own style. If you don't, what's the incentive for a buyer to come to you as opposed to another artist?

On the other hand, I shoot for publications that are very strict about "keeping it real." So much so, they advise against even a little extra saturation, let alone "photoshopping" an image. Not much room for creative artistry there - only good composition, good lighting, good exposure, etc.

[tcphoto1]

There is a continuity to ones images. How do you light a subject, modify that light, solve problems that come up and how do you edit your images and present them. You can shoot a subject countless ways and different photographers can achieve greatly different results. Often times, an AD or PE have a project that has a certain look in their mind. They are looking for someone that can achieve that result.