Questionnaire

A former student asked me to answer some questions about my work for an assignment in one of his classes.  I thought the questions were interesting and worth sharing... 

What is your name/company's name?   Lily Mayfield Photography

What is your specialty and why did you choose it?  My specialty or main interest is fine art documentary work, but I also do freelance work.

Did you study photography in school or come from another field?  Yes I did.  Although I started off as an English major, I switched majors and got a BFA in photography, and later an MFA in photography.  My dad is also a photographer, so I grew up looking at photographs all the time.  I think that helped develop a strong sense of composition even before I began shooting.

What were your first clients/first photo jobs as you began your career? The turning point for me, what made me switch majors to photography, was when I went on a mission trip to Havana, Cuba.  I was asked to document the trip.  I took my role seriously and spent all my free time wandering in the streets of Havana and photographing.  I got some amazing photographs. I'm still very proud of that work.  Other first jobs were shooting weddings, shooting portraits of kids in their dance recital costumes, and high-end event design photography for a company called Botanicals.

How did you market your work when you began your career?

A website is crucial, business cards are also helpful.  I also maintain a blog. Word of mouth and networking has gotten me many jobs.  I think the first step is to create a website and update it with new work periodically. 

How do you market yourself today?  Honestly, I think I could use some help with that! Maintaining the website is very important.  As an artist, I am constantly applying for exhibitions and grants.  You can find web resources for that info.  SPE (Society for Photographic Education) and CAA (College Art Association) are helpful resources.  Also, maintaining relationships with people who support your work is important, it often leads to more opportunities.

What advice do you have for photographers starting out today?

Find a way to use your camera to make money.  That's essential.  But also don't give up on your personal work. That's just as important.  It feeds the spirit.

What camera and lens combo do you use?

I have 3 combos for various subject matter:

#1 - Canon Rebel XTi (digital SLR) with 24-105 mm lens

#2 - Pentax 67 (medium format) with 45 mm and 105 mm lenses

#3 - Toyo 45A (large format 4x5) with 90mm, 150 mm, and 210 mm lenses

Where do find your inspiration? What keeps you motivated to be a photographer?

I am inspired by beautiful days with rich color and light.  That makes me want to go outside and look around and discover things with my camera.  I also have a bit of a competitive streak and when I see other people doing amazing things with their cameras, it makes me want to get out and shoot.  So I think just getting out and looking around me as well as viewing other photographs - both inspire me.

How often do you make photos just for yourself - ones you haven't been hired by a client to do?

It really varies on how much time I have.  My goal is to get out once a week to  shoot for my personal projects.  But depending on the demands of teaching, I may or may not get around to it.

It's important to keep your personal style as a photographer - How do you keep yourself from having every shoot the same, yet keep your style?

That's a tough question.  I just try to be open to the subject and not formulaic.  I try to see each subject with fresh eyes and think about the best way to see that particular subject with my camera. My "style" is just a part of me - not really something I think about too much.

What defines you from your competition?

I think I have a certain sensitivity to my subjects that others may not.  When I photograph people it is very important to me that I do not take advantage of them or exploit them.  I think I do that partly through the way I photograph them (often looking back at the viewer/camera), also through the fact that they have agreed to allow me to photograph them, and it is a collaborative effort rather than me "stealing" their image.  I photograph where I am - what I know, what I see on a daily basis.  I also have a particular use of color and light that is different from other photographers. But honestly, I can't get stuck on that too much - I just have to go out and use my camera to see.  Each photographer sees things differently.