Career talk:

Someone had asked me a series of questions for one of her class projects, and since I usually get asked these questions anyway, I figured I would repost here:

1. How did you break into working in the music industry?

I started off with basic street and online teaming– the ones that marketing companies and record labels would have available for any kid to sign up for. Sometimes some of the bands I would see would give me bundles of marketing materials to pass around.

With a couple of the labels I was street teaming for, after a while of working hard, they chose me to be their main rep for the area. When they would send me to shows, I would make sure that not only did I do my job, but I would make sure I introduced myself, who I was working for, etc.– networking.

That is what originally opened up all these different doorways to a variety of options in the music business.

2. What kinds of opportunities do you get as a photographer?

As a (mostly) concert photographer, sometimes I get to shoot and work with a lot of my favorite musicians.

I usually get completely taken care of for shows: free entry and press passes. This allows me to have access to the photo pit (the area between the stage and the barricade) to take close up and personal shots during the show without having to worry too much about digging through the crowd. Sometimes, depending on certain factors, I will also be allowed to shoot from the stage and run around backstage taking more journalistic shots.

I have also had opportunities to have my work published in a number of ways: printed magazines, online ‘zines, publicity shots (which can be used for anything, really– magazines, websites, merchandise, etc), album covers or inserts…

3. How were you able to expand your field to become more than just a photographer? (such as working on graphic design, promotions…)

I kind of started everything when I was young before I actually realized that they could all integrate with one another and how much it was actually going to work out in the future.

I was big on the music promotion thing at the time, but I was still in high school. I was “the outcast” then, and while everyone else went out partying and doing the underage drinking thing, if i wasn’t at a show, I was staying at home, finishing homework and in my spare time, playing with Paint Shop Pro and Photoshop, as well as teaching myself HTML just out of pure boredom. I never really thought about turning it into a career at that time.

I would continue doing this throughout the years, even when I moved on to college.

When I moved to Los Angeles, I had built a solid base with a handful of musicians by then who had asked me to design their pages or banners.

Eventually, I started interning at Warner Bros. Records. I took a couple weeks off to spend in NYC, and when I returned, things had changed. We got a new head of the [Street Marketing] department, and he asked me what they had me doing before I left. Somehow we got to talking about Photoshop and he asked me to show him some of my work. I had a few websites up by then to toss him, and as it turns out, he was already familiar with some of my work and my name from hearing about me through one of the previous labels he worked for. He asked what on earth was I doing stuffing packages and demanded I be behind a computer immediately. Together we started to redesign and reinvent the entire department.

I guess it all kicked off from there.

4. Out of all your fields is there anything you like best?

My top two are definitely graphic design and photography. Although I thought I would never say this, I think graphic design might take the number one spot right now. I started to realize that there’s so much more I can do (especially with technology and new programs these days) with computers than I ever imagined before. Plus, I can still incorporate my photography into some of my digital designs.

5. What is it like to work in promotions?

Marketing can be an interesting business to be into. What most people may not realize is that it is more than just “Hey check this out!” and then that be it. You want to think about the type of demographic you want to reach out to and what methods would be best for it– both online and in the real world.

You also want to keep all of the visual factors in mind, as well. If you are designing something or even if you’re just in charge of setting a display up– you want to think of ways that are both appealing to the eye and unique. You want something that will catch more attention than just the average ‘pile of stuff on a table’ setup, if possible.

If you are passing promotional materials out to people on the streets, you want to make sure you’re in an outgoing and friendly mindset, keep in mind what kind of demographic you want to promote your product to, and try to toss a few compliments and strike up small talk instead of just holding your arm out with your materials and yelling “here, this is what this is; take it.” Those, if taken, usually end up in the trash bin about two feet away.

6. How has your job been affected by the decline in the music industry?

I won’t lie, the music business is tough, ESPECIALLY rock ‘n’ roll. There isn’t much money there to begin with (regardless of what most people think), and there’s always the chance that you’re going to get screwed out of getting paid.

I have had some bad experiences with this myself, and honestly, it’s left me a little jaded for the time being. At the same time, I believe everything happens for a reason, and not only did I learn from it, but I think it couldn’t have all happened at a better time. It just so happens that I had a backup plan ready with the viral marketing company that I have been doing a lot of designs for.

7. What is the most rewarding part of your job?

Well since I work in a lot of different industries, I’ll say that, in general, it’s been nice to work with so many talented people (whether they be musicians, actors, comedians, photographers, makeup artists, etc). It’s always great to see my work published all over the place, both online and offline.. and of course, honestly, it puts a big smile on my face every time I hear others telling me I help motivate them in some way. It’s a good feeling knowing I’m helping at least one person in the world.

8. What advice would you give to photographers, graphic designers and other artists trying to work in the industry?

As cliche as it may sound, but “Don’t give up.” There is the common misconception that things are supposed to happen suddenly and “overnight.” It never really works that way. It takes a lot of hard work, and often, it will take working hard for YEARS, so don’t get discouraged if you aren’t where you want to be after “only” a year or two. If you are truly that passionate about something, keep going for it.

9. Do you think there was anything you did when you were younger to help prepare you for all these jobs?

Oh definitely! Like I said before, a lot of what I am doing now I actually started learning when I was in high school and built up from there.