Music photography veteran Paul Hampartsoumian’s gems for aspiring photographers - Bertrand Dowuona
Paul Hampartsoumian has worked as a freelance photographer for over 25 years specialising in music photography, working for corporate, PR firms and global artists stars from both sides of the pond such as Jay-Z, Public Enemy and Nicki Minaj. As an avid amateur photographer myself, I was very keen to hear his insight on the photography game, especially as there has been so many changes in the industry considering the fact that when he was my age, there were no smart phones, no DSLRs, no mirrorless cameras, he had to curate his art with 35mm film.
These following points he raised resonated with me and I feel like it’s important;
Luck is a result of preparation meeting opportunity: I guess this applies to all industries, but I think the main takeaway is that you cannot sit down, doing nothing expecting something to come your way. Simultaneously, you cannot prepare for a hypothetical opportunity to come your way. Sometimes, you have to take life by the reigns, and make sure you’re in the right place at the right time.
Be your own brand of photographer: There are so many professional photographers in the world and if you count amateur photographers with their mobile phones, there are billions. You have to make your work stand out and be identifiably you. When someone looks at your portfolio and your shots, it has to be distinctly you. Don’t try to copy someone else’s style of photography or think just following what someone else is doing would work. Everyone is unique and possesses a unique perspective to bring to the world.
Invest in your equipment: You don't have to buy all the lenses or the most expensive frame in the world, but ensure you are utilising your tools and adding to it if need be. Early in his career, Paul had to make use of a manual film camera, requiring him to modify the aperture, exposure and other settings manually, which is very time consuming and may not lead to the best results. Paul took the plunge and bought himself a Canon EOS for £600, which was automatic led a higher quality of photos and opened the door for more opportunities and paid work.
Getting published doesn’t make you a photographer: Paul emphasised that him becoming an established photographer was a very gradual process, there was not one particular moment where he felt like he had made it. Paul had to grind by going to gigs, submitting photos to newspapers and magazines (sometimes only being paid for expenses) and juggling multiple part time jobs as well. He had to often shadow studio photographers and getting exposure to the industry and making the right contacts will help you in building your reputation.
