While there are ample resources available on portfolios, websites, leave behinds and promotional materials, there?s one important subject that I?ve found little helpful information on: the photographer?s bio.
Almost always found on a professional photographer?s site, the bio can make or break you. In a world where creatives often only have a couple of minutes to view your site, the bio can play a significant role. A biography is a glimpse into your personality and gives the reader a sense of what you might be like to work with. Creatives will often seek out the bio to help them make quick judgements. Therefore, just having great pictures isn?t enough. Many people will quickly abandon a website to jump to the next, so you have to make sure your entire site is not only engaging, but successfully portrays your personality. With bios being one way to express who YOU are, I?m always surprised at just how many dreadful ones I find. So, after reading one too many boring, exaggerated, absurd, grammatically incorrect and simply over the top biographies, I decided to come up with a few Dos and Don?ts.
Ok, let?s start with the Don?ts. These are easier to lay out, and there are certainly plenty of them (These are simply opinions. Please take all advice and examples with a grain of salt and a pinch of humor):
Don?ts
Don?t be pompous: (names have been changed to protect the innocent/pompous) ?Jim Doe has left an indelible mark on the modern photography world as we know it.? Unless you?re an Annie Lebowitz, Ansel Adams or the like, I would try to refrain from overly self-important remarks. You don?t want to give creatives the impression that you?re some sort of prima donna who?s difficult to work with or doesn?t take direction. Also, try to avoid over the top, superfluous words, phrases, and sentences.Don?t take yourself too seriously: Overly serious bios sometimes fall into the pompous category as well (such as my previous example). Often times, photographers aren?t saving lives. Unless you?re a Joao Silva or Eddie Adams, austere and somber isn?t super appropriate and can give off a stuffy vibe. Your goal is to attract and be hired by creatives, who aren?t typically the super serious type. Remember, this isn?t a PhD dissertation.
(Exceptions to the rule: wartime photojournalists)
Don?t get too lengthy: This is self-explanatory. Please, no novels? or even novellas. Be short and sweet. Leave them wanting more. I?ll spare you the long example.
Don?t be illiterate: Please try to avoid typos, bad translations, grammatical errors and spelling mistakes. If you know you?re not the best writer (or aren?t writing in your native language), think about hiring a writer. Everyone should have someone look over their work, no matter what. You?re not going to impress anyone with your cringe worthy grammar or semicolon misuse. Also, please don?t use an online translator to translate your bio from one language to another.
OK, that?s enough negativity for now. I?m sure we could all come up with more bio don?ts, but I?d rather focus on the good. There are plenty of great examples out there that I?d love to share.
Dos
Do have fun: You only have so much time to catch the eye of a creative. Showing some creatively in your bio and having fun with your writing is a great way to get attention. Below are some of my favorite ?fun? examples:- Adam Voorhes: Not only is Adam?s bio amusing, but you can also play pong on his site! Here?s his bio:
- Roberto Westbrook: Robert?s bio stretches over several pages and includes a fun image to go along with each blurb. Usually, I would discourage such a long text, but Robert?s quirky and charming writing style keep you engaged and leave you wanting more. Check it out on his site. It?s worth a read!
- Bruton Stroube Studios: On top of having well written photographer bios, each BSS staff member also has their own bio. And each includes a goofy poem. Adding a little fun poem goes along with their fun loving brand. Assistant Jake Pott?s poem: A lightweight, at least at first glance, He just fills out his ski pants. With work so high rated, To success he is fated. In the darkroom when given a chance.
- Suggestion: Mad Lib style bio. I saw this done once where each member of the studio filled one out. So fun!
- Ryan Ketterman
- Bradley Spitzer
- Grace Chon
Grace is an animal photographer. Her bio is short and sweet while also giving you a glimpse at her personality and love for animals
Do have a photo: One of the first things I do when viewing a photographer?s website is to look for their portrait. I?m sure I?m not alone. This is one of the reasons we like to have head shots for all Wonderful Machine member photographers. It?s always nice to put a face to a name. Also, it helps if the photo actually looks like you. Ignoring the fact that there are many dos and don?ts in themselves for bio photos, I?ll just share a few I like.
- Alvaro Leiva is a travel photographer, his photo highlights this well while also showing a bit of his personality.
- Stephanie Diani is a celebrity photographer, something you get right away from her photo. It also shows that she?s fun loving and laid back.
- Nick Hall has a Q&A style bio that I really like, but I also enjoy the images on his about page. They give you a good sense of Nick?s personality and his photo style.
- Ethan Welty is an action/adventure photographer and his photo displays this quite nicely.
© Yoav Bar-Ness
About the author: Maria Luci is the Publicity Director at Wonderful Machine, a marketing engine for commercial photographers worldwide. This post was originally published here.
Image credit: pen and paper by LucasTheExperience
