We caught up with the brilliant and insightful Ed Rudolph a few weeks ago and have shared our conversation below.

Ed, looking forward to hearing all of your stories today. Let’s go back in time to when you were an intern or apprentice – what’s an interesting story you can share from that stage of your career?

When I first got out of school, I started working as a hands-on assistant to one of my teachers, who was a full time photographer with many years of experience. Working for him gave me a ton of valuable experience in the day to day operations of running a photo studio, working with clients, professional expectations, etc. But I also learned just as much about “what not to do”. I noticed areas where he cut corners, sold himself short, did things in inefficient ways, and treated others with a lack of respect.
So I have always tried to keep those lessons in mind as I have gone forward with my own career.

Ed, love having you share your insights with us. Before we ask you more questions, maybe you can take a moment to introduce yourself to our readers who might have missed our earlier conversations?

I was born and raised in Los Angeles, and fell in love with photography in High School. I had never considered a career in a creative field until my uncle suggested I check out his alma mater, Art Center College of Design in Pasadena. When I visited, my eyes were instantly opened to the possibilities that lie ahead. I knew this was the college for me and set my sights on going there. Once I completed a few years of community college and had prepared a portfolio required for entry, I got accepted and starting studying under the industry professionals that were my instructors. Some of those instructors became my first employers after graduating. Through working for them I learned much more than I did in school, and after some years I gradually and slowly began acquiring my own clients.
Since graduating from school almost 20 years ago, I have continued to improve my skills and have gotten more confident in running a business.
Doing the actual photography work has gotten much easier for me, but after all this time, the hardest part of making a living as a creative person remains convincing clients to hire me, to try and assure them I am the right person for the job. Photography is a very competitive field and it takes a lot of perseverance to succeed.

Any advice for growing your clientele? What’s been most effective for you?

The most effective strategy is to network as much as possible. Making personal connections with potential clients is often more important than being the best photographer.

For you, what’s the most rewarding aspect of being a creative?

The most rewarding aspect of my job is the ability to constantly work with new and interesting people, as well as to always have to solve problems in new ways.

Contact Info:

• Website: www.edrudolphphotography.com
• Instagram: @ed_rudolph

Image Credits
Ed Rudolph Photography