Some words I shared with my Portraiture class, and a little more

Everyone, you are NOT students. You ARE photographers. Students try to make an instructor happy in order to gain the best grade possible. Photographers focus on their work in order to create a book (portfolio) that reflects their personal vision—aid them in attracting and winning clients. When your main focus is only a grade, your book (portfolio) will suffer. So accept that you all are photographer’s and keep your sights on the one thing that matters the most, your work. Your instructor is not there to please. They are there to inspire and guide you in the right direction. So stay focused. Ask questions. Take risks. Fuck it all up here while you’re in the safety of the classroom. Because once you leave this room the world will be far less forgiving.