Unlock Your Fame: The Power of Dumb Luck for Photographers

In this video, we're going to look at how good luck played a role in the success of some of the world's most famous photographers. From Robert Capa to Henri Cartier-Bresson, let's see how important good luck is in becoming a photographer famous and successful.
If you're looking to become a photographerfamous and successful, then you need to understand the role good luck plays. In this video, we're going to look at some of the most famous photographers in history and see how good luck helped them reach their success. From Robert Capa to Henri Cartier-Bresson, these photographers share how important it is to have good luck when it comes to becoming a famous photographer!
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[@TinHouseStudioUK]

Hopefully my modest story is more relatable than those in the thumbnail. Same principles though. If you want to learn to market, head here www.tinhouse-studio.com/product/photography-marketing-101/

[@thenewyorkcitizen]

Blue collar from upstate NY. I can relate. Great video. Thank you for sharing.

[@alanoconnor859]

'The harder I work, the luckier I get ' - Lee Travino

[@alanoconnor859]

@@Crackdennumber1 thanks, I'm clearly not a golfer!

[@doylethomas9856]

the more i practice the lucker i get~Ben Hogan

[@kevinyounger7854]

“Grizzly Adams DID have a beard.” -also Lee Trevino

[@MrBillkaz]

Arnold Palmer

[@allenfunstuff]

I was a part-time student employee in the photography department of what is now Daytona State college, in the very early 1980s. Sam Shere was there to speak about his famous Hindenburg photograph and I was asked to give him a tour of our facilities. He loved to talk about photojournalism so I grabbed every student I could find an opened one of our studios, got him a chair and he spent a little over an hour telling us what it was like to be a photojournalist in his time. It was truly amazing and we got to ask all the questions we would like an incredible memory and the very nice man. Sadly he passed away within the year in New Smyrna Beach Florida where he had retired, just a few miles south of the school. Luck... right place at the right time 📸 maybe just having the presence of mind not to miss a great opportunity it was something I will never forget.😊

[@doylethomas9856]

chance favors the prepaired Mind ~ Louie Pasture

[@kennethjonesphotography]

As a former rock 'n roll "recording star" (as a teen in 1965) and as a real estate agent for more than 5 decades with various sales and advertising awards, I can tell you with certainty, that the harder one works the "luckier" they will be. I know this because I've lived it. I've gone from having more than most people can dream of to living out of my car until it was repossessed by the bank, then borrowed an old car and got myself back on track again because I worked my ass off in the past and I was "lucky" enough to then be at the right place at the right time... again. Great video with excellent information.

[@judahtownsend2195]

Phew I needed to hear this. I'm test shooting all the time, constantly networking with people in my area, researching brands and sending in my work. Nothing has happened yet, but I'm committed to grinding it out and continually improving my work and cultivating relationships. I know I'll get there eventually. Some days are just hard man. Today is one of those hard days for me.

[@rogershore3128]

I'm the same. Been doing work for years but never had that lucky moment...

[@theusbadenhorst7079]

GARY PLAYER SAID: The harder I work, the luckier I get. " I love your perspective and I follow the exact same philosophy. I just got a big break through someone who knows me but I have put in the work too. Your content is very encouraging. Thank you.

[@brunof.6452]

Finally KZbin algorithm recommended something good. Not the usual photography stuff from the same creators saying just the same old things. Thanks for sharing your thoughts and experiences.

[@geoffreystone1598]

My father, who had 8 kids, growing up after WWII taught us valuable criteria. Determination, talent, taking an opportunity, reliability and most of all persistence. Each one brings so called “luck”.

[@Andyhutchinson]

It's the same whether you're a professional or a hobbyist. I'm a small-fry landscape photographer but I've enjoyed a little bit of success locally and worked for various tourist agencies, government departments and businesses. And when I'm asked by other photographers how to raise their profile and perhaps transition into some paid work I always say - take photographs and don't stop taking them. I've taken some good photos over the last 20 or so years and when asked how I managed to get such a high strike rate I say that I let the law of averages work in my favour. I set the alarm and I get up to photograph the sunrise. And I pay for the good shots with months worth of average ones. Luck doesn't happen if you're not there to receive it.

[@matthieurochette]

Yes !!! Finally someone that says it like it is ! Success takes both hard work and luck ! Too often people forget about one of the two, and I'm tired of it.

[@lukeoxford8122]

What you're perfectly describing is 'Planned Happenstance' - I'm a Careers Adviser at a small specialist Arts University and I talk about this approach during employability sessions with undergraduates. Thanks for sharing your story 👍

[@TinHouseStudioUK]

I like that!

[@sciencepatrol1650]

I've read that "luck" is planning and opportunity crossing paths.

[@veivoli]

I heard it, back when I was a corporate person and life was full of little aphorisms, as "luck is when preparation meets opportunity." Pretty much the same idea.

[@shhharas]

I like the saying "Luck is what happens when preparation meets opportunity". Sounds like it applies not only to my carrer.

[@don06281]

A former colleague used to say, "Luck is preparation meeting opportunity." Sounds like you all over. But it also works the other way -- that email you sent happened to land on the exact day it was needed. Had it landed a day later, you might well have not gotten that job. All the preparation and hard work in the world can't fix that, and that kind of thing happens all the time, often to people who are very, very good at what they do. But the planet just didn't align for them at that moment. But glad it did work our for you, as it's all well deserved. Love you videos, BTW.

[@veivoli]

That was a catchphrase in a number of the organisations I worked in. When I was looking to make a major move in career, and this has nothing to do with photography which remains a hobby, my uncle said "don't sell yourself short." He didn't mean to overstate my abilities but more to avoid the tendency, common among those of us who live close to the edge of the flat earth, to be overly modest about our knowledge and skills. Second your love for the videos.

[@vapor4]

Hear, hear! ♥

[@estebanrestrepo9256]

I totally agree! When I was starting out, I used to see these mediocre photographers shooting constantly and I would get envy and jealous of them. I wasn't doing much at all other than criticising their work. after 5 years of shooting and living off of my photography, I see how hard it is to get consistent work and how much effort you have to put in. I've learnt to be humble and accept that critisicing achieves nothing. I've learnt to look inside and not worry about what others are doing. Just focusing on me, learning, improving, getting out of my confort zone and trying to achieve my goals. Some are lucky in some ways, you are lucky in some others. We never know the whole story, really.

[@Teh-Penguin]

There's no success without luck, but you've got to be prepared for the moment you get lucky.

[@rb.arindam]

Finally people with success recognise the luck part too. Even a 5% influence of luck can alter 95% of the output.

[@BrendonKPadjasek]

Definitely resonate with this. I'm making drum samples for a company. I went to a studio session and while they were on break I took some photos and videos. The owner walked in and said "Oh I'm glad you brought your camera, we were just talking about how we need someone to do our social media content." I've only been shooting for a couple years now but if I didn't obsess over using my camera everyday I would have no clue wtf I was doing haha. Now I have fairly steady work with them. Always appreciate your videos and lessons Scott! Til next time.

[@automotivephoto]

Thank you mate. During the hard mental times here your words make me feel much stronger in industry. Never is enough in business. But all parts should be polished to ideally touch each other to create perfect picture and result.

[@trashculture]

Thank you for acknowledging the simple luck of being born in a certain place of the world. As a man, with white skin. Most people who have that kinda luck don't want to see what a tremendous advantage that is.

[@Drinckx2]

It's good to hear this honest appraisal of your career. No one can just rely on luck if they have no ability and don't work hard at it. The other side is, it is useful to be an amenable person. There is this image of the difficult maverick photographer, who gets on with no one but their work is so good, clients are still crying out to work with them. Maybe there are successful photographers like that, but generally people with 'difficult' personalities are not going to make it in a collaborative industry. Going back to your early point: don't be a 🐓.

[@lmnop7098]

Great story and message. Just the kick I needed. Also, bring back the stash at 1:37 lol

[@rogergroover4971]

Totally agree with your statement and I’ll reframe it just a bit. Because of all the hard work you put in, when an opportunity arrived you were ready! Thanks for sharing!

[@christopherbgriffith]

My favorite line from The Incredibles: “Luck favors the prepared.” Another great video on this is Veritassium’s Success Paradox.

[@chrisburnard5157]

Thank you Scott, more great content, very much appreciated.

[@igorrutsch]

luck is when preparation meets opportunity

[@Falcon012287]

Loved this. Great stuff, Scott.

[@bl4841]

grinding, showing up, education, experience, and tenacity. I mean, it can't be luck, it's just forging a reality. I don't believe in luck at all. I have good experiences like you mentioned, but the subconscious mind will create a reality based on what you focus on most.

[@Phatglove]

Luck is what happens when preparation meets opportunity. Love the video!

[@TheShoobah]

As the famous Swedish skier Ingemar Stenmark said “I don’t know anything about luck. Only that the more I practice the more luck I have” 😊

[@f__e__e__l__e__e__p]

I am the first one to like it :-) Never been the first one to like any video :-) Simple message back up with simple, clear pictures. Thank you.

[@chrisdutton5003]

That was absolutely fascinating. Thanks so much for sharing your story!

[@goadken]

"Luck is when skill and opportunity meet".. Thanks for sharing. Love your videos!

[@martinlorenzo2731]

I'm bloody love your honesty, thanks a lot for that!

[@stephenwoodburn2970]

It is funny how Luck often finds its way to the Prepared. Great story.

[@user-wk9un6qt1j]

Great video on "luck" .. keep 'em coming!

[@andrefelixstudio2833]

The best thing I did was to become a ladies hairdresser first, and most of my clients were fashion models, I started to shot pictures of them and they told there clients about me when showing the photo s then I got the calls for paying jobs!

[@johngordon6817]

Inspiring insight. Much appreciated, I knew this was a channel I wanted to follow ,,,

[@fanjan7527]

Gary Player infamously replied to a comment from a spectator told him that he was just lucky to get that shot, to which Player said: it funny you know, the more I practice, the luckier I get.

[@veivoli]

See my earlier reply pointing to research on the Quote Investigator site. I heard the same story many years ago, but I always get suspicious when it comes to the attribution of quotes. The general idea is still correct, and absolutely supports what Scott is saying.

[@SimonAckerman]

I've always found that the more you put yourself out there as a photographer, the more rolls of the dice on being really lucky.

[@PaulCarterama]

Love this, I really appreciate how real you are.

[@keithakola]

I love these kind of stories!

[@Raykenn1]

Excellent video. Thank you!

[@martinlawrence8427]

Great video and story, interesting and a helpful insight!

[@mikecothran7912]

Luck is when preparation meets opportunity. No matter how much it seems like “dumb” luck,without preparation ( the real work) it would never happen. The two go hand in hand.

[@ActualCounterfactual]

Great, one of your best videos... interesting story....

[@Mojokiss]

Here's a tricky thing most people might not realize. When you think you're good, even if you are, when opportunity comes, we might think it will always come, but its not always true. We have to be cool with opportunity and not just brush it off because then word can spread that we are stuck up etc and no one will work with us but the unsavories.

[@willparsons32]

You're a great influence! A lot of what you talk about is down to earth - sorta speak.. You don't hide the truth or sugar coat the difficulties involved in becoming a pro photographer... A lot of big name photographers don't like to talk about how they made it to the top - it's almost like a "Trade Secret" sorta thing. To me, it sounds like they're afraid to admit their failures on the way up to becoming professional but you say it in plain English and that's important... We all have to remember that we once started off scared to death when we picked up that first camera wondering where it will take us.

[@sprout995]

Absolutely great advice.

[@tomjustice4740]

Your story reminds me of stories I've heard from several musicians who became "overnight sensations" after putting in 10-20 years of hard work. Thank you for sharing your experience and wisdom!

[@russgrant512]

Absolutely bang on. 👏

[@trixorth312]

Glad your uncle was kind!!!

[@richardhart8533]

Gary Player quote, " The harder I work, the luckier I get."

[@pauldunlopphotography]

100% agree. If you have to BE THERE to ‘receive’ the luck. It doesn’t happen when you are sitting on your couch. Get out there. Bust a$$. And luck will hit you

[@danaross]

Great story. Thank you.

[@nickraypost]

Great advice, as usual. Similar story here in USA, one small thing leads to another - bigger and bigger as years go on. Reputation, worth ethic, quality of work, and being a decent person to work with is really all you need to go places, and you don’t control how it happens. Thanks for great inspirational, informative content! Worked a National Ad campaign a couple weeks back as second photographer, just saw our work on TV today! Missed the thrill of this awesome business and people in it!

[@AidenScottCreative]

The KZbin gods decided today was the day that they would feed me one of your videos in the algorithm. And I’m very happy they did because your voice on photography is exactly what I needed for some added inspiration. I struggle greatly with imposter syndrome even as everyone around me cheers my work. I’ve watched several of your videos now and can feel some of those creative juices starting to flow. So thank you for putting this content out in the world, you never really know who’s lives it could be changing for the better.

[@TinHouseStudioUK]

Welcome aboard!

[@CostaMesaPhotography]

Luck is where preparation meets opportunity.

[@rideathome]

Some bits of luck we're ready for and some we're not

[@leslieware_photography_imagery]

Once again Well Said. Reality is Work Ethics. Enjoy your reality.

[@sdgvrfbrt]

Luck is when hard work meets opportunity- marcus parks

[@Bobcat-1967]

Wish id seen this 40 years ago, Inspiring.

[@eric.ko.]

Great perspective with luck at the end of the video 👌

[@samuelkentta2433]

This is like a longer, more toughtfull and higher quality version of those gym/tate motivation videos but for photographers.

[@wastedtalentusa]

You have the most important thing to succeed as a photographer: you believe in yourself, you believe your work is unique and, as a result, people believe in that too. The other important thing is contact. You got have the best contacts to succeed. Not necessarily all the photographers who have their agenda completely booked are the best ones available. The first thing you need to do to succeed is business. The second thing is photography.

[@Tahitianpearl75]

Oh well....and I am losing followers at IG constantly :-( Have a bit of a creative crisis currently. It is hard to carry on when times get rough....but I often think about Vivian Maier who never was recognized while she was alive....I often ask myself "What would Vivian do now ?"....she would continue with her work relentlessy. Thank you Vivian, for the inspiration.

[@Popa_Bogdan_Light_Drawing]

thank you!

[@randar3]

I came for the photography tips... I hang around for the philosophy lessons.

[@astralshore]

Yeah for most of us it’s about working hard so that we’re able to capitalize on random chance.

[@tonyperez5360]

your 100% correct (hard work ) you're a pro! I'm someone who's been in the world of photography for longer then I'd like to admit I'm in a place I'm not proud of but I know I have to pick myself off and continue !

[@vapor4]

I like this guy!! 😁 💖

[@musiqueetmontagne]

Good analogy of why some get on in professions....

[@funknick]

Discipline is the principle that turns preparation into opportunity.

[@timwootton4649]

When preparation meets opportunity. 👍

[@timomuursepp3283]

I mean dude you are saying some really smart things that I should writing those down 😀

[@benny_ngch]

Thank you.

[@Michaelajacksonfilms]

Thank you

[@marike1100]

Great success story, outstanding images. I really do appreciate the discussion of privilege and England’s strong social safety net. In the States, there is lots of opportunity but also great risk of falling through the cracks.

[@aldrindetablan4358]

luck and talent and good looks of your work and yourself will go a long way. ü

[@provinzGFX]

You're right, a lot of good look.

[@ColinHartUK]

I got to interview an actor recently who was nominated for a "rising star" award and my opening question was "how many years work have you put into becoming an 'overnight success'"? It was predictably about 10 years of hard work and good decisions to get that far...

[@grainandsalt2113]

Hi Scott! Great video, as always. I really appreciate how honest and unapologetic you are in your videos. I have a slightly off topic question - you always say it’s important to create original work and if you’ve seen a photograph before, there’s no need to take a similar one. And I absolutely agree with you. But. Would you say this advice applies to beginners as well? You say not to chase specific shots (like pour shot, levitation etc) that look like everyone else’s and work on your original voice , but do you think that creating these shots first (as a practice) is crucial to later finding unique style? I mean, before you can write a beautiful novel, you have to learn grammar, vocab etc. Same with visual arts - before creating something original, wouldn’t you have to know the rules first? Or is it better to focus on developing your own style from the get-go? I’m asking because as a beginner I find this original work idea to be so overwhelming sometimes, and i end up not shooting at all because there’s no point in recreating something that’s already been done before but I can’t always come up with original ideas or know how to execute them as they are in my head 😢

[@sarahmae8991]

Steal like an artist, take and use what you are drawn to BUT make it your own. There is nothing new under the sun so we all are borrowing something from someone else whether we know it or not. Learn all that you can and apply that to shooting. You got this!

[@doughowell3171]

Bowens light are the bomb diggity bomb bomb!

[@gordonwill6885]

It's the perseverance that generates the luck..

[@alangardner8596]

I knew what I wanted to do but could not afford a model. I had to compensate by photographing the young daughter of a friend. I put some of the photos on a social media site and shortly afterwards I was engaged in talking on social media on an unrelated issue and one of the people I was engaging with saw my photographs and asked me if I would like to do some photos of her. I was 'gob smacked' because the lady was a ex 'Miss England' and of course very lovely. When other would be models saw the subsequent photos I was frequently asked by models to do some photos of them. A few years later I had done 180 individual photo-shoots and still not had to pay for a model. I remain an amateur photographer and the images are my reward and yes I was very lucky.

[@LucaGoesOffroad]

CARDIFF??? 🤩 It's one of the most important places in the Universe! It's a fixed point in Space and Time and also the HQ of the Torchwood!!

[@dieselc68]

Life is 50% Luck, 50% Choice. Make the right choice's and you have good luck.

[@fr0xk]

"Most people are successful because of luck but they won't admit it" - Jerry Parker

[@barryobrien1890]

Why worry about luck or not. It's who you are. If nobody liked your photos, you would be miserable and if the camera had not been invented then no photography. We all live on the backs of those that came before us, and struggle so the next crowd can continue from where we left off. Being born human is the greatest luck of all as we can get to realise who we are and what is possible. We are all part of something much bigger and what you do will make someone else say. "i am so lucky i came across your videos on KZbin, or saw your photos". Have you ever thought about how lucky that person who met you was because he met someone at a party, who could take his over booking etc. Glad you are enjoying your life, but only you can live it. Maybe that's luck, or just your role. The beautiful thing is we all have unique roles to live.

[@stroudswebs]

Bought a charity shop camera and started learning

[@shendrie]

I would say the only lucky event was when your uncle lent you his camera. Everything else was the result of hard work. Being in the right place at the right time is meaningless if you aren't prepared for it. Really enjoy your channel.

[@Kintec86]

As a professional photographer, this feels so relatable to me. Similar story.

[@ianthebrightman]

Have I not seen your videos in so long that I just now saw you shaved your head?!? We match now hahaha

[@benharris3949]

So apt. I got “lucky” this week, I happened to contact a business just at the time they were talking about investing in a major shoot. But nothing would have come of it if I didn’t have a body of work for them to look at, if I hadn’t kept testing in the quiet periods the dry spell would have continued.

[@matt.coburn]

You're absolutely right. Circumstances beyond one's control aside, there is no substitute to putting in the work no matter the endeavor. It's not luck that gets you places or opens doors or puts you in the right place at the right time... Sadly the amount of truth behind this axiom is also contingent on one's proximity to white maleness, even in this day and age. But I want to say that I love what you are doing with this channel and your willingness to share your experiences with us. I really appreciate it.

[@philliphickox4023]

Luck is also knocking on doors , until one opens and not knocking back and opportunity.

[@Nakedeyephoto]

Nice,love it. Hello from a Londoner in Spain.

[@TheBigBlueMarble]

Luck by itself is not enough. You have to put yourself in a position where luck converts your current situation into opportunity.

[@JoATTech]

Exactly ...

[@STILLWILLPHOTO]

I got incredibly lucky professionally a few times in life. But... I didn't recognize it and made the wrong choice.