For most people, photography is a passion — but knowing how to hone this passion to turn it into a life long career choice is not easy. Today, we talk to the Swiss photographer Rico Rosenberger and ask him what key steps to take to make the switch.
Rico Rosenberger is a photographer based in Switzerland, for whom the fondness for the field of Art ended up becoming a career choice. With the camera as a tool and dedication as his armor, today Rosenberger is a well-known brand himself.
In this interview, we talk to him about his experience and find out how he went from being an assistant to a successful professional, doing both photoshoots and full-service in-house production.
Firstly, could you tell us about yourself?
I am a 35 year old photographer from Zürich, Switzerland. I have been doing camera work for some years now, today I am recognised by my label “Rosenberger Photography“.
I am in the business of photography production and run a full-service Production Company that works mainly in the field of conceptual advertising. I am proud to say that I have been a part of quite a few ad campaigns that won national and international awards.
How did you get started with photography?
Well, I started pretty young. When I was about 15 years old, I attended an art school that kick started my creative career. Soon after that, I started to work as an apprentice to become a photographer. I worked as an assistant to many renowned professionals, while my eye was always set on the goal of becoming a photographer myself.
How did you define your style and photography niche?
My style and niche were actually not decided by me. Originally, I started working as a Still Life photographer, but I believe that was not who I was meant to be. People would enjoy talking to me on various levels and thanks to my dynamism, I started getting more Beauty, Lifestyle and People related assignments. That’s when I thought “the universe is deciding for me, let me go ahead with it”. Today, these projects have turned into my main work and career path.
Could you tell us more about the process you went through to get your first clients?
This is a question I truly do not know how answer. I fail to discern how I ended up working with some clients and projects. I’ve always known myself to have a charismatic personality and maybe that is what enticed people to work with me. I always try to be ready for a job and give it my complete and utmost dedication and commitment.
How do you maintain long-term relationships with key contacts?
A lot of my clients and advertising agencies I work with continue collaborating with me on multiple projects. I would say because I am heavily involved with creating an imagery that then becomes part of the corporate identity of the client. This extended creative and conceptual service is steadily growing and very well received.
What would be your key advice when it comes to reaching out to people?
Don’t be afraid of rejection.
Don’t be afraid of rejection.
Don’t be afraid of rejection.
Repeat this mantra every morning.
In your opinion, what are the main boxes one needs to tick to be called a professional photographer?
What separates the pros from the rest is to be able to create a thematic series of photographs, all in the same quality and feel, and repeat that process with every single project.
To take one good snapshot is easy and Instagram is full of them, all good pictures, but the next step is to be able to re-create these over and over again on demand and ad context to it.
In addition, as a professional artist working for money you must have the honest empathy to understand and feel the clients and project goals. Abstract thinking and objectivity is important, and just a teaspoon of an artists ego and recklessness mixed in helps as well.
What was the most memorable shooting for you so far?
Picking one of them wouldn’t be fair. I think my whole journey has been wonderful. Currently, I am simply enjoying the ride and am looking forward to the next shoot and making it great.
What are your plans for the future?
Plans? These never work well for a freelance artist (ask any)! I am excited to see what the future stored for me. Bring it on, I am always ready!
To see more of Rico’s fine commercial work visit his Cherrydeck profile or his website, here. For more interesting insights on how to make it in the photography business, have a look at Jan Northoff’s perspective on the world of freelancing. ?
