You want to mentor someone in photography. What should you consider first?

If you decide to share your skills, in photography, video, or solo-entrepreneurship don't take it lightly. You can have a serious impact on the mentee's life or path. It is not just giving out your knowledge but it is also a journey of mutual growth and learning. In my years behind the lens, I've found that mentoring enriches both the mentor and the mentee. As you guide aspiring creatives, sharing a spectrum of skills from technical prowess to artistic vision, you too embark on a path of discovery and self-improvement. Setting a clear agenda on the skills and topics to be explored is key. This ensures a focused and fruitful mentoring experience, where both mentor and mentee can thrive and evolve in the art of entrepreneurship.

What you should keep in mind is to be clear about what style your student wants to learn. You can't teach nature photography if your specialization is photojournalism. You will know how to transmit your knowledge much better, if you are passionate about what you do. It is important that you know why this person wants to learn photography. It is also worth dividing your classes into two parts - the theoretical part, where you will teach how the camera works, light, etc. and the practical part where your student will be able to practice and apply this knowledge. I also suggest to my students to see many photos, analyze them and learn from other photographers to improve visual culture in general.

Just remember, they are not going to have all the answers. You might want to guide them along the way. There could be business or marketing ideas or concepts that are not simply photography tips or lighting tactics.

I always suggest to be an open book. Let them know they are always welcome to bring their ideas to the table and to give their thoughts on certain things. But.... and here is the big kicker... make sure they know when the appropriate time is for these comments and discussion. For example - Not in front of a client.

A short story: I am a food and beverage photographer. I took on an intern who wanted to learn it all and become a great food photographer. As we went through the process, I started to learn that she was really interested in Architecture. She understood how she could make money shooting food, but she never gave any thought to how she would do that in the architecture realm. I challenged her to think differently and to use what we learned in food and apply it to architecture companies. She is now a very successful architecture photographer who works with all different kinds of brands and clients.