Evan Tanaka is a Los Angeles based product photographer who has had a meteoric rise in success since starting his photography studio. Tanaka didn't set out initially to be a photographer but picked up the craft when starting his own athleisure brand. He was teaching himself how to take photos and received his first job even though it was not paid. Tanaka goes on to discuss his creative journey and what form of education he found helpful to learn photography. Working with brands like White Claw, Liquid IV, Cupcake Wines, and One Plus. Today Evan talks about being open to creative ideas that fulfill you as an artist as well as capturing images the client needs. Tanaka has no mentor and hasn't experienced formal education in photography, but through self-teaching has become well-versed with producing amazing results in simple setups.
The Big Ideas:
Start with small steps
Learn by solving problems
You are in control of the final image
Be flexible with clients
Start shooting with what you have
Get it right in camera
Get all the details first
Err on the side of making the client happy
Experiment and try new things
Shoot more to get better
Time Stamps
00:03:00 Learn photography through trial and error.
00:06:09 Learn by solving problems.
00:16:48 Have control and be creative.
00:17:03 Explore creative ideas with brands.
00:27:59 Start with camera, subject, shoot.
00:33:01 Get it right in camera.
00:37:03 Get all the details first.
00:43:59 Err on the side of making clients happy.
00:47:39 Experiment and take risks.
00:53:45 Shoot more to improve.
Resources:
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Start with small steps.
Starting something new can be intimidating, especially if you’re looking to do something ambitious like becoming a professional photographer. It’s easy to feel overwhelmed when you see all the amazing work of experienced photographers and think “I’m not that, how am I supposed to do that?” But it’s important to remember that everyone starts somewhere and it’s okay to start small.
Take Evan Tanaka, a product photographer, for example. He didn’t set out to become a photographer; he was trying to start his own brand and needed to make his own content. He didn’t have any money to pay for someone else to do it, so he taught himself how to take photos. He was given a camera from the library and didn’t even know what a 50 millimeter lens was. But he kept experimenting and learning, and eventually he got his first paid job.
It’s important to remember that there’s no one-size-fits-all approach to learning something new. Everyone has to start somewhere, and it’s okay to start small. You don’t have to jump in and try to be Leibowitz or Platon overnight. What makes them them is the continued education throughout the life of photography that they’ve picked up. It’s a process that takes time, and it starts with small steps.
Evan’s story is a great example of how it’s possible to turn something small into something big. He started with a few photos of some clothes and now he has a real production company with team members working with some of the world’s biggest brands. It’s inspiring to see what he’s been able to do, and it’s a reminder that it’s okay to start small. You don’t have to be an expert right away, but you can start learning and growing today.
Learn by solving problems.
Evan’s approach to learning photography is one that many of us can relate to. He didn’t try to learn everything at once. Instead, he would go out and shoot, and then look for solutions to any problems he encountered. This approach allowed him to learn in a manageable way, and it also allowed him to focus on the specific issues he was running into.
It’s a great example of how you can learn by solving problems. Instead of trying to learn everything at once, focus on the problems you’re running into and try to find solutions. This approach allows you to learn in a way that’s manageable and also helps you to gain a deeper understanding of the subject.
As Evan’s story shows, it’s possible to take something small and turn it into something big. With the right approach, you can learn by solving problems and turn your passion into something you can be proud of.
You are in control.
In his case, the passion was product photography. He started with a simple premise—taking photos of products in his studio garage—and gradually built up his skills and knowledge. As he worked through the problems presented by the task, he learned more and more about how to get the best shots and make them look their best.
The key to his success was his understanding that he was in control. He knew that he had to take a layered approach, solving one problem at a time, and that the final result was up to him. He also knew that the product itself wouldn’t do anything for him—it was up to him to create the moment and make it look its best.
This understanding of being in control is key to success in any endeavor. Whether it’s product photography or something else, it’s important to remember that you are the one who will determine the outcome. You are the one who will have to work through the problems and figure out the solutions. You are the one who will have to take the risks and make the tough decisions.
By embracing this understanding of being in control, you can take charge of your own success. You can take the initiative to learn new skills and try new things. You can take the time to think through the problems and come up with creative solutions. You can take the risks that will help you achieve your goals.
Evan’s story is a great example of what can happen when you take control of your own success. He worked hard, he took risks, and he figured out how to make his passion into something he could be proud of. By understanding that he was in control, he was able to take the initiative and make his dreams a reality.
Be flexible with brands.
One of the key lessons we can learn from Evan is that it is important to be flexible with brands. It is important to understand that brands have a certain look and feel that they want to portray, and it is important to be able to adapt to that. Evan explains that he always tries to match the brand’s vibe, and he asks questions to get a better understanding of what the brand wants. He also allows himself to play around with the photos and add his own style while still staying true to the brand’s vision.
It is important to remember that brands have a certain look and feel that they want to portray. It is important to be flexible and understand that the brand has a certain vision and that it is important to stay true to that vision. By being flexible and understanding the brand’s vision, it is possible to create photos that are both creative and true to the brand’s identity.
Evan’s story is a great example of how it is possible to take control of your own success and make your dreams a reality. It is important to take risks and be flexible with brands. By understanding the brand’s vision and allowing yourself to play around with the photos, it is possible to create photos that are both creative and true to the brand’s identity.
Start shooting with what you have.
Starting out as a photographer or filmmaker can be intimidating. You don’t necessarily need a lot of equipment to get started. All you need is a camera and a subject, whether that’s a product or a person. You don’t have to have the most expensive equipment to get started. You can start out with what you have and slowly build up your equipment as you go.
Evan’s story is a great reminder that you don’t need to have a lot of money to get started. You don’t have to have the most expensive equipment to take amazing photos. In fact, Evan started out with a camera from the library. He was able to slowly build up his equipment as he went.
So if you’re just starting out, don’t be intimidated by the expensive equipment that you see online. Start shooting with what you have. You can slowly build up your equipment as you go. With a little bit of creativity and experimentation, you can create amazing photos that will help you stand out in the industry.
Get it right in camera.
One of the most important aspects of photography is getting it right in camera. To some, this may sound daunting, but it doesn’t have to be. With a little bit of practice and patience, you can create stunning images that capture your audience’s attention.
For photographer, Michael Brown, getting it right in camera is essential. According to Brown, “I hate the phrase, ‘fix it in post’. It takes away from the art of taking a photograph because it’s like, ‘oh, it’s not good enough, let’s fix it in post’.” Brown believes that post-production is an art form in itself, and that it should be used to enhance the photos, not to fix what isn’t working.
When it comes to creating photos, Brown recommends getting as much done in camera as possible. He explains that, “Most of the photos that you see me take, I’ve seen it so much online and they tell me like, oh, you could do this in Photoshop. I did a shot with White Claw not too long ago and it was like a frame with a photo or with a White Claw in the center. There was like this pattern in the backdrop that mimicked or mirrored the can itself. But the way I did it was I shot it in a forced perspective way so that when you went to the side, it was in layers. So the can out here, the frame out here, then you had the pattern right here, and then back another step, you had the actual backdrop. And then when you took a photo from the front, it would look like one flat image.”
By getting it right in camera, Brown was able to create a unique and interesting photo that would have been difficult to replicate in post-production. This is a great example of how getting it right in camera can help you create stunning photos that will help you stand out in the industry.
At the end of the day, it’s important to remember that getting it right in camera isn’t just about the equipment. It’s about the creative process and the experimentation that goes into creating the perfect shot. With a little bit of practice and patience, you can create stunning images that capture your audience’s attention.
Get all the details first.
When it comes to product photography, it’s especially important to get all the details first. As a photographer, it’s your job to make sure that the product looks its best and that the end result is something that the client is happy with. However, there are a lot of details that go into product photography that you need to be aware of before you start shooting.
The first thing you need to do is find out what the client’s expectations are. This includes the type of product you’ll be shooting, the number of photos they’re expecting, the aspect ratio they’re looking for, and any other details that they need. Additionally, you need to find out if they’re going to need any additional help with styling, props, wardrobe, or models. All of these details can affect the cost of the shoot, so it’s important to get them all up front.
Another important thing to consider is post-production. Do the clients plan on handling post-production themselves, or will you be doing it? If you’re doing it, you need to factor in the time and cost of editing the photos. It’s also important to find out if they’re expecting any specific editing techniques or styles.
Finally, you need to know how much the client is willing to pay for the shoot. This is something that you can’t answer until you know all the details. Once you have all the information, you can come up with a fair rate that will work for both you and the client.
At the end of the day, it’s important to remember that getting all the details first is essential for a successful product photography shoot. When you have all the information up front, you can make sure that the shoot goes as smoothly as possible and that the end result is something that the client is happy with.
Err on the side of making them happy.
However, sometimes things come up during the shoot that weren’t anticipated. This can be anything from needing a hand model to needing to make revisions to the photos afterwards. In these cases, it’s important to err on the side of making the client happy. This means being flexible and accommodating when possible.
If a client wants something that wasn’t discussed up front, it’s important to assess the situation and determine if it’s something that can be done in a timely manner. If it’s something that will take more time and resources than originally agreed upon, it’s important to have an open and honest conversation with the client about it. It’s important to be clear about the additional costs and time that may be involved so that the client can make an informed decision.
It’s also important to remember that making the client happy is key to creating a lasting relationship. If you can make their life easier and exceed their expectations, they’ll be more likely to come back to you in the future. This means going above and beyond what was discussed and agreed upon. It means being willing to make revisions and changes on the spot, even if it takes a bit more time.
At the end of the day, it’s important to remember that making the client happy is key to creating a successful product photography shoot and a lasting relationship. Err on the side of making them happy and you’ll be sure to have a successful shoot and a happy client.
Experiment and try new things.
But it’s also important to experiment and try new things. As Evan Tanaka, a professional photographer says, “It’s really simple. Wouldn’t it be great if we could gain experience without actually having to do the thing?” While it’s important to make the client happy, it’s also important to challenge yourself. Trying new things is the only way to grow and become a better photographer.
Evan also mentions that it’s important to get out of your head and not be afraid to try something new. He says, “We get influenced from that. It goes back to what I was saying. It’s like, we’ll never be that. And it’s almost, and we get an idea of like, Oh, I want to do this photo shoot with this product. And then you’re like, um, it’s maybe won’t look good or maybe I need this. And I don’t have access to that equipment or I need, I need to spend a little bit of money and I don’t have money to spend on it. And it keeps you from trying. And that is probably the worst thing you can do as a learning photographer, or even an experienced photographer. If you’re not trying in your own mind is stopping you from even trying, then you’ve already lost.”
It’s important to remember that you won’t always get it right the first time. It’s okay to make mistakes and it’s okay to try something new. It’s important to remember that the only way to grow and become a better photographer is to experiment and try new things. It’s important to challenge yourself and push yourself out of your comfort zone. It’s important to take risks and take chances. The only way to become a better photographer is to take risks and take chances. So don’t be afraid to experiment and try new things.
Shoot more to get better.
The more you shoot, the more you’ll learn. The more you learn, the better you’ll become. It’s important to remember that the only way to get better is to practice and shoot more. You can’t expect to become a great photographer overnight. It takes time and dedication. It takes trial and error. It takes a lot of practice and a lot of patience.
When it comes to wedding photography, Skazi, our listener of the week, understands the importance of shooting more to get better. Skazi says, “I’m trying to gain more experience and learn from those who have amazing experience in photography and the beginner photography podcast has pushed my enthusiasm and has already helped me to view photography in new and interesting ways.” Skazi is right, the more you shoot, the better you will become. It’s important to remember that the more you shoot, the more you will learn and the better you will become.
So don’t be afraid to experiment and try new things. Don’t be afraid to take risks and take chances. The only way to become a better photographer is to take risks and take chances. So don’t be afraid to shoot more and get better.