Unlocking the Hidden Lens: Navigating Informational Interviews in Photography

The Real Question: Beyond the Surface

Let's be honest. When you're sitting across from someone who holds a position you aspire to, the natural inclination is to ask questions that you think you should ask. You might ask about their career trajectory, the skills they value, or the challenges of the industry. These are fine, even good questions. But they often skim the surface, leaving both you and your interviewee with a sense that something was missed.

The real question isn't just about gathering information; it's about understanding the unspoken rules and the lived experience of working in photography and videography. It's about uncovering the "psycho-logic," as Rory Sutherland might put it, behind career choices that might look irrational from the outside. What truly drives them? What are the hidden costs and unexpected rewards?

Instead of asking, "What skills are most important?" try: "What's a skill you thought would be crucial for success in this role, but turned out to be far less important than something else entirely?" This probes for nuance and challenges assumptions.

Rather than, "What's a typical day like?" consider: "Describe a day where everything went wrong, and how you navigated it. What did you learn about yourself or your craft in that moment?" This reveals resilience, problem-solving, and the true pressures of the job.

Don't just ask, "What advice do you have for someone starting out?" Instead, ask: "If you could go back to the beginning of your career, knowing what you know now, what's one piece of conventional wisdom you would actively ignore, and why?" This question encourages them to share hard-won insights that often contradict popular advice.

These questions aren't just about getting answers; they're about building rapport and demonstrating that you're thinking deeply about your career, not just checking boxes. They show you're interested in the reality of the work, not just the idealized version. What would you ask if you knew there were no "right" answers, only honest ones?