The Photo Student Handbook
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    • Bios
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    • Blockbusters
    • Artist Statement Tips
    • Appendix - Check Off Sheets
    • Seeing Practice
    • CH12 Examples
    • Schedule Grids
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  • Chapters
    • Ch. 31 Critique
    • Ch. 32 Tips for Assignment Success
    • Ch. 33 Is This Photo Good or Bad?
    • Ch. 34 Level Up Guide

​Top 10 Tips for What NOT TO SAY in Your Artist Statement

10. I just want my photography to make people happy.
 
9. Photography makes me happy/feel good/keeps me sane/satisfies my soul…etc.
 
8. I make photographs only for myself.
 
7. I am influenced by my life experience, family, and friends.
 
6. The person (people) who inspires me most is my teacher, my parents, or my dog.
 
5. My photography doesn’t mean anything.
 
4. It’s not important whether or not people see my photos.
 
3. I don’t know what my photography is about (or why I prefer this medium/subject matter/scale).
 
2. I don’t care what other people think about my work.
 
And the number one thing to not put in your artist statement is…..
 
1. My photographs come from within me.
 
 
Why shouldn’t you have these lines in your artist statement?
 
"Because these things are true for everyone, they disregard the viewer, they sound defensive, they make it sound like you are not capable of self reflection, they sound as if you haven’t done any research, they make you sound like a typical student instead of a photographer." -Anonymous Photo Instructor 
  • Home
  • About
    • Reviews
  • Resources
    • Photographers
    • Bios
    • Reading List
    • Blockbusters
    • Artist Statement Tips
    • Appendix - Check Off Sheets
    • Seeing Practice
    • CH12 Examples
    • Schedule Grids
  • Explore
  • Contact
  • Author
  • Chapters
    • Ch. 31 Critique
    • Ch. 32 Tips for Assignment Success
    • Ch. 33 Is This Photo Good or Bad?
    • Ch. 34 Level Up Guide