The value of self-assigned work as a professional photographer

Commercial photography is as saturated a marketplace as any these days. With such stiff competition, it’s no wonder brands are raising the bar on those of us trying to break our way into the industry. No experience? No thanks. It’s a constant chicken-or-egg paradox: Photographers want to work with burgeoning brands to gain experience, yet these fledgling brands are also trying to break through and want an experienced photographer with whom they can trust their limited budget. It is at this point that we as photographers have to trust our own skill set and invest in our own portfolio. One of the best ways to do that: Self-assigned projects.