It happens to all of us: we get our first professional camera, and all of a sudden, everything is photogenic, everything is beautiful. But eventually, if we want to make a living from photography, we have to narrow down the genres we shoot, the gear we use, the style in which we edit, etc. This great video explores how to give your photography career a direction.

Here’s the problem with photography: everyone does it and there’s a ton of talent out there. It’s not enough to be the person who owns a wide-aperture telephoto and shoots bokeh-heavy portraits. Nor is it beneficial to be the jack of all trades but master of none, because in a world so inundated, distinction requires unique vision and top-tier talent, and no person can achieve those in ten separate genres. And as Sean Tucker points out in this thoughtful video essay, no one is going to come randomly knocking at your door with a blank check; you have to create work that forces the world to take notice. And to do that, you have to find your unique photographic identity and niche, then develop and refine that constantly. Spend time finding out who you are, then embrace it and run with it.