How to Find Overnight Success in Art: The Clark Little Story
"Marlin" Photo (c) Clark Little
I’ve always said that you create your own lucky breaks. There is no such thing as an overnight success.
That is, until last night when I met Hawaiian photographer Clark Little.
And I realized that maybe there is an exception to this rule; maybe there are lucky breaks.
But there’s a caveat to that: You have to act when you get lucky, in order to become an overnight success.
You have to jump on the opportunities, or they’ll pass you by. And Clark Little’s story proves this point for me.
Many people get lucky breaks, but they are too busy to notice, too tired to say yes, or they don’t believe in themselves enough to commit. These same people might have experienced overnight success, too, if only they had recognized the lucky break when it came to them.
Clark Little has found quick, international success for his shorebreak photo art. His works are the most talked about ocean photography in surf history and he’s been featured on numerous T.V. shows including Good Morning America and The Today Show.
All this attention is making other photographers in his field angry.
They’re mad because Clark Little has only been working at his art a few short years, and many of the ocean photographers who have similar work have been doing it for decades. But no-one knows they exist, and this new guy Clark Little is an international phenonmena.
When I first learned of Clark Little’s quick success, I was intrigued. “He must have an incredible P.R. person on staff,” I thought. Or maybe his wife was a marketing genius. Yes, his work is good, but it takes ten years or more to get this kind of recognition.
Being the analyzer that I am of success stories, I just had to find this out: What makes Clark Little so special?
I went to Clark’s book signing at the Surfing Heritage Gallery in South Coast Plaza (which just happens to exhibit my husband, Drew Brophy’s art, as well). When Drew and I arrived, there was a line of people clamoring to buy his $100.00 book!
I watched as Clark took the time to talk to each and every person who was there. And when I finally reached the front of the line and questioned him about his overnight success, he had no problem telling me everything I wanted to know.
Here’s How Clark Little found overnight success (and it’s a good lesson to all of us):
HIS STORY
Everyone loves a good story, especially the media. Clark’s personal story is unique and interesting. The short version is that a few years ago Clark’s wife asked him to take a nice photograph of a wave for her. His photo was so good, that he invested in camera equipment and committed to the art of photography.
HE KEPT SAYING YES
I asked Clark how it was that I was reading about him in magazines, online, in newspapers and just about everywhere else. Did he have a P.R. person? The answer was no.
Clark said that in 2007 he was asked to exhibit his works at an establishment in Waikiki. He said yes.
During that exhibit, a few other offers to exhibit his work in other locations came his way. He said yes.
Someone he had never heard of in the U.K. asked Clark to e-mail them images to post on their website. He said yes. (He didn’t find out until later that this particular website had millions of readers) *Note: This is where most artists would say NO – because they are wary of sending images via e-mail.
From that website posting, he got numerous phone calls from media people wanting to interview him. He said yes.
The Today Show wanted him their show. He said yes.
People started asking him to give slideshows of his work at various venues. He said yes.
Someone suggested he do a nice, big, coffee table book of his art. He said yes.
Companies offered to fly him all over the country to give his slide shows in other parts of the world. He just kept saying yes.
HE COMMITTED 100%
Clark had worked a government job for seventeen years, complete with all the benefits of a steady paycheck and health insurance. He came to a crossroads when he saw that he could possibly make a living with his photography full time. It was a hard decision to make, but he left his secure job during the worst economy of our lifetime to pursue this new venture. I asked him if he regretted that decision. Before he opened his mouth, his beaming smile answered my question. He told me that it was the best decision he’s ever made.
HE’S A GREAT COMMUNICATOR
Clark’s a guy that you feel comfortable talking to. He’s warm and friendly and unassuming. He’s generous with his time and his information.
I pointed out to him that from an outsider’s view, he appears to have reached an enormous level of success. He laughed, “Yeah, my wife and I talk about how everyone thinks I’m a millionaire now. But that’s far from the truth!”
He’s honest like that. And you can’t help but love him. And if you love him, you’ll buy his book and his prints. Yes, it works that way.
WHAT CAN WE LEARN FROM CLARK LITTLE?
Clark’s overnight success story is a puzzle made up of many pieces that he’s put together nicely.
He was thrown some lucky opportunities and acted on them by saying “yes”. He made the decision to commit 100% to his art of photography. He tells his personal story in a genuine manner. He’s a great communicator. And he’s a nice guy.
What I would suggest to all the long-time photographers out there who are mad that they haven’t found this level of success: Don’t get mad. See this as a road map to follow for your own success. And get marketing.
Maria xxoo
Similar Posts:
- How to get Free Press – The Art of the Press Release
- The Domino Effect and The Path of an Artist
- Licensing Lifestyle Art – Your Questions Answered in free MP3
Tags: clark little, marketing art, overnight success, photography
aileen
23. Nov, 2009
Great story! I’ve been thinking about jealousy/anger too. Actually, I tweeted about it today! To, err, quote myself “Feeling jealous? Use jealousy to show you want you want–add it to your to-do list! I am.”
Earlier today I was reading about a young artist sponsored by a fancy company… I got those “grrr” feelings. Luckily I caught it in time and didn’t fall into a hole of low self-confidence. I objectively looked at it as a clue of what direction I can go. Now I can align myself towards that goal and be proactive. Retrospectively, I can say that I actually was lucky to have a pang of jealousy!
Maria
24. Nov, 2009
Thanks for honestly sharing your feelings on this, Aileen! I think we all struggle with this – we think we’ve earned it, and then we see someone “new” get it….. but I think your approach is a good lesson – to push ourselves towards that goal that we see someone else has reached.
Jay Alders
24. Nov, 2009
Maria..You’re writing is getting better and better…Loved the article and energy of the piece.
Clark’s work and success is certainly inspiring on a multitude of levels.
Good for him ! It shows that the success energy is still out there in full force!
PS: How’d you get your blog to show up so darn neatly on an iphone?
Maria
24. Nov, 2009
I’m flattered – thanks!
PS: Joe Botha, the website guru you introduced me to, is the one who made all this work so well!
Glenn Sakamoto
24. Nov, 2009
Loved this article. What an inspiration!
I’ve retweeted and put it on my Facebook pages.
Mike Foley
24. Nov, 2009
Hey Maria,
Been meaning to call you about this. Wanted to get the scoop on your meeting with Clark Little. Your great article answered all my questions. Bummed I couldn’t make it to the book signing.
Mike
Al McWhite
25. Nov, 2009
Yes, yes and YES! Keep it coming M.
ronnie j
11. Dec, 2009
this story is awesome!!!!i took your insight and just put it to work!a friend of mine got me a spot in a waikiki gallery.i just said “yes”.hours of work on a monolithic aquatic beach scene.3 d hand carved old board.and put ii into a box and wave goodbye.put it out there!!!YES
thanks again
hey jay.whats up!!!
Maria Brophy
12. Dec, 2009
Ronnie, congratulations on getting into a gallery in Waikiki! That’s awesome. I hear that art is moving better in Hawaii than just about anywhere else, so you’re in a good place.
Thanks for commenting on my blog posts and I’m glad that you are enjoying them!
Jay Alders
11. Dec, 2009
Ronnie! Whats up man!! Stoked you’re vibed in with Maria’s blog!! Hope to se you at the Costa Mesa Event on Dec 18th? Drew,Maria and I will be there…
Maria- you should check out Ronnie’s work if you dont know it…it’s siiick–>http://carvinart.com/
ronnie
12. Dec, 2009
hey jaygood luck out west!!!thanks for the good word!geta couple waves for me!!!keeping it positive!
ronnie
Dennis Panzik
18. Dec, 2009
While I too am quite skeptical about doing things, mostly in regards to others stealing my art etc. I suppose I do hold back sometimes and perhaps missed out on a good opportunity. Tho usually if it seems a really good market, why not go for it. Sometimes too, what seems too good to be true often is.
However for instance, I’m supposed to do work for a mega rock star in Costa Rica! How cool is that. Still skeptical but, hey that’s a chance worth taking. At least I think. Plus I’ll make sure I get things established to make sure it’s gonna go smoothly.
I’d also like to mention that I like to always watermark my art with my name/ website across it. Yet it’s gaudy perhaps and, there’ ways one may get around it. Which is certainly why a lower resolution is best. However one good advantage is that if people copy and paste my art, my name is gonna be seen that much more. Being seen is the name of the game.
DennisPanzik.com
Maria Brophy
19. Dec, 2009
Dennis, thanks for your thoughts on this.
With regards to the watermark – I don’t feel this is necessary. I think if you’re a photographer, it’s a good idea to include your name somewhere on it, at the bottom. It’s not a bad thing to have people love your work so much that they “borrow” it and pass it around to others.
Particularly bloggers, who like to “grab” images for their blogs (like I do) and they give photo credit and links to the artist/photographer. This only gets you free marketing and new fans.
So don’t make it hard for people to share your images and your name. It’ll work out in your favor!
Good luck on the Costa Rica thing. I would only suggest that you get travel covered by them in advance, as well as deposits upfront before doing any work. That way, there’s nothing to worry about.
Thanks for reading!
Dennis Panzik
19. Dec, 2009
As for watermarking your art, I think it is a good idea cuz everyone wants to borrow it. I’ve already seen where others steal someone’s work and claim it as their own. Why, I don’t know. But it’s kind of like locking your doors. It may only keep the people more honest.
It seems often enough that when someone borrows it, they crop off the artist name at the bottom. That’s why I put it right on it. My clients can take pictures and post where they like, (hopefully giving me credit), but from my advertising standpoint, I want my name seen. So I say YES.
Maria Brophy
20. Dec, 2009
Dennis, you’ve convinced me on this – I see that for photographers, it could be easy for someone to take your image and call it yours. So, maybe a watermark is a good idea in your case.
A tool that many artists and writers use on their websites is a Creative Commons license (I have one at the bottom of my site) where you make notice on your website that your images or your content is owned by you, but you give permission for it to to be used online for non-commercial use, and that you must be given credit and links back. (The benefit to me is if someone wants to quote me or use some part of what I’ve written, then they credit me in their blog post and link back to my site.)
With the Creative Commons license, you are encouraging people to share your content with others for non-commercial use (they can’t make money off of it, but they can share your content because they think it’s cool, interesting, wonderful, etc.), and at the same time, traffic is driven to your site from theirs.
I think I’ll write a post on this soon. Thanks, again, for your passionate comments!
The Domino Effect and The Path of an Artist | Philosophy - Maria Brophy
01. Jan, 2010
[...] There’s no such thing as an overnight success or a lucky break. (I’ve found one exception – read it here.) [...]