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
