This is IvarianX and this is The Candid Frame.

Over the years, we've talked to every level of professional photographer.

We've had conversations with veterans as well as people just beginning their career.

So if you've listened to even a few of the episodes, you may have realized that there is no singular path to being or having a successful career.

But that doesn't mean that there isn't a lot of wisdom to be had about some of the choices we have to make to try and earn a living from making pictures.

Don Gianetti, who has been in the industry for over three decades, brings a lot of that to the

table. As well as being a successful commercial photographer, he's a writer and an instructor

who is recognized by PDN in 2011 as one of the country's best workshop instructors.

So whether you're thinking about making the leap or already out there making a go of it,

I think you'll find this conversation both entertaining and enlightening.

Well, Don, welcome to the Candid Frame.

It's a pleasure to have you.

It's nice to be here.

Thanks for inviting me.

When thinking about what to ask you is my first question, I was kind of, because you're very,

you're very diverse.

You cover a lot of ground.

And a student asked me, after looking at some of their work, they asked me the question, do you think

I have any talent? And that gave rise to my first question to you. And you've been in the

industry for over 30 years. And in your experience, when it comes to a professional photographer,

be it a commercial photographer or something along those lines, how much is talent

played a role in the photographers you know being successful? Or do you think there's another

...