How Did Christopher Michel Get Validation That He Could Work as a Photographer?

On Visual Revolutionary, Christopher Michel says the turning point was a trip, he thinks to India. A photograph of his won a contest for the travel company. Then the company offered to send him on trips for free so he would take pictures. He remembers thinking the offer was interesting, and the work grew from there.

He never really hustled or pushed the pictures. He wanted people to find the work and offer the jobs, and he gives himself low marks for that approach. He would not recommend it. He also says the money he had already made changed the stakes. In Silicon Valley, founders with no alternative will do whatever a company needs.