Rising New York City fashion photographer, Lindsay Adler strikes a pose in front of Newhouse 3 at Syracuse University. Photo by Kimberly Cook.

Graphic. Bold. Clean. These are the three words that up and coming New York City fashion photographer, Lindsay Adler, uses to describe her style. At just 26, Adler is on a fast track to making a name for herself in one of the industry’s most competitive markets.

Although she began her photography business at age 15 shooting senior class portraits in her Apalachin hometown, she didn’t realize her flair for fashion until her senior year at Syracuse University.

The defining moment for the 2008 photography, political science and entrepreneurship graduate: an image of her roommate in a Forever 21 dress with big, red gerbera daises in her hair and mouth. “It wasn’t meant to be a fashion image, but it inherently was and my professor loved it. It’s the style that I seek today. It was the first time I thought, ‘that fits me,’” Adler said.

And since moving to Manhattan last September after spending eight months in London, the young image maker has been taking the Big Apple by storm. She can already credit two books (a third is in the works), a score of teaching workshops, jewelry ad campaigns, an impressive roster of clients, educational DVDs, fashion film pieces, music videos and editorial spreads in magazines like ZINK, Papercut, Sublime and Faint to her resume. Currently, she’s got a full lineup of speaking engagements, which included a stop at SU in February.

Her most surprising piece of advice to the room of teachers, students and alumni: break the rules. “I was studying other photographers that I am inspired by and noticed that if they were being graded on rules learned in school, these big names would do poorly,” Adler said. She added that having a voice and standing out is more important than getting the technical aspects right — especially in an advertiser’s eyes.

Adler remembers her drive to excel kicking in by age 12, when she cried because she thought that she hadn’t accomplished enough in life. To Adler, it’s always been about doing what fulfilled her, even when classmates encouraged the valedictorian not to pursue a career in the “starving” arts.

“Your life is your job. If you’re spending life on something you don’t like you’re wasting your time,” she said. “Very early on my parents told me that I have the drive to make absolutely whatever I want to do work as a career.” And she’s done just that.

What’s the secret to Adler’s success beyond her natural talent? She’s a self-marketing guru who’s found a way to identify needs within her field. “I’m always thinking about what kind of resources would’ve made it easier for me,” Adler said.

While interning with Washington, D.C., political photographer John Harrington during her freshman year at SU, Adler learned that knowing how to market herself and be good about business was the key to making it as a freelance photographer. The most valuable lesson she learned was that, “whatever you price yourself at is how people will perceive you. People like confidence, it’s more important than anything else.”

But facing rejection is part of the job. “So many shoots that I’ve done have never seen the light of day,” she said. For instance, for every 200 emails she would send out, she’d hear back from one, which made it worth it.

When asked what she considers to be her “big break,” Adler admitted with a sly smile that she thinks the whole big break concept might be a myth. “I joke but it’s kind of true, I’ll never be satisfied. But that doesn’t mean I won’t be happy,” she said. “I’m just always aiming for bigger and better. I feel excited for what’s next.” Adler oozes the kind of confidence and passion that alerts all in her presence that this isn’t the last time they’ll hear her name.

Keep track of Lindsay Adler’s career by visiting blog.lindsayadlerphotography.com and follow her on Twitter @lindsayadler.