The Progression of a Photographer

About three years ago I decided to join the ever growing club of cool kids buying the newly affordable DSLR's. I grew up around SLR's my whole life and was familiar with them, however, this was the first one that I owned.

I remember the first day with the camera, my wife and I took a trip the the neighboring town that was very pretty. We took pictures of horses, a rusty railing, the street, all without a clue of what we were doing but the day was wonderful. We found beauty in anything that we thought would make an interesting capture on our new toy.

As time went on, I started to develop this itch to learn more. I gathered up some books and started reading as much as I could. I made my way to the internet to supplement my learning. I soon learned about how to properly use light bouncing it everywhere. I was so excited to learn everything I could.

Then...two years ago people who knew us through a friend asked us if they paid us $300 would we shoot their wedding? And so it began, the days of shooting horses at cockeyed angles and the weed poking through the sidewalk were gone.

The experience of shooting a wedding was thrilling and encouraged me to learn more and more. Then I got this brilliant idea, why not start a photography business.

I now shoot photography for money, we consider it my wife's income to our family, I still have a full time job, but I do a lot of work with photography. Now the thought of taking my camera to family events is painful, that will mean I have to edit my own pictures. I think I will just take my point and shoot with the horrid direct flash, shadows and all. I don't go out anymore on day trips to shoot strange objects like someone who just discovered photography. I still love photography and am thrilled at the art of creating but something changes when money is involved. I cannot put my finger on it, but something changes.

Your thoughts?

this is exactly what i am afraid of...

I think it's the stress involved. Before it was, "today I'm going to have fun shooting." Now it's, "I gotta get ready for the shoot."

Exactly... same here... I used to love cars and cameras, now I'm kinda sick of both. it's shame...

Gone down a similar path, with one exception... it has not changed for me. Yes, I formed a business and shoot for money. But still have the day job and do not need any of the money the photography business makes so I just buy more photo gear with it. Since I do not depend on it, I do not stress about it. I pick and choose the jobs I want, because I can. Some years I shoot a few weddings, some years, none. Always have a family shoot, or senior, or event to shoot. But I also still find the time to shoot the feral cat in the back yard, or the bursting of the water balloon at the right moment... and still love it.

I still take my camera for family/personal outings... every summer, I have camera body tan lines on my face...

This is always an interesting topic...from hobby to business.

I think this evolution is so different from person to person. It depends on so many other "life" inputs.

For me, it is always the challenge the draws me in. I spent the last 27 years doing what I do, I am lucky my work is a challenge every day. Sometimes I am not so lucky my work is a challenge every day.

Over the years, I have had different hobbies. I do not look back with regret when moving from one hobby to the next. So, if you are feeling like moving on, move on. You can always go back.
Remember, we only live once, and it is a short stay.

I agree 100%. But sometimes I just want to get out and just experiment with the camera. Regardless if I am practicing for something or not. But I understand what you mean. Just remember, it beats digging ditches every day!

Same here..
I am proud of my work when it involves a learning curve, it have a more "personal" approach or if the project gives access to some privileges.
With business, it becomes more technical and I am less emotionally involved.. profit is the goal. And what client liked is rarely what I prefer.

Until you consider your area of photography as good as it gets, the same or better than any other out there then you have some learning to do. And as long as you have that goal, you should be heavily engaged in improving and therefore keeping it interesting.

I hear you, spes. My other hobby (paid) is playing guitar and singing in a regional hippie 60s show band. Thankfully, our season is Memorial Day through October. We don't work during the winter months. The question that always comes up at a show is, "So, is this what you do for a living?"

The simple answer is, 'no, I have a day gig.' Furthermore, if I had to play guitar and sing to make a living, the enjoyment of doing so would have been over long ago. Because of the 12-15 shows we do each season, it remains fun. And heck, where else can you show up to a job, drink beer, have a blast AND be paid for it?!!!

Doing anything for money raises the bar on customer expectation. And you have to be up for the task or the gig becomes NFL, (not for long!) really quickly. Do what you can and continue to enjoy photography with the enthusiasm that you began with. Then, the money becomes sort of, '...and they actually PAID me for having this much fun?!!!' And that represents a good balance.

dave

everything changes a little bit. has your relationship with your wife changed at all? do you still knock boots all night everynight and everywhere? change is natural, even if we don't like it.

however, i don't think money, in this case, has much to do with your changing perspective on photography. it probably has more to do with the amount of time, focus and intensity of the work you are involved in, and that, perhaps, you are feeling the need for a more leisurely approach to your down time, especially since you are pretty busy with a full time job and the part time photography gig.

I make my living with Photography but most people I know have more personal photos than I do.

I occasionally have a day when I'll go and shoot something for the hell of it but those days are getting rarer and rarer - I have to force myself whereas before it was a pleasure.

I have come 360 degrees..

From hobbyist to 28 years as a pro, 17 of those for a newspaper.. Now a hobbyist again.

Enjoying photography again.

I do just enough paid work to pay my student loan payments (about $600 a month)... the rest of the time I do it for fun. While I did major in photojournalism, I think it's awesome that started out as a hobby keeps me from having to pay loan payments out of pay from my other job(s).