10 reasons NOT to become a professional photographer

some interesting points, however massive generalisations used. maybe you should have thought about the thread title more. e.g call it 10 reasons not to become a wedding photographer in the USA

I, for one, dont really have an interest in wedding photography. I've taken pics at freinds weddings but I don't like the pressure of capturing someone's big day on a regular basis! I'm better, and comfortable, with nightlife photography. The money you get is abit less for what I do, however it is a very regular income if you get to know the right people, as events are on every night, and if you get in with a regular and established night, then your sortd. However I wouldn't ever rely on living off of my photography. I DJ and produce tunes, and although right now I could scrape a living off of my arts (paying rent, bills and food etc) I wouldn't want to give up the day job as both djing, production and photography require constant masses of money being spent on new kit, tunes and equiptment.

I love it as a hobby, and at the moment it does bring some money in. way i see it is, it can only get better - even if i was to stop completely in a year, i made more money and went further than a lot of people had the oppurtunity to due to the hard work and contacts i have.

its a hobby to me, that often pays its way, but i dont think i could ever stop working other jobs and rely on it - artistic work is way too risky unless you have a business mind (what the original post was trying to get at i think) and being someone with nil understand nor desire to understand it, i'd rather keep it as a fun hobby that brings in abit of money here and there ;)
 
specialman said:
... I wish!! The reality is that I'll probably be stuck on the M25 tomorrow for several hours, before I have to stand in a lake in cold, leaky waders eating an overpriced Ginsters sausage roll from a service station, taking photos of someone catching stinky carp for several hours. My flask will have lost all its heat-retaining powers, I'll probably get a speeding ticket and my gear will get ruined. Oh, and I'll get home about 8pm after a14-hour day.

The life of a pro.... I wouldn't change it for the world :)
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live the dream mate :)
 
Pretty depressive thread, here's 10 points that will cheer it up some what:

1. You can't beat the amount of choices you have in choosing your career when you're self-employed
2. You can't beat the amount of choices you have in choosing which direction will your chosen career take you once you pick it, if you're self-employed!
3. You know exactly how your business is going and can't fear unexpected lay-offs, changes in salaries, changes of positions inside the company etc.
4. You can adjust your work to your life! This is probably the best reason to be self-employed
5. Unless you start being a very strict boss for yourself, you can avoid much of the stress you would've had in a regular company
6. When you work, you know that you work for your own money and success and for your family, friends etc.
7. If you choose to stay at home while being self-employed (you don't have to) you can avoid the loss of time needed to come to work and come back home from work
8. You can save money for trips to work, if you're staying to work at home while being self-employed
9. You can adjust your work and what you do to the economic situation at some point of time - self-employment opportunities are really numerous
10. You can change your career, slowly shift to the fields that interest you more (if there are such fields). By doing so, you can be more productive and you can't get stuck in doing something that's a burden to you
 
Wigster said:
Pretty depressive thread, here's 10 points that will cheer it up some what:

1. You can't beat the amount of choices you have in choosing your career when you're self-employed
2. You can't beat the amount of choices you have in choosing which direction will your chosen career take you once you pick it, if you're self-employed!
3. You know exactly how your business is going and can't fear unexpected lay-offs, changes in salaries, changes of positions inside the company etc.
4. You can adjust your work to your life! This is probably the best reason to be self-employed
5. Unless you start being a very strict boss for yourself, you can avoid much of the stress you would've had in a regular company
6. When you work, you know that you work for your own money and success and for your family, friends etc.
7. If you choose to stay at home while being self-employed (you don't have to) you can avoid the loss of time needed to come to work and come back home from work
8. You can save money for trips to work, if you're staying to work at home while being self-employed
9. You can adjust your work and what you do to the economic situation at some point of time - self-employment opportunities are really numerous
10. You can change your career, slowly shift to the fields that interest you more (if there are such fields). By doing so, you can be more productive and you can't get stuck in doing something that's a burden to you
Click to expand...

Brilliant, thanks for bringing some ying yang to the thread! :D
 
This is something that any aspiring pro should read and inwardly digest, and, actually, many members of the public who think that being "a photographer" is just a ball.

It brings a healthy dose of realism to the debate.

A few weeks ago there was another thread about whether "pro's" enjoy their work. I think I'd got to about no 20 on a list of reasons why I didn't enjoy it when I gave up, thinking "this is a bit negative". Mind you, several of those were "too much driving"....

I could add another one now anyway.........Some p**t starting up with the same business name as mine not that far away....
 
if you are great and have a suitable level of business acumen & tenacity - I don't believe you can't acheive a good income -BUT the accessability of digital is making more average photographers giving it a try - because their friends tell them they are great - probably when they are not.

The harsh reality is you have to get people who can judge a great photo to judge yours before you quit your day job, and assess whether you can be that good consistently with strangers

I'm a terrible photographer, BUT my wife and family think my photos are great - that's good enough for me, I want to become a better photographer - not the best - just better than yesterday - I really don't envy those of you who do this for a living and subsequently have that pressure on you each day to deliver - but do admire you and some of the amazing images you create - and hope it's well rewarded
 
I take photos for love not money :-0
 
I disagree with Hashcake and Sooyeshun.

Photography was a hobby as a kid. it turned into a carreer. I made a living from my hobby. Sometimes frugal other times paid crazy amounts.
18 years paid for a hobby, now 2 years running own biz. Expanding a really good rate. Taking on staff and new photographers.

I love this job and the varied subjects within which you can go.

So to say you won't go full time because the subject matter he or she likes wont make money... is just crazy!

I like shooting fantasy work in the studio and then using C.G.I backgrounds. Thats the hobby part to make calendars. But the money is in Kids(schools) Family portraits and weddings. This finances the stuff I would not be able to do if in a normal job. But I would reccomend being a tog over anything else.... except maybe a pilot.

Photography is the best thing what ever you shoot...... Love it!!!!

Same as if I needed a job, it would doing something in the photographic industry.
 
specialman said:
It's easy being a pro....

I'm currently sending my team of biatches out to press the shutter on my camera, as a work experience hottie feeds me grapes from a bowl made from david bailey's eyelids. I will then step into my Ferrari to drive down the hall to my Porsche, which will be driven by a semi-clad, buxom beauty and will take me to a shoot where I will be showered with cheques for a million dollars ;)

Oh, and I work a 10-minute week.....

The life of a pro.... I wouldn't change it for the world :)
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Can I have a job please? :D

Just got drenched recceing a venue for a December wedding, yuk! How the heck I'm going to make a car park and those lovely railings for disabled access look good.................... Anyone got a cardboard cutout of the Dorchester kicking around in their garage? :)
 
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