Hungry for it - what are youre feelings.

Diego Garcia

Diego Garcia

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Talking photography here and need some advice/feedback.

Of late, I feel that my life is being governed by my cameras. However, I love it, really love it.

My passion for going out and taking pictures is palpable, especially to the guy who picked me up for his agency, which is nice as he thinks I am a natural talent, though I know that I have a long way to go.

The thing is, that I want more, much more. I want to be shooting Prem football, rugby etc week in week out and with the recent award of an FA Licence that can become a reality. The goal is local football, Bristol City and Rovers home and away as and when, which is average at best but may reap rewards. I have invested heavily in my gear of late so I can step up to the plate and next year I intend on getting a 400 mm 2.8.

So, my train of thought at the moment is keep doing what I am doing and things will continue. I think we are only as good as the last job and they keep coming which is good. One year ago if you had told me I would have achieved what I have and covered what I have I would have laughed at you but I think more is out there. I want to walk away from my real world job and do this every day of the week or as and when required.

Am I dreaming or is it possible?

I hope this does not sound bombastic, I really lack confidence due to my past and illness and I am now back on a double dose of anti-depressants due to my bi-polar depression which I fight everyday - it just that when I am behind a camera, every seems right and I am simply just me. I know it sounds stupid, but sometimes posting this stuff is a massive relief valve for me and like minded people who are passionate about what they do will understand.

Had a tricky week thinking about the past and been low, but doing OK :)

Pete.
 
Pete, it's obvious you have the talent. Seeing your work here and over on AVForums makes me believe that you can make it if you decide to go full time and give up your day job.

You are also really passionate about your work and have taken great steps over the last 12 months so Pete, the world is your oyster mate.

Give it a go mate.

Martin
 
If you know what you want Diego you're half way there. You've got the talent, go do it :)

As Trevino said, the more he practised, the luckier he got, keep practising :thumbs:
 
I think you are doing very well for yourself. For the near future, if you can, I woul try to balance the day job with the sports shooting. As you gain more experience and get into it further, then consider whether you can make a career out of it. You need to consider whether you can live on what you can earn from this. I dont know much about how the industry works, but with there not always being features on each day, can you really make it a full-time job? In other words, how much downtime is there, and does the "uptime" compensate for this?

The only other point to mention, is that if you end up doing it for a living, which will involve a lot of time spent you may not enjoy it so much anymore?

Whatever you decide, I wish you the best of luck and hope it works out even better than it is right now!

:thumbs:
 
If you can get up every morning and go do a job you love then you are VERY lucky.

Your stuff posted here is excellent. I'm no pro but, it looks at least as good as the shots I see in magazines etc.
 
All I can say is many of your photos inspire me which is a sign of a truly talented artist. BUT I think Joe brings up 2 really good points. Will it be fun if you have to make a living at it and you really need to sit down with finances and figure out if you can make it work. You also need to set out a business plan and a 3 year plan because it will be your job and you will have to treat it as such. If you are willing to do the business side of it I say go for it!
 
h.r.ford said:
All I can say is many of your photos inspire me which is a sign of a truly talented artist. BUT I think Joe brings up 2 really good points. Will it be fun if you have to make a living at it and you really need to sit down with finances and figure out if you can make it work. You also need to set out a business plan and a 3 year plan because it will be your job and you will have to treat it as such. If you are willing to do the business side of it I say go for it!
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That'll be my accountancy background coming through then... :p
 
An accountant is the first person Pete should call!!
 
Also don't forget that most of the sports are split into seasons and don't run all year round - you'd have to find something to bring the cash in during the summer months when theres no footy on or make sure that you make enogh cash during august-may to tide you over whilst you're holidaying somewhere exotic and living the dream :)

Good luck Pete, you certainly have the skill and talent to get there and I wish you all the best :)

Matt
 
Hi Pete ... you go off the rails with the very occasional pic ... but otherwise you post some class stuff on this here forum ... I think most appreciate the opportunity of reviewing your stuff ... and those that know can see quality when it's presented ...:wink:

You clearly have the developing talent ... and the enthusiasm ... the only thing stoppping you is probably the natural fear of change and the unknown ... keep your head screwed on and your eye sharp and there is no reason why you should not go for it ... whenever you feel ready ...:thumbs:

Whatever you do keep enjoying it with the same passion and the results are a foregone conclusion ... imo of course ...:D

Sermon over ... sorry ...:embarrassed:




Best of british m8 ...:p
 
h.r.ford said:
An accountant is the first person Pete should call!!
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Not necessarily. Many entrepeneurs wouldn't be what they were if they listened to their accountant and didn't just go for it. Accountants will find every possible reason as to why the business will fail, but ultimately, it's down to the individual whether it fails or not.

Martin

P.S. Yes I am an Accountant in public practice.;)
 
I have to agree with what has been said so far.........when dreams turn into reality, the nightmare often kicks in! ;) Make sure you do your homework really thoroughly before deciding to quit the day job, as life on such a precarious edge as freelance photography is bound to have lots of downs compared with relatively few highs.

Do football clubs have "house" photographers? Is there any mileage in trying to get into a more permanent position within the club itself? (If I'm talking rubbish, sorry!!):)

For the time being, it might be better to keep doing what you are already (brilliantly) doing, and see if the freelance side picks up even more. When you are past the 40/60 split in terms of income generated from dayjob/freelance, that might be the time to reconsider. I'd agree with getting a structured business plan together and getting professional advice. Good luck with it, because you are VERY talented and deserve success.
 
ashworthacca said:
Not necessarily. Many entrepeneurs wouldn't be what they were if they listened to their accountant and didn't just go for it. Accountants will find every possible reason as to why the business will fail, but ultimately, it's down to the individual whether it fails or not.

Martin

P.S. Yes I am an Accountant in public practice.;)
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I agree that you don't necessarily have to listen to the accountant but you should at least hear the advice so you go in eyes open about what you are up against. It will always be a risk but you shouldn't purposely put blinders on so you don't change your mind you should just go ahead and jump eyes wide open!
 
ashworthacca said:
Not necessarily. Many entrepeneurs wouldn't be what they were if they listened to their accountant and didn't just go for it. Accountants will find every possible reason as to why the business will fail, but ultimately, it's down to the individual whether it fails or not.

Martin

P.S. Yes I am an Accountant in public practice.;)
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Thats still a bit harsh! :p

It is likely that Diego will end up with some sort of self-employed income at some point. An accountant can help a great deal with the admin side here; the Class 2/4 NIC, keeping records, tax returns etc etc. :)
 
Joe T said:
Thats still a bit harsh! :p

It is likely that Diego will end up with some sort of self-employed income at some point. An accountant can help a great deal with the admin side here; the Class 2/4 NIC, keeping records, tax returns etc etc. :)
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Oh I agree. I said not necessarily to the "first person to call" bit.

I would have though a better first person would be to take advice from somebody in a similar position or who has been through it all.

Then, yes go to see Accountants, Solicitors, Banks, Insurance Brokers etc etc etc.

Martin
 
you have talent, drive and oppurtunity so i would you are 90% there. the cautious words regarding passions becoming jobs should be taken on board tho. my camera is my escape but if the pressure was on then i don't think i would get the same enjoyment. conumdrum!

and it was actually gary player who said "its funny, the harder i practice the better i get!"
 
Pete, the guy at the agency obviously saw the same as the rest of us, sheer talent. Whenever you feel your confidence is low remember that the agency is a business out to make money and they wouldn't waste time hiring people if they didn't believe they would make money for them.

I know where you're at with the depression, how it affects you're thinking and how hard it is sometimes to even realise the depression is to blame.

There's no doubt in my mind that you should be a pro and a very successful one at that. I'll happily beat you round the head with some CBT whenever you need it ;)
 
My brother in law was a snapper, at first he did agency work, then he got a job working direct for the Mirror. Now you is a good photog and you meet plenty of others at the events you cover, so time to start building the old pro network I would say. Ear to the ground and wait for the opportunity to jump at cos you are certainly very very good at it :)
 
Pete, you've got a very good talent. If you are happy behind a camera then thats the place to stay. As said above it's great when you get up to go to work on a job you really love.

I know you've been through a lot, but try not to dwell on the past. It's gotta be better taking a camera a day to help you through things ;)

Go for it, were only around this place for a blink of an eye, it would a shame not to try and realise your dreams if they are possible.:thumbs:

Blab as much as you like there's always a friendly shoulder to talk on.
 
Pete as everyone has said you have the talent their is no saying no to that. Its just all about going after your dream with everything you've got putting your head down and driving though brick wall after brick wall and practice, practice, practice. We know you can do it :thumbs: I have the same feeling where I just can't put the camera down if I'm not reading something n here or in a mag then I'm playing with my camera or playing with old RAW files seeing what can be done and how I can become better and create high quality images. I have a few mottos of mine:-
"Once I get stuck in, NOTHING can stop me"
"God would never give us anything we can't deal with"
 
Can't really add any more advice on what has been said (and a lot of good stuff there) but having enjoyed watching your work I cannot pass this thread without comment Pete.

Whatever you decide make sure it is for your reasons, the rest kind of works itself out! :thumbs:
 
As someone that was in business I've been approached for support from various start-ups over the years. The critical factors in success or failure are ability and common sense and you seem to have both going for you.

The accounts side is more a case of understanding your finances - money needed to live on....bills to be paid....and flow/amount of income. Those that think the money will take care of itself always failed.

Can you not change job or change the job you have to something that fits better with your new direction? (until you no longer need the financial support)
 
Thanks for the feedback all. It is a long term plan as last night I did some networking and it seems that a lot of Snappers combine it with something else. Quite happy as I am at the moment but certainly want more and more - so see what pans out.

I am lucky enough to be doing it anyway. Forget the press stuff, I just love the better pictures it allows me to shoot.

Thanks again.
 
Pete, keep going your getting there, and you have the talent and passion to sucseed.

Its amazing what you can do if you put your mind and efforts into it.

I managed to quit my full time job, and go back to college on a 2 year photography course and still make enough money out of photography part time to live on and buy all that gear that is necessary for sports photography etc.

Mark
 
Keep pushing - no-one else will do it for you. Live the Dream.
 
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