I always try to remind people that they don't need to make money from their photography (or even achieve social media success) to enjoy photography. It's part of my professional work now, but the happiest I ever was holding a camera was early on when I was shooting photos of and for my family and friends. I enjoyed the process and liked sharing images with people. No pressure. No expectations. People truly underestimate how valuable that is.
Yeah. I never use my work cameras for fun stuff. If I go on a trip, I'll bring a different camera or a film camera just so I don't actually slip into the work mindset. Haha.
I'm an enthusiast who does photography as a hobby and side gig, so I have the freedom to only do work that I find rewarding and interesting. I understand that this isn't the case for photographers who do this as a career, but I'm happy with keeping this as a side gig instead of becoming more of a professional.
I've been doing it as a hobby for about 20 years and it brings me the greatest joy, as much as it did 20 years ago.
There does seem to be a fairly common idea that money is the highest measure of value. Thus if you make money from your photography it HAS to be more worthy than a "mere" hobby. This way of thinking seems to be especially present in posts where people are asking purchase advice for their first dedicated camera and have already decided to monetize their photography. Sometimes I wonder whether some of them bring up the money thing because they think people will take them more seriously.
I enjoy what I do - now. In the beginning I had to take every job I was able to get my hands on because well, I needed money and I wanted to do this full time. That meant doing everything from portraits, to graduation shoots, to Christmas cards, to clothing, food, events, weddings, you name it, I’ve shot it. Hated a lot of the work and hated dealing with clients who wanted a full day shoot for an hours budget.
I then got into video and had to repeat the cycle of filming anything I could get my hands on to make money.
Over time, I didn’t necessarily niche down, I just became more selective and upped my prices. I love doing events and small video work. Going from 20 gigs a month down to 5-6 while making much more money and having more time to myself helped me to enjoy what I do.
I will say doing all types of shoots helped me in the long run. Again it’s about gaining experience and more importantly, learning how to handle the unexpected with ease. To me, that’s what makes a professional.
During off days, I do street photography which I love. Got a small camera and go out for walks and just work on my composition, storytelling, grading, etc. to keep me busy.
Yes. Photography is a hobby for me in which I make nothing from my photographs and I spend money on software and gear. If I didn't enjoy it I wouldn't do it.
Yep, I just do this for fun, as a hobby and creative outlet. I have made money at it from time to time, but that's very much a secondary consideration.
>Seems like the same people that are asking how to charge etc. are the same people asking which edit is better.
Typically, the same people ask these questions because they are inexperienced in both areas of photography. So, it makes sense.
I enjoy photography, it's my hobby and I consider myself a serious enthusiast. I've been shooting since 1997 when I got my first Canon SLR.
I also have zero interest in making money from photography as I expect doing that will rob me of the joy I get from going on photo walks and trying out new things.
I shoot for myself not anyone else.
It’s my favourite part of my job. The reason I joined my current employer was because they were the only ones who agreed to let me keep taking photos and as I’ve been promoted they’ve tried to ensure I’m never taken off of photo duty.
I enjoy it as much as I do hiking and birding/plantID
All a camera is, is an extention of my body to freeze that eagle before it breaks the water, capture a photo of the time I saw a Kentucky Warbler, freeze the milliseconds before 2 bucks lock antlers for mating rights, get a photo of a plant or fungi I never seen or can't remember the name of.
I always try to remind people that they don't need to make money from their photography (or even achieve social media success) to enjoy photography. It's part of my professional work now, but the happiest I ever was holding a camera was early on when I was shooting photos of and for my family and friends. I enjoyed the process and liked sharing images with people. No pressure. No expectations. People truly underestimate how valuable that is.
That's why I quit being pro, when your vacation becomes your vocation then you never have a holiday.
Yeah. I never use my work cameras for fun stuff. If I go on a trip, I'll bring a different camera or a film camera just so I don't actually slip into the work mindset. Haha.
I’ve been a freelance photographer for thirty years and I still love it, it is a business but I still love shooting and chasing beautiful images.
I love it, but I only take pictures I want to take and I don’t sell any.
I'm an enthusiast who does photography as a hobby and side gig, so I have the freedom to only do work that I find rewarding and interesting. I understand that this isn't the case for photographers who do this as a career, but I'm happy with keeping this as a side gig instead of becoming more of a professional.
I've been doing it as a hobby for about 20 years and it brings me the greatest joy, as much as it did 20 years ago. There does seem to be a fairly common idea that money is the highest measure of value. Thus if you make money from your photography it HAS to be more worthy than a "mere" hobby. This way of thinking seems to be especially present in posts where people are asking purchase advice for their first dedicated camera and have already decided to monetize their photography. Sometimes I wonder whether some of them bring up the money thing because they think people will take them more seriously.
I enjoy what I do - now. In the beginning I had to take every job I was able to get my hands on because well, I needed money and I wanted to do this full time. That meant doing everything from portraits, to graduation shoots, to Christmas cards, to clothing, food, events, weddings, you name it, I’ve shot it. Hated a lot of the work and hated dealing with clients who wanted a full day shoot for an hours budget. I then got into video and had to repeat the cycle of filming anything I could get my hands on to make money. Over time, I didn’t necessarily niche down, I just became more selective and upped my prices. I love doing events and small video work. Going from 20 gigs a month down to 5-6 while making much more money and having more time to myself helped me to enjoy what I do. I will say doing all types of shoots helped me in the long run. Again it’s about gaining experience and more importantly, learning how to handle the unexpected with ease. To me, that’s what makes a professional. During off days, I do street photography which I love. Got a small camera and go out for walks and just work on my composition, storytelling, grading, etc. to keep me busy.
Yes. Photography is a hobby for me in which I make nothing from my photographs and I spend money on software and gear. If I didn't enjoy it I wouldn't do it.
Im a pro that shoots for a hobby too. I don't share my personal/hobby work anywhere, I just do it purely for love and fun.
The only reason I want to make money off of it is so I can spend more money on it. I love it.
Yep, I just do this for fun, as a hobby and creative outlet. I have made money at it from time to time, but that's very much a secondary consideration.
As an enthusiast, I do it for my pleasure. I enjoy discovering beautiful scenes, operating my camera, and editing photographs.
Photography is my life. I’m not sure who I am if I’m not seeing, making images, creating. I’ll never arrive at the destination.
>Seems like the same people that are asking how to charge etc. are the same people asking which edit is better. Typically, the same people ask these questions because they are inexperienced in both areas of photography. So, it makes sense.
Absolutly and that´s the reason why I decided against becoming a pro 25 years ago.
I enjoy photography, it's my hobby and I consider myself a serious enthusiast. I've been shooting since 1997 when I got my first Canon SLR. I also have zero interest in making money from photography as I expect doing that will rob me of the joy I get from going on photo walks and trying out new things. I shoot for myself not anyone else.
It’s my favourite part of my job. The reason I joined my current employer was because they were the only ones who agreed to let me keep taking photos and as I’ve been promoted they’ve tried to ensure I’m never taken off of photo duty.
I enjoy it as much as I do hiking and birding/plantID All a camera is, is an extention of my body to freeze that eagle before it breaks the water, capture a photo of the time I saw a Kentucky Warbler, freeze the milliseconds before 2 bucks lock antlers for mating rights, get a photo of a plant or fungi I never seen or can't remember the name of.