Anyone regret turning Pro?
eoren1
Registered Users Posts: 2,391 Major grins
Bit of background first. I'm a new physician in private practice and have been doing 'real' photography for the past two years (when I purchased the Rebel XT). At least half of my photos are of my now 2-year-old son and that percentage will be growing in a few weeks with the arrival of our next baby. Over the past 2 years, I've had a few local shows in Boston and sold some landscape shots. I've also shot a lot of my son's friends with/without his/her parents with really positive reviews - and never charged for time or prints (they ordered at cost off smugmug).
One of our friends in Boston shared her shots with a friend here in DC who would like me to formally shoot their son and them. I see this as an opportunity to start doing this work regularly but wonder if this will take away from the fun I have with photography. Currently, work is work and photography is a break from that. My question is, for those who use photography to supplement their regular income, has this move taken away from the fun of this hobby? While it would be great for the hobby to start paying for itself, I wonder if it ends up being worth it in the end....
Thanks in advance,
E
One of our friends in Boston shared her shots with a friend here in DC who would like me to formally shoot their son and them. I see this as an opportunity to start doing this work regularly but wonder if this will take away from the fun I have with photography. Currently, work is work and photography is a break from that. My question is, for those who use photography to supplement their regular income, has this move taken away from the fun of this hobby? While it would be great for the hobby to start paying for itself, I wonder if it ends up being worth it in the end....
Thanks in advance,
E
Eyal
My site | Non-MHD Landscapes |Google+ | Twitter | Facebook | Smugmug photos
My site | Non-MHD Landscapes |Google+ | Twitter | Facebook | Smugmug photos
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I shoot horse shows, which is a way for me as a single mom to be involved with horses again, without the expense. My clients appreciate my horsie background and are really receptive to my photos...that being said the bulk of my work happens in the summer, which is also busy with weddings etc...
Another time I don't like the pro thing is when I can't get the product out quick enough as this is a side line job for me as well...not being able to commit to a timeline or a guaranteed date really bites, and it frustrates my customers....
if nothing else, charging to do the work is a way to build your equipment..when there is a money exchange there is a certain expectation, and it becomes more than just a hobby...but if you love the work and don't mind the "added" stuff that comes with charging people then definitly do it.
I am sort of in the same position as you are. I work 60+ hours a week, have two small daughters, wife, house, etc and after a few shots of sporting events, kids shots, etc...apparently now I am the pro in the family and with friends. I love photography...heck this is the reason for being here, right? I did a few pee-wee football games and the parents asked me to come to this game and that game over the weekends BEFORE they even saw the pictures!!! I just tell them that I will have to check my calendar and if I am free, would love to come to the game. This kind of puts it in limbo and no commitments.
So at what point are you a pro I must ask? Why am I now the go to guy for photography? Is it because I have a fancy camera or are my pictures that good?
Just a few thoughts I have when I get bombarded. But I love it and I love hearing "WOW" from my clients or the look on the parent's faces when they see their son/daughter hitting/kicking/catching the ball...this is what makes it worth it to me...not the money...although that is a plus.
Follow your passion...it will take you a long way
http://ergphoto.smugmug.com
Yes I sell my photos off site, I make a bit more $$ doing that. But I love this site 10000x better than any of the other photohosting sites I have used..And yes I still have my Photobucket and its garbage.
Dont regret at all.:D
E
My site | Non-MHD Landscapes |Google+ | Twitter | Facebook | Smugmug photos
Like you, I'm a serious hobbyist, passionate about photography. Over time, folks see your work, like it (or the size of your camera) and ask you to photograph something/someone.
At some point, I said "yes" to a project that seemed really fun. Since then, my rule is to only take on projects that:
1 - I'm excited about.
2 - I want to do.
3 - I know I can do a great job on.
4 - I have time for.
Photography is great fun for me, and following these guidelines have kept me from ever getting in over my head, or ever dreading a project that I've agreed to do.
I'm happy with the results of each shoot, I never felt pressured, and I had great fun at each one. If I depended on income from photography to put food on the table, I wouldn't be able to be so selective, and I'd have to have a talk with myself to get excited about it, or I might take on some projects that take up all my free time. I admire those full-time photographers who make #1-4 appear to be true for each project they work on! Hats off to you!
Recognize that you're in a great spot, and be selective in the projects you agree to do. Have fun with them!
-teresa
E
My site | Non-MHD Landscapes |Google+ | Twitter | Facebook | Smugmug photos
I shoot two types of photography. Portraits of my own children has blossomed into shooting some engagement photos for my office staff and children of some friends. I don't charge if I'm friendly with these folks. I have charged for engagement sessions for acquaintances.
I also shoot a lot of my children's sports. My daughter is in competive soccer, and I enjoy taking photos of her games. I share these for free with her entire team on Smugmug. Her teammates buy photos at cost. I could easily make over a thousand dollars each weekend with my sports photos, but it would require that I shoot multiple games and not focus on my daughter's team. This would take the fun out of it for me.
Photography is never going to replace the income of my day job (ENT). It's a fun hobby, and I am a serious amateur. If a job comes along and it seems like fun, I'll take it, but I don't actively seek out photography employment. My wife would kill me if I started spending my weekends shooting weddings!
http://clearwaterphotography.smugmug.com/
Thanks for the comments. Sounds like you've got a very sound model. If my kids end up athletically-inclined, I can only imagine how much fun it'll be to photograph those games. For now, I'll probably do the friend's shoot for a couple of bucks and see how it goes. What kills me is knowing the types of photos that I am lucky enough to have of my kids and seeing some of the stuff that friends (or even my sister) have of theirs. It's nice to be able to offer at least one session's worth of creative shots with decent light and DOF.
E
ps - you weren't kidding about the soccer shots
My site | Non-MHD Landscapes |Google+ | Twitter | Facebook | Smugmug photos
Does anyone regret not turning pro? :cry
-Fleetwood Mac
I learned everything I could and devoured every tip I could find on the internet and the few books I bought. For grins and giggles, I sent some pics to the paper that covers this region. They started to print my pics on the front page of the county section of the paper. I then got a call from the editor asking if I would freelance.
I have press credentials and get to shoot sports and events and get PAID for it! I have been out fishing or kayaking on my own and I have been paid for some of the nature pics. I was covering a HS football jamboree this spring and half of the SEC coaches and their staffs were their to see a top recruit. I got to keep the pictures I didn't send in. If I didn't have credentials, my shots would have been from the stands. Instead, I was on the sidelines with them. Having those credentials has opened up a whole bunch of opportunities I otherwise would not be able to photograph.
The reason I bring all this up is I take the attitude I shoot for myself when I have an assignment in regards to how I shoot. I am in the postition I can go out and just take pictures and if there is something I think the paper would like, I send it in. Right now, it still feels like I am shooting for myself so I am really enjoying it so far. I am going to take pictures regardless if i get paid or not, and it's nice to get PAID!
I haven't taken on anything like weddings as I am slowly building up my equipment to handle that. My attitude might change once there are higher expectations, but if I blow it, I just go back to taking pictures for fun. Not too bad.
Well somedays I do, some I don't. I do see myself getting out in the next few years, for various reasons. I know some older photog's who are struggling big time. They can't make much, because all the customers that used to be paying for various things and now getting a friend or someone they know to do it for free. These weren't the high end, ultra supreme photographers, but they made a living. Now they are having to change careers, one I know is really bad off. He is been in the business for 20 years and shot thousands of weddings, and is having trouble booking weddings right now. His child potrait business no longer exists. He used to have a Santa Class (christmas), Bunnies (easter), and has indoor and outdoor sets at his studio. He used to have 2 full time employees not 5 years ago. Now he is lucky if he has 1 in studio shot a week. He is having to do odd jobs to pay the bills. This as he approaches his late 50's. It is mainly due to what I see with him, what I read here from the likes of others, that I will one day go from a full time photographer, to someone who has a regular job, but may still shoot weddings ( but only the higher $ ones) my free time is worth alot to me. That often makes me wonder why so many people will provide their photography for free.
In large part this is just a hobby--giving me something to do at the numerous games I end up at. One of the best aspects is that I get away from the other parents. I've heard of the term "stage-mothers"--not surewhat you call parents around sports--but I really enjoy getting away from the crowds and just concentrating on photography.
I've got a full time job that keeps me more than fully occupied--and there is no way in the near future I could increase the income from my Smugmug account the 200 times it would take to even begin to match my real income. I also don't think I'm ready for the pressure to hustle and self advertise, etc, that it would take.
Smugmug makes it pretty easy to just stick your toe in. The annual pro fee is low enough that even if you don't make a cent, you're really not out too much. And thier absolute satisfaction guarantee calms my concerns about customers not being happy with my less than perfect shots.
So I wouldn't fret too much. Try it out--and if it doesn't work, just stop. As long as you haven't gone out and broken the bank on a ton of new glass and top of the line bodies, you should be fine...
Will
________________________
www.willspix.smugmug.com
It's true that the pro account makes things very simple to wade in without leaping head-first. The most I would ever hope for is that my turning 'pro' would help pay for the lenses and body upgrades.
Those that mentioned shooting sports bring up very good points about how this hobby could eventually turn profitable while doing something fun involving my own kids. I have experienced that sensation of being a 'pro' only once at a concert where I was fortunate to get a press pass. I did it for myself and was lucky to talk to the right guy in management at the right time. Ended up being an awesome (though stressful) experience and one that I could have never had otherwise.
I'll keep looking for those and other opportunities and am sure that, if nothing else, my wife will keep me grounded and not let this develop into a second job.
E
My site | Non-MHD Landscapes |Google+ | Twitter | Facebook | Smugmug photos
I do the odd gig here and there and it's great. It supplements my income nicely. Two or three weekends a month is nothing when you look at how much extra cash you can make. BUT if that were my only income, i'd probably regret it.
My suggestion is start slow. Try to get about a gig a month. It will start taking care of itself. I am at a point where I don't even advertise anymore. Mostly word of mouth and it's just fine.
Good luck!