Thinking about turning photography into a full-time job? Read this before you risk losing your creativity and passion!
I’ve been into photography for years now, mastering everything from basic techniques to advanced skills. So yes, I do consider myself a professional photographer.
But despite that, I’ve never earned a single rupee from photography.
Why? Because I’ve always maintained other streams of income. I never wanted my creativity to be burdened by financial pressures.
Many people believe that if you’re not making money from your art, you’re not a real artist. But that mindset can be harmful to creativity.
The Creative Block That Comes With Money
Expecting your art to make money is like yelling at a cat – it doesn’t understand you and just runs away. Similarly, creativity fades when financial pressure takes over.
Studies have shown that when people create purely out of passion, their brains are more creative. But when money becomes the primary goal, creativity declines significantly.
I’ve seen many talented photographers lose their spark. The moment they turned photography into a full-time job, their work started looking dull and repetitive.
Photography: Passion Or Profession?
Photography isn’t just a job – it’s a creative skill.
It starts with interest, and if that interest lasts long enough, it becomes a passion. When you start seeing demand, passion turns into a profession. But slowly, what you once loved transforms into a responsibility.
With a full-time photography career, responsibilities pile up:
- Delivering projects on time
- Keeping clients happy
- Maximizing earnings
Under the weight of these responsibilities, creativity often gets crushed.
The Harsh Reality of Professional Photography
If you think being a professional photographer is just about taking photos, think again.
Only 20-30% of a full-time photographer’s time is spent on actual photography. The rest goes into marketing, networking, client management, accounting, and taxes.
To succeed in today’s competitive market, photographers need business management skills. Social media presence is a must, marketing is essential, and finding new clients is a constant hustle.
Financial stability is another issue. Some months, you might get 10 clients; other months, none. And some clients might even refuse to pay after the work is done.
The Loss of Creative Control
When photography is just a hobby, you shoot what you want, how you want. The frame, composition, and style are all yours.
But when it’s a job, creative freedom takes a backseat. You work according to the client’s demands, not your artistic vision.
For example, at a wedding with 500 guests, everyone expects perfect photos of themselves. If you miss a shot, the client will complain. In such cases, you’re forced to chase perfection – whether you enjoy it or not.
Should You Turn Photography Into A Job?
I’m not saying no one should pursue photography as a profession. If you’re business-minded and ready to handle the challenges, go for it! There’s nothing wrong with monetizing your photography.
But my message is for those who truly love photography – those who don’t want client demands to limit their creativity and want to keep growing their skills for a lifetime.
If you want to make some money from photography without making it a full-time job, consider:
- Selling prints
- Uploading images to stock photo websites
- Creating an online photography course
- Selling Lightroom presets
- Taking selective projects where you have creative control
If you started photography just to make money, you’ll eventually get bored and exhausted. But if you started to express and explore your creativity, keeping it as a hobby might be the best decision.
The key is to ensure that your passion never turns into stress and responsibility.
Whether or not to turn photography into a career is a personal decision. What’s your take on this? Let me know in the comments!