Why are you a professional photographer? What drove you to pick up a camera and keep it picked up? I interview a lot of photographers and this question is always foremost in my mind. The answers are as interesting and varied as the photographers. I bet the same goes for you.
I find it interesting that most photographers don’t have an easy, quick answer. Few photographers were driven to make images from a young age, and the paths they took to arrive in the world of professional image making seem to have a deep impact on the images they make.
Interviewing photographers like the fine artist Oleg DOU and the B&W-only Philip Kuruvita (featured in the April/May 2008 issue of AfterCapture and the July 2008 issue of Rangefinder respectively) brings this question up frequently. But today it came to me today in a different form: while looking at the magnificent work of Mike Hollingshead and Eric Nguyen in their new book “Adventures in Tornado Alley: The Storm Chasers” (Thames & Hudson 2008).
What struck me about the stories of both Hollingshead and Nguyen is that they were storm chasers first, videographers second and then, only later, they chose to focus making still image. They discovered that still images overcame the limitations of their videos—producing much more powerful work.
As Hollingshead explains in his introduction, “I didn’t have plans or a desire to shoot still images of the storms when I stared. I just video taped them on a cheap camcorder for my own records, but I started to see such cool skies that I needed something better to show on my website, so in 2002 I bought my first stills camera: a Sony F707.”
Like DOU, Kuruvita, Hollingshead and Nguyen, it seems to me that most photographers come to photography by accident. This seems in keeping with that fact that photography is both immediately accessible and because it has so many applications. Still, it’s always interesting to know how and why successful photographers got wrapped up in the world of image making.
So let’s have it. How did YOU end up a professional photographer?
February 13th, 2010 5:21 am
Friends just started asking me to take photos of their birthdays and events and the next thing I new I was asked to do a wedding. Currently it is not my full time profession, but maybe it is time to make the investment.
February 18th, 2010 7:08 am
Hi TK,
This is a great story! Filling requests that lead to wedding work, more fulfillment and success.
While I’m all for you pursuing your creative/professional dreams, I would offer a word of caution: Because it is so hard to succeed (financially) in today’s photographic market many successful photographers are actually seeking non-photographic work to support themselves. There is NOTHING wrong with this, nor is it “backsliding.” It’s just the reality of making a living making images.
Given this, I would suggest that you don’t make any “investment” in photography that might make you feel trapped. . .as the joy might soon go away.
All of this is to say, pursue your photographic dreams and keep on shooting, but don’t think that you are not a professional photographer if you are not making 100% of your income from image making. Being a professional is much more about approach, attitude and professionalism — regardless of what % of money is coming in from photography.
In any case, keep on making the images you love. . .and the most money that you can doing so!
-Ethan
September 23rd, 2009 3:59 pm
It started out as an innocent hobby. But it seems like the more I shoot, the more I want to shoot. I am not a professional photographer as much as I want to take pictures and share them. But not being independently wealthy, I need to sell in order to finance my habit, er hobby.
February 18th, 2010 6:57 am
Sharon,
Thanks for sharing. I love. . .”It started out as an innocent hobby.” : ))
The fact that you want to shoot more and more is what is most important. And you are right to mention independent wealth as one of the best ways to support a photographic habit, but. . .
Keep in mind that many brilliant, successful photographers retain their “day jobs” on purpose, not just for necessity, but also for other personal and professional outlets. . .that usually support and inspire their photography.
Keep on shooting!
-Ethan