heyrob Loc: Western Washington

I stumbled upon this blog some time ago and bookmarked it to come back and read later. I finally came back, and after reading it, I see a great deal of truth in it. I particularly thought that the quote "If tomorrow you buy a stethoscope, doesn’t mean you become a doctor and open a clinic." was very apropos. I can't begin to count the number of folks on the UHH who are asking the most basic questions about how to operate their camera, and also saying how they are going to start a business. To be honest, I have had numerous friends and family tell me I should sell my photographs, and at one time thought seriously about doing so, but I quickly came to my senses and realized what an incredibly insane thing to consider. While I'm sure anyone of us here could sell a few prints at the local street fair, but to do it as a business would require so much effort as to, for me at least, negate the joy I get from just going out and making those photographs.

http://princeofprose.wordpress.com/2011/04/29/the-self-titled-photography-syndrome/

I open the floor for discussion...

Selkii Loc: Oakland, CA & Vancouver Island

You can't imagine how appropriate this is! A photographer was hired to take business portraits of those in my husband's office. Just seconds before logging onto UHH and reading your post, we looked at them. My reaction was to say it was as though the photographer had read a how-to book on portraiture, decided this might be a good career switch, bought a camera and some lights, and this was the first job.

Many years ago (in 35mm days), we sold a few of our photos. As far as we were concerned, it was a fluke. Marketing is 98% no matter what your level of expertise. It was far more satisfying to stick to the creative side and earn a living elsewhere.

cellaga Loc: monterey

thanks for sharing...cold water splash in the face is what it is. photography like any other media boils down to the pursuit and accomplishment of art on a personal level, not of fame and fortune. That is where I must presume the joy you talk of comes from. I, too, had several friends suggest I sell some prints until I ask them if they would readily buy one. That stops them cold.

chapin in utah Loc: Utah

First of all I don't consider myself a professional photographer. But I see this article as unnecerary roughness.
The principle of art for me is not only technique and knowledge, is also passion, curiosity, and love for what we do.
Of course technique is of paramount importance, but knowing all about cameras does not mean nothing if there is not a true passion for what we do.
That is why some of the meanest food or book critics never open a restaurant or write a book.
Because they are tied to their knowledge so much that they don't want to risk to look like a fool by making mistakes.
I am not able to purchase a big badass camera because I can't afford it.
I use point and shoot cameras for years trying to get memories of family, friends and love ones. Then, finally I was able to get an used dslr camera and the chalenges it has gave me have force me to improve myself more than I ever could imagine with any piece of technology I ever had.
I read books, ask questions that may sound stupid for some "professionals" but I always found good fellas willing to have a little pacience with me, and teach me something new.
I am enrolling in photography courses and taking my camera everywere I go

Chuck_893 Loc: Lincoln, Nebraska, USA

A whole lotta years ago when I was in school trying to learn the Craft, we used to joke, "Yesterday I couldn't spell fotogafer and today I are one." (I know you've all heard it, but…) :mrgreen: Our instructors also told us, "When you leave here, you will not be photographers, but you will have learned how to become photographers." I think that's important. We went to school to learn a craft which, at the time, was not easy to learn, or to do. Now, I am not about to denigrate people who stick the camera on auto and blast away—unless they are trying to (mis)represent themselves as working professionals. Selkii, my first working assignments were in-house business portraits, and while they were not art (they did not need to be nor should they be "art" ), they were workmanlike pictures. I look back on those now and wonder, "What was I thinking?" Yet I made a living for ~30 years doing that and all the other stuff, and eventually I got pretty good at it. I would not care to be trying to enter the field today, and it was rough in 1973. :shock:

You have the right idea! Learn craft! Take your camera everywhere and shoot everything, but I'm sure you will not hang out a shingle and try to turn pro overnight. That blog is addressed to those who do. I don't think that Real Professionals are terribly threatened by that growing crowd, except that that growing crowd dilutes the product and the market. I suspect that true professional photography is shrinking more now than it was 40 years ago, which is sad, but no one makes buggy whips any more, either. :|

chapin in utah Loc: Utah

Thank you.

Jim_In_Plymouth Loc: Plymouth MN

Five years ago when I retired from a non-photography job I thought for about 39 seconds that I would try making money with my photography; after all I had been shooting pictures since I was 18. Then two things occurred. I thought "why screw up a perfectly good hobby by trying to make a business out of it?" Also, I looked around at the competition. There are some outstanding photographers out there that are very talented and work very hard at it.

Have sold a couple of prints at a community center photo show and have just turned the proceeds over to the community center.

Heirloom Tomato Loc: Oregon

The time, money and energy needed to market photography is considerable. I have enough energy, time and a small budget to enjoy photography as a hobby, but not enough surplus of any of those things to try to make money from it. Also, it would spoil the fun for me.

You'd have to be uniquely talented, highly motivated, a fabulous self-marketer, or find a niche.. and sell a lot. When considering a paying career in photography, honest self-assessment first is a good idea.

GW Loc: Idaho

Interesting , I had a young man at a wedding I was working insisting I tell him how to become a photographer. I told him it was all in the camera manual that came with a new camera...bad of me I suppose. I spent 9 years studying and shooting achieved 3 degrees before I was brave enough to do my first shoot for money , but I still didn't call myself a professional . That came when others started calling me such , I think that truly states when you are if its by your peers...

texasdan78070 Loc: Texas Hill Country

Why make a job out of something I love doing as a hobby? As a hobby, I shoot when I want to, not when I'm hungry!!

billjohdoittoday Loc: Arkansas

Amen. I'm recently retired (Obamacare killed my business). I carry one or more cameras (usually more) with me everywhere. And when people ask, I tell them "I'm a hobby photographer. Just trying to get better and better at having fun."

Bill

heyrob Loc: Western Washington

So they wouldn't put their money where their mouth was? That reminded me of the old comment, "Those are great pictures, you must have a really good camera". That one always frosts me, I want to say wow you wrote such a nice story, you must have a really good pen, or those a good cookies, you must have a really good oven! LOL

heyrob Loc: Western Washington

"unnecessary roughness"? You misunderstood my point, I have read questions on this forum from folks who ask pretty basic questions about how to operate their camera, while stating that they intend to start a business, or are asking in the same thread "how" to start a business. My point had nothing to do with enjoyment of this endeavor, rather questioning the ego trip that seems to come with owning a camera and the ability to shoot snap shots. As the attached article points out, there is a vast difference between owning a camera and gaining the enjoyment of learning how to make beautiful images, as opposed to having the gall to think oneself capable of hiring themselves out as "Professional" while giving their clients a mediocre product.
(See the comment above for a prime example)

People who hire a photographer, especially newlyweds, do so expecting a quality product, and they deserve to get one. I have heard too many sob stories from young couples whose memories of their day will be only in their heads and the snap shots of friends and family, because some hack hired himself out as a pro, and shot nothing but garage.

heyrob Loc: Western Washington

Well stated! I almost thought you were quoting me there for a second, I have been almost glued to my camera since I was about 18 also, although I've had cameras since I was about 9. However, despite the countless thousands of photographs I have taken over those years, I couldn't dream of thinking I was good enough to be called a "Pro".

heyrob Loc: Western Washington

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