photonutt1970

I have an opportunity to turn my photography into a business but the question I have for people who have done that, how do you maintain your passion for photography if its work?

TonyBot

Take pictures. Look for ways to improve what you've done. Take pictures.
Oh, and take more pictures.

fotojeff

I’ve been shooting professionally for 25 years. It happened to me. Got tired and burned out however there were some outside influences as well. New challenges, get out and shoot things you love not just things for work, however it is possible to do both maybe just not every job.

Go for it

Bob Locher Loc: Southwest Oregon

You ask a very good question. I was in the photographic business, manufacturing and distribution though, not as a photographer, but it was my love of photography that got me into the business. None the less, after a few years I did get burned out and lost interest in photography. I took up several other hobbies.

But times changed - I got into a different business area away from photography. I had a snapshot camera I was using for vacation and family pictures. I became dissatisfied with the results and, long story short, ended up buying a Sony A6000 and my interest in photography has been renewed. (Which is why I am a denizen of this site.)

I do have advice: Determine an area of photography that you would NOT be doing professionally. Like if you would be doing food or product photography professionally, make shooting scenics your hobby. Take up macro-photography. Shoot only in black and white. Buy a long lens and do serious bird photography. Something like that - something totally different from what you do every day for a living. And preferably, with different equipment, and for sure different locations from your day job. To make this work, you MUST erect barriers between what you do every day for pay and what you do as a hobby.

I don't guarantee that this will work - it did for me later when a different hobby morphed into a business - but I think I can safely say it is the only chance you have of making it work.

Good luck!

rgrenaderphoto Loc: Hollywood, CA

Take more pictures. Believe me, when you sell something that will be motivation to take more pictures.

BHC Loc: Strawberry Valley, JF, USA

"Find a job you enjoy doing, and you will never have to work a day in your life.” ― Mark Twain

LFingar Loc: Claverack, NY

If you are truly passionate about it, it's not work. Just the same, people do burn out and the answer to your question will vary from person to person. A fellow here in town has had a studio for over 45 yrs and is still as passionate about it today as he was when he studied photography in college. For every one like him there are probably ten who have burned out and quit. His wife is very active in photography also and I believe that may be part of his success. My one bit of advice would be to find a significant other who shares your passion. When one of you starts to run out of steam the other can help get the fires going again.

canon Lee

Hi.... "If you love what you are doing it is not work"... Profit is a byproduct of your passion... Those that burn out lose their passion because it has become work... Building a business is not easy.. It starts small and if you don't put 100% of your effort time and money into it will fail.... Its a big commitment... Its been over a decade for me since I decided to get into the photography business... started small, part time, little money, and as time passed it grew into a full time business... Yes you might have to keep your day job....
I suggest you find your market... For me it was Youth sports clubs... Weddings slowly disappeared, family studio shots faded away.. Product photography was hit or miss... Head shots or corporate photography is usually a one time shoot... I discovered the parents will spend money on class photos as well as sports clubs. My market is children... Make sure you know your market will sustain your business.
You mentioned an "opportunity" ? Are you buying a turn key photography business? Partnership?
The main reason I am not burned out is because my photography has always been about pleasing others with my shots.... Capturing images of others that mean a lot to them...!!! It has little to do with money and becoming rich or having a big successful business.. I get fired up when a client says "wow thats great"...

nitrophil Loc: Dayton, Ohio

I couldn't. I started doing weddings, too many hassles, conflicts ,etc,etc. it became WORK and not FUN for me. Good luck to you for trying,

BboH Loc: s of 2/21, Ellicott City, MD

If you do turn it into a business be SURE to talk to your insurance agent otherwist you may have limited or no coverage..

jerryc41 Loc: Catskill Mts of NY

I have no desire to turn something I enjoy into a chore.

Bison Bud

Ditto to those that have no desire to turn something they enjoy into a chore!

boberic Loc: Quiet Corner, Connecticut. Ex long Islander

being a professional photographer is much more that just taking pictures, no matter how good they are. It's running a business. So unless you have the marketing skills to run that business. It won't survive. Example- My other hobby is cooking. I like to think I'm pretty good at it. Every now and then, some one will as a compliment ask me--Why don't you cook professionally? My answer is always the same. " i don't want to work that hard"

donrosshill Loc: Delaware & Florida

One of the really great things in photography is it's diversity. Every day you can find some variety in things to photography, Subject, location, people, things, technique and more. Having made my living for over 65 years in photography and Imaging it proved to be never boring or tedious.
If you want o make it a living, don't ever forget to make it diverse and do all types of Imaging. Believe me it will never get boring.
Enjoy.
Don

Al Beatty Loc: Boise, Idaho

My wife and I turned two hobbies into a business - photography (part time) and fly fishing (full time). After 25 years of working-the-business we've discovered we no longer have a hobby and are searching for something fun/relaxing to do. Yes, photography and fly fishing are still enjoyable but "having" to do something does take some of the fun out of it. AND every business includes keeping the books, regular estimated taxes, yearly taxes, invoices, collection on slow-pay customers, etc. Think hard before you turn your hobby into a business, you'll soon learn you no longer have a hobby. Take care & ...