Should I start a career in photography now is a question that people who love photography ask themselves all the time. The notion of turning an artistic passion like picture taking into an occupation is many people’s dream. But the real question now is does making this step make good business sense for you or not?
15 years ago, before the start of the digital age, being a photographer not only required having a creative eye and a deep understanding of lighting, but it took a lot of technical camera know-how too. So entrance into the field was more challenging back then and it meant there was less competition for the lensman professional. Back then, if you were a master of light when shooting with film (a time when there were not such proficient digital post processing tools to help you), you had a very good chance for success as a professional photographer.
Nowadays though, with the advent of high quality digital cameras and powerful post processing computer programs like PhotoShop, Lightroom, etc, a lot of the technical skills have become easier to develop, thus making entrance into the field of photography less challenging than it was.
But does this mean that more people should become professional photographers now just because it has become technically easier to produce good photographs? Frankly, the answer is no. And just for that very same reason. Many more people are now able to shoot their own simple pictures or buy the pictures they need from inexpensive stock photography web sites and, as a result, less photographers are being hired for assignment work now than in the past.
Add to that the fact that so many new people have entered the photography business in the last 10 years, it makes becoming a successful photographer even harder nowadays. These days you really need to have an edge, a high level of technical skill and creativity that is above and beyond average. You also need access to a large client base, good marketing skills, and the ability to survive on a cash flow basis that can often be sporadic at times.
With most people now having a camera in their pocket at all times (in the form of either a Smartphone or a small point and shoot camera) it means that many people now snap their own moments in time thus, leaving less people looking to hire a generalist photographer to shoot everyday subjects anymore. This means potential clients are mainly going to hire someone to take photos if they really have a need for something of high-end commercial quality that they can’t already buy as an inexpensive stock photo or snap themselves. So you need to make sure that your work is much higher in quality than what people can capture on their own, or they have little reason really to hire you.
If you are going to make a go at it then specializing and becoming known in your vicinity as someone who is the best at one particular genre in photography will be critical to maintaining a successful photography career in the long term. The days of the successful generalist photographer are quickly drying up. Now, the most successful photography businesses going forward will be ones that stand out the most amongst the sea of generalists and those that can provide a service or product that people cannot find so easily elsewhere will be the winners. Thus, a unique and specialized portfolio will sell more convincingly to a client nowadays than a portfolio showing lots of varied styles.
Sadly the picture I am painting here is not very promising. But this doesn’t mean it should stop you from giving it your all if becoming a commercial photographer is your dream. As the saying goes: “There is always room at the top”. So if you think you have what it takes to become a top photographer then you should go for it. But be realistic and practical about your approach. You should also have a backup plan if things don’t work out as well as you envisioned. If you have a job already then don’t quit your job for a photography career until you feel confident that you can fully sustain yourself from your photography income. Start out as a part-time shooter doing small jobs for people you know in your sphere of contacts on weekends, holidays, and when you have free time. Start building your portfolio and pushing towards developing a specialty that is in demand which you can offer to a particular segment of the commercial photography market. And most of all, don’t give up so easily. Give yourself time to become successful knowing that progress might be slow at first and that it may take a few years before you can really establish yourself as a professional photographer.
Insightful blog post, thanks Marc!
I like what you say about specializing in a specific field of photography. I think it gives more credibility to a photographer if they ONLY shoot portrait, or, ONLY shoot architecture.
One thing I was going to say is that I think it’s become more challenging to become a professional photographer because there aren’t enough SOLID photography courses! I’ve found too many online courses and lecture instruction, but, I’m personally against that kind of learning. I think the best way is to go out into the field and learn from the pros firsthand!
Also, I think what’s lacking as well is instruction on photography lighting. I shoot food and I still struggle with lighting setups and getting the perfect shot. I’ve found that there aren’t enough lighting courses on shooting food.
So…when I found your blog posts about low-key lighting and commercial food lighting, I was excited. Thanks for breaking down some of your lighting setups and helping to demystify some of the confusion with lighting subjects!
Best,
Rob
As a hobbyist who enjoys photography on weekends, the thought of trying to earn from photography crossed my mind a few times in the past. I have a daytime job and trading the market on the side. Photography is my way to ease the stress and reset my mind on weekends. I came to think of it, that if I make photography one of my serious job, what will be my leisure activity then?
I decided I should keep photography as my leisure activity. One reason why I am not investing too much on my cameras. Besides I believe I am still learning and not yet in the level of earning through it.
But nothing is certain as they say. I might dip my feet on it someday.
Nice read again Marc.
Thank you for your thoughts as always Alex. It is nice that you added your perspective from someone who is not working as a commercial photographer, but instead enjoys photography as a means of getting away from it all. For what it is worth, I think you are taking the right approach. The best way to always be able to enjoy something as an escape from the day to day stresses is to never turn your passion into your full time job.
Marc, a very interesting read, especially for people starting out in photography. I don’t want to put anyone off, but I think if you don’t find that special style (that you would also need to enjoy and be passionate about), nowadays I can imagine trying to make money from photography would involve taking photos mostly of things that don’t interest you at all — and because of this your passion for photography has the potential to be extinguished pretty quickly. I really like that old saying…’I make money to take photos, not take photos to make money’. Another quote from a cynic… ‘The quickest way to make a million dollars in photography, is to start with two million dollars!’
All the best, Martin.
Martin – Many thanks for your good thoughts. And the old saying about the million dollar photographer gave me a good laugh. You raise a good point too about commercial photographers often having to take pictures of subjects that don’t interest them. I have actually been doing that for so long already that I have gotten used to it. The real downside to it though is that it does hinder your overall passion and enthusiasm about picture taking in general and that is a definite downside. Therefore, there are good arguments against turning your passion into your occupation. Best wishes…