So you want to be a professional?
Photographer. Director. Golfer. Belly dancer. Designer. Waiter. Model.
If you’re wondering if you’ve got what it takes to go pro, try it. Seriously. Quit what you’re doing now and go there. You’ll know soon after you’ve tried to go there whether or not you’re in the right spot. If you don’t have what it takes, it will be obvious – going pro will be too hard, other things will seem more interesting, more pleasurable, more fun.
On the other hand, if you do have what it takes, you will be reborn. All setbacks will seem small, all goals achievable, all hurdles put there only to keep out the others. You will know you’re on the right path.
One thing for certain is that both paths–trying to go pro and steering clear of going pro–will be full of fear. In one case the fear is that you’ll fail and not be good enough. In the other case the fear is that you’ll never have lived your dream…
When you think of those two, which one is worse?
No disrespect to someone who is a far better photographer and far more successful than myself, but there are inherently less risky and equally valid ways to see if you’d like a particular career path as a profession: talking to people in the profession, trying it part time, internships, research, in the case of photography (unlike say being an astronaut) doing it as a hobby. Just saying as a guy with responsibilities, that while this makes for a nice, concise, blog post, it wouldn’t hurt to do all of the above even if you do quit your job. By all means, live the dream, but do it smartly which will make it a lot more fun too.
Which is worse? Obviously never having lived your dream. Even if you go “pro” and still are living paycheck to paycheck, it’s better than never having tried. Although lots of folks are content with photography as a hobby or a part time job, for those of us that are intent on making a full time living from photography, you have to give it a try. I decided to devote all of my time and effort towards photography less than 2 years ago, and in that time I’ve been published in the New York Times, signed contracts with MPTV and Retna, and have been selling photos through Getty as well as other stock sites. I’m not bragging, but just saying that it can be done. All it takes is some (read LOTS) of time and effort, plus a little bit of luck. Go for it! No Regrets!
I’m reminded of your “create, share, sustain” concept Chase, which was very eye opening for me. I was inspired by your Seattle 100 book, which got me to jump out there and create/share, trusting that the sustain would come also. There was no initial payoff for my pet project, but it’s paying off nicely now in indirect ways. It’s nice to spend some time in the photography that I most love, rather than things that are less interesting. Thanks for posting the encouragement to all of us out here.
Nice one.
So here’s a question, I’ve been hitting the pavement every day, caliing businesses on the phone, etc etc trying to get businesses to be interested in the packages I’m offering & I’m getting slim to no reponse regularly, I’m pretty discouraged but I love Photo/Video and I believe this is what I’m supposed to be doing. Any suggestions?
SuperKev
Amarillo, TX
Keep at it SuperKev! Just snooping these CJ blog pages would give you about a million ideas to try, and references.
Thanks a bunch Adam…and yes, agreed! 🙂
The only marketing/ad I do is:
1. word of mouth
2. good website with pretty good SEO for my town
3. facebook page with facebook ad (less than $1/day)
Now I should add that I’ve done a bunch of shoots and projects for free, just to get my experience and portfolio up. But it pays in the long run! Calling, knocking on doors, mass mailings, they are all so 1900s. I bet Chase does none of those.
One of my fav quotes of all time is from Steve Martin: “Be so good they can’t ignore you”
!so true and effective!
Best of luck, Kev. Be encouraged 🙂