Many strings.....many bows !.
15th April 2010
In: BLOG
Sitting in the office chair typing away, answering calls, making tea....etc.etc., my role is somewhat confused at times. 'Am I a photographer, or a secretary, or a marketing man, library assistant, accountant, salesman ?????. The quick answer is yes... to all !. People are very surprised to know that photography - the actual taking pictures part - probably accounts for around 20% of my time, the other 80% is all of the above. I would love this to change in photography's favour but needs must.
When the sun is shining outside it's easy to get distracted from the invoicing, phone calls, sales leads etc., but this stuff has to be done to keep the pennies rolling in.
Of course I do have to get out and shoot fresh pictures, if I don't I get cheesed off very quickly. Having photographically stale periods is not good so I have to have goals to reach - this can be new locations to shoot, book ideas to work on, calendar ideas and so on but overall a need to be creative in some form and producing images. I feel very fortunate to be able to (try) to make a living out of photography !, I have had some pretty crappy jobs in the past but luckily I escaped the dark side and now manage to do what I love.
I get lots of emails and letters from aspiring photographers, coming out of college or others hoping to turn pro. Go for it I say but don't be misled into thinking that it's a get rich quick career - oh no, no no far from it. It is however a very satisfying vocation albeit very competitive especially in the landscape, wildlife and portraiture fields. I have shot everything from buffalo and ostrich farms to fashion shows, food, buildings and weddings but my first love was landscape. I would love to shoot just landscapes but this is nigh on impossible, I have to cover other areas to make a living but as long as I can get out into the landscape I am happy.
I am rambling so must end this blog with some advice, if you want to be a pro, forget the glamour, get your head down and plough on through until you build up a good client base, never give up - ever and learn how to be a businessman/woman - oh and get used to beans on toast !!.
When the sun is shining outside it's easy to get distracted from the invoicing, phone calls, sales leads etc., but this stuff has to be done to keep the pennies rolling in.
Of course I do have to get out and shoot fresh pictures, if I don't I get cheesed off very quickly. Having photographically stale periods is not good so I have to have goals to reach - this can be new locations to shoot, book ideas to work on, calendar ideas and so on but overall a need to be creative in some form and producing images. I feel very fortunate to be able to (try) to make a living out of photography !, I have had some pretty crappy jobs in the past but luckily I escaped the dark side and now manage to do what I love.
I get lots of emails and letters from aspiring photographers, coming out of college or others hoping to turn pro. Go for it I say but don't be misled into thinking that it's a get rich quick career - oh no, no no far from it. It is however a very satisfying vocation albeit very competitive especially in the landscape, wildlife and portraiture fields. I have shot everything from buffalo and ostrich farms to fashion shows, food, buildings and weddings but my first love was landscape. I would love to shoot just landscapes but this is nigh on impossible, I have to cover other areas to make a living but as long as I can get out into the landscape I am happy.
I am rambling so must end this blog with some advice, if you want to be a pro, forget the glamour, get your head down and plough on through until you build up a good client base, never give up - ever and learn how to be a businessman/woman - oh and get used to beans on toast !!.
