a career in landscape photography: my long term approach

In this week's video, I discuss my long-term approach to a career in landscape photography and some of the pitfalls along the way. Thank you as always for watching and commenting!

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— MUSIC IN THIS EPISODE —

— VIDEO EQUIPMENT —

— HIKING EQUIPMENT —

— FILM EQUIPMENT —

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#photography #landscape #largeformat

[analog_presencing]

Takes courage and conviction to stick to your passion and be true to yourself whilst making a living ;good for you Ben keep it up!

[jimwlouavl]

One of the most interesting stories I’ve heard. So happy for you that your path has worked. I certainly have benefitted from and enjoyed your videos.

[jamesewer]

Thanks for sharing such an open and honest story. You are a huge asset to the photography community.

[PMCN]

A wonderful way to encourage other young photographers Ben. If you ever get the opportunity check out Ken Duncan's story, he is a panoramic landscape photographer here in Australia. He started in the 1980's shooting film and producing large prints (eg: 1.5m wide ratios of 3:1 or 4:1). He was agoraphobic but loved capturing the wide Australian landscape. He is probably the best known Australian photographer for many years, a major achievement for the 80-90's.
I agree with your position about not making it about "A JOB", people will see the passion and the art, success will follow! Cheers!

[briestockwell]

Love this Ben! I especially love your mindset about your business and creating the life you want. Well done!

[hectorgerardocorral]

Thanks a lot! I can fell your authencity, you just have earn your self a new subscriber!
Thanks

[FredericBonneauPhotography]

You will need to diversify and come up with additional packages to sell but still keeping your box set in production. Ultimately you will need to open your own gallery where there is lots of foot traffic like at the entrance of one of those parks you go. Also become the official photographer for that park and carry your merchandise in their gift store at the visitor center. Just a few ideas to keep the money rolling so you can get some milky bones to my furry friend! 🐶

[GraemeSomerville]

Very interesting to see your path Ben. Many would’ve stopped after those initial negative comments. We are all so glad you didn’t. I just turned pro in July. I’d love to get to a place where it’s solely landscape photography but for the foreseeable future it’s other genres. That’s ok. I’m excited about the journey and being my own boss. And making a living with a camera is pretty cool.

[nickswisher]

You graduated college in 2004, here I am in the middle of my university experience 2021! Really puts things in perspective. You’re stuff is still inspiring me to hopefully be in a similar position somewhere down the line. Things have been tough but I’ll always stick to photography. Thanks for the inspiration man!!

[pumper]

Thank you so much for this. I have been a 'photographer' for 7 years. I started with portraits, went into street and urban landscapes and have always felt like I've been trying to compromise my photography to get some attention. I just made the decision the other week to abort all portraiture, all street photography and to photograph what I love most - landscapes. I have ditched the digital and have decided to go all in with film (which I shot off and on). I have my 4x5, my 6x17 and my 6x6, I have been shooting nature for the last 2 weeks and its given me hope and a love for photography again that I had lost during this pandemic. The long and short, thank you so much for this video. You have no idea what it means. Cheers.

[jermainebeckley]

I knew I’ve seen you in Nelson’s before! I also live in SD and remember when Nelson’s was in Little Italy.

[jamesgerboc]

Thanks for sharing Ben. We all have to rise above the noise of social media and external invalidation and be comfortable with our journey. I truly believe happiness comes from the journey and not the destination, so you have to make each day count in terms of doing rewarding work. Mindfulness plays a huge roll in appreciating each breath you take, each mile you hike and each image you create.

[milkismurder]

Very cool. Glad to be part of the adventure.

[mitchellmysliwiecphotography]

Thank you for sharing. It's nice that you left numbers off. Good that it is supplying you with what you need, and that you didn't feel the need to explain what that means. Keep up the good work, the puppy training, and shoe box chronicles... (the clip of your first video was a great add)

[michaelgregory]

I appreciate your open honesty - thank you!!

[robertwhitemoto]

congratulations Ben. Happy you do this. Happy you can do this. Happy to contribute. Love the experiences, the low drama, the honesty. Looking forward to the next one.

[duringthemeanwhilst]

lovely of you to share your story - thank you :-)

I had plans to turn pro back in 2014, but on a much more traditional route by offering guided tours and workshops to the best locations I'd found in Waterfall Country and the Brecon Beacons near my home. I had it all planned out, including a lovely book on Waterfall Country. Then I was diagnosed with multiple myeloma and had a fractured spine leaving me permanently disabled, so all the best laid plane were shelved.

I now get my hiking "fix" by watching you and a few other photographers on YT, with almost all my images being shot yards from my car, and I think I now have to work even harder to get my images because of that!

[peterfritzphoto]

This is so valuable, Ben - thank you.

[adavalle]

I certainly hope this does not come across as condescending...but your parents must be very proud. Your kindness, thoughtfulness and honesty really come through in your videos. I enjoy your videos and work a great deal. Thank you.

[myrt]

Great message and video. Inspires me to keep going. Your new photography is awesome!