The Hard Truth About Being a Pro Photographer

Have you ever dreamed about making money with your photography or going all in as a full time pro photographer? In this video we look at some of the hard truths that should be considered and discuss a mindset that will set you on the path to success.

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[leehurley]

Your video was very inspiring. I am getting late in years but I am determined to be the best I can be and hope to leave a small legacy behind that I and my family can find some pride in. I don't aim to get rich but would dearly love to give people something they can treasure through my craft. Your video helped me rekindle that spark a little more and I really appreciate it. Please keep up the great work.

[antonoat]

We have to be realistic and honest, these days often the biggest supporters of "pro" photographers are those aspiring to be photographers themselves. Youtube can give a distorted view of what a pro photographer actually does day to day, there is a massive difference between a YouTube "pro" photographer and an actual pro photographer. Just saying.

[scotty]

Much food for thought there Adam, especially for those who are contemplating making that leap. The one thing I have always respected about your work when its featured on your channel is an understanding of the effort that is made in creating your images in the field. When you factor in the time, cost of travel and then cost of production and the cost of maintaining a business, it is evident to achieve what have achieved in no easy ride. Social media can sometimes portray a distorted reality of being successful, whereas your channel portrays the opposite, it's an honest depiction of what needs to be done to succeed. Appreciate you sharing your own thoughts on this subject

[peterfritzphoto]

Adam - your videos are so valuable and helpful. I appreciate you enormously.

[GilbertTV]

well said Adam... I made a bold move a year ago this month to go "pro" after getting fired from my day job.. not great timing due to covid 19 so its been a very tough year but I got paid for some work & have a few jobs in the bag post lockdown . I think its important to be honest, nice & care about what you do, give something special . Knowing how to run a business & marketing/promotion etc is as important as the mechanics of the job itself & thats often where it goes wrong for a lot of creatives.. I'm lucky Ive run a successful business a decade ago so at least I have those skills to help me on.

[itaylorm]

Thank you for sharing your days when you are frustrated. Often gets forgotten when you are having challenges how much we enjoy photography. Your comment "An accumulation of hard work" is so right.

[JohnPaul-ii]

Big difference between making a little money from your photography hobby and actually making a living from photography .
Looking forward to seeing more of your work out in the English countryside soon.
Thanks for sharing again Adam.
Stay safe 😷🇦🇺

[CoffeeandPhotographyTalk]

Good information! So many who want to turn pro have really no idea what the pro photography landscape is really like as compared to just the enjoyment of 'taking pictures'.

[captinktm]

Two points I would add. If your not self driven then don't even think about it. Also turning a hobby into a business can ruin that hobby.

[amnaturephotography]

Love this video, I can relate to this 100% keep up the honest informative great work 👍👍👍

[davidposaas]

Real, practical advice. No sugar coating. Everything comes from smart hard work.

[andrewchisholm]

In an ideal world I would love to be a professional photographer but due to my sight disability there are lots of times that I can't even look at the TV never mind pick up my camera and shoot or edit.
Years ago I went back to full time higher education as a mature student and earned a degree in Media Theory and Production which I absolutely loved doing. But the big down part of it was that it took my enjoyment of watching films and TV programmes without deconstructing everything that was going on on the screen etc. So I know that this would be the same if I started earning from my photography. For now I will stick to it being my hobby but be the most professional I can be on the studio shoots, when covid buggers off, I do and absolutely love doing

[petercollins]

Brilliant content as usual Adam. Keep up the realistic information and approach. Real photography is hard work and requires dedication, not like just taking a ‘snap’!

[jesse]

Great video, felt like a bit of a refresh. Cheers Adam.

[wimscheenen]

Great explanation! And I agree on your POV of the big break.

[simonmaduxx]

Wonderful video. As a design art director who's been trying to transition to photography for the last 5 years, I can unequivocally state that momentum is a critical factor in maintaining your enthusiasm, and it will either be the moon and the stars (seriously) or your network/lack thereof that will determine your photography fate. Without momentum, after a certain point fear can start setting in - that your hard work and dedication is for naught, and you're destined to not reach the heights that you believe you can. AND standing right next to you will be someone who's working half as hard as you, but seems to be cruising on their way to bigger and better things. The ego check can be very very painful, the world can laugh at your dreams and your reaction will be the key. Being honest with yourself about the business of photography is both amazingly insightful and potentially very sad when you gather the metrics of how the system works especially if you're on the editorial side...i will either be very easy or very very difficult to swallow. I love what he mentions about the craft - it can be challenging in this social media environment to show the 'how' of your process if it's not something you envisioned to offer. So I am constantly debating what else can I provide of value without making myself the subject.

Learn from my struggles and push on. Push on or leave it alone. Recently an editor had passed on the chance to publish my work, as my previous editor is no longer at the company. The voices in my head were saying keep hope alive she may come through. It's been four days and no response but I can't let people like that deteriorate my enthusiasm. Instead I'm going to take that work and push it off to various editors. And if they don't feel it then I'll put it out to the general community or something. As David Chappelle recently said, "... do it anyway, you can't let these bitch ass people hate on your shine."

Good luck to you guys out there, the struggle is real, fight the good fight.

[ruudmaas]

I do think the title "Pro Photographer" is realy difficult to define. Most Pro Photographer do not earn the money by making photographs or selling their photographs. Education and sponsorships are for most pro photographers the base of their income. So I do like to use more the term of "Pro in Photography". For what it is worth. But I realy like your photographs.

[andybaden]

Great video, and some sage advice. Being self employed has risks in any business, but being involved in a creative industry only compounds matters in my opinion, as there will be times when you will doubt yourself. You must never lose sight of your goal, love the fact you didn't cash the cheque. Keep up the good work

[crowtheri]

I'd love to try but I aint going to put my family through the necessary risk and sacrifices - to me, its a relentless media, marketing and promotion job really. Whilst there are certain freedoms, you are still tied to even longer hours than serving shareholders, but it's something in theory you like doing. The enjoyable part of creative fieldwork and making films would be terrific, but the long slog of building, developing and nurturing a business, often to the detriment of people around you who have to make room in their lives to pick up matters you are not doing due to your obsession and devotion to the craft. At times, I think its pretty selfish and at others I found you should follow your dream - catch-22. However, I think this video is massively valuable, Adam, as it speaks the truth from your hard fought experience and the pressures you have felt. Some people thrive on this pressure and have families that are extremely tolerant, at least at the start - that can change however, and where do you go then, as things don't stay the same at home as kids grow and people change sometimes without you realising when your caught with the blinkers on!? Be informed, know the risks and pressures of building and developing any business - for me, this is a younger mans game, when pressures and responsibilities are less, rather than something you start later in life - but never say never! :) Thank-you!

[thomaswiik]

Thanks for another inspiring video! Looking forward to the book :)