Why you want to quit photography.

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[DeeRosa]

I’m glad a lot of you are interacting with this - it was meant to discuss a common feeling among professional and hobbyist alike but the toxicity of the pretend professionals is what ruins photography.

To everyone saying a professional doesn’t get burnt out - they do. I do. I’ve talked to many full time that do. Stop making things up ESPECIALLY the amount of work you do.

To those who keep saying you blame YouTube or YouTubers - that sounds like jealousy. Get people out of your head and focus on you and stop obsessing about someone who doesn’t even know you exist it’s weird.

To those struggling with burnout because of depression or anxiety. You’re seen and we feel you; it’s tough when the one outlet turns into a burden and you have to reset. But it gets better.

[NDakota]

Sometimes nothing works on my photo walk and I feel like the worst photographer in the world. And another day I shoot one good photo after another and I feel like I should get paid for my work.

[linjicakonikon]

Two hours ago I came home from my Photo walk feeling refreshed. I have been exploring my hilltop neighborhood for the last 10 years with digital (color) and black and white (film). My hill has a radius of 1 mile. I average 2-3 walks a week and shoot 1-2 rolls of film with each walk. At the end of this year I will select my favorite images and design and publish a 13"×11" monograph with 180 pages. Then I will spend the next 10 years working on Volume 2, only this will be shot with 6x6, 6×9 and 6x17cm film cameras. Do I ever get bored? Hell no! I've been shooting for 50 years. You only get bored when you are young and lack imagination. You have to kick at the darkness till it bleeds daylight. Keep kicking!📷👍

[wheezzy]

I am not a professional but with a full time job and kids I often get burned out trying to just find time to manage the photos I already took. I get so far behind with that it starts to make me feel "what's the point".

[Cracky]

I think it's the financial incentive. Photography isn't my work. Every image on my Flickr is listed as having no copyright, anyone can use them for anything. I don't care. I have a job, I do photography for me. If some one doesn't like my work, I don't care I took and edited the photos for me.

[JackieDElia]

I really like the color grading on this video - it looks vintage. I have found the same periods of not wanting to use my cameras too. Thanks for sharing this.

[tiarebowman]

I needed to hear/see this SO MUCH today. sometimes when I am doing too much paid work in a row I start to accidentally people please and shoot/edit safe over how I actually want to freaking shoot/edit and then I deliver and hate my work and then its just a rollercoaster.

[Jparkss]

I find photography to be a hobby more as something you should get paid for. Photography is art and in art your work gets recognized over time that passes. Viewing photography as a job in payment makes you feel like you’re trying to hard. When you view photography as a hobby you understand the value of the photos you produce. Some will be bad and some will be good but you never feel the need to always shoot really good photos because you don’t need money from it.

[Reggiebphoto]

Burnout is real. Important message in this video. For me, I had to get a dayjob to fall back in love with my work in both photography and content. I couldn't create stuff I wanted with the pressure of having to provide for my family with my photos and content. Looking forward to connecting again soon!

[StarLightDotPhotos]

One thing I tell creatives when they feel burnt out on photography is to switch mediums. Try painting, or drawing, or music production for a while and then come back to photography when they can come back with a fresh set of eyes.

[shanestorozukphotography]

This resonated so hard with me. I can't tell you how many times I've gone from hating certain images I've taken to realizing I love the shit out of them down the road. Photos I thought were a write off and others think they're some of my best work. Really fantastic topic you covered in this vid. Solid work mate

[PhotoTrekr]

Many years ago I decided to remain an amateur photographer and just do it for fun. The business side of professional photography took all of the fun out of it for me. Since then I've enjoyed every minute of it.

[teacherdude]

I don't delete because I know that later on I'll have learned something new, improved my processing skills or been exposed to a photographer who opens up new horizons. I think it's necessary to stop sometimes as creativity is like old-time agriculture, it's important to let the field lay fallow, regain its nutrients and strength.

[hypnotoads]

I always love your thoughts on this sort of thing - usually very insightful.

I'm terrible at pushing through any kind of creative block but I'm also kinda lucky, as my day to day work scratches my creative itch and has nothing to do with photography. Photography is a hobby rather than anything that demands any special interest above being creative. When I get burn out I just forget about my cameras and leave them alone for whatever period of time is needed. Ultimately this means that the next time I pick up my gear I get that buzz, that desire to produce something interesting. Works for me but I guess not everyone can just ignore their cameras like that!

[thestudios]

Great thoughts for sure. I have felt that way from time to time. But I often don’t feel like myself unless I have my camera on me. Regardless if they are bangers or just trash. I just shoot through the rut.

[CrispyFrenFry]

I love the diversity of topics you explore with us. As an information professional in academia, still photography is my main creative outlet. That is to say that I’m a hobbyist, but like others I too have gone through periods of burnout despite only starting my photographic journey back in March 2023! I fully expect this will be a consistent part of the journey as I grow, and develop while hitting road blocks along the way.

[chrisgonyou]

Its fucking crazy to hear this because all of this heavily applies to my life and what I do for a living. I came because photography is new to me and my way to relax and get out of my head and enjoy hearing others info on it- and this shit tied me right in. Spot on.

[scttmagoon]

Wow, there was a lot here and it felt like it was really from the heart. I’ve never hit a golf ball in my life in a way that made me happy, but I think your analogy is correct. Little successes can be big motivators. I don’t know what made you feel like you wanted to give it all up, but I can relate to the feeling of just taking pictures for the joy of it with no pressure. I hope you get to wherever you are going. I’ve enjoyed your content (when the algorithmic gods offer it to me).

[Kliffot]

I think at some point every artist and entrepreneur have to struggle with this on the road. It's actually a sign of maturity.

[DavidMBanes]

As someone who puts on car meets for guys to socialise, and sometimes gets close to burnout and can't be bothered to take my camera, I can tell you these are all real feelings. The great thing here is that you know what's happening and you are talking to people about it. Hopefully others here will realise what they are going through is not uncommon.