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03/22/2006 10:45:23 PM · #1 |
| Hi. I'm a Junior in High School right now and I'm trying to decide on where to go to college and what I want to be. It's pretty much driving me crazy that I can't make up my mind about anything. I have noticed that I like to take pictures and I've thougth about being a photographer, but I don't know exactly what it takes and if it's a good job. So if anyone is a professional photographer or knows stuff about the job, please leave some information to help me decide. |
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03/22/2006 10:56:16 PM · #2 |
to be honest...it's a long starving road until maybe you make it big and can charge good money.
but mostly, more photographers go broke than make it big.
So if your tyhe kind of person that doesn't care about money and just want to do what you love than go for it.
but get a major in business and a minor in photography. ;o)
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03/22/2006 10:59:03 PM · #3 |
Originally posted by Brent_Ward:
to be honest...it's a long starving road until maybe you make it big and can charge good money.
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Speaking of which, I will glady pay you Tuesday for a hamburger today ;-)
Brent is correct. On the lower end of the scales, the money is tight and the gigs can get sporatic at times.
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03/22/2006 11:07:11 PM · #4 |
I'm a junior in college and I still don't know what I wan't to be...I'll graduate with a minor in photography hopefully, among other things, which I think may be benificial but straight out of school I'll more likely be looking for work along the lines of my major. (Web/Graphic/3D design) I'd say Brent has the right idea. If you need to major in something like photography, especially if you're looking to become an artist, then either double major with something else which can provide a good income, or live the life of the starving artist. Nothing wrong with either of those, it just depends on you personally.
You could also look into beginning stock photography right now just to try it out, your camera is easily good enough to submit to microstock sites.
-Ben |
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03/22/2006 11:08:28 PM · #5 |
I'd suggest sticking with a more traditional career and keep photography as a part time job/hobby. With digital making things easier it's difficult and will only get more difficult in years to come to make a living at it.
Man, I must be getting old, I sound like my Dad...
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03/22/2006 11:09:21 PM · #6 |
All this being said, if you find a passion for it, money doesn't matter. Well, you need enough to live on, of course.
Many folks here use their photography as a side hobby, build up their portfolios and experience, and when they feel ready (or not) they make the jump into full time photography.
Since your only a junior in high school, ask around and see if you can get a summer job or a part time job with a photographer in your area. This way, you can see if you really enjoy photography, and also what being a photographer entails
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03/22/2006 11:16:48 PM · #7 |
In general,
If you've simply "noticed you like to" do anything, whatever you've noticed may not be your chosen field.
If you eat sleep and dream photography, if everywhere you look you see a photo waiting to be taken, if you study every magazine wondering what lens and aperature it was shot with (on EVERY photo), then you might have what it takes.
Because when there is no money, and when there is no work, you will still go create photos, you have to love it that much to get through the bad times. I haven't done this with photography, but I did do it with animation - and my love of making "cool things move" is the only thing that kept me going -
You're a junior in high school. Don't worry too much about this now anyway. Whatever you choose now will be different in a year, and then you'll go to college and major in what, three or four different things, graduate with a degree in art, and work as a wedding planner because teaching art sucks. (maybe for you)
My point is you still have lots of time to try lots of things. If it is photography you'll love what you're doing even through the bad times, and if it's not what you want to give your life for, it's still a great hobby.
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03/22/2006 11:48:32 PM · #8 |
I guess the income potential depends on which branch of photography you go into. I pay my bills just fine with photography. I do mostly portraiture on location, the occasional wedding, and a few commercial jobs. I'm not eating filet mignon everynight, but I'm not eating ramen noodles either.
At the same time, when I've tried my hand at fine art photography, I'm more likely to make one large sale every now and again as opposed to several sales with portraiture.
Follow your dreams. You'll never make it if you never try. |
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03/22/2006 11:52:26 PM · #9 |
I think photography, for most people, is better to have as an additional skill, rather than your primary skill. There are a very few photographers out of all us hopefuls who will really become "professional" photographers, i.e. make a career out of it.
I recommend finding another area to focus in, such as writing, business, or whatever else appeals to you, then honing your photography so that when you interview for a job, you can say "Yes, I meet all your requirements, plus I am an accomplished photographer and would be happy to help out in that area as well."
I am in journalism and marketing, and the value of being a writer who can take reasonably good photographs, knows how to use photoshop, and can "think visually" has gotten me ahead in several positions.
As another example, a friend of mine is an intern with an arcitechtural firm while she gets her degree, and once they heard she could use a camera, they put her to work documenting their entire portfolio of properties, her work is in their brochures, with her name in the credit bar!
Message edited by author 2006-03-22 23:54:03.
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03/23/2006 12:18:50 AM · #10 |
As you might guess from my screen name, I'm a cyclist.
I get the feeling being a professional photographer is somewhat similar to being a cyclist.
There are tons of people doing it as amateurs simply because they have a passion for it. Most of them never make any money at it, but they are happy.
There are less who make some money from it on the side, but have to have a "real job" as their primary income to put food on the table and pay the babysitter.
There are less than that who are professionals and make enough to have this as their primary income. They typically struggle for awhile as they are up and coming. Many of them give up because it is too tough to make it through. Those that do make it are the ones w/ the true passion and gift for it.
Then there are the Boonen's, Museeuw's, Merckx's, Armstrong's, etc - the true superstars who make the big bucks and deliver the goods. They paid their dues for the most part in the up and coming ranks but had the passion to keep at it when things were bad and the talent to prove themselves worthy when the opportunity arose.
I'm hoping to count myself one day as the "make some money from it, but have a 'real job' on the side to pay most of the bills" type!
For now it is a hobby that I have some passion and possibly aptitude for? |
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03/23/2006 12:28:17 AM · #11 |
| While I don't major in photography, I do know that your major in college is not really important. Find a school you like, take classes that you love, and take whatever degree gets you out the fastest. If you find out you don't like it most people don't look at what you majored in during college but rather that you went to college. And if you really feel like you are trapped after college, go to grad school and specialize in something you really want to do! |
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03/23/2006 12:52:47 AM · #12 |
I've always wondered that once I seriously consider making money off it, I will lose my passion for it...
Could this happen?
Then it kind of becomes a job? |
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03/23/2006 01:08:44 AM · #13 |
Originally posted by Guyver:
I've always wondered that once I seriously consider making money off it, I will lose my passion for it...
Could this happen?
Then it kind of becomes a job? |
It hasn't for me. But, I do try to have fun with it.
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03/23/2006 01:29:12 AM · #14 |
Originally posted by fotomann_forever:
Originally posted by Guyver:
I've always wondered that once I seriously consider making money off it, I will lose my passion for it...
Could this happen?
Then it kind of becomes a job? |
It hasn't for me. But, I do try to have fun with it. |
*Guyver looks at cheese and peanut butter pics*
tryto have fun??
:)
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03/23/2006 01:36:15 AM · #15 |
Originally posted by Guyver:
*Guyver looks at cheese and peanut butter pics*
tryto have fun??
:) |
Exactly ;-)
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03/23/2006 02:41:56 AM · #16 |
Originally posted by Guyver:
I've always wondered that once I seriously consider making money off it, I will lose my passion for it...
Could this happen?
Then it kind of becomes a job? |
This is exactly what happened to me with computing, and now I look to the future accepting that I'll be building databases for many a year before I can make my money from photography. This is because I refuse to be compromised with my passion (photography) and if it takes 20 years to be able to make the money from it my way and only my way then so be it.
I think that once you have to rely on your hobby for income there is a strong risk that along with the stress and pressure the passion easily falls aside.
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03/23/2006 03:03:44 AM · #17 |
Making money from hobby, could be difficult decision sometimes. I have been painting for last 12 years. I never sold any. I have gifted them mostly to friends etc. Many times I get request for portraits and I just never say no.
I am still not able to make my mind whether I want to ever sell my work. But last time I went to a exhibition and I was surprised (it has happened many times before) that the kind of work I usually throw in dustbin was selling at such high prices. I could cover my monthly salary in just one painting by that standard. But somehow I have always kept hobby and profession separate. So here I am.
Originally posted by colda:
Originally posted by Guyver:
I've always wondered that once I seriously consider making money off it, I will lose my passion for it...
Could this happen?
Then it kind of becomes a job? |
This is exactly what happened to me with computing, and now I look to the future accepting that I'll be building databases for many a year before I can make my money from photography. This is because I refuse to be compromised with my passion (photography) and if it takes 20 years to be able to make the money from it my way and only my way then so be it.
I think that once you have to rely on your hobby for income there is a strong risk that along with the stress and pressure the passion easily falls aside. |
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03/23/2006 04:01:46 AM · #18 |
I have the view that you need to do what makes you happy.
A lot of people here seem to love photography but chosen other professions, for whatever reason.
I plan to pursue a profession in photography, and in doing this I know I will not always be doing the sort of photography I love...but I still love photography in general.
Maybe I'm naive now, but why not do you what you love and try to make money off of it. I'm still not sure which area of photography I want to work in, but whatever it is it will have its ups and downs...but in the end it will still be photography. So far I've had luck with getting employment based on photography...and it's also had very little to do with my actual photography and much more to do with how well I can talk to people and contact the right people.
Even if I have to take photos of an apple in a studio all day it's better than working in a cubicle in my mind. Just do what you like, it seems to work......
oh...you're a junior in high school....why are you thinking about that right now? You should be out with your friends causing trouble....start thinking about that as a junior in college maybe. Life's too short to be thinking what happens next. |
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03/23/2006 04:06:35 AM · #19 |
.
Message edited by author 2006-03-23 04:08:07. |
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03/23/2006 04:50:49 AM · #20 |
Originally posted by petrakka:
I have the view that you need to do what makes you happy.
Maybe I'm naive now, but why not do you what you love and try to make money off of it. I'm still not sure which area of photography I want to work in, but whatever it is it will have its ups and downs...but in the end it will still be photography. So far I've had luck with getting employment based on photography...and it's also had very little to do with my actual photography and much more to do with how well I can talk to people and contact the right people.
Even if I have to take photos of an apple in a studio all day it's better than working in a cubicle in my mind. Just do what you like, it seems to work......
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You see, the way I understand it, is that shooting an apple once a day (that took you 15 minutes based on requirements) wont bring you enough income to live comfortably as well as earn enough money to upgrade your equipment.
So if you're kind of bound to studio shots all day... will you still love it after a while? Shooting things that other people want you to shoot? Wihtout adding any creativity of your own to the shot save a different angle or lighting technnique which, even then, would be open for criticism from your clients?
Would you even then, find the time or need to go out and shoot some wildlife if you are not getting paid for it?
To me there's a certain mystery behind taking a photo.... the planning in your head, the execution... the tears, the laughs... the way your breath freezes in your chest before you push that shutter button... the way the shutter opens and closes in the viewfinder - where you just know it was good...the viewing afterwards on your PC, the post processing to make it perfect, the printing, the admiration...
All these things, in my mind, would become mundane if money is involved - especially if you are shooting to someone else's requirements all the time.
But I'm just guessing.
*Edit* Spelling
Message edited by author 2006-03-23 04:51:51. |
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03/23/2006 05:02:39 AM · #21 |
Originally posted by digitalknight:
Because when there is no money, and when there is no work, you will still go create photos, you have to love it that much to get through the bad times. |
I've done that
Originally posted by blazingmoonlight:
..... I'm not eating filet mignon everynight, but I'm not eating ramen noodles either. ..... |
I've said that! To an ex-employer and photographer when he asked how things were going.
And to top it off, I kinda "fell" into it. Always took pics but just by fate started making a buck or two on the side. Now it's full time & no looking back. There were a few times I thought of giving up and I remember something a person whom I admired said: Do what you love & the money will come.
Edit spelling
Message edited by author 2006-03-23 05:03:26. |
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03/23/2006 06:18:50 AM · #22 |
[/quote]
All these things, in my mind, would become mundane if money is involved - especially if you are shooting to someone else's requirements all the time.
But I'm just guessing.
*Edit* Spelling [/quote]
For the pros, it is a job like any other, some of the ones I know they do their own stuff on the side, but a few hardly ever take any photos when they are not on the job, a real shame.
I do a little bit for money every month but mostly it's for my own enjoyment (and friends and family seem to enjoy what I do).
I was out yesterday, looking at a site that I am supposed to shoot in a few weeks, and I said to my partner that I sure would not want to drive around all day, taking pictures for a newspaper for example. I'm just happy to be able to combine the two. It is a challenge to get a commission and I know I am not good enough to do good commissionwork, 4 or 5 days a week. I am ok for a couple every two weeks (guess that means I am aware of (both) my shortcomings). |
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03/23/2006 08:57:41 AM · #23 |
If you LOVE IT, then DO IT!
Don't let all the doomsaying stop you from making a career out of something you love.
I'd like to relate a conversation I had recently with my Mom:
We were talking about my photography "career" that I didn't start until I was 53, and she said that one of her biggest regrets was that she and my father did not encourage me in photography when I first started showing a love for it at about age 8. They didn't have the money to support the cost of that, and directed me towards art. She said that it really hurt her to think that all of these years I could have been growing in a career that I loved, and who knows what kind of a business I could have built.
Though I have nearly always had a camera in my hand, I never did anything with it because I was pretty much lead to believe that I couldn't. I never did really love art, and last Christmas gave away every single art supply that I owned.
I absolutely LOVE photography - always have. NO ONE is going to tell me that I cannot make a career of it, and NO ONE is going to tell met that I cannot make money from it! My phone is ringing off the hook, and I am busier than I ever thought I would be, and YES, I am making money from it.
Talk to people who are a success at it. Not people who aren't. You don't seek career advice from hobbyists, or people who have NOT made a career out of it. You seek advice from those who are a success, and who LOVE it as much as you do.
Find a photographer in your area that you admire, and who is very successful, and go talk to THEM! If you WANT a career in photography, and you LOVE photography, you can darned well do it. |
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03/23/2006 09:12:57 AM · #24 |
Sorry to interject here, but how can a hobbyist not love what he does?
On top of that, doomsaying would be taking it a little far wouldnt it?
It's a reality for some. EVEN for those who "WANT a career in photography, and LOVE photography"
If you become a chartered accountant, chances are you'll always have a job and have good pay.
A photographer, your chances are less. A lot less if I can be so bold.
So doomsaying in this case... no, I strongly disagree.
Yes, by your emphasis on a few words I can see you like it and love it and have a passion for it, but she was merely tentatively asking.
She's a junior, she's not on the brink of making a deciding factor that will ultimately change her life?
Sorry, this isnt meant to be abusive or anything... just thought branding us as doomsayers was a bit crude.
She asked for advice and people here are being honest, thats all.
Tell me if i'm outta line, I dont meant to be :)
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03/23/2006 09:16:16 AM · #25 |
What LHall said!
Remember, too, that there are many types of photography careers. Every time you see a photo remember that someone made it...could be an ad for Gap Jeans or a supermarket flier with canned foods, it might be someone's wedding portrait or a journalists image from a fire in your town, or a calendar, or an article on bugs, or a poster for a music group, or....
If you LOVE IT, you will DO IT!
I'm not a pro photog (yet)....but photography has permeated my life. I have never had a job where I couldn't use it. It has opened doors for me more times than I can count. I'm the "go to" person for images.
Someone posted in another thread this morning "Luck comes from practice." Darn good advice! |
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