Sobering truths about making a career out of Photography

[KenJulio]

Sobering Truths About Making A Career Out Of Photography

[Omega Man]

I used to be in a band; I'be played guitar for almost 35 years.

We used to make some pretty good money now and then, but it certainly wasn't paying the bills. It was something I enjoyed doing and, if someone was willing to pay me every so often, all the better.

It's the same with photography. I liken it to making music a career. It's damn tough. Those who do it, from what I can tell, usually do pretty good, but it's getting to that point which is the tough part.

For me, "getting there" is what would suck the fun out of photography. I've got a good day job in the music industry, and I enjoy the Hell out of taking pictures. Sometimes, people actually hire me, or they want to buy something I've shot.

That's good enough for me...

[StevenGWebb]

I read this full article posted somewhere else. It assumes a lot of speculation as fact. I was a police officer in Texas for 8 years and the example about retiring from public safety is greatly flawed. I've known many retired police officers. Most of them worked after retirement to make ends meet. That's not exactly putting in 20 and retiring financially independent.

The article assumes that an individual in a photography business will remain static and never increase his business. For every other situation there is a steady increase. The example of the Best Buy clerk or stock-man who has very little barrier to entry doesn't remain a clerk or stock-man through the span of employment. That's a tiny bit skewed.

A hustler and go-getter in any line of work is likely to find success ahead of pack.

Success is about who you are, not what you do.