I’ve always wanted to do photography full time and now that my chance is here I’m having doubts. I do pretty well on the side of my 9-5 but just can’t seem to figure what it will be like if I can’t pull in enough to match my 9-5. my wife does well at her job and said it wouldn’t matter but that’s right now. I also want to retire someday. any advice from people who shoot full time?
I’m not with a full time photography related job. I had the chance to, but they didn’t hire me.
I was searching for a job in a different area - I was used to printing, graphics and vinyl applications. When I had bit of experience with cameras and shooting, I sent my resume to a modeling agency as a photographer. They required some experience shooting and editing, and I had all that. I sent them my website at the time so they could see my style and photography works. I went to an interview and while there, they asked me to shoot one of their staff, a nice-looking woman who would be the model for my trial.
My problem: I was used to my Sony camera, and they were lending me one of their Canons. Today, I would have shot her, but at the time, I didn’t felt comfortable enough to use a completely new camera and expect to have the same results. They could have known better and asked me to take my camera with me, but they didn’t.
I didn’t shoot the lady, nor I haven’t got any news from them after, obsiously.
But I eventually got a job again as a printer in the graphics business, and I’m glad it is like that. I can enjoy photography as a side-job, on my own terms and do some large format prints if my clients need, at a great price. I can print the photos myself and my bosses are cool enough to not to charge me if the prints are relatively small.
It makes me think I’m glad I do NOT work full time with photography. But I do shoot weddings and aniversary parties, which usually are made in the weekends, so I’m good with it. I have the best of both worlds.