Yeah. On the other hand, I also understand that free things, unless it's a promotion or a vehicle to other kinds of sales, sort of diminishes the value, for the exact reason you're not giving it a value. It's always a matter of points of view, I guess.
Nice to read your honesty Matteo, these are good points and fairly valid too. However, I think might be looking at it from one perspective only. You don't need to do photography full time to be considered a professional. I have colleagues who only shoot during the weekend while keeping a weekly job. Others mentor and teach on their spare time. Others rely on stock photography for extra income. Ther options these days are unlimited. It's just how much of their time one is prepared to give away and how much effort they're prepared to put in.
Commercial photography is not the only way to earn money as a photographer these days. Look at youtubers for example or those who write successful photography blogs without ever taking a single picture.
Anyways, just thought I'd share a bit of perspective into your story.
Hey Xavi! Thanks a lot for reading and for raising these points. They're actually great perspectives to see things from a different angle. I tried to put things together several times in the past years and, even assuming I can do anything you listed, I always hit against another wall. Fiscal rules here are a mess. Any second income I could get from a second job, would completely be eaten up by taxes. With the added stress of managing a second job. *Sad face*
I decided to move into full time photography a few years ago, and in the first few years I could feel how the obligation to take pictures and, above all, market them to attract more clients and make it profitable, made my love for photography diminish.
I don't mean to say that it's like that for everyone, but I found it much more comfortable to do it part time, and choosing the projects to do.
I hope that the need to make it profitable doesn't kill your personal projects or your love for photography just for the sake of it.
Thanks a lot for sharing your experience, Fer! That’s exactly one of the points that’s keeping me. I love taking picture and I wish to maintain this feeling for as longer as possible.
Same here, some people don't understand why I do things for free, like giving away small prints (or DJ'ing at a party for free...my other passion ).
Yeah. On the other hand, I also understand that free things, unless it's a promotion or a vehicle to other kinds of sales, sort of diminishes the value, for the exact reason you're not giving it a value. It's always a matter of points of view, I guess.
Nice to read your honesty Matteo, these are good points and fairly valid too. However, I think might be looking at it from one perspective only. You don't need to do photography full time to be considered a professional. I have colleagues who only shoot during the weekend while keeping a weekly job. Others mentor and teach on their spare time. Others rely on stock photography for extra income. Ther options these days are unlimited. It's just how much of their time one is prepared to give away and how much effort they're prepared to put in.
Commercial photography is not the only way to earn money as a photographer these days. Look at youtubers for example or those who write successful photography blogs without ever taking a single picture.
Anyways, just thought I'd share a bit of perspective into your story.
Love your portrait work!
Hey Xavi! Thanks a lot for reading and for raising these points. They're actually great perspectives to see things from a different angle. I tried to put things together several times in the past years and, even assuming I can do anything you listed, I always hit against another wall. Fiscal rules here are a mess. Any second income I could get from a second job, would completely be eaten up by taxes. With the added stress of managing a second job. *Sad face*
Yes, I totally understand. They want us to succeed in order to take more from us. Sad reality!
If you're happy keeping it as a hobby, then all is good!
I decided to move into full time photography a few years ago, and in the first few years I could feel how the obligation to take pictures and, above all, market them to attract more clients and make it profitable, made my love for photography diminish.
I don't mean to say that it's like that for everyone, but I found it much more comfortable to do it part time, and choosing the projects to do.
I hope that the need to make it profitable doesn't kill your personal projects or your love for photography just for the sake of it.
Thanks a lot for sharing your experience, Fer! That’s exactly one of the points that’s keeping me. I love taking picture and I wish to maintain this feeling for as longer as possible.
Keeping things you love is wise in general.
If you choose to build on that, great, so long as it’s not at the expense of other things that you love even more.
That's definitely a wise approach. Thanks for this and for reading, Donn!
Yes makes sense. I think we all worry that the grind of making a living from your passion will remove the passion.
Yep, I think at the moment I still want to keep the freedom to choose.
Thankds for reading!