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What are some up and downs on being a photographer?

2006-08-20 14:24:43 · 4 answers · asked by βεℓℓα ツ 4 in Arts & Humanities Visual Arts Photography

4 answers

UPs-- The discovery of a new location and the visual riches that are found there is probably the best. I enjoy the hunt. This doesn't mean that I have to travel to some far off place. It could be a trail at the back of a park or a city street that you've never driven down before. It is the listening to the stories of strangers and finding out they were fighting in Normandy on D-Day. Photography gives me a fantastic way to enter their world and try to understand why they believe what they believe. Now, I don't always agree with their views but I make an effort to understand where they come from. This is where I work hard to make images that reflect my understanding of the situation.

I have the ultimate control of my work. By that I mean that I and I alone push the button that releases the shutter that captures the image. That is power. Your editor may tell you what, when and how to do the assignment but you still can complete the work your way. (Nothing ticks me off more than some "photo know-it-all" sitting at a desk telling me I need to do a photo "this way". (I guess that might be a DOWN in the business) Yes I do it his way...then I show them a better way and we're both happy.

It is also a great high to use your talents and skills to make someone elses life better by righting a wrong. I enjoy making slum lords clean up their property to give a family a decent place to live. I enjoy shooting photos for a fund raiser for Habitat for Humanity.

OTHER DOWNs--
Time is very precious. If you are thinking of quality time with a family you might be disappointed. Starting out is VERY demanding. You've have got to dig deep to keep the cash flow steady. That means working nights weekends....birthdays, anniversaries.....shortened vacations (or working vacations for that matter) ....and hope that you have an understanding spouse. The money can be pretty tough to get. In today's age of digital tech, everybody with a camera thinks they are a professional. They will do jobs for $75 that you charge $400. If they can cover their overhead, travel, shipping, insurance, camera repairs, ...ect then teach me how. I'm willing to learn but I've also found that they don't last too long in the business. (and it IS a business)

Photography also demands a constant stream of creativity. (This is an UP and DOWN) I have found that I enjoy certain events less and less. Annual events like a state fair or a big parade were great to shoot the first 5-10 times but now they are "work" and trying to come up with a different way to show these events is really tough.

I could go on but these are the highlights/low lights. I love what I do and can't think of anything that can even come close. Good Luck.

2006-08-21 04:39:34 · answer #1 · answered by John S 3 · 0 0

Ups: Seeing the looks on my clients faces when they see their images. Photographing children when they're in their element and just being cute. The money is always a plus too!

Downs: Babies that cry and children that hit you. Clients that don't know the difference between a portrait and a picture (and yes there is a difference!). Clients that have the retail studio mentality that every sheet should be $4, no matter what!

2006-08-21 00:54:03 · answer #2 · answered by Adriane C 2 · 0 0

Ups: money - decent after you are established.
Artistic expression
set your own hours

Downs: time commitment can be very high at the beginning until you earn enough to hire some help
People are very stressed at the thought of having their picture taken so they can get snippy
Bridezillas

Definately worth the time and effort. I love being a photographer

2006-08-20 21:37:46 · answer #3 · answered by iahp_mom 4 · 0 0

Getting steady work and working weekends. Being a photographer generally means you'll be working weekends taking photos at weddings.

2006-08-20 21:31:57 · answer #4 · answered by sarah071267 5 · 0 0

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