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Is It Time to Turn Your Photography Hobby Into a Career?
By Kyle Wilson
Your friends compliment your photos and wonder why you don’t turn your photography hobby into a career. Some may even ask you to take pictures of their family, pets, or special events, like weddings.
Someone paid you for your photography; maybe there are more opportunities. The idea is sparked. Could you turn your hobby into a full-time gig that pays the bills?
Get paid to do what you love and you’ll never work a day in your life, right?
The Reality Check
Photography can be an expensive hobby, with the constant need to buy new gear, attend workshops, and possibly travel to exotic locations for the perfect shot. However, starting a photography career is less costly than other professions. For example, to become a plumber, you need an array of tools, a truck, and insurance. As a photographer, you can get started with a good camera and a few lenses, making it easier to enter the field.
Just because it’s easy to start doesn’t mean you should dive in headfirst.
Many people love photography, but transforming this hobby into a career is a significant step that requires careful consideration. There is a lot more to it than getting paid to take photos - you have to run a business. And there are risks; you might even lose your passion.
Here’s a realistic look at what it really means to turn your love for photography into a professional pursuit.
The Day-to-Day Reality
As a professional photographer, your daily tasks will extend beyond taking pictures. Much of your time will be spent on client communication, managing schedules, and editing photos to meet client expectations. Effective communication skills are essential to sell your services, handle client inquiries, and deliver projects on time. Are you ready to become a professional emailer who sometimes takes photos?
Photography is not a typical 9-5 job. Your schedule will often revolve around client events and the best lighting conditions. This flexibility can be appealing, but it also means working during evenings, weekends, and sometimes holidays. It’s important to consider if this lifestyle suits you and your personal commitments.
One of the most significant risks of turning a hobby into a career is the potential to lose the joy that you get from photography. While being your own boss sounds appealing, it comes with increased responsibilities. What you once did for enjoyment now has deadlines and expectations that can make it feel more like work.
Financial Goals and Planning
If you’re considering going full-time, a detailed business plan is essential. Planning will help you navigate the initial stages of setting up your business and avoid potential pitfalls.
Starting a photography business involves several overhead costs:
- Camera gear
- Data storage and backup solutions
- Legal contracts (you may need a lawyer)
- Business License
- Business Insurance
- Accountant for managing taxes
These costs can add up, so it’s important to budget carefully and plan for them.
Additionally, consider how you can make money with your photos. A harsh reality of photography is that what you want to get paid for may differ from what people want to pay you for. The easiest way to get paid is by taking pictures of people. Clients pay. It takes more work to get paid to photograph architecture, for instance.
Are you tied to your creative integrity or willing to do it for the money? If you’re driven by creativity, focus on projects that inspire you and allow for artistic expression. If financial stability is your goal, prioritize building a strong client base and offering in-demand services.
Do You Have the Skills?
Assess your current skills to see if you have what it takes to succeed. When photography is your hobby, you don’t have to be good at it to enjoy it. If you turn it into a business, you had better be good and always be improving - otherwise, it’s wise to leave cash out of it and retain your joy.
Besides taking great photos, you need to be proficient in:
- Client relations: As a photographer, your job is client-facing. You need to communicate clearly and promptly and be prepared to handle difficult situations.
- Editing: Culling through thousands of photos for the best images and editing them with your artistic touch are skills unto themselves.
- Marketing your services: Photography is not a 'if you build it, they will come' scenario. You must put yourself out there and promote yourself effectively to gain clients.
- Tech stuff: For starters, you'll need a website, social media accounts, and a solid data backup system. A CRM (customer relationship management) program will make your life easier. You can get help with all of these, but be prepared to be the one managing them, at least in the beginning.
If you’re lacking in any of these areas, find out ways you can start enhancing them. Online courses from professional photographers are a great place to start.
Questions to Consider When Beginning a Photography Career
Before diving in, ask yourself the following questions to ensure you're making an informed decision:
- Why do I want to turn my hobby into a career? Is it for financial reasons, creative fulfillment, or both?
- Am I unhappy in my current career? Do I want to replace my current job or supplement my income?
- What are my financial goals and expectations? How much income must I generate from my photography business to meet my financial needs? Is it realistic?
- Do I have the necessary skills and equipment? How can I develop my skills?
- Am I prepared to handle client communication, marketing, bookkeeping, and managing schedules?
- What are the potential overhead costs? Have I accounted for expenses such as business insurance, legal contracts, data storage, licenses, and taxes?
- How will this career change affect my enjoyment of photography? Am I ready to risk losing some of the joy I get from photography by turning it into a job?
- Can I effectively communicate with clients, manage their expectations, and sell my services?
- What type of photography do I want to focus on? Have I considered different niches such as weddings, portraits, e-commerce, sports, or architectural photography?
- Am I willing to work irregular hours? Can I adapt to a schedule that revolves around client events and optimal lighting conditions, including evenings, weekends, and holidays?
- How will I gain experience and build a portfolio? Am I willing to take on unpaid gigs initially to gain experience?
- Have I researched the market to understand the demand for the type of photography I want to offer?
- What is my plan for business growth and sustainability?
- Do I have a support network? Are there mentors, peers, or professional networks that I can turn to for advice and support?
- Am I prepared for the potential challenges and setbacks? How will I handle rejection, difficult clients, and periods of low demand?
Tools for Success
If, after considering all these factors, you're passionate about pursuing photography professionally, we have the tools and resources available to help you succeed.
Prepare. Check out our beginner’s guide to your first client photo shoot. This article has professional tips and links to more info on:
- Client communication
- Scheduling
- Contracts
- Getting paid
- Planning and preparing for the shoot
- Data backup & storage
- Culling and editing
- Delivering online galleries
- How to start a photography blog
Network. Start networking to learn from your professional community. Find out what your more experienced peers think about market demand and rates. Continually expand your network to get feedback and tips on your work and uncover opportunities. Keep up with podcasts like “The Photographer’s Problem” to learn from the experiences of expert photographers and find inspiration for your work.
Start small. It's okay to start small and grow gradually. You could realistically start a photography business with less than $10,000 investment, including software and essential gear. Focus on building a solid foundation and expanding your services as you gain more experience and confidence.
Take advantage of new tools. AI software is saving photographers time while elevating the baseline of good photography. Try Narrative Select + Edit for free to see how AI culling and editing can make your job easier while helping you deliver exceptional photo galleries.
Embrace the Journey
Turning your photography hobby into a career requires careful consideration, planning, and a realistic approach. Weigh the pros and cons, understand the financial implications, and be prepared for the challenges. There is nothing wrong with contemplating turning your hobby into a career and facing the reality that maybe it’s not the best idea.
Do it for your own joy. If your passion for photography remains strong, turning it into a career can be one of the most rewarding decisions you make. Embrace the journey, learn from your experiences, and continue to evolve both as a photographer and a business owner.
