I just got an interesting inquiry - letter from 16 years old Caitlyn with question about choosing photography as a career. Im a lifestyle wedding photographer and capturing weddings for a few years now {around New Zealand - mainly Auckland-Hamilton-Tauranga areas} and its good to look back and see all pros and cons about photography business.
Thats my letter to Caitlyn:
" Thank you so much for your inquiry and your kind words. Its great that you passionate about photography.
Photography definitely can be a career if you feel strongly about your passion, confident and feel ready to start this business.
Pros:
- ability to be creative, artistic and feel the freedom;
- capture treasured memories for people {once a life events}, make them happier;
- get a positive emotions during and after the session {from people around, their connection and happiness};
- work in your own schedule; be your own boss;
- meet new people and visit new places;
- follow your passion, do what you love;
- do something for yourself.
Cons:
- its a 24/7 job (so you constantly thinking about your business, clients, ideas, improvements, etc.);
- you need constantly to be on social media and work on your marketing - blogging, Instagram, Facebook, Pinterest, Twitter etc. {otherwise people never know about you};
- needs a lot of investment {equipment - expensive cameras, lenses worth thousands of dollars. When you doing a wedding photography you need to have a backup cameras, lenses, flashes etc.), also business spends, insurance, marketing, web, software, travel, packaging etc.;
- its an emotional work {as an artist you have up and down moments, feel happy or unhappy about your work and also really emotional when communicating with people - answer for inquiries, waiting for client's reply, and sometimes people never come back to you, but also those who love your work choose you and your style; so its really sensitive and personal};
- its hard to balance photography and family | personal life, as business take over and sometimes almost impossible to find time for your little ones and for yourself; spend a lot of time on the road for destination weddings;
- most of the time you are spending for editing pictures and managing business, which is much more then actual shooting time (proportions looks like 90% and 10 %), so you need to enjoy all aspects of the business {or found someone who you can delegate these responsibilities).
So there a lot of positive moments and some negative too. The main thing - do what you love and what make you happy! :) You need study a lot and always progress. Also note: for made photography a profitable business needs around 2-3 years of hard work.
Hope its helps!
Good luck with your passion and your chosen pass! Hope there will be people around you who will support you and make it easier!
Warmly,
Olga"
Contact me with any questions!