I have often considered the notion of making photography my livelihood but since photography was my escape and therapy from mental health issues a few years ago, it has remained my place of solace from my day job.
You have followed much of my recent journey into finding freedom in shooting with compact cameras, so this post resonates strongly.
Super black and white images that truly convey a sense of place.
I love how we are on the same journey, but our experiences are different. Photography is a journey and I’ve learned that it teaches you a lot about yourself. I’m thankful for the years I put pressure on myself to be professional, but I’m even more thankful for the years where I’ve found freedom from perfection. That’s what has made it even better for my mental health, which I’m sure you could agree with. The more we let go, the more therapeutic it becomes! Love seeing your journey, Andy!
This is a nice thought. I wrote something similar in a journal a month or so back. I found you on here through a digicam google search. So far I’ve really enjoyed your work. Your memory cards post made my girlfriend cry like a baby. Thanks for sharing.
Awhhh, thanks for sharing that, Daniel! Did you post that on your substack? I’ll have to read! And yes, the digicam craze! I recently re-opened my shop for a short time until I sell the rest of my inventory. I’m so shocked at how they still sell and how many of my customers noticed my return. The craze is still going strong!
I have only recently discovered Substack and really haven’t even figured out how to use it. I mostly plug around until I find something interesting. I’d like to start posting my work, perhaps. However my thoughts generally just make the pages of my notebooks.
Yeah, Substack is so different from any other “social” network. I’ve enjoyed my time here and the people I’ve met. It also challenges me to write. Writing was always the subject I excelled in. I stopped writing all my thoughts for whatever reason and Substack has reacquainted me with my love for sharing stories and experiences.
So cool that you used Tri-X, Raz. Also, I believe the label “professional” is more related towards the soft skills around using the camera, like being on time, have clear communication, etc. At least, that’s my theory 😜
Love having you back! You know how I feel about this topic. I am glad to know you feel on track with where you stand in the art world. It's so important! I love the punchy vibe of these photos, too. Just lovely!
Perfectly put! So happy you’re back and posting. I’ve made art my job for almost 25 years and I rarely do it outside of work because being a professional has taken the joy out of it for me. It sucks, but it’s the truth. I’m very conscious now of what I treat as a thing that I take further and what I don’t because I know now how I react to it when pressure is attached. I never want that to happen with photography and I’m lucky enough to have a good job, so I can do both. Because of that I treat photography in the way that you do. Pure fun. Only good vibes.
I love that! And yes! One way to describe professional is being paid for the job. That’s another reason I desperately wanted to be called professional before—because I did get paid. Nowadays, I love just shooting for me. Professional gigs come with a stress I dealt with for 10 years and then I realized I didn’t like that stress 🤣. So now I just take pictures of flowers, my dog, and my travels. I make no money doing that, but I’m my most happy it being that way. I respect all photographers, like yourself, who make a business out of it though! Or at least get paid for it! Thank you for chiming in, Alex!
These images are fantastic! And maybe that's an appropriate definition of professional. Not necessarily about the money, or the accolades, or the equipment insurance, but the love of the craft. Maybe a professional is someone who picks up any camera and loves the process. Or one who loves sharing the process with others.
And even though you still ask yourself: where’s the point? why my photos don’t work?, am I not skilled enough to make something with them? A professional photographer makes a living from photography, is that something enviable? Well, it depends
Hey, good to see you back! Fab set of images. I like the striking architectural forms of no7, but my fave is no15 with it's quirky perspective and the 'ghost shoes' 🙂
I've just realised I was going to comment on the other part of your post, then lost my way somewhere along the line lol. Regarding the how one perceives what the label 'professional photographer' entails - to me, in essence, it implies anyone with the requisite skills that earns their living from the craft. This does not mean that I think non-pros are any less skilled, far from it. There are countless outstanding photographers that take photos purely for the love of it. If anyone were to ask me if I had any kind of label for myself, the most likely would be 'happy snapper'. Similar to the manner you mention above, I enjoy taking photos purely for my own pleasure, setting my own pace and using whatever tool takes my fancy at the time. If the end result is more or less how I wanted it, all well and good. If not, well, it's not usually the end of the world. All good fun☺️
I love the label ‘happy snapper’!!! You always find unique ways to describe things! I definitely consider myself a ‘happy snapper’ as well! I shoot whatever makes me happy 🥰. But yes, I definitely think the label professional comes with a prerequisite of skill and knowledge.
I have often considered the notion of making photography my livelihood but since photography was my escape and therapy from mental health issues a few years ago, it has remained my place of solace from my day job.
You have followed much of my recent journey into finding freedom in shooting with compact cameras, so this post resonates strongly.
Super black and white images that truly convey a sense of place.
I love how we are on the same journey, but our experiences are different. Photography is a journey and I’ve learned that it teaches you a lot about yourself. I’m thankful for the years I put pressure on myself to be professional, but I’m even more thankful for the years where I’ve found freedom from perfection. That’s what has made it even better for my mental health, which I’m sure you could agree with. The more we let go, the more therapeutic it becomes! Love seeing your journey, Andy!
This is a nice thought. I wrote something similar in a journal a month or so back. I found you on here through a digicam google search. So far I’ve really enjoyed your work. Your memory cards post made my girlfriend cry like a baby. Thanks for sharing.
Awhhh, thanks for sharing that, Daniel! Did you post that on your substack? I’ll have to read! And yes, the digicam craze! I recently re-opened my shop for a short time until I sell the rest of my inventory. I’m so shocked at how they still sell and how many of my customers noticed my return. The craze is still going strong!
I have only recently discovered Substack and really haven’t even figured out how to use it. I mostly plug around until I find something interesting. I’d like to start posting my work, perhaps. However my thoughts generally just make the pages of my notebooks.
Yeah, Substack is so different from any other “social” network. I’ve enjoyed my time here and the people I’ve met. It also challenges me to write. Writing was always the subject I excelled in. I stopped writing all my thoughts for whatever reason and Substack has reacquainted me with my love for sharing stories and experiences.
I’m here for the stories more than the photos. Writing is something I’ve always wanted to get better at.
Not caring is the goal I strive for every day. Thank you for sharing your thoughts on this journey and passion we all share.
Also, these images are fantastic. They make me want to get up before dawn on a weekend and wander the city. Thanks for the inspo!
So cool that you used Tri-X, Raz. Also, I believe the label “professional” is more related towards the soft skills around using the camera, like being on time, have clear communication, etc. At least, that’s my theory 😜
Love having you back! You know how I feel about this topic. I am glad to know you feel on track with where you stand in the art world. It's so important! I love the punchy vibe of these photos, too. Just lovely!
Welcome back.
Many thanks, Darin! 🥳
Thank you for this. You nailed the passion.
Well I sure do appreciate it, Robert!!!! Thank you for the encouragement
Excellent, Razlyn! Who cares what everyone else thinks! Great photographs, as usual.
Yes!!!! I agree. As long as we love what we do, that’s ultimately what matters most. Thank you Soren!
There are some lovely images here………
Thank you! I went a little shutter happy in NYC. I was taking pics of everything 🤣
Perfectly put! So happy you’re back and posting. I’ve made art my job for almost 25 years and I rarely do it outside of work because being a professional has taken the joy out of it for me. It sucks, but it’s the truth. I’m very conscious now of what I treat as a thing that I take further and what I don’t because I know now how I react to it when pressure is attached. I never want that to happen with photography and I’m lucky enough to have a good job, so I can do both. Because of that I treat photography in the way that you do. Pure fun. Only good vibes.
These photos are fantastic.
Thank you! I had so much fun in NYC. It’s one of those cities where I want to take pictures of everything!
You're welcome.
I feel that way about New York, too. 😊
I wear the title amateur proudly! But I do take professional jobs, the difference. Professional is when people pay me.
I love that! And yes! One way to describe professional is being paid for the job. That’s another reason I desperately wanted to be called professional before—because I did get paid. Nowadays, I love just shooting for me. Professional gigs come with a stress I dealt with for 10 years and then I realized I didn’t like that stress 🤣. So now I just take pictures of flowers, my dog, and my travels. I make no money doing that, but I’m my most happy it being that way. I respect all photographers, like yourself, who make a business out of it though! Or at least get paid for it! Thank you for chiming in, Alex!
👏🏻📣🫶🏻
These images are fantastic! And maybe that's an appropriate definition of professional. Not necessarily about the money, or the accolades, or the equipment insurance, but the love of the craft. Maybe a professional is someone who picks up any camera and loves the process. Or one who loves sharing the process with others.
Amen to this, Patrick! You’re on to something…as always!
And even though you still ask yourself: where’s the point? why my photos don’t work?, am I not skilled enough to make something with them? A professional photographer makes a living from photography, is that something enviable? Well, it depends
Hey, good to see you back! Fab set of images. I like the striking architectural forms of no7, but my fave is no15 with it's quirky perspective and the 'ghost shoes' 🙂
Good to be back, Ralph! Thanks for checking on me when you noticed I fell off the map! And yes, no15 is my fave one too!!!
I've just realised I was going to comment on the other part of your post, then lost my way somewhere along the line lol. Regarding the how one perceives what the label 'professional photographer' entails - to me, in essence, it implies anyone with the requisite skills that earns their living from the craft. This does not mean that I think non-pros are any less skilled, far from it. There are countless outstanding photographers that take photos purely for the love of it. If anyone were to ask me if I had any kind of label for myself, the most likely would be 'happy snapper'. Similar to the manner you mention above, I enjoy taking photos purely for my own pleasure, setting my own pace and using whatever tool takes my fancy at the time. If the end result is more or less how I wanted it, all well and good. If not, well, it's not usually the end of the world. All good fun☺️
I love the label ‘happy snapper’!!! You always find unique ways to describe things! I definitely consider myself a ‘happy snapper’ as well! I shoot whatever makes me happy 🥰. But yes, I definitely think the label professional comes with a prerequisite of skill and knowledge.