One of the most common things I hear new photographers say is “Photography is my passion” and I want to turn that passion into an avenue for wealth creation or I want to use my hobby to make money and on the surface of it, those statements make sense but once you delve in, you almost always discover that your passion and need to be professional might not always see eye to eye.
Having a passion for photography or seeing photography as a hobby gives you room for experimentation (much like a professional photographer embarking on an unpaid personal project or trying something new), the pressures for perfection aren’t present and there’s the freedom to try new things that might or might not work with the model or person you’re photographing feeling unsatisfied. It’s in this that many people mistake the hobbyist lifestyle to be what actual professional photography is. Being a professional photographer simply means that you have mastered the ability to replicate your work or a sample image to near perfection and like some people say repetition is the death of creativity (or something like that).
The excitement that comes with being a passionate hobbyist and passionate professional are worlds apart. Passion will help you scale certain trials that an unpassionate person wouldn’t endure or lose interest in. The key is finding out what photography truly entails (cost of equipment, hours dedicated to learning the skill, the niche you’re interested in, etc.). A true understanding of what you’re getting yourself into will enable you to make a better-rounded decision as to whether to keep the hobby a hobby or whether to pursue a career in photography. Being able to make a great photograph on your mobile device is not a calling to pick up a DSLR. Professional photography requires discipline and as earlier stated, the ability to consistently replicate your way whilst also finding new ways to reinvent yourself and your style of photography.
The journey is not the smoothest but I can say from experience that it is well worth it.
