The desire to become a pro photographer

I’ve had the desire to become a professional photographer, I’ll admit it. I no longer have that desire. My desire now is to photograph what I want, when I want, and where I want. I do have a goal to do fine art photography and market some fine art pieces to sell. I want to make money on my terms, doing my work.

I still see people who get into photography say they want to do their photography as a job, to become a professional. I suspect one of the reasons many of us have had this thought is, that we love photography. We enjoy taking photographs, and wouldn’t it be awesome to do something you love to do and get paid?

Here are some facts I have found about becoming a professional photographer and starting a photography business. Did you know that 85% of photographers fail? According to Dane Sanders in his book Fast Track Photographer. In the 1st year, 60% of photographers give up their business. Of that remaining 40%, another 25% will fail within the 2nd year. Of all of the other small businesses that are started 50% fail in the first 5 years.

Being a professional photographer is hard work. Long hours, working weekends, holidays, dealing with difficult clients. Then the hours spent in front of the computer putting together the prints, wedding albums, etc. Then the marketing, bookkeeping, and tax forms.

The whole actual act of taking photos is a small part of the business. The taking of the photos is important but the behind-the-scenes day-to-day stuff is what is going to be most of the day and week.

As I have said, I no longer have the desire to be a professional photographer. I want to create the photographs I want. I will offer some for sale. I hope I can get people to buy some but to do my photography as a job, I don’t think so. I don’t want to be hindered in my creativity by what I need to do to keep the business afloat.