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Photography

4 replies

mogernator · 19/08/2023 17:39

I dabbled in it years ago. But I've always wished I could have pursued it more. I didn't because who makes money from it? I wanted to be a travel and documentary photographer.
Anyone turned it around in midlife to make it happen? I have two kids. Travel photography hardly goes well with it, but they are growing up now so....
Should I jump on a do a degree or just practice practice and hustle? I think the main issue is yes I now have the freedom in that I don't have to earn full time salary but I don't have the freedom to just disappear round world travelling and photographing anymore.

OP posts:
CandyLeBonBon · 19/08/2023 18:23

mogernator · 19/08/2023 17:39

I dabbled in it years ago. But I've always wished I could have pursued it more. I didn't because who makes money from it? I wanted to be a travel and documentary photographer.
Anyone turned it around in midlife to make it happen? I have two kids. Travel photography hardly goes well with it, but they are growing up now so....
Should I jump on a do a degree or just practice practice and hustle? I think the main issue is yes I now have the freedom in that I don't have to earn full time salary but I don't have the freedom to just disappear round world travelling and photographing anymore.

I retrained as a photographer in 2011 aged 41. Spent a decade as wedding photographer part time while my kids were primary age, went back to uni and completed a photography degree and then masters. Gave up wedding photography and now work as a photographer/videographer in the media department of a large corporation. Some international travel. But remotely glamorous but I love my job. It's not hugely well paid (average salary).

CandyLeBonBon · 19/08/2023 18:24

Not remotely glamorous

That should say

mogernator · 19/08/2023 20:49

Do you think it's worth pursuing a degree/MA?

OP posts:
CandyLeBonBon · 19/08/2023 21:14

mogernator · 19/08/2023 20:49

Do you think it's worth pursuing a degree/MA?

How much photography do you know? Can you shoot on manual? Do you understand your settings and what they do? Do you understand your camera's capabilities and limitations?

Before you even think about a degree, you need to have practical experience and a consistent portfolio.

I did a degree because I wanted to move away from weddings after years doing it - I had a clear pathway that I wanted to follow and a degree was part of that plan but it's not necessary in every situation and it's not a guarantee for a job!

Realistically, photography jobs where you can't travel at the drop of a hat will be product, wedding and portrait, corporate or property/architecture.

Feel free to DM me because it IS possible to make a living, but to do it long term you have to learn your craft, be adaptable and kniw how to pivot. Also learning video is vital in my opinion because most jobs want both.

Freelancing is possible and you can make a living (I have friends who are music photographers who earn double what I do) but you have to be able to go where the work is.

It's not a woman/mother friendly job.

There is so much more I can tell you but I don't want to ramble on.

TL:DR how skilled are you and what do you want to do?

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