For serious fun only... I've owned an SLR camera (film) since I was 15, and have taken pics since then... at one point I wanted to pursue photojournalism and cover wars... am over that now, but still love photography.
Hobby...Although someday I'm hoping to do it professionally. I've been taking pictures for about 2 yrs or so now, and just bought a DSLR, so now I've got to at least sell a few things to pay off my camera! : )
For me being a full time professional photographer would be like getting paid to have sex. A lot of fun to begin with, but after awhile something you would have to pay me to do.
you 1d mark II guys sure do have some serious hardware for a hobby. I commend that. Me Im a student, so I guess that puts me in the middle, I am far from pro, but Im trying to move progressively past hobby. I hate to use amateur because I know alot of amazing hobby photographers.
Just a hobby, though I'm trying to make some money out of it. Like Ecce, not doing too well with prints, but I'm making a bit on stock sites. Hopefully it will improve in time.
Full time professional. I am only out of school two years, but am loving every minute of it. Although on paying jobs, i don't always feel like shooting. That is why I joined the site. I wanted a chance to be create again instead of just doing my job. I feel like a student again and can't wait to get out there and shoot some more challenges.
//www.jamiemoorephotography.com
I really do not like the connotations of the word 'hobby' (as in 'dirt-biking' and filling in 'crossword puzzles' for a 'hobby').
I'm at peace with being called an amateur though, a 'lover' of photography, who practices its craft and aspires to art.
To be called a professional photographer, even if I made money by it, would put me in one camp with those who take pictures for no other reason but to make money, a despicably frightening prospect.
jmoore, couple of questions. Did you come straight out and into portrait or did you work somewhere else first? How did you bring in clientel so quickly to be a full-blown profesional 2 years out of school? Do you prefer location photos, or would u have a studio if you could afford one? Where did you go to school? How was it? Did u learn anything or do u have to force it out of professors?
mostly full time. I could make my living this way this year, but I've chosen to do photo 3/4 time and another job 3/4 time to maximize my money for when I got FT next year. Still a hobby tho.
jmoore, couple of questions. Did you come straight out and into portrait or did you work somewhere else first? How did you bring in clientel so quickly to be a full-blown profesional 2 years out of school? Do you prefer location photos, or would u have a studio if you could afford one? Where did you go to school? How was it? Did u learn anything or do u have to force it out of professors?
Retired professional photographer and former teacher of photography here. Architectural and commercial photography, neere did portraits, weddings, stuff like that.
I was very fortunate to get my degree from Brooks and learn from working photographers that also teach. They were very open with their knowlege and experience and I could ask any of them questions now if I need advice. I was also very lucky to find a photographer that does exactly what I do and needed help, so I started out with her and now I have my own clientele from her studio, plus all the contacts I made there have gotten me some really good client/contacts in a really high end market. I do all my work on location in natural light and do not want to have the overhead that a studio brings. Of course I am still stuggling to get my biz to a point that I don't need to worry if the bills will be paid, but I some how seem to always make ends meet without having to take a second job. It takes about five years to build a great clientele, so I have to be patient. I do have some words of advice if you are thinking of going to school, but my post is getting a little long to if you want more info please email or call me, you can get my contact info on my website.
//www.jamiemoorephotography.com
Mostly hobby but a small side business is in the works. "Business" meaning, selling some things on the side to at least help with the cost of this expensive hobby. I don't plan to be a 'professional' or full-time photographer. Don't plan to do studio work or weddings. I wanna do what I wanna do, and when I wanna do it....and then I want someone pay me for the things I like to make. Is that so much to ask? :-D
Mostly hobby but a small side business is in the works. "Business" meaning, selling some things on the side to at least help with the cost of this expensive hobby. I don't plan to be a 'professional' or full-time photographer. Don't plan to do studio work or weddings. I wanna do what I wanna do, and when I wanna do it....and then I want someone pay me for the things I like to make. Is that so much to ask? :-D
