The story of a failed photographer

in #photofeed7 years ago (edited)

Esh

Once upon a time, in a land far, far away...



I used to spend my weekends moonlighting as a photographer.

@aweber and I were chatting on one of this posts about studio photography and I thought I'd expand on it here. Thanks for the Steemit inspiration (steemspo?) dude.

My partner was in 3 bands, and while I'd go to all the gigs, there was a lot of rehearsal time where she'd be out of the house... I started as every dude does, playing computer games and watching all the action movies... but my partner was so driven, so passionate, so motivated to create beautiful tunes that you couldn't help but be swept up in the whirling dervish of creativity that was her life.

Ironically, it was her gigs that lead me to photography in the first place. Since I was always there, just being an awesome roadie and/or drinks-getterer and/or band groupie, and they needed photos for FB, Bandcamp, Myspace, etc... and my partner was working for a camera store at the time... it all made perfect sense.

Band photography is super hard


The thing is, it totally is. The stage is dark, the lights are way bright and flashing AND the musicians are moving.... jerks. Just stand still in moderate lighting for once in your life!

You actually need a fairly decent camera to cope with all of that... so while we had camera store access I kept buying better and better cameras.

By the time I had an unreal camera... my girlfriend's bands had all the photos they needed... classic.

Since I had a good camera... I started doing band promo shots.

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Which lead to a female artist who wanted shots of just her, and inside....
... this meant I had to pick up a couple of cheap studio lights... and some material for a backdrop... and suddenly our tiny study became a tiny studio.

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The above was my first studio shoot, all the images are cropped really tight to avoid filing cabinets and desks in the background.... filing cabinets are typically not rock 'n' roll.

The reasons for getting into studio photography


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Musos know dancers and dancers know actors and word got out and I wasn't even charging money initially, I was just happy to help and really enjoying the creative process. My work can be totally dry (spreadsheets and grey screens yay) and so to be surrounded by super motivated creative people... while my partner was off rehearsing doing her own creative thing, just gelled really well in our lives.

I love studio photography... I loved controlling every single aspect to try and get the perfect photo. I loved the energy that the models and makeup artists and stylists and all their friends would bring. My partner would often come home from rehearsal to a photography party.
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As I got more into it, I became super addicted to the process of everything coming together to form that perfect image. It took such a long time, I remember the first year being so disheartened because my photos were so shabby compared to everything else I was looking at.

I was completely overwhelmed with the technical aspect alongside the social aspect, ie, keeping up a conversation while trying to figure out what settings I should be using plus where the lights should be.

One day I was totally down on myself, I felt like I had wasted everyone's time and spent all this money on equipment I was producing trash with. My partner, who is super cute but feels awkward in front of the camera, dressed up nice, put some music on and posed for me while I figured it out. No talking... just figuring.

That helped me work out some quick wins... some lighting+settings+positions that always worked... and once I had those down I could converse with my model and start to push things a little.

How I started a photography studio


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Eventually we moved house, and I got an entire one car garage as my permanent photography studio - which made dabbling on weekends a breeze.

Starting a photography studio is easy. You buy one camera... then you buy a light... then a backdrop... and then more backdrops... and then you hire makeup artists... and then you get more lights... and then you get better cameras... and before you know if 7 years have passed and you've gotten pretty okayish.

Finding work for me was easy, because it was just pocket money. It wasn't at all my full time job, it was my creative outlet... and because I wasn't stressing about it AND I was lovely, I actually had no end of clientele. At the time that I started, the photographers in Melbourne, Australia were a strange bunch. They often produced amazing work, but they were either socially awkward and way too technical, or 50% smarmy, 50% sleezy and 100% gross. I actually couldn't handle them and only went to one or two Melbourne Meetups.

I had a long-term rockin' girlfriend, it wasn't my livelihood and I was super hilarious but also totally chill (my words, I assume this is how everyone saw me). Considering that the modelling market is obviously young ladies trying to earn a living; an inexpensive, nice, good photographer was a welcome change.


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Why the business ultimately failed

Reason Number 1

I spent way too much.

As it was a side-gig, I didn't keep track of any of my expenditure versus my income.
This is hugely important and very silly.
I didn't run up any huge debts or anything, in fact I was never in debt, but I doubt that even after 7 years I actually made back what I spent... which made it less of a side-hussle and more of an expensive hobby.

I did my own Photoshop, but money was spent on gear, studio set up and sometimes hiring models if I had a project I wanted to work on.

My clients were young ladies who were students, waitresses, worked in retail or did promotion gigs, and were spending literally their hard earned money on photos for their portfolios so they could get better paying jobs. It was an investment and they were always super poor and so I'd never charge them much. The makeup artists often made more than I did... and were often unreliable, to the point where I did a makeup course and became my own makeup artist (not a MUA for myself, like I wasn't wearing it, I mean, sometimes, but, ahh, you know what I mean)... but there is a whole lot of expense that comes with that too.


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Reason Number 2

Got out-niched

Remember when I said I was lovely?
The only thing more exciting than a lovely dude photographer who is good, is 2 female photographers that are incredible. They both independently did photography full-time, progressed in skill way quicker than I and could communicate with their clients in a way I'd never be able to. They didn't drive me out of business, but over a couple of years I definitely moved down the list of priority photographers.

Reason Number 3

Ah, I might have hated my customers

I realise this sounds ridiculous... but hear me out. When I started, I was only a few years older than my model friends, and so we still had a lot in common... but as time went on, I aged but they stayed the same. Models, particularly those wanting to get into promotional modelling tend to be 19-21 years old. Still, this wasn't really a problem... I'm cool, I'm hip, I know what a Rick and Morty is.

The problem was when my customers went from working models to Instagram models.
These girls had plenty of money to throw around... but they didn't care about the final images. They couldn't put in the work, and modelling is really hard work, to get the shot. This killed me.

Honestly, most of these girls were done when they took their own selfies in the makeup room... we no longer aimed for the same end goal... and that made me want to give it all away.

Reason Number 4

We moved hemispheres

It was easy to close up shop and sell off everything when you even start to consider shipping fees... it just wasn't practical and it was exciting to start a new life. My partner decided I was going to be on American Ninja Warrior and well, that requires some training.

Photography is time-consuming... but the Photoshop process is even more so.

Would I ever take up photography again?



I'm really strongly considering it.
When I see the work that @aweber, @yumyumseth, @skiesandsports, @caitycat, @zipplyo are punching out, I get really excited. I haven't missed it at all over the past 2 years I've been in the States... but now... so much itch.

We're a lot poorer now, so I couldn't spent crazy amounts on gear. I'd basically buy the minimum, and then work to make that pay for the next bit of gear.

I'd also have to see what the market is like in Portland... if my clients would mainly be Instagram models again, then I'd make the sessions far less about the final product and more about the process. Videos, process shots, live streaming, etc etc... and of course Steem has opened up an avenue to reward the creative process.

The area that I live in, is so pretty.... it feels criminal to not be taking photos every day.

I'm looking to buy a Canon 6D, and even the process of researching is bringing back super great memories.


The centered images on this post can be clicked on to enlarge (thanks @mstafford) and all images in this post were all taken by me. My website for verification is Adam Waring Photography with a link to my Steemit account at the bottom of the home page.

Thanks so much for reading such a crazy long post... if you got this far... thank you!


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steemaroo divider and ninja upgoats drawn by the incredible @ryivhnn

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Hi! I'm not really into photography but I like looking at art photos and landscapes. This story intrigued me and I'm glad I read it. It's more than inspiring! There are invaluable business and life lessons everyone should learn. I wish you the best of luck in your chosen career.

Beautiful photos! You are talented. It's unfortunate photography didn't work out for you but I'm a firm believer in "things happen for a reason". You can always keep it as a hobby to satisfy that itch you get! Or, use Steemit as a new platform to show your work!

I haven't been on Steem for very long, but honestly, I feel inspired every day I'm here... especially when I look at the pages of the guys and gals I listed. It's so weird... I've barely thought about any photography for at least 2 years, and now I'm super keen to get a camera. We're going to the Grand Canyon for the first time in a month and I'm definitely getting a decent camera for that. It's very exciting times and I feel like all that inspiration came from Steem.

Thank you so much for reading, I'm always thrilled to have you bounce on over here.

That's awesome! So glad to hear your passion has been rekindled since you've been on here. I've never been to the Grand Canyon so I'm ready to see what you have for us ;)

Wow. As someone who has been following your blog for quite some time it is so heartening to see your posts doing so well.
Didn't know you were a great photographer too. Good going.. pretty sure this second innings will be a lot more successful than the previous one..

Thanks dude! It was pretty exciting to get that big tick... and I must have hit a trending page or something because I'm still getting comments on this guy, it's really super exciting.

I got a camera yesterday so that is really super exciting. I don't think I'll ever go that deep into studio photography again, but being in the PNW has definitely got me interested in getting some shots of the volcanoes we see every day. They're so picturesque, it's ridiculous.

Hopefully I'll get to a stage with Steem that I can travel a lot more and then maybe live as interesting a life as my friend @pmiskeen.

I'm actually considering transforming my music recording studio into a photo studio. It's not practical to try to get to a professional level on both music and photography in my opinion. I'm kind of in a limbo/gray zone right now. After reading your story, I could say you're very lucky because you did everything for passion but in my case, I have to consider which one's a better business. Yours became an expensive hobby but it made you happy didn't it?

Wow! Really?
The only thing I can think of that's more expensive than a music studio... is, in fact, a photography studio! I completely agree with the impracticality of trying to master two things, especially two things that you could easily spend an entire lifetime on and still not have covered half.

I did love my studio photography, I loved the process and I especially loved how excited people got when they were given a great photo of themselves. It's such a great measure of that moment.

I was totally lucky that I had a full time job that could support this hobby masquerading as a side-hussle. Have you decided?

my photography isnt that good either. i tried to take pictures of my favorite bands at a concert and its hard. you should definitely do photography. there always room for improvement for blogging and thumbnail.

Why do i get a feeling that this story feels kinda similar to story of a lonely guy? ;)

It's so hard man! It's crazy hard... but that just makes it so amazing when you actually pull off that great shot. Lots of bands have a rule that you can only take photos during the first 3 songs, which is when the band and the lighting is just warming into the groove.

Hahaha, this story is so similar to that lonely guy... what can I say, you're definitely a muse!

Man, your images are amazing!!!! I cant believe you stopped when you're extremely talented. Ultimately, im an automotive and street photographer, but i appreciate all forms of the craft and definitely appreciate your work.

The automotive world is extremely difficult to make $$$ from due to everyone having a smart phone and thinking they're photographers. Unfortunately, Social Media has killed off many magazines and the ones still around pay very little because the shots aren't fresh by the time they've printed them.

Anyways, i do hope you pick the camera up again as i cant wait to see more of your work!

Thanks dude!! I'm not super sure how much is talent and how much was just raw determination... the great thing about digital is that you can just keep taking photos until it works.

Yeah, social media has impacted this industry like crazy... but it also creates opportunities... people are enjoying great photos more than ever.

Thanks mate... with a community as supportive as Steem, it's way harder to not pick up a camera.

I haven't decided yet. I will begin a couple of music projects this month and I'm on Steemit with focus on photography. Maybe it's just the way it is. I'm passionate about both and I can make money with both. I need to relearn budgeting time for these. Haha. Thanks for your reply.

Dude, I love your writing. I kept laughing, and my son kept asking what I was laughing at. Your first studio shots with the filing cabinets were the best in my opinion. ;)

In all seriousness, I can see you knew what you were doing with flash. Flash is one of those things that I can never seem to really figure out. I just do most of the same things over and over again, but it's such an animal. It really seems like you nailed it on most of those shots!

I can totally see why you got out of the game, but it stinks. I'm over here really wanting you to get a 6d and pump some images out man! Best of luck my man

Haha, well I'm glad I can entertain to the alarm of others... I wouldn't have it any other way.

Maaan, I probably spent years trying to get flash to work the way I thought it should.... but for a situation where you can control everything, there are so many variables. It's nuts!

Hahahaha, those cabinets were my best models. So easy to light!

Picked up the 6D yesterday, looking for some lenses now. Pretty excited!

Flash is so crazy. But comes in handy so much, especially if you know how to use it which it looks like you did. And nice man! Congratulations! With the payout of this single post man, you can get a pretty nice lens!

You know what the most exciting thing about this whole thing was.... trending on the @photofeed page. With the quality of photos @photofeed has been resteeming, I never would have thought that'd ever be possible, but BAM! crushing it... all thanks to you guys and your amazing comments.

Nice man! I'm honored that you enjoy photofeed. It's been a really fun process so far. I'm excited to see you release some new pictures in the Portland area!

Thanks for sharing this great story :)

I guess I am pretty much in a similar position as you were in the beginning, spending a considerable (although not insanely high) amount of money on my "expensive hobby" as you say.

However, I feel as long as the process is fun and not only about making money, it is absolutely worth it.

I hope you can find something that brings back that part of photography - the "creative" part that made it so interesting in the first place.

Thanks Christian!
You're right! I did get a lot out of the process, and really enjoyed the interactions and the creative process. I had always hoped that I could make it as a full-time photographer and it took me a few years to realise that wasn't going to be a thing, at least not in the way I had been pursuing it... that's totally fine, I like my job, it's just quite as fun as the creative photographic process.

Thank you! I've recently moved to an area that has incredible mountains and volcanoes so I honestly feel inspired all the time to get a camera and get going.

Thank you for reading, always super exciting to interact with brand new Steemians!

So glad you feel inspired to start again you have real talent, thank you for sharing. !

Thank you.... it's really been Chris' articles that got me thinking about it all again. I honestly hadn't given it any thought for over 2 years.... but I realise the PNW has been secretly calling out to me to take shots of volcanoes... Thanks heaps for your comment Verity!

Awww thats amazing, Chris feels very moved that you have taken inspiration from his posts, I really hope you start up again and I look forward to seeing your posts!

Dude. I love this post and this story. It's kinda similar to my history with photography. It started as a hobby, but after taking a class or two, I networked and then got into photographing bands, aspiring models and weddings. It was pretty fun at first. It got more and more expensive with the gear though and it took up more and more of my free time as it was also a side hustle too (my main job is in engineering).
Finally, it all came to a head when I realized that photography was more of a chore that I didn't enjoy rather than a hobby I enjoyed. It also didn't help that all my summers were spent shooting on weekends and post-processing.
I took a 2-3 year sabbatical from all photography and sold most of my gear. I only took personal photos during the time and chilled out. I found myself again and didn't think about photography for a while. During this time I got married and started a family.
Last year, my wife and I thought about some possible side hustles and we came back to photography. I was tentative at first since it left a bad taste in my mouth, but we gave it a go. We started a family photography business and shot our neighbors and friends to get started. The shoots were small and we just used the one camera and two lenses we had on us. Pretty minimal but it got the job done.
Now, a year and a half later, we're still doing it and photography is still fun. The projects are small, the clients love the photos, and photography has meaning again. Oh, yes, we're profitable as well. We now have two cameras, but have just stuck to two good lenses along with some other studio equipment (not a lot, just two strobes and a few seamless backdrops). Since she handles most of the communications, the load is shared and we work well together. It also provides us some shared goals and I think we're closer because of it.
To sum it all up, don't be afraid to dip back in. It can be good for you again and bring back some good feelings (and money perhaps). You already have the skills (clearly) and it would be a shame to let that go to waste. Maybe log down all your expenses out and money in, and really question all your purchases. Minimalism works. The Canon 6D is rad!
Good luck man! Hope to see you posting new work on here soon!

Thanks @duranc!
This is an amazing story! I'm so glad to hear it.
One of the things that I always thought was funny was that my partner always took way better photos than me, even though she had a fraction of the knowledge. She didn't know why her photos were so good, they just were... so I can totally imagine how working with your wife would be awesome. I do think having two photographers takes a lot of the pressure off. You really went about it the right way... minimal equipment and hard (but fun) work. I do think that you might not have gone about it as intelligentally the 2nd time had you not been a little burnt out the first time. I know I had approached gear as the means to solving a problem, instead of an investment.

I'll see how I go... I am getting a new camera for our trip to the Grand Canyon, and Steem is super inspiring, so a dipped-toe doesn't sound too out of the question at this point.

Thanks so much for sharing this... it actually really helps get it all clear in my head about a way forward.