Becoming a professional landscape photographer may sound easy to some. There are no clients to work with, no schedule, no lights or backdrops, just nature, you, and your camera. Or is it?
Taking photographs is only a small portion of the professional landscape photographer's job. Many other things quickly come into play when you take something that you love doing as a hobby in your spare time and transition to making it a full-time, income-producing job.
I believe that many people don't directly set out to become a professional photographer of one sort or the other. I think they do what they love to do and eventually turn that into a business. From there, they may branch out and specifically target one genre or another, such as weddings, food, or headshots.
The keyword in this video's title is "professional." In this video by Joshua Cripps, he highlights five things that you may not realize are part of becoming a professional landscape photographer. Although they may not be deal-breakers for many, they may be something to consider.
But fear not, Joshua also put together a companion video, 5 Reasons You Absolutely Should Become a Pro Landscape Photographer.
I've been a follower of Joshua Cripps for quite a few years. I've always loved his honest and matter-of-fact opinion on photography. Although he has been on a break from YouTube for a little while, he's now back and making more great content.
Making a living out of any photography, such as landscape or event photography is no simple task, as was talked about , the hours spent doing non photography things, you will find that your computer will become your life partner. I started photographing landscape and wildlife subjects before I photographed a paid formal event, doing it part time to help fund my passion is what I do, try to make a living while every thing is shut down because of Corona will make you wish you had a full time job that has a regular cash flow and retirement. After working 41 years in law enforcement, I retired and have a steady cash flow so there is no pressure and I can take on projects as they come along.
It's always going to be hard if you're "just" a photographer. Ansel Adams, for example, wasn't just some guy who wandered around the mountains taking fantastic photos. He was a lifelong, relentless advocate for national parks, and environmentalism in general. THAT's how he got known (he started out doing pretty mundane advertising work), and that's why we know who he is today. Basically, though, you have to be known for more than just your photos--to be a professional and make enough money anyway.
Could not agree more!
James Mlodynia said it perfecty: making a living out of the photography is not a fully stable way of providing yourself, even if there are no times like Corona crisis ahead. Today you have clients and orders and tomorrow there is no income for you at all. I thought about turning to the photography as my only way to earn money, but then I decided to stay a hobby photographer. It also gives me a lot of freedom: I can try different genres, switch beteen Photoshop and Photoworks all the time, learn some strange post-processing tips without wasting the time that could be used to work on some paid things.