Are You a Selfish Photographer?

I'm fairly certain this one might light up the comments: If you don't act on your photography business goals, you're selfish. 

Are You Afraid to Start Charging?

It's based around ego and not wanting to mess up, not taking chances because looking good and standing on solid ground is more important than helping other people. What? This is a big accusation and watching the video completes my argument.

As someone who helps photographers start their own businesses, I always make the point that you have people waiting on you. As you read this, there's someone in the garage figuring out their dream of opening a small diner. This person is overworked and wants to one day own their own place. They need your help in creating marketing materials to promote their business. In another home is someone writing their first album, or book. They need you to help them promote their passion project by putting visuals to their story.

They need you and your creative vision. Not wanting to start a business means your own ego is more important than someone else's real struggle. Yeah, I said it, their real struggle versus the imaginary one you may hold on to. I'm speaking to the photographers who want to have their own business, but will rely on the "I am trying to..." without any real action.

Trying is lying. You are either doing it, or you're not. There is no in between with actually starting your business. You're either charging for your photography, or you're not. You're either telling people about your services, or you're not. Trying is lying and this video may inspire you. It may anger you and if it does upset you... ask yourself why it triggered that emotion? 

Start your photography business. Do it for your future, and for that person who needs your help and your unique vision.

Walid Azami's picture

Walid Azami is a Photographer/Director and creative consultant from Los Angeles. He got his start working with Madonna + Co by contributing to her many projects. It was then he realized his place in the creative world & began teaching himself photography. He has since shot Kanye, Mariah Carey, Usher, Bernie Sanders, JLO, amongst others

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6 Comments

I guess there is a reason you are a photographer (if I may charitably apply such a label to a YouTuber) as opposed to a psychologist.

Just an FYI, human psychology is complex and nuanced; to reach for a single simple explanation for behaviour (as you have) simply demonstrates your own ignorance.

This is an 8.11 min advert... boring...

Blame it on the personal perception but to me trying is not lying. Trying is about doing and seeing if the result is good or not and trying is not about saying that the result will definitely be great. I mean, you can try oot Photoshop or Photoglory to do manipulations with the pics, but you can't know beforehand what would be the best. So yeah, it's kinda like that for me.

My take away is that you're selfish for going into photography, rather than medical research.

I get what you are saying. Ego and over analyzing what people think can paralyze you (me) and keep you from starting. I am personally at a crossroads because of COVID and the economy and I have been thinking long and hard about going back to freelancing or getting back into the 9-5 game where I was 4 months ago. What I really feel is that I can not live up to my full potential working for a large system. I need to be a FreeAgent so I can work with a larger and more diverse group of people. I get what you are saying. It resonates.

The 9-5 generally sucks, but there is much to he said for the regular income, accrued entitlements, and shooting for the pure joy of it.