Art is subjective, but the professional world of commercial photography is far less so. With this in mind, how do you work out if your work is good enough to make it as a professional photographer or one day will be?
My plan was always to make a living from photography, but I came from pretty humble beginnings, so I didn't feel that I had the luxury of prattling about and wasting years of my life on something that I might have no talent for. I had already frivolously taken on a degree and master's in a subject that although I was ok at, I didn't really enjoy. But how could I work out if I stood a chance making it as a photographer?
At the time, I couldn't. However, looking back, there are some key phases of one's photographic progress and a few forks in the road that allow you to make either good and positive decisions or more self-destructive ones. I am also a firm believer that anyone can become a professional photographer if they manage to avoid such pitfalls. I certainly had no natural talent nor knowledge of art when I started out, and I am pretty pleased and constantly surprised with where my career has led me so far.
In this video, I talk about the key landmarks of photographic progress, explaining where excuses or thinking at certain stages that you know everything leave you treading water with millions of other photographers.
Have there been any key markers in your photographic lifetime where you have felt you made a big improvement or maybe made a bad choice and become stuck for a few years?
I liked the video. You make some really great points. I believe it’s a personal journey as well. Here is my website, I’d love for you to check it out. bkgphotography.com. I’d love to know what you think. Good luck in your field work sir.
When the check clears........