Burnout is a real challenge for many who work in creative fields. When the passion that once drove you starts to fade, it can feel isolating and confusing. It’s not just about losing interest; it’s the frustration, guilt, and mental exhaustion that make things worse. Understanding how to navigate these feelings is essential to reconnect with your craft.
Coming to you from Rick Bebbington, this honest and reflective video addresses the complex issue of photography burnout. Bebbington discusses his personal experience, acknowledging that burnout can hit hard, especially when your creativity feels drained. He explains that his first experience with burnout began during a period of repetitive, uninspiring work. Over time, he learned that this wasn't a permanent state and discovered ways to manage and overcome it. His transparency about the impact of social media is particularly insightful. Platforms like Instagram can amplify feelings of inadequacy, making it seem like everyone else is thriving while you’re stuck. Bebbington’s advice? Step back when needed. A break from social media can help clear your head and reduce the negative comparisons.
One of the most significant points Bebbington makes is the connection between mental health and burnout. Stress, anxiety, or depression can often accompany or even trigger burnout. He emphasizes the need for self-compassion during these times, acknowledging that trying to push through the struggle can make things worse. Instead, he suggests recognizing these feelings and giving yourself the space to heal. This honesty about mental health and creativity is something many can relate to but may not always talk about. Bebbington’s approach encourages you to acknowledge your limits and listen to what your mind and body are telling you.
The video also discusses practical ways to tackle burnout, such as exploring new creative avenues or personal projects without the pressure of client expectations or social media demands. For Bebbington, focusing on projects that don’t require immediate feedback or approval helps reignite his love for photography. Whether it's a quiet walk with your camera or experimenting with a new technique at home, finding ways to reconnect with your creativity can make all the difference. The key takeaway is to seek balance—allow yourself to step away and recharge rather than forcing productivity.
If you’re struggling with burnout, this video offers useful advice. It’s not just about recognizing the signs but also finding manageable ways to regain your motivation and passion. Creative blockages, social media pressure, and even the guilt of not being able to create can all be addressed through patience, self-care, and honest reflection. Check out the video above for the full rundown from Bebbington.
I watched this video the other day and this is what I posted on the video.... I actually have a background in addictions and I still work in drug and alcohol counselling as a day job.
I've worked in counselling for a long time. I don't think it's just down to the Photography. I think people's lives change as well. You could definitely argue that it's not down just to burn out from too much Photography or too much of one thing it's usually a life balance thing. Are you exercising? Are you eating well?
Are you spending enough time with Family? Are you spending too much time hunched over a computer they are all physical things and mental things as well that we don't factor into our life and we know with
photography it can become all-encompassing. As photographers we drive around and we see photographs instead of moments and there are signs that burn out is usually occurring.
First I must say I am a hobbyist and made it to a military retirement and to an age of retirement meaning that I had income vs having to work as a photographer selling myself for photo services and having to stay up to date with latest equipment and most important having great places to go to! I found out very late in life that I am a severe lone wolf introvert, meaning no friends just passing by everyone also not very good at working with others as a team, imagen being on a aircraft carrier with 6K of people and not having one person to hang with just working beside everyone with no connections like sports or drinking with a perfect job would be a sniper who needs no friends for everyone stays clear. Lucky to have found a wife who also is a severe lone wolf introvert, it is a smart person thing were others avoid you because well you do things faster and get on with things not tying up with others that slow you down. There I said a mouth full and am blessed beyond belief! The main reason I advanced very fast and as a boss you have to friends!!!
I took up photography way back in the film days when a retiring member told me to record my travels and took me to a camera store at a NATO base and with one small pay check a camera and a couple lenses later I was alone capturing the lands and shipboard action and recording when where and what for in a note book and box of slides and images, still have all and two cameras and a bag of well kept lenses (FAST GLASS they call them).
My point is I envy those photographers who can capture and sell and make a living at it!!! But I have to give some advice, take a day or two to do something that pulls at you that is different. Mine is Astro Milky Way's, it is a season from Feb. to Nov. starting in the we hours of the morning for just an hour or two to a full night sunset to sunrise doing wide angle singles to the story full MW arch panoramas then the verticals of the late season and while it hides behind the sun Dec. and Jan. you get a rainbow of stars also. The key is I needed alarms to wake me up but after finding MW's I awoke and hour before getting dressed and going outside to see the stars or not. But the apps you need for clear nights, tides, for that 10 day 5 before and after you can work around the weather or have ten whole nights to go to other planed sights. Ok, that was for the wedding photographers where it is all flash and editing every weekend! The point I go to a wedding hot spot where there are at a minimum of five weddings every weekend and Photo Van lining every road BUT not once has there been a photographer out at any spot capturing a MW over the Bride and Groom or families where no flashes are needed and taking only a 1 or 2 second capture each time when just using a 24mm or more fast glass of 1.8 or 1.4 and even a 60MP camera the note here is the faster the glass and the more MP (which they have in their bags) just looking at PhotoPills app for camera and mm lens and f/# you will see it only takes a 2 sec capture for any mm all the way to 70mm and no flash required.
I find groups when I ask to take an image get an address and send at no charge a big print to each as a fun thing!!
Just food for thought when looking for some cool time also a $100 pano rig on Amazon will do Arch over head with 2 sec. captures and 200 degrees in less than 90 sec. even with camera NR on (that is when you go to next 30 deg step on the base stepper)
3 and 4 less than 90 sec panoramas the last i did not darken like most think it should look like with the eyes. Another note Lrc will combine the images today even with stary skies, need I say more just too easy!