Many of us dream of transforming our hobbies into full-time careers, especially when it comes to something as fulfilling as photography. But making the leap can fundamentally change your relationship with your craft, and it’s worth considering whether the tradeoffs align with your goals.
Coming to you from Pat Kay, this reflective video explores how the shift from photography as a hobby to a profession impacts creativity and passion. Kay shares his personal journey, beginning with a rewarding career as a senior product designer and transitioning into photography full-time in 2019. At first, the freedom and excitement were undeniable. He traveled extensively, took on client work, and built a sustainable business. But over time, the pressures of professional photography began to weigh on him. What once felt like a calling started to feel like an obligation tied to commercial expectations.
Kay highlights the challenges of balancing creativity with business needs. As a professional, every shoot tends to come with strings attached—whether it’s for a campaign, a brand partnership, or content creation for platforms like YouTube. This shift can make it difficult to find time for personal, agenda-free photography. The joy that comes from spontaneous creative exploration often gets sidelined by the demands of running a business.
Kay also touches on the cyclical nature of passion and burnout. Even for someone deeply immersed in the craft, maintaining the same level of excitement isn’t always possible. He describes going through cycles of losing and rediscovering his love for photography, experimenting with new techniques, gear, and projects to reignite his passion. While these cycles can be frustrating, Kay sees them as an inherent part of his relationship with photography.
For anyone considering taking photography full-time, Kay offers an honest look at the tradeoffs. You gain opportunities to travel, create, and connect with others in the industry, but you also take on the less glamorous aspects of running a small business. This includes inconsistent income, wearing multiple hats, and creating even when inspiration is lacking. Kay challenges you to think carefully about whether you’re ready for these realities and whether changing your relationship with photography is worth the potential downsides. Check out the video above for the full rundown from Kay.
