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All tagged Become a Photographer
Adventure photography combines the thrill of exploration with the artistry of capturing breathtaking moments in nature. If you have a passion for both photography and the great outdoors, becoming an adventure photographer can be a dream come true. This exciting career path allows you to document awe-inspiring landscapes, extreme sports, and the human spirit in its most adventurous form.
Taking photographs from the mountains, deep in the woods, dangling from ropes, under the ocean… the limitation to adventure photography is your mind and ability to access places. While adventure photography traditionally focused on authentic photojournalist ethics, the commercialization of the industry has changed the landscape of adventure photography. This broadening of the genre has helped build many sustainable photography careers for those who have adapted to the changing times and stories. But, what is adventure photography?
Our morning was the start to a perfect Alaskan day. The sun was out and a cool breeze from the Arctic Ocean kept the fog away as we commuted across Kachemak Bay. Stepping off The Far Side, a two story boat, onto Stillpoint Lodge’s dock in Halibut Cove, Alaska where we were greeted by the staff – they already knew our names – and escorted us to the main lodge. We enjoyed any drink of our choice and a charcuterie board as we learned about the float plane flights, glacial kayaking, and wildlife tours in store for us this week. A quick tour of the grounds, ending at our private cabin overlooking the cove. My girlfriend, Kristin, and I were out of place. A single night at the lodge cost more than I make in a month, yet we were here for a week and it wouldn’t cost us a dime. So, how is that possible?
There is nothing more annoying than a company low balling you to create content. At least that is what I originally thought! Companies are just trying to get as much as they can within their budget, there is nothing wrong with that. Heck, I always try to get as much money as possible for a job, so am I any different? Not really. So, what should we do to try to fix this budget confusion around creating content?
I have been wanting to expand my lifestyle work to expand beyond the outdoor action sports field, so, I took a little bit of time and came up with a concept to shoot a speculation project for Blundstone Boots. This project was a good challenge for me as I had never photographed a shoe before. I have captured socks, but never shoes.
While in Yosemite National Park climbing and sleeping in the boulders, a couple of things happened. First, I committed to my second seasonal job as an outdoor educator. Second, I met some famous climbers. Both of which pulled me in opposite directions.
Converting your content into a money making machine provides you freedom. As more money comes in, you can let go of other responsibilities and focus on your creative work that fills your cup. Additionally, getting paid for your work feels great, motivates you to continue, and provides a not-so-healthy validation that your work is good. So, how do you make money as a content creator?
Thank you Big Agnes for the opportunity to create with you all. I have enjoyed the process of learning your style and doing my best to contribute to you all!
The message is clear, distractions happen, learn how to handle them. In the end, I wrote the above as a stress relief exercise and to spew out an idea that I had been festering away in my brain for the last few days. In many ways, it was pestering me so much, I just wanted to get it down on paper so I could forget about it.
At the end of the day, my job as a commercial photographer is to sell a product. While photographing a campaign, a thought constantly repeats in the back of my mind and kinda goes like, “You are shooting a (insert product), that is the focus.” This mantra helps balance the struggle between creativity and capturing an image that will sell the product. Overall, the limitation in creating commercial photography is not an art director or creative freedom, the constraint is usually time and money.
Photography is one of those passions with a low barrier to entry with today’s phones. However, turning that afternoon photograph, while on a hike with friends, into a part-time, or full-time job, is another story. If you are here, reading this article, you already have taken the most important step, becoming aware of the fact that you want to make money from taking photographs. The steps laid out below are building blocks for you to see and understand how to become a professional, but what is not there are the thousands of hours of work that this will take. Becoming a photographer is the second hardest job to maintain, just below becoming a rock star! So, what does this mean? Well, once you read this article, start getting to work. If you are persistent, in a few years, you will switching over from your current job to being photographer.
