What do you think makes a REAL Photographer?

I've been doing photography for 40+ years. I've made $800 total yet I still consider it successful because it brings me joy. I still get goosebumps when i hear a good shutter click (my Z8 needs some help) I purposefully avoided chasing the dream of being a professional photographer as I feared it would kill my love of it. Therefore, my situation may not count.

I've been a successful photographer for over 30 years. What makes me successful is I get up each morning excited about what I get to create that day.

It’s clear to anyone that you are a true photographer. Because you are a professional? No. Because you love taking photographs. That’s clear just by listening to your passion. I have worked alongside many pros that were simply doing a job and met many talented amateurs that are truly gifted photographers. The haters are gonna hate. It’s hard not to listen. But when people tell us we are wrong, it’s nice to remind them that photography is not a sport. There are no rules. No right. No wrong. And the sooner they learn that, the sooner they can begin to learn photography. Congratulations on a great channel, I for one, always enjoy listening to your love of photography. Long may it continue 👏👏👏

Far too many electrons wasted on who is a REAL anything. If you take photos with the intention of making beautiful images, you are a photographer. Too much time spent deciding who is real and not enough taking photos, looking at images and trying to improve.

Scott, I understand completely as I've traveled that same road. In fact, I'm still on it! At 29, I stopped being an assistant and turned professional. I relocated to NYC where, within 6 weeks, I started regularly shooting for an ad agency, collaborating with junior ADs on local newspaper ads for local banks. By my ninth month, I had secured my first worldwide ad campaign with the same agency, finding myself in the right place at the right time with the right kind of work -- personal work that caught the ad agency CD's attention. That campaign ran for six years (and yes, I did receive residuals). Another six years passed before I shot another worldwide campaign. Meanwhile, I worked on local, regional, and national ad campaigns and began shooting editorials, landing a rep and then another helped greatly enhancing my credibility and exposure. Twelve years into my career, I hit a wall. I grew bored and lost interest in marketing my work or creating anything personal. By then, I had moved to Los Angeles and, with an abundance of free time, I thought, "WTF, I'm in LA, let's try acting." Seeking a change yet desiring to remain "uncommitted," I had a great time auditioning for roles that suited me. I landed quite a few jobs, mainly in TV commercials and independent films. Interestingly, after six years in front of the camera and becoming eligible for SAG/AFTRA, I decided to return to photography. I spent six months creating new work, developing a new website, engaging with agents, and arranging meetings with ad agencies. I loved every moment! Then... the years 2007-2008 hit, and suddenly, no one could find work anywhere due to the global economic downturn. Fortune smiled on me once again when I secured an in-house job as a photography manager for a major US clothing retailer. I moved my family to the Midwest and spent the next five years managing photographers and studios for large corporations. Although the pay was good and it was a stroke of luck to weather the Great Recession, being able to feed and house my family, I always knew the corporate world wasn’t truly for me. My management career spanned nearly six years. 10 years ago I returned to shooting and cherish every minute behind the camera. Those years I felt "lost" taught me how much I love and thrive on being "on-set." I'm the luckiest guy in the world because I've discovered the work that brings me the most joy.

I would LOVE to see you discuss this with Sean Tucker. You’ve both had real journeys and challenges as people that informs how you view your work today. And hopefully the discussion would be of benefit to you both as well your very different audiences. Bonus points if the video involves you taking Sean to shoot high rise car parks.

Imho a real photographer is someone who can not only capture how someone else wants to share their vision of something (self,product,idea) , but has also mastered how to share their own particular vision of how they view things and it be understood.

My photography is a hobby. Many a person has said that I should go pro with my wildlife pics. I enjoy my hobby however I'm an engineer and love my job even more. I don't consider myself good enough to reach the heights others have and I am quite content to carry on as I am.

"Haven't worked in three months" Nice to hear you say that. Most Photographers I know lie about work and say things are great 12 months of the year. I've been a pro photographer (Corporate -Event) since 1992 and every year Dec, Jan, Feb. sucks. I don't lie about it, I tell people the truth.

My "mentor" who got me into portrait photography is someone who works for the biggest clients in the world especially in sports. He covers ATP grandslams and also takes headshot for political figures and also corporate event photos. His photos are simple and as I developed to more of a "fashion" photographer, I thought I surpassed him. Until when I tried to work with him. The attention to details, the way he approaches each shoot, the way he enters to a space and has all figured out. I was just mind blown. As a true professional, there was no place for accidents. He produces what he intends to produce. Unlike those trendy photographers who bring in a pretty girls to shoot without knowing what is really going to happen, just hoping to get the best of it at F1,8, he really knows what he is doing before the shoot. Commercial photographers need to guarantee consistency to clients. They master their art and also know exactly the scope of their talent to squeeze the most out of it in the field they are hired. It's not because the amateurs or beginner (including myself) can take some good shots, they can compare themselves to someone who can consistently produce exceptional shots for clients at each gig.

No matter what gear you have as long as you are spreading joy then it doesn't matter. Everybody focuses on gear and income but at the end of the day you are supposed to be having fun. Enjoying the process. That's what is most important.

Spot on! I tell people i shoot two types of subjects- the ones that I love to photograph and the ones that make money so I can continue to do the former. 99% I get to do both at the same time.

Absolutely spot on Scott. 25 years as an Engineer, also included photography subject specific to main job and other independent paid gigs. Up and downs over the years. I'm I glad I'm retired, too right I am.

I think this is one of the challenges with putting yourself out there on youtube or other mediums. No matter what there will be someone who will judge harshly or want to put someone down for various reasons. But your definition of success, much like art, is yours. No matter how you define it others will find fault. Being happy is how I define it as well, but to each their own.

You have a nice, big studio, great equipment, a growing KZfaq channel and good advice. Honest advice. Something I can trust as opposed to other pros I know who can’t expose a short, retouch anything at all or use flash properly. Those are photography masters. If they are, you’re 10 times that 🤷🏻‍♂️ You can’t maintain a place like that if you’re just hot air

The most successful are those with most guarantees in life.... Many claim to be a success but most are just one month away from total disaster. Make a list of life's essentials. Then tick off those that you are guaranteed. You'll probably realise that things are not quite so solid and that your success relies on the actions of others.

IMO: Anyone with a camera is a REAL Photographer. You may or may not be a good photographer (this is subjective), but you're still a photographer. Being successful or professional is when you can make a living as a photographer.

Some of the most well known photographers of the last couple decades, have at times struggled financially. I've had the privilege to meet a few who made it into Lürzer's Archive 200 Best Photographers, and the Communication Arts Photography Annual, and we've talked about the troubles keeping the projects coming in. So, being published at a high level is cool, but it's not without the difficulties experienced at many levels of this profession. I've enjoyed most of the projects I've done, and been proud if my work, which to me is a success.

Be assured. Midlife crises are much better than nearendoflife ones. I love your videos because you reveal your insecurities. You know more about and have achieved more in photography than I could ever imagine but you don’t thrust that at us. If you do as you described this year, I’m sure the hunger for what we perceive as success (money, bigger jobs, more followers on KZfaq) will return but in a healthier manner. Enjoy!

From everything that I can see you are a successful photographer. And by experience you have figured out that you don’t drive the gas tank empty. Take care of your health and you probably won’t have many regrets. I played it safe and now living with the disappointment.

I was ALWAYS asking myself this question about myself. I thought I wanted a big studio with all the gear so I can just show up and shoot. Then one day I showed up and looked at everything in my studio and realized how much it was all stressing me out. So I purged A TON, closed up the studio, and started focusing on creating a home that I love. And it doing so it made me realize that what makes me happy in life is being creative, working with creative people, and living somewhat minimally. And maybe, photography isn't the path for me, I love working in advertising and I love being on set, but I'm looking into other roles adjacent to photography, one that doesn't require and a stressful amount of things. Constantly questioning if I am a "real" photographer is not how I want to live.

For anybody who is questioning whether they are successful or have made it or if they are a real photographer or not, let me put this into perspective: I'm 37. I've been shooting since I was 19. I was a full-time professional when I got out of the military in 2008. But only for 2 years. I had to give it up because I had young kids and I didn't really know what I was doing and they needed to eat. Went back and forth for a long time, and actually gave up photography completely... Twice. Now I'm older, all my kids are self-sufficient and one will be out of the house within the next couple years. So I started from scratch, AGAIN, just after I turned 36. I am filled with self-doubt every single day as to whether or not I'm doing the right thing, if I'm being responsible, if I just should stick to my corporate healthcare IT day job, etc. But I still try. Everyday I get a little closer and every time I get a little closer I question if I'm doing the right thing. So I would say if you're busy, at all, and making any level of any income whatsoever, if it works for you you're doing just fine ☺️

If you take great pictures that don’t just catch the customers attention but make people want to look at them because they are beautiful or thought provoking , then you have definitely made it.

You are so obviously a professional photographer, that's the easy bit, I guess, combining that fact with doing what makes you happy in your work is the real proof. It's like the music industry I imagine, one needs to have achieved a certain level of success in order to be in a position to release music which pleases the individual (oneself) rather than being dictated to by a record company ! I've only recently discovered your KZfaq channel, I'm glad that I have and I look forward to seeing how you please yourself over the next couple of years, I hope it goes as you plan! Cheers!

I can totally agree with what you say. Been there.

Contentment. Being successful in life is finding contentment in where you are, what you've achieved, and in what lies ahead (which is always a bit of a guess at best).

I think there are different definitions or purposes of success. I think of these: evolving one’s ability to take better photographs, one’s ability to help those who hire the photographer, and to make a good living on it. I think one’s actions should contribute to a better world to be in for all of us. Not just what one can get out of it but what one can give to others. Thanks for your videos!!!

This video resonates with me. By any metric in my early life, I have 'made it' in a career that is creative, fun and well paid. Not as a photographer, though I use photography and videography in my work. I thought that if I was not progressing, I was regressing, but every milestone reached just revealed another on the horizon. Like a shark, I had to keep moving, or die. Illness forced me to take stock and I realised that career progression was taking me further from my creative passion. Ego forced me down a path that I didn't want to be on. I think the real measure of success in the arts is the ability to choose which projects you want to work on. Congratulations.. you made it.

You are successful because you’re thinking about the real things that matter. Happiness, your family etc… Not money which is just the a finite thing trying to fill an infinite hole. I am a successful photographer because my goal was to feel better in my head and photography did that for me. Hell I occasionally get the pictures to look like they did in my head. My impression of success is it’s often just an accidental byproduct of doing what we love. Stay well S. Good luck with the midlife crisis!

I always say, Health, Happnest and spending time with the family while doing photography full time is my goals.

I personally think you’re going the right way. I’m compare to you pretty low, earning photographer I watch, you for the tips on how to improve my earnings . This may sound tragic but I have no want for massive contracts just enough to live. Photography has given me the ability to be the main caretaker to my children whilst still financially adding to the household. Doing a job I like. And I’ve done many jobs. I’m in my 40s and I think my 40s have given me this realisation it’s a pretty good realisation. Good luck I hope it goes well but please don’t stop your tips on marketing photography photography is okay for me. The business side is what I need and what I watch you for. Thank you for the content so far.

Everything you said was Spot On. You are a successful photographer. You do what you love and make money doing it. Enjoying life and doing what you love is a description of success to me. You have achieved things many people haven't. I love the level of work you do and the level of education you share. What you teach is above the rest of what is on KZfaq. You shoot worldwide campaigns and make money, if that is not a success then I don't know what is. I love the scope of advice you share on your KZfaq videos.

For me, success would be having a photography based business that earns enough money to support itself as well as me and my family comfortably, while allowing me to travel (working trips are fine) and live where I want (Puerto Rico). I'm developing a plan to do that now.

If you are doing the thing you love and able to make a living to support your family and everyday needs, you are successful. You gotta be doing something right to retain clients and/or new business to support yourself, so yeah, I believe you are successful. One thing we all need to realize is that you don't need validation from the people in this world to determine your worth or success. So, keep doing you if you're happy. Cheers!!!

i think what makes a successful photographer is: not having to worry about money, weather its through day job or business. And being able to pursue and accomplish the goals you have as an artist or photographer without worrying about money. Being the best out of any competition is another thing, that is subjective to the matrix of societies rules and acceptance. Maybe someone mentally ill can be a real photographer, but not one accepted in society. Some people that are accepted in society kind of harvest ideas from those who are not popular yet, and capitalize off of their ideas.. and thats the typical, narcissistic, psychopathic, CEO or politician in power.

I think the topic about how our view of sucess changes is far more useful than trying to pin point who's a "real photographer". I never ever say im a photographer ,or designer or what ever ,I say that i DO photography/design.

A true photographer loves creating wonderful images and is always learning something new. A Still Life photographer is one with the vision to create vignettes of the world that speak without a word. Looking at your work it is WONDERFUL! Now the question is does it scratch that creative itch for you? If so press on with joy in your stride for you may have found what 99 % of humanity is still looking for. Sincerely, Earl J.

As you say the metric of "success" changes over time. I thought being a full time shooter was the pinnacle but of late I've found that just seeing my work published n magazines and appreciated is a considerable reward. Though must admit getting a cover shot is the now the biggy that I want!

I think if you’re asking what makes a real ‘professional’ photographer then it is someone who lives off their image making. Someone who is able to support themselves (and family) from their craft. That doesn’t necessarily require being a great photographer. There are many different markets for photography of different standards. If you are shooting 50 weddings a year for £500/day for low budget couples you are a successful professional. If you shoot live events 6 nights a week and they pays the bills you are a successful professional. If you shoot kids in schools and upsell on key rings and mouse mats to earn a living you are a successful professional. If you shoot 3/4 global ad campaigns with 6 figure budgets a year you are a successful professional. None of this has much to do with whether you are a great or ‘real’ photographer, but it does make you a successful professional. Some of the very best photographers I know do not do it professionally, but their work more impactful, relevant and artistic than many I know who earn their living from shooting.

I love being a photographer, to me a sign that I'm successful is that I can pay the bills and that doing this never feels like work 24/7. It will at some times but not enough that it overshadows everything else. I also work to produce passive income that allows me to step away do something else recharge creatively and come back like a beast

i absolutely LOVE this outlook. Cheers to that mindset of "am i enjoying it" and im here for it!

I started digital photography 16 years ago, I used film cameras to photograph my daily life, family gatherings, some photos at weddings as we had a a big family. I also photographed many of the fish we caught, I was involved in salt water fishing for so many years and ski trips with my uncle. I got my photos processed by dropping my roll of film in a Kodak envelope and waited for my 5x7 inch prints that was the extent of my film experience. I was 50 years old when I got my first DSLR, a Pentax K100D super followed by the K10D and many other Pentax cameras over the years. I was just learning how to use a computer and to make matters more difficult, I decided to print my own photos. I started with a basic Canon Pixma pro printer and today use the Canon Pixma pro 200..My goal when I started digital photography was to take photos that I would print and frame, I had no desire or thoughts of photographing events I just wanted to become a better photographer. I always photographed a wide variety of subjects during all hours of the day at times before sunrise and past sunset. I started sharing my photos with coworkers, friends, family and people at craft fairs. A few years later I was asked if I would photograph the Memorial day event at the correctional facility that I worked as a Corrections officer. I photographed the event for eight years with a few weddings for coworkers. Three years before I retired I started photographing weddings, baptisms, birthdays and family photo shoots and continued for another three years after I retired. I had some health issues when I turned 65 and retired from event photography. I now have gone back to photographing wildlife, landscapes and seascapes and events for my family, my camera collection grew from Pentax and includ Panasonic, Olympus, Fujifilm and Nikon cameras. I am still enjoying photography and looking back at what I was able to accomplish with my cameras I have far exceeded my expectations that I had when I got my first DSLR 16 years ago. I spent 41 years working as a Corrections officer and my biggest achievement other than being able to retire was sharing my love of photography and being able to use these skills at the correctional facility that I worked at, I got to photograph the Superintendent's retirement photos one of which I had framed and is displayed in the conference room at work and a photo I took a him at his desk in the Superintendent office I printed a 11×17 print that I framed, his wife liked it so much that he bought it from me and I put together a photo book that was presented to him at his retirement party, the comishnor of Corrections and other Superintendents were in attendance and I got a lot of compliments on the photography book. I have always pushed myself and it paid off as it has for most of my life.

"never measure success in numbers. Measure success in happiness" - Gavin Harrison (Drummer)

you've had an awakening, how cool. For me success is making enough money from my photography to not hessitate on what I want to spend to make more photography, been trying to achieve this goal since 1996, not there yet :) x

A "The Complete Photographer" moment.

Straight from the heart this video, as straight as an arrow. You don’t mince words. You are moving in the direction YOU want to be. Making stuff happen that matters to you and your goals👌

Always a total pleasure, checking into your (literally) thoughtful, and thought-provoking video updates! The questions you pose to us demand thought too. And that's good. I'm swinging back into photography now (from those long ago schooldays, shooting, developing, and printing through my home-made enlarger...) and ever since - exploring now the so-much-more complex world of digital photography), after a lengthy career in TV production. Yes, the itch remains, and so, I scratch it... and therefore massively enjoy your ruminations on what you do, what WE do, why the hell we do it - and why we NEED to... (or not..?). Love it!

Always an interesting, entertaining and valuable watch!

I started off as a professional musician in 1983 and someone said to me; 'You've made it when you have enough money to retire on.' I have retired from music and I have picked up photography where I left it in the early 1980s but it doesn't really matter what you do, you've made it when you have enough money to retire on. Also, in the Hitchhikers guide to the galaxy, Slarty Bartfast said that instead of trying to understand what is really going on, 'Hang he sense of it and just keep yourself occupied.' I enjoy photography (electronic and film (should that be 'real photography' or might one be tempted to claim that that only applies to photographs taken on glass plates)), I enjoy music, I enjoy cooking (I'm actually a chemist although I haven't been in a lab this century but understanding what goes on makes you a better cook), I enjoy programming a computer (wrote my first program n 1974), I enjoy painting in the style of and with only the materials available at the time to 15th century north European painters (Jan Van Eyck et al). Enjoy, life. That is what really matters. You clearly know how to take photographs and you know how plate cameras work so yes, you are a real photographer, regardless of whether you take any pictures or not. Enjoy, life. As for a real photographer, a professional photographer does it for the money and it is an income. An amateur photographer does photography (as the name amateur suggests) for the love of it. There are no techniques that are barred because there is no potential income stream from them, if you want to do a bit of astrophotography and a bit of macrophotography then you can, regardless of whether you make money from them. You could argue that a real photographer is an amateur that gets paid a living wage. The problem is the word real - it doesn't really mean anything useful.

Success, for myself, is I don't have any debt to worry about : ) Life is purposeful, my work gives me contentment, my clients say "there's so many to chose from, I don't know which to pick". I'm definitely not financially rich but I'm happy that my clients are happy. Okay, I'm pretty successful. The thing is after almost 40 years, I'm getting a variety of photography work that gives me inspiration to keep shooting because every day may have a special moment.

I relate with this video, early on in my career, fun was the reason and money was the bonus, more recently money was the reason and fun was the bonus. I'm aiming to switch that back or make it more balanced. I agree not a lot of them realize the 3-4 month dry times, which if you aren't business smart: are terrifying. I really enjoy the conversation and topics you're bringing up, the photo industry needs it more. I think your real reflections make you successful.

I still have a few photos in my head from 1980s and 1990s advertising. My plan is to shoot my own versions of those photos. Now being mostly retired, I have that luxury.

First; you are successful, large organisations pay you shed loads of money to take photographs. They will probably continue to do this even if the current fashionable style changes - because you will adapt as you have done throughout your career. Second; a reason you are successful is that you continually question what you are doing. Third; you won't be able to stop worrying it's part of your make up. Forth; I can't think of this.

Used to work as a real estate photographer in-house at a real estate agency. Left the company and now shoot for them as a freelancer including shooting for other agencies as well. The pro-side of shooting is merely a means for me to support passion projects of street and landscape, which I hope will always remain a passion. I worry that turning creative pursuits into a business might take the joy out of creating art.

Thank you for your content and and art Scott, looking forward to a follow up to this to hear what feedback you got. Keep doing what you're doing!

Amazing content, amazing wisdom. Good job bro!

You have a (so it seems) happy family, you do something creative you enjoy and can call it your job. You have the freedom to decide where you want your career is gonna lead you. You definitely made it by definition! But I would say you really made it, if you are thankful for what you have, for what you achieved so far and from now on just enjoy the ride, wherever it takes you. :)

I think you've answered the question yourself. Be you, have fun and the universe will do the rest 💥🤛🏼

Great video! You define success for yourself. Love this perspective 👏

i think what makes a successful photographer , is anyone that takes the time to look at the work they create and takes the time to put some thought into that work

You are a real photographer, you create artistic ad campaigns and clearly love a love for photography. You are a professional photographer because it is your main income. As I see it a real photographer can capture an image that others may not even see as being there, or capture a moment in time whether that is action, wildlife, portrait etc. It is more about the eye and the vision, which is why some photos are inspiring and others less so. I have been doing photography for around 25 years, occasionally for payment, but never at levels that would see me make it my main job. Since 2020, I have pretty much just done it for enjoyment and to bring some joy to a small audience online via Facebook, Instagram and Flickr. I would like to think I am a real photographer, just not one who is paid for it and at almost 50 I have probably missed the boat for going totally pro so it is nicer to enjoy the process.

Loved this episode! :)

I had a day job as a Doctor of Dental Surgery. I was good at it and retired at age 51. I have always been passionate about photography. The day job paid for all the equipment I needed. Now having been able to retire early, my savings pay to have more experiences with my photography and the time to do it. I do monetize my work through stock, but although the return on stock is really a joke, it gives me an outlet for my work. I shoot only what interests me. I never felt that chasing photography jobs was going to augment my enjoyment of photography, or that I would be motivated to please other people with my photography. As a side note, if you really made it, buy a Mercedes GLE 63S AMG with 620 HP: it really does make you feel like you feel like it was all worth it ;)

Great video... Thank you for the realty of success and the fire to drive... AND the truth after you have reached... I'm living that same life Scott, I have business on 2 continents and I see my goal board as complete...lol

What would make me as a beginner a successful photographer this year would be to establish a routine for myself to go out and take photos with my perfectly adequate camera gear, and to do that more regularly than sitting at home thinking about getting new gear that I don't need and which won't help me develop my skill.

you are one of the best .. I've seen over the years!

We go through cycles, my most creative time was when I was trying to find a angle into the professional world when you go through that experimental phase. You then realise you'll starve to death if you don't focus on the paid work, you let go of a lot of your creative stuff until you feel you've built enough fat to experiment again and the cycle repeats.

If you are shooting photos purely for the love of it, then you are by the literal meaning of the word an Amateur. 😉

I startet learning photography from an advertising photographer. And he said, you are a professional photographer, when you can pay your life with your photography. When you need to drive a taxi to finance photography, your a professional taxidriver.

I worked for some photographers who were qualifying for food stamps and decided I was perfectly happy being a hobbyist taking odd jobs to out towards kit. As a hobbyist, what would make me happy is going out and shooting a project I've been thinking of doing that's of cultural and historical importance to a very small minority group where I live overseas. It might take me years to accomplish to get the in with this very tight knit and shy ethnic group but I think that book of photos (and oral history recordings) would be invaluable.

I have tons of gear and take photos of things that I like. Lately that has been shelter animals. I don’t get paid, so when someone asks if I’m a photographer I am often at a loss. Mostly I just say I’m a hobbyist, as I don’t due paid work.

WHOLE HEARTLY AGREE

I am a less successful professional photographer than you but I 100% have been going the 'have I enjoyed it' route and I can say it's the way to go. :)

stay kind man, as you sound to be... haters and non-believers are going to stay sour no matter what you do or say anyway... I saw some of the coverage from the royal funeral and it looks nice... and the commercial works? stunning...

For me, success is about finding the confidence to take that leap to do a big agency job. I enjoy photography and the different types of work I get. But I sometimes apply for part time jobs with companies (as an in house photographer) and I get no respond. Which make me feel like I'm lacking in skill, technique and experience.

I think there are two major parts being a photographer. Capturing the image and people around the profession. The older you get, old friends kind of start living their own family life and people around your profession will be the ones you meet more often. Even with still life photography - I think it will be less fun, when doing it alone. So I guess being real photographer is combination of having the social skill to have all those people around you and then the photography part. Being a youtuber is kind of that aswell...you want people to be around.

Yes I agree with you 100% on everything you are saying it, 👏👏👏👌🏻

Thank you for posting this. Apparently, the pursuit of happiness is largely defined by staying one step ahead of unhappiness. I suppose that pertains to other disciplines besides photography as well. Periodically redefining one's terms or moving the goalposts is key to maintaining this stasis. If anyone truly figures out how to do this, let me know.

You've definitely made it. I'm used to doing 5 figure jobs. Problem is, two of those figures to the right of the decimal point. That said, I am pretty happy. Not many people can say that these days, so if we're talking about 'making it' in relation to having a fulfilled life, no matter who untalented or unsuccessful I may be as a photographer, I guess I've made it too

As a person that just picked up a camera to start working toward the goal of becoming a better picture taker, my goal is for a stranger to look at my work one day and ask me to take a picture for them. The goal post is always moving though. So from a pre-novice perspective I suppose the ultimate goal is to be one of the immortals that come up in conversation as a name that is dropped whenever a subject is referenced.

A torn creative. All the same. You’re good, keep on worrying! And just do your thing. You’re in, so go on doing what you do wanna do best!

For me being a successful photographer is simple ; enjoy your craft while also earning a good living from the craft, I think they are synonymous

You are definitely a pro!

There are photographers that offer workshops and make pretty good money that way. I found your videos when I was looking for information on how to start taking pictures. Yes, I was looking for the bare minimum level of knowledge. You have very good and interesting videos and you have a very pleasent tone and tempo that I think would be very good for workshops across Europe. I would suggest that you try planning and organising workshops and in that way get more people to take notice of you as a person, your work as a photographer and your signature style of photography. I would also like to add that I would be glad to help you plan a workshop in boring Sweden, if it's something that you would be interested in.

For sure you made it I work in advertising and we also have the same insecurities "You're only as good as your last campaign" our Creative Directors tell us And your recent work have been consistently spectacular Sure we all hit a bump or two once in a while But that comes from taking risks Most importantly you still enjoy your work Few can answer that honestly

you made it and you are not satisfied. what motivates you is challenge and difficulties but now you have things to lose and it's harder to go all in like when you were alone in life. you are a dreamer and once a dream has come true you have to dream of something else

I was fortunate that I had my mid life crisis when I was 22...now 65. 🙂

Scott - I am in a similar position as you regarding "...what is the future?". However, my difference is that I have maintained my "day job", and I feel I am no better or no worse than if I quit it (income aside). Not sure if I will ever have an answer about "...what is the future?" either. All this aside however, I think you present the best coverage of what a working / professional photographer's life is like. Keep it going.

Defining success is very subjective. It can mean something very different for everyone. These days you can throw a rock in any given direction on a busy street and stand a good chance of it hitting a photographer. The definition of success for myself today is that given that clients have a greater number of options than ever before (including AI) is that they choose me to do the work of taking the photos for them.l

Sounds like you have good values, and enough gratitude. Seems like a good attitude to me

Passion is the key. If you love what you do, it no longer is work

We suffer from a similar problem I think. I used to be a long distance cyclist (Audax cycling to be specific). So I've done Lands End to John O'Groats (solo naturally) plus around 100 rides of 100 miles or more. It culminated in the Paris-Brest-Paris 1200km event. Hard to qualify for, hard to complete, but I did it. Next time I entered I did it the "proper way" by riding from England, to Paris, to the event. But here's my point ... I was never satisfied. I can't say I felt any elation at the finish line. It was always more of a, "Well, I've done that ... now what?". When I arrived at John O'Groats I saw people crying, so overcome with emotion at completing their own personal challenge. I just thought, "OK, that's done ... where's the pub?". I quit long-distance cycling in 2015, on the return leg of Paris-Brest-Paris. I had a moment of clarity. It was 3am, i was cold and tired. I thought, "What the absolute f*** are you doing?", and I quit. Now I cycle for fun. No more banging my head against "must go further .. must make it tougher". What's my point? You need to appreciate reaching your goal, and perhaps know when it's time to stop reaching further. Remember - "If you enjoy your job then you'll never work another day in your life". But of course the reverse is true. If you don't enjoy it then every hour of every day will be miserable. You're a successful professional photographer IF your measure of success is what you are doing right now. If you're not happy then you aren't successful. Make a big poster for your wall. The poster should have your measure of success written on it. Check it every evening, to make sure you're still successful. You're welcome ..... now give me one of your old cameras.

I get this question a lot from other people in my creative career also. What is a professional? Someone who makes the majority of their income from whatever it is they do - photography, architecture, novelist, chef etc It's the kind of thing you declare on your tax form - what is your occupation? Making it? Mostly for me it's being able to do what you want most days of the year. So it's not nose to the grindstone doing work you hate but making a good income from it. It's usually a combination of choosing your projects on merit but also some work that's not totally what you enjoy doing, but pays for all the days you ARE enjoying what you are doing. Doing something you dread day in and day out - get's old very quickly.

I'm at a similar point with my photography and cine work freelancer. There is this weird, I call it weird, feeling of, you know, if I shoot this "thing" for 10 days a month and it pays me as a "job" and the other 10 days I spend just doing whatever I do photographically then I'm winning. I'd like to be a commercial photographer but I do honestly think I live in the wrong town, so that is sad. Currently not keen on moving yet...for personal reasons of the heart. Those same heart reasons (that includes another human being) has changed things for me. For me having made it is if I can continue making a living, a good living from motion and still work, and God knows it been a quiet year and 3 months. But if I can carve that out and move upwards from there I''ve made it. And I'm gonna shoot what I shoot.

For me, being a success at anything is achieving the goals that you set for yourself, and then moving on to achieve the new goals from there on. It's your goals that make you a success. No one can really tell you if you are a success or not, they can only do so from their own perspective which might mean nothing to you. It's a bit like asking someone what the best camera is, or what the best song is. The best camera, and the best song, will be slightly different for everyone. I've learnt to try not to impress other photographers, with my photography… my photography is for me as far as I am concerned. If other photographers don't like my photography, that's fine. I'm sure top artists don't like some art from other top artists. It really means little in the grand scheme of things…

Success in any professional field for me has to include the recognition and respect of your peers. More so than financial.

You are clearly a very successful photographer and not only take good photos but make good KZfaq videos as well. Maybe any negative comments from the occasional viewer are arising from your own self-confessed insecurity and your habitual use of the term “pro photographer” at every possible opportunity.

Word definition, everyone that take photos are photographer.... everyone that make money doing photography are professionnel photographer. language basic 101. ..... the real questions should look like : are you an accomplish photographer ? or something like that. there is no 1 size fit all, defining "Real Photographer" is and should be different for everyone.

Great video. I don't know if it's an age thing, but I think more than ever, success is about being happy/content with my life. If money is the driver, then I will never be satisfied because there will always be more money and things I can acquire. And ultimately, stuff doesn't make me happy.