How did they react?

This question is for those who are aspiring professionals and those who are currently professionals.


How did your family and/or friends react when and if you told them that you wanted to become a professional photographer?


My family reacted nicely about it. When I was 21, I told them that I wanted to become a pro photographer someday and they had no problem about it. In fact they encouraged me to become one because they saw how commited I was to it. Now I will say that I have tried college a few times, mainly to see if there wasn’t another career avenue I wanted to pursue (always good to be sure) but I found that college wasn’t for me and that there wasn’t another career avenue that I wanted to pursue. For those who may be wondering why I’m still a hobbyist; lets just say that life isn’t always fair and sometimes things don’t go as planned. Photography has been one thing that I haven’t lost interest in. Yes, I took a couple breaks as mentioned above to be sure that it’s what I wanted to do and it is but I always went back to photography. Some people have suggested I go to college to earn a degree in photography but my response usually to that is, “Why would I want to get myself into $100k+ of debt for something I can learn hands-on, reading books, watching videos, etc?”. I know I need to improve my skills still but I’m not going to give up on this goal.


So, what was your family/friends reaction? Also, if you don’t mind; please explain what inspired you to become a pro photographer.

Not a pro, but I'll give you my 2 cents. I think it's wise not to go into debt pursuing an education in Photography. You can learn allot on your own and by working along side a successful pro as an apprentice. Few photographers make it "big time", it would be very hard to deal with $100,000.00 in educational debt.

As much as I love photography, I could never make 1/2 of what I make with my day job. If I were young, with no one to support I might give it a go, but it would have limited my future financially (especially in my market).

There are probably more lucrative careers in other areas of "imaging". Be careful how much stock you put in the comments of friends/family, they want you to be happy (very nice, but the rest of the world only supports results).

Good luck!

Rick M said:

Not a pro, but I'll give you my 2 cents. I think it's wise not to go into debt pursuing an education in Photography. You can learn allot on your own and by working along side a successful pro as an apprentice. Few photographers make it "big time", it would be very hard to deal with $100,000.00 in educational debt.

As much as I love photography, I could never make 1/2 of what I make with my day job. If I were young, with no one to support I might give it a go, but it would have limited my future financially (especially in my market).

There are probably more lucrative careers in other areas of "imaging". Be careful how much stock you put in the comments of friends/family, they want you to be happy (very nice, but the rest of the world only supports results).

Good luck!

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I highlighted key points that I'll respond to in Bold. I actually have done this. Worked along with a professional for a year or so. I do realize that few photographers make it "big time". I'm not looking to be a Nat Geo photographer, for example.

That's just it. I'm still young, single, and have no kids so I figure why not pursue this goal while I still can. IF things haven't improved in a couple years then I may go to a vocational school to learn a trade but would still keep pursuing photography.

I do realize thats how family and friends are but I've also had others, including a couple pros tell me to keep pursuing this.

Also, in regards to education and debt. You won't believe how many people in my age group tell me they're going to college for degrees such as Anthropology, Philosophy, or something of the sort (no offense to those who got a degree in those). I think one of the problems now is that many people (not all) are taking the easy route. Another problem with college is they offer to many useless degrees.

I get paid for my work doing portraits, landscapes, etc. But I do it on my terms...in other words...if, when and where I want. I don't do this as a full time profession, because I'm not interested in doing so. I'm a little long in the tooth, as it were. So being a semi pro is just fine with me. If I was a younger man, with no obligations, I would probably do it as a full time career, but.....I'm not, so I don't.

Deciding to become a pro anything is strictly a personal decision. Having moral support from family and friends is nice, but...they don't pay the bills. That would be up to you and your skill set. Make up your own mind on what you want to do, but be practical about it. I wish you all the best in pursuing your dream.

ajh86 said:

Also, in regards to education and debt. You won't believe how many people in my age group tell me they're going to college for degrees such as Anthropology, Philosophy, or something of the sort (no offense to those who got a degree in those). I think one of the problems now is that many people (not all) are taking the easy route. Another problem with college is they offer to many useless degrees.

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Exactly! I'm hoping I can convince my son to pursue an education in an area requiring a professional degree/credentialing in demand. I made the mistake of getting a non-specific degree and struggled most of my adult life.

Follow you're dreams while you can !

Friends and family encouraged me to do the jump. My 'married into family' are unbelievable supporting.

I do it because I love it so much and I want to do it so bad and I think about photography and everything about it all the time, lol. I am in school too, as graphic technician, working with prints (just started this year). Here we get some money when taking education but I still rely on a photographing income on the side.

In a few years I want to take a photography education because you can google and learn forever, but imaging how much you will learn daily in 3,5 years.. For now I take some courses when I find something advanced enough, this month I am going for one which last a full week - yay. There will be several photographers who won prices at world press photo, so I am seriously looking forward to learning loads!

I'm certainly no pro, but have had a slightly tangental experience with music. When I was in college, I played music semi-professionally while going to school for my current job (IT). For all the passion I have for music, making a career of it wasn't for me. I'm sure there are similarities with photography ... the jobs you enjoy don't pay, the jobs that pay you don't enjoy. Once I got to the point where I was playing again without the pressure of money, I enjoyed it much more.

All that said, I never finished college for my chosen career either. I dropped out in my junior year, after an internship that I got in college turned into a full-time job, and the work I was hired to do was more current that the curriculum being taught at school. IMO, the college degree is just one data point, one "reference" if you will of what you are capable of. It shows that you can follow something through to completion. There are many ways to show that same tenacity. A photo portfolio, or references from customers/peers can help build confidence with the people who would be hiring you for photography gigs.

If you've got the desire to make it work, branch out, explore all options that come before you, and find your niche where you shine. It may mean doing some of the graphic arts/imaging/tech type side jobs to help make ends meet, but anything that affords you the opportunity to do what you are inspired to do is a good thing, again IMO.

Ever have those days where you go to type/write something but when you start to do so, you struggle because you're mind isn't clear or sharp. Well that's how I've been yesterday and most of today. I tried to respond to the posts yesterday but had no success.

Back on-topic though. I have been doing some thinking and may end up trying college again but it won't be until January because I plan on moving near Austin this fall when my lease ends here in Houston. I'm planning to attend a community college to learn Automotive Technology, which I'll go for an Associate Degree in. That way, if I want to broaden my education later on, then I'll be able to more easily compared to doing a certificate program.

Actually, the reason I'm in Houston now is because I came here to attend a technical school but that didn't go well just like the other times I tried college. However, I have found out why I wasn't successeding (rather not talk about it) but found ways to get around this obstacle.

I'll still do photography (tha's one thing I won't stop doing) and who knows, maybe I'll get to do photo shoots for some of the students cars or something.

I've also set a goal for myself. that if I graduate, I will reward myself and take a trip to Germany to visit a few automotive museums such as the Mercedes-Benz Museum and I'll also visit the nurburgring . School has never been on the top of my list, even getting through High School was a 'struggle' for me because I didn't want to be there BUT I do know that eduation is important.

I met a nuclear physicist a couple years ago who was working as a night security officer at a food processing plant. College degrees are a dime a dozen, yet they cost a $50-100k.

The fun jobs out there are in the apprentice trades.

Iffin I had it to do over, I would go the starvin' artist route. But I cannot advise anyone else be so foolish.

Eyelight said:

I met a nuclear physicist a couple years ago who was working as a night security officer at a food processing plant. College degrees are a dime a dozen, yet they cost a $50-100k.

The fun jobs out there are in the apprentice trades.

Iffin I had it to do over, I would go the starvin' artist route. But I cannot advise anyone else be so foolish.

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That seems to be the case these days. Kids earn a B.S in a field but end up working as a store clerk or something. My brother earned a degree in Civil Engineering and was lucky to get a job in VA after graduating. A couple years after working that job, he applied to the ARMY Corps. of Eng. where he still works but they had him go for his Masters which he completed earlier this year.

I've heard a lot of others say how more kids/students should go into the trades because things such as cars, planes, trains, toilets, houses, etc will still need to be repaired. My Dad who is now retired; graduated from H.S. then worked for a guy helping build/repair houses then he started his own residentual constuction company. He was doing well until a few years ago then people didn't have the money to build a house, let alone get repairs done at times.

Awhile back I wanted to go for a Mech. Eng degree but I'm glad I didn't because I found out a year or so ago that I have Dyscalculia and so doing anything above Algebra (which is tough for me as it is) doesn't go well for me at all. In regards to automotive field; I've read that many kids aren't doing that route because they'd rather learn game design or something. In fact, many kids don't like cars in general. I noticed one of the courses taught at the community college is alternate fuels so that's good to know since many manufacturers are going "green". (I'm not into Eco-friendly cars. I'll choose horsepower/torque over that any day but knowing alternate fuels would be helpful for employment)

ajh86 said:

That seems to be the case these days.

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Trades are actually hurting because they were deserted 15-20 years ago for college degrees (my opinion)

The local degree joke is, " The first words out of a college graduates mouth are, "Would you like fries with that?" It is sad, but true.

But anyway, each person needs to make there own choice, do their own thing, learn/live there own life.

Best wishes in any event.

Eyelight said:

Trades are actually hurting because they were deserted 15-20 years ago for college degrees (my opinion)

The local degree joke is, " The first words out of a college graduates mouth are, "Would you like fries with that?" It is sad, but true.

But anyway, each person needs to make there own choice, do their own thing, learn/live there own life.

Best wishes in any event.

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I've heard that joke before. When you say "local degree"; what do you mean by that?

Also, in regards to "each person needs to make there own choice, do their own thing, learn/live there own life." That is very true. I had asked my parents once if they had hoped that my brother would have taken over my Dad's business someday. The respone I got was that they would have liked that but they wouldn't and didn't pressure him to because they knew he had a different career route. The thing I dislike to hear is someone telling me they're studying so-and-so major but hate it so I'll ask why they are even taking that major and they'll say how their parents want them to. For example.. My brothers wife went to the same University as her Father and studied History to become a Teacher just as her Mother did BUT she is always whining about how she hates the students and teaching lol.

Remember though, awhile back (not sure how many years but probably before I was born haha) you could graduate from H.S. and get a job that paid decently. Today, that isn't the case because most employers want a B.S. or even a M.S degree. I've had a few people tell me I need at least a B.S. degree and one of the reasons they tell me is because on average, a B.S. holder earns more annually than a H.S. grad but as I tell them...The higher the education, the higher the debt you'll have, so the more money you'll need to earn. But that doesn't work out well in todays economy because A B.S. doesn't always mean earning more than someone with just a H.S. diploma.

A local joke.

I think the winds are changing due to three things. One is companies are beginning to realize that BS can stand for more than one thing. Two is trades that have never required a college degree are hurting for workers, so their worth is going up. Three is people are realizing (like my youngest son) they have no use for adding useless knowledge to their mind.

I had one requirement for each of our youngins; that they have a plan of how a they were going forward in life.