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This was a hard blog post to write, primarily because I am still not sure if what I have to say will make sense, but also because this has proven to be a serious topic and I am rarely a serious writer.
To clarify a bit, let’s break down my statement. What do I mean by “I am not a photographer”?
I have been a “photographer” for nearly 12 years (if my calculations add up…), and I have NEVER flinched at the term. In fact, when someone asks me “What are you?” I reply with “A Photographer”.
The first time someone asked and I answered “A Photographer”, I think I blushed crimson and wanted to hide in the off hand men’s room. I didn’t deserve the title. I was still learning. I hadn’t landed a paying gig and probably didn’t even have what was considered a professional camera. In my mind, I was no photographer.
It got easier to say over time.
A few years down the road, I would still get the same question. “What are you?“. I gave the same reply…”A Photographer.” This wasn’t accompanied with a blush now, but with a business card directing them to my very own online portfolio.
Fast forward to a few years later, and I own my own business. I get the question “What are you?”.
“A Photographer.”
Now, however, it’s accompanied with a business card and the thought of “Oh, please hire me. If I could JUST get my foot in the door.” If they had been wearing magic x-ray brain glasses, they would have seen me on my knees…arms outstretched begging for their good graces and credit cards.
Fast forward to four months ago. I saw a friend of mine in an airport who I hadn’t seen since high school. We aren’t even friends on Facebook…
“What are you doing with yourself these days?”
“I’m a photographer,” was what came out of my mouth. But what flashed through my brain went something along the lines of “But PLEASE don’t try to hire me. Don’t look me up! Don’t ask what my prices are for a 6 hour bar mitzvah!!!”
This…should not be my reaction.
Here’s what I’m trying to get at. Labeling myself as “A Photographer” took the fun out of photography for me. I enjoy weddings and love my clients. I get excited when I pull up to the hotel, ready to photograph a beautiful bride getting married. But at heart…I’m a hobbyist. And I WANT to be a hobbyist! I want to be a hobbyist at EVERYTHING I do in life! I WANT to be a photographer out of love, not out of necessity.
On initial inspection, I have two options:
A) Suck it up and go on until retirement. That’s what most people do.
or
B) Find another job and start at the bottom of the heap again.
I…chose option C. Please understand, that it’s NOT the photography or the people that I hate…it’s having to do something because I have to a pay a bill that I despise.
I want to shoot a wedding because it’s my passion, and let me tell you, holding a camera in my hands is the equivalent of warm fudge icing on a red velvet cake. I could never leave this wonderful community behind.
So what makes Option C ideal?
The question that played on repeat through my brain was “If I’m not a photographer…who am I?”
And then it hit me. I had placed “Photographer” on a pedestal. I had placed it above writer, animal lover, music addict and bookworm. I had elevated it above singer, History Buff and Bug enthusiast. I’ve enjoyed “books” my entire life, but if I became a professional “reader” I would probably want to paper cut myself to death by the end of the year. If I had become a musician…well, everyone ELSE would want to papercut themselves to death by the end of the year.
In my arsenal of proficiencies…photography, writing and entrepreneurship are my most valuable weapons.
So to answer the above question, Option C presents itself as a mindset change.
Instead of taking a photography job for survival…I’m taking a photography job because it genuinely interests me. I’ve booked 7 weddings for next year…and am not interested in booking anymore. I’ve wanted (keyword) to start writing for the photography industry for a long while now…hence the books, articles and crazy writing whatnot pouring from my fingertips almost everyday now. And my idea of creating a community for photographers has long been put on the back burner.
THESE ARE ALL GREAT INTERESTS!! Yes…they are a form of income, but I am doing them because I WANT to. Not because I HAVE to. The content I will create out of desire will FAR surpass the content I will create to get a paycheck, or gain attention.
I am not a photographer any more than I am a writer.
And this brings us to the “And You Shouldn’t Be Either” part of my statement.
I think JUST being represented by ONE of your passions is a mistake. You are NOT a photographer. You are a lover of light. You are a passionate baker. And a shopaholic. And JUST thinking that your clients will hire you because you’ve stated that you “like puppy dogs” in your author bio is a mistake! Don’t tell them who you are…SHOW them who you are. But more importantly? Be who you are for no other reason than it is who you are.
Whoa…I am totally going all Mr.Miyagi on you now.
All I mean is, don’t make the mistake of putting yourself out there for ulterior motives. The only thing you will EVER succeed at doing perfectly in life, is being yourself. And if the saying “You are your brand,” aint a lie…then I don’t see a more successful business plan than that.
I challenge you to come up with three passions that help to define you. Three obsessions that, when you dig deep, you KNOW are just as important to you as your camera. I challenge you to mix these passions up in your mixing bowl of a business, and take the pressure off of your camera by baking a proverbial “3 layer-cake” (or 20 layer!!! How many passions can you throw in??). This cake is more about WHO you are, not WHAT you are.
So next time someone asks you “What are you doing with your life?” you can respond with “I spend a lot of time behind the camera…but I also recently insert recent accomplishment here. “
How do I respond to this question now?
“I have a photography business, but I recently published a book (I’m working on book number two), and am building an online community for photographers that want to be chillin’ like villains.” (And this statement is, once again, accompanied by a crimson blush and a dash into the wrong lavatory.)
Hells to the yeah.
Download the FREE worksheet, “MORE THAN JUST A PHOTOGRAPHER” to help you determine which passions should drive your business, life and passions.
Terra’s Personal Digs:
JOIN THE CONVERSATION IN THE COMMENTS SECTION BELOW…
Oh I am lovin’ this – I am SO thankful that I found it today because I’ve really been feeling the exact same way…and I’ve only been doing this for a short time! I LOVE photography but I don’t want it to define me or take away all of my other passions & interests. I am so looking forward to your future endeavors & I know you will rock the industry out!
Sarah : Meanwhile on MY URL…30 days to the altar. Otherwise known as proverbial skydiving.
Thank you SO SO much for amazing words Sarah!!!! I hope I can continue to write to inspire the industry to change for the better.
Checked out your blog…GORGEOUS WORK!! You will do incredibly well…just make sure you remember to love what you do and don’t gt overwhelmed!!!!!
Loved reading your article… it says so much and makes so much sense. I can see myself in your representation. Thanks for open up and clearing different avenues and approach.
Thank you so much, Ricardo! I’m so glad I was actually able to get my thoughts in writing on this one!
I’m glad you enjoyed the read and hope it helped to put your passion into perspective.
Terra Dawn : Meanwhile on MY URL…Blog Post Checklist – Free Download
I am so glad I met you. Meeting you, and being exposed to your absolutely explosive personality lit a fire under me to be absolutely everything I can be. And now since then, reading your blog, you still continue to inspire me!! You are so fabulous, and you are going to make such an impact on this industry…whether it be behind the camera or behind the (if nothing else proverbial) typewriter. You go girl.
Amanda Truth : Meanwhile on MY URL…Robby and Sabrina: Married!!
Thank you SO much for those amazingly kind words, Amanda. I’m still going to feature my work on here…but I’m really hoping to get this blog rolling as a inspirational AND informational place for photographers.
Your comments give ME the motivation to get my next blog post up this evening!! lol.
Thanks, lady!!!
Terra Dawn : Meanwhile on MY URL…Punk in Steampunk: Eden and Grace
Terra! This is your best-written post yet. I really like what you’ve said, about identifying other areas of your life that hold your interest.
Abby Grace : Meanwhile on MY URL…Office Heaven- First Edition
That’s music to my ears, Abby!!! It’s been a subject that’s been on my mind for almost a year now. I’m just glad I wrote it coherently!!!
Terra Dawn : Meanwhile on MY URL…Pin the Tail on the Donkey: Six Steps to Getting More Blog Traffic