Ah, the difference between a job and passion.
Luckily I am one to say that I feel pretty much the same way about what I do. When I get up I want to get up and work. I always loved what I do. Making my ideas a reality. Helping my clients to take their ideas and turning them into working, money generating businesses. Is there something better?
But, I read a lot of critical voices out there in the photography industry. It’s not fun for many anymore and passion turned into drag. Personally I think it is because the people who don’t make money loose their passion. It’s like love. Unless nurtured and feed – it dies. The bohemian lifestyle has always been overrated. I am one to promote generating income. If you do it, you may as well make some money with it – otherwise what is the point?
Let me turn the spotlight on you? Has your passion for our industry turned sour or is your light still burning brightly? Do you display that angry attitude that is a sure to turn off for your clients? Are you critiquing anything and everything feeling that ‘they’ are clueless whereas you are underappreciated? If that is the case your passion lackluster just turned your profession into a job. Your fire is out. This profession that you love so much doesn’t love you back.
Let’s remember this. To have passion ignites your spirits. It gives you wings. You feel good. Tasks are accomplished with ease and fast because you are feeling your blood pumping through your veins with excitement. You can’t wait. This makes you better than others because you are interested and interesting. It is written all over you. PASSION, I love what I do. A desirable formula and the only kind of people that I hire. Passionate people ask, tell me more and how can we do this. Passionate people get a kick out of being able to produce something that you can see right there and then! The instant gratification of looking at your camera and voila! There it is. Pure beauty, and uniqueness. What excitement. You did this. Isn’t that amazing?
If you have fallen into the job trap you forgotten what made you do this in the first place. People who are doing a job ask, why should I do this or what good is it for anyway? They are downers and always have a negative comment ready. Not desirable and not people I or most other people want to hire.
Why do you want to read this job and passion comparison? Because I have always been on a mission to point out the negative people in our industry and I can’t stand the negativism. It is such a major turn off. There has always been a lot of competition. Do you think Morgan Freeman has had competition in the acting profession?
I want you to remember why you are doing this in the first place. And if I speak about fuzzy, touchy, feely things you should listen because I don’t do that all too often.
Get your attitude in check. Start this year strong. Do what you need to do to remember what you are doing it for. Shoot, test, clean up your site. Observe your language and watch for that fire in your eyes when you talk about photography. Clients want to see that, it is irresistible.
What are your goals for this year to keep that passion alive? Are you ready to sharpen your business skills so that your base is strong to support your passion? What would that take for you to do? What have you been putting off that it is time to do now?
Please let me know how you are keeping your fire burning! I am curious to see what tips you have for our growing community.
I too have been getting up every day since 1985 and not working a job but truly doing what I love. Most people cannot understand why I am always in a good mood.
— Dave
Beate, thank you for the positive, upbeat start to a new year. Yet I think we are discussing two parts of a discussion on attitude; one is the actual craft of photography, the other the business of photography. The business end I have never longed for, I do it only because of the necessity and I’ll admit I don’t do it well.
But the art itself, the seeking out the best light, the best angle, the best settings, the best lens, and in some cases the best alternative approach to all of the above is still a passion I cannot seem to satisfy and yearn daily to achieve. I have produced some wonderful images as I’ve heard, but one finds them-self in that space, SATISFACTION, and yet at the very next opportunity one finds that they have yet to create their very best. So passion is an ever-present work-in-progress, and intensely satisfying. And I am already setting out for a shoot this morning as the frost clings to streambed rocks, with the temperature holding at 30°.
I just want to say thank you again for sparking another fire in the World of Photography the many that will read this ARTicle. You have been a encouragement to many and I’m sure your making a difference in the lives of many cause your making an impact on my life I hope that this all will continue to be the case for a very long time!!!!! Beate Chelette, you’re a great Mentor!!!
Shutters,
Pierre Hines
Hi Beate. Thanks for sharing. I found myself in a rut the past years. It seems passion has waned during those times. And I didnt know what to do with myself to rekindle the fire. Im just too lazy to do shoots on my own.
Right now, these past months, im glad that Im waking up from slumber. Im excited to create personal works again.
The one thing I hate about myself at this age (50), is fatigue. I easily get tired these days. Exercise and vitamins help. But its never the same energy level as when I started some 20 years ago. I guess, I just have to be patient with myself.
Good point Mario. I hear you about the level of energy. I do believe that we work smarter when we get ‘riper’. Finding a good balance between work and play is crucial. If you are motivated and excited your energy levels go through the roof. Good idea to make a video about that, how to get motivated.
Hi Beate, As in all career pursuits, too often complacency becomes the enemy. Sometimes it sneaks up on you when you aren’t even aware, other times it takes a wake up call from a colleague or friend. I love what I’m doing and have been doing it for a very long time. For a while a few years ago I was just going thru the paces. The art had become a job. Now in my new location I find myself renewed both in my creativity and inspiration.