Love the transparency! I'm around 2 years into my sole proprietorship photography business, so far I got myself a website and a small following of about 200 people on facebook. I've made a little over 400 dollars so far, awaiting a wedding film this year where she said she wanted to pay 1000 dollars. ( my first wedding so i'm super happy with that price ) I honestly really struggle to believe in myself, and I still struggle to believe that what i do is serious work so i constantly have to remind myself that people actually pay insane amounts of money for a good film and good photos. Right now I'm an apprentice for a offset printing company as my main job where I luckily work 12 hour-shifts which allows me to get a week off to work on my own, I make around 2400 a month right now so i'm just waiting to get the apprentice test this year done so i can get that on my resume. THEN i can start thinking about it seriously, but it's still a little while away. I'll be patient for my dream, it takes time but when it comes I'll be ready. Good luck to all of you out there seeking to achieve your dreams!
This resonates with me so much. I've been planning to quit for a while now and today is the day. I just put in my resignation today to pursue what I love to do, rather than waste my days making money for a company, doing something that I dread every minute of. Life is too short to not at least try something you enjoy as a career. You don't want to be in your deathbed asking yourself, what if.
Thanks for the comment Beau!! I totally agree. Sometimes it’s the hardest decision you’ll make but possibly the most important one. Life is definitely too short not to follow your passions, you only get one shot. Best of luck to you 😊 remember nothing worth having comes easy!
I am turning 24 this November. I have no idea what to do with my life I did start working out and I'm putting in a lot of time and dedication to building a nice physique. But for career wise, I am lost and still don't know what to do. I do plan on going to school next year, but the area I'm going for isn't even something I really want , I just know it'll provide a stable, good paying job, but not something I'll love to wake up and go to. Any advice ? I did buy my first camera, the Canon Eos RP And I do like taking car pictures But I'm brand new to that and I look into the career path for that and it looks rather bleak , tough? I don't know, any advice though?
Coming up real soon in this little series man! I was going to do one on my income and where I currently make my money, another on tips for getting started and where to make money as a photographer. Anything else you'd be keen to hear?
Man this was way better then I expected TK! Honestly I've seen, heard alot of these before but yours was very much very humbling and very down to earth advice 👌. I actually don't mind these if you consider doing these in the future TK. 😊👍
Aww thanks sooo much! It’s a pretty tricky subject since it’s so flooded across the internet haha so I’m so glad it was useful!! There’s a few more similar topics I’d like to cover so really appreciate that feedback!
Great advice! I'm one year in next month and have been documenting my progress quarterly. May have to pick up something in my old field soon, but have no regrets about trying and will keep working on the side if that happens. If you're watching this, thinking about doing it, and it feels impossible - it is scary and you'll need to hustle a bit. But it's way more doable than you think if you aren't currently supporting others financially.
Thanks so much man! And don't worry at all, I don't think for most of us it's ever a smooth jump, but for me it was totally worth it. I picked up a few hours here and there in my old field too. Before that I also gradually reduced my hours at my old job to spend more time on photography - all part of the journey. Keep at it man - wish you all the best!
Thanks so much man! Sounds like you’re on the right track. I wouldn’t say there’s an easy answer to building clients, for me it took a lot of time to slowly build up and a lot of pretty poor paying jobs to begin with as well. But it helped be gradually build. What niche / area are you in?? Because that will also determine what specific strategies might be best
when i was 13 i loved taking portraits... growing up and going to highschool i didn t have friends and people who to take more photos and i lost my passion and confidence
Thank you for your honesty and transparency with telling your story... though COVID caught you at a bad time, feel as if things are really picking up for you!!
🙌 I always find these types of video interesting. Would love to hear of the "moment" that you suddenly felt your photography was improving and could get you work / potentially see you into a career down the line.. gear change? General improvements/editing?
Thank you and awesome question! Apologies in advance for the long response... For me I don't think there was ever a particular moment, rather a slow transition over time. I loved photography, I spent heaps of time on it, so over time I just kept getting better... enough that I started getting smaller jobs without really chasing work (at least at the beginning). I began saying yes to a lot of random things even when they paid poorly or seemed outside my comfort zone - mostly from curiosity and eagerness to learn. At that stage I wouldn't say I was particularly good, but good enough to offer something to some people and always wanting to keep improving. Over time, I took more work on, I enjoyed it and starting pushing for more. It was a while after I decided I wanted to chase it full-time. Although gear can help, for me general improvements in your skills are far more important. Also just putting myself out there and sharing my work, growing an audience. Getting going is hard, but you don't have to be the best photographer around to offer something of value to someone. Getting good and putting yourself out there are key for me. You can definitely upgrade gear as you get better and start making some money from it.
@@TKNORTH dude don't apologise, thank you so much for taking the time to reply and in such detail!! That's really helpful, I've always been a sucker for comparing my images to others and almost writing myself off, but I know of people who have started taking on "work" when actually still more amateur than myself (if possible haha) . Granted they have gone on to become very good photographers etc so I think it's sometimes having confidence in yourself above everything (providing you aren't absolutely going about everything wrong of course) thanks again man!
Great advice Tim. I can’t say I am in the same situation (have now retired) but the aspect of changing your direction in life is very relative. Even for people not seeking an income from photography - you have brought up some very pertinent points. Thanks again for all your sharing.
You have described it quite well the feeling of fear of letting something that feels secure go for something that feels more alive and full of passion. These are very universal feelings and emotions that many people experience and each person has to tailor make it for themselves. All that I hear in this video reverberates very clear to the same experiences I have gone through. Great sharing and good advice as you share your own personal experience. Thank you.
Remember we all start somewhere ❤️When I first picked up a camera I had no plans to make it a career and I certainly wasn’t good at it naturally. It took me a lotttttt of time to learn. If it’s something you really want, start taking small steps to learn and improve :)
![How to be a professional photographer [7 Steps to maximize your chances of success]](/img/1.gif)
Love the transparency! I'm around 2 years into my sole proprietorship photography business, so far I got myself a website and a small following of about 200 people on facebook.
I've made a little over 400 dollars so far, awaiting a wedding film this year where she said she wanted to pay 1000 dollars. ( my first wedding so i'm super happy with that price )
I honestly really struggle to believe in myself, and I still struggle to believe that what i do is serious work so i constantly have to remind myself that people actually pay insane amounts of money for a good film and good photos. Right now I'm an apprentice for a offset printing company as my main job where I luckily work 12 hour-shifts which allows me to get a week off to work on my own, I make around 2400 a month right now so i'm just waiting to get the apprentice test this year done so i can get that on my resume. THEN i can start thinking about it seriously, but it's still a little while away. I'll be patient for my dream, it takes time but when it comes I'll be ready.
Good luck to all of you out there seeking to achieve your dreams!
love this channel man, i wish you the best in whatever you pursue in your career or life
Thanks so much for that! Right back at you and I really appreciate the support!
This resonates with me so much. I've been planning to quit for a while now and today is the day. I just put in my resignation today to pursue what I love to do, rather than waste my days making money for a company, doing something that I dread every minute of. Life is too short to not at least try something you enjoy as a career. You don't want to be in your deathbed asking yourself, what if.
Thanks for the comment Beau!! I totally agree. Sometimes it’s the hardest decision you’ll make but possibly the most important one. Life is definitely too short not to follow your passions, you only get one shot. Best of luck to you 😊 remember nothing worth having comes easy!
How did it go? ❤
thank you!
I am turning 24 this November.
I have no idea what to do with my life
I did start working out and I'm putting in a lot of time and dedication to building a nice physique. But for career wise, I am lost and still don't know what to do. I do plan on going to school next year, but the area I'm going for isn't even something I really want , I just know it'll provide a stable, good paying job, but not something I'll love to wake up and go to.
Any advice ?
I did buy my first camera, the Canon Eos RP
And I do like taking car pictures
But I'm brand new to that and I look into the career path for that and it looks rather bleak , tough?
I don't know, any advice though?
Those warning signs sound just too familiar 😐
TK could you talk about numbers and income streams? Thanks
Coming up real soon in this little series man! I was going to do one on my income and where I currently make my money, another on tips for getting started and where to make money as a photographer. Anything else you'd be keen to hear?
@@TKNORTH Thanks TK can't wait.
Man this was way better then I expected TK! Honestly I've seen, heard alot of these before but yours was very much very humbling and very down to earth advice 👌. I actually don't mind these if you consider doing these in the future TK. 😊👍
Aww thanks sooo much! It’s a pretty tricky subject since it’s so flooded across the internet haha so I’m so glad it was useful!! There’s a few more similar topics I’d like to cover so really appreciate that feedback!
Great advice! I'm one year in next month and have been documenting my progress quarterly. May have to pick up something in my old field soon, but have no regrets about trying and will keep working on the side if that happens.
If you're watching this, thinking about doing it, and it feels impossible - it is scary and you'll need to hustle a bit. But it's way more doable than you think if you aren't currently supporting others financially.
Thanks so much man! And don't worry at all, I don't think for most of us it's ever a smooth jump, but for me it was totally worth it. I picked up a few hours here and there in my old field too. Before that I also gradually reduced my hours at my old job to spend more time on photography - all part of the journey. Keep at it man - wish you all the best!
@@TKNORTH Same to you! I've loved following along
Awesome advices!
I'm starting my business too! I have a portfolio, but how to get clients?
How do you reach out to them?
Thanks so much man! Sounds like you’re on the right track. I wouldn’t say there’s an easy answer to building clients, for me it took a lot of time to slowly build up and a lot of pretty poor paying jobs to begin with as well. But it helped be gradually build. What niche / area are you in?? Because that will also determine what specific strategies might be best
when i was 13 i loved taking portraits... growing up and going to highschool i didn t have friends and people who to take more photos and i lost my passion and confidence
That was such a well structured video! Great Job TK awesome advice mate 🤙
Really appreciate that dude! Thanks so much 🙏
thanks man! gives me confidence knowing im following the same path as successful artist before.
Dope video 🔥🔥
Thanks so much dude!
Glad you took the leap bro, amazing story
Appreciate you my bro!!
Thank you for your honesty and transparency with telling your story... though COVID caught you at a bad time, feel as if things are really picking up for you!!
Such a great video TK!
Thanks so much my man! 🙏
🙌 I always find these types of video interesting. Would love to hear of the "moment" that you suddenly felt your photography was improving and could get you work / potentially see you into a career down the line.. gear change? General improvements/editing?
Thank you and awesome question! Apologies in advance for the long response... For me I don't think there was ever a particular moment, rather a slow transition over time. I loved photography, I spent heaps of time on it, so over time I just kept getting better... enough that I started getting smaller jobs without really chasing work (at least at the beginning). I began saying yes to a lot of random things even when they paid poorly or seemed outside my comfort zone - mostly from curiosity and eagerness to learn. At that stage I wouldn't say I was particularly good, but good enough to offer something to some people and always wanting to keep improving. Over time, I took more work on, I enjoyed it and starting pushing for more. It was a while after I decided I wanted to chase it full-time. Although gear can help, for me general improvements in your skills are far more important. Also just putting myself out there and sharing my work, growing an audience. Getting going is hard, but you don't have to be the best photographer around to offer something of value to someone. Getting good and putting yourself out there are key for me. You can definitely upgrade gear as you get better and start making some money from it.
@@TKNORTH dude don't apologise, thank you so much for taking the time to reply and in such detail!! That's really helpful, I've always been a sucker for comparing my images to others and almost writing myself off, but I know of people who have started taking on "work" when actually still more amateur than myself (if possible haha) . Granted they have gone on to become very good photographers etc so I think it's sometimes having confidence in yourself above everything (providing you aren't absolutely going about everything wrong of course) thanks again man!
Great advice Tim. I can’t say I am in the same situation (have now retired) but the aspect of changing your direction in life is very relative. Even for people not seeking an income from photography - you have brought up some very pertinent points. Thanks again for all your sharing.
Great video Tk!!
Thanks my dude!!
You have described it quite well the feeling of fear of letting something that feels secure go for something that feels more alive and full of passion. These are very universal feelings and emotions that many people experience and each person has to tailor make it for themselves. All that I hear in this video reverberates very clear to the same experiences I have gone through. Great sharing and good advice as you share your own personal experience. Thank you.
I’m just an Instagram follower waiting for you to make a short film
Aww thanks ! What would you like to see a short film on??? 🙏
@@TKNORTH some Neo Tokyo, Blade runner vibes stuff. You would be the cinematographer for sure
Great video Tk. To the point and honest
Thanks again Chester! Really appreciate it 🙌
Wish i could 💚
Remember we all start somewhere ❤️When I first picked up a camera I had no plans to make it a career and I certainly wasn’t good at it naturally. It took me a lotttttt of time to learn. If it’s something you really want, start taking small steps to learn and improve :)
Ok, unfollow then.