What do you think of photography as a career?

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Im am looking into photography as my hop-full career.
I Absolutely love to take pictures and im really good at it.

The bad things about this career is...
1.very low pay (27,00 a year)
2.I dont have a family yet because im a little young lol(not saying my age) but when i do ill have to be away from them alot
3.It could be a little dangerous (pictues of Valcanos, underwater,etc.)

The good things about this career is...
1.Travel
2.Taking pictures (i love that)
3.experience lots of new places/adventures

What do you think?
 
Almost everyone has a camera so becoming a pro is difficult and highly competitive. I don't think you can choose it as a career... you have to start out doing photography as a hobby; then if you start earning income at it you can slowly migrate from hobby to career.

I started my first photography web site in 2002 and offer not only photographs but also graphic art derived from photos... and I'm lucky if I make more than $200 from it during any month.
 
I think it could be a very rewarding job if you are willing to work hard and be away from your family. Usually, the good photography jobs involve travel and can be hard to get. If you wanted to be a photographer who say, took family photos, you would be able to stay in one spot but not make a whole lot of money. In my opinion, you should start young and strive to get a good photography job. If it's something you love to do, go for it! If you find after that you want to settle down and start a family, you could look into be a photographer for a local newspaper or magazine. Your previous work would also help you to get a good job at one of these places.Hope this helped!
 
Personally, I find that getting a career in photography is a daunting task. By no means do I wish to discourage you, but from personal experience it has not been easy.

There is a bit of market saturation for photographers. Too many people, not nearly enough job openings or opportunities.

The main problem with photography nowadays, is that almost anyone with a camera in their hands considers themselves a photographer. They feel they can do their own photography, with similar or better results than someone who is a professional and has experience and an education under their belt. Some of these people in my opinion, drag down the industry.

I think it is a great career to have, if you love to take photographs, and enjoy offering your services to whomever needs them. The main disadvantage in my opinion is the job market.
 
This is a good question to ask before you get into the jobs.
I should have looked at it better before I did my college or I would have done things a bit differently. I would have made the business classes the number one and the photo classes just part of the 4 year BA degree not the AA degree in Applied Photography.

Being good at making images is only a small part of the "job". Just ask any of the working pros on this list. The better photographers I have known who made and make a good living at it were and are all very detail driven people. The education they have is all across the board from just HS and living life to MFA degree from respected colleges. The best one business wise has a BA in poli si. degree.

SO. Yes you can make photography a good way to make a very good living.. much more then $27K if you do thing right. I did for a few very good years. Yes, I used the job to travel, to meet a lot of very cool ppl and yes learn how to do underwater photography.

Detail, detail, detail... I wish I was better at it.. I would still be doing photography for a living most likely.. that and if my eye was able to be corrected better..

I loved being a photographer full and part time.. thinking that I should get back into it for yet another part of my life..
 
There are too many people chasing too little work.
Only 10% of photographic graduates ever work in the industry.
The rates of pay have nose-dived since digital replaced transparency.
The hours are very long and often six days a week.
Your eyesight gets ruined.
The divorce rate very high

I could go on...

With my five years of study, five years of assisting, ten year of shooting up to a senior level... it's extremely difficult to find a full-time position that pays much over £20,000. Say no more.
 
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