This week I came across an article by Doug Menuez on how “… to survive the creative, economic and emotional chaos of a life in photography”. It’s posted on the Editorial Photographers (EP) web site. A lot in the article rang true with me. Much of it reflects thinking I have been doing lately about my career.

I set a goal for myself when I became a photographer. I wanted to photograph what I love to do; travel, have adventures, and pursuit of outdoor sports I am passionate about. I also wanted to support my lifestyle with my photography. So far I have done well with this. My goal continues, but I feel I have slipped away from the core of it. At least in terms of the content of my photography. I often find myself shooting what I think I should be shooting instead of what I want to be shooting. I use the excuse that I have to do what pays the bills. But do I? We’ll, of course I have to pay the bills. But Doug points out that this can lead to “burn-out” and that is not good for longevity in a career of photography.

I know what he is talking about. As I get older evolve as a person and a photographer, my work is lagging behind me. I’m often shooting the same things I shot years ago, and in the same way. Or,I’m shooting new things that I really am not passionate about. I am not evolving my photography and staying true to my passion.

I find Doug’s article really gets at the core of my dilemma. Here is an excerpt from the article that I is really true, but that I have lost sight of…

“If you create a book (portfolio) that you think will get you work based on your perception of what sells, or on the advice of anyone who steers you away from your core, you have a complex problem ahead. Yes, you may find some work that way, which is really tempting short term, while you tell yourself you’ll do the real stuff on the side or in the future. “Show the work you want to get” is a lasting truism and if you have chosen to show work other than the purist version of your creative vision then whatever jobs do come in will be based on that work. There are many shooters who do this exact thing and end up with a middling level of success, stuck on a financial and creative plateau, slowly starting to run out of gas. After a few years they hate their their work and life in general. They are getting divorced or leaving the business or pursuing whatever diversion eases the pain. They are not living the dream. They are not challenging themselves creatively because they did not give themselves permission to be who they are as photographers in the first place. This is the road to being a burned out, bitter hack. Boring.”

Take the time to read Doug’s Menuez’s entire article here. For me it is a truly inspirational piece of writing. I think you will find it offers something for you as well.

I’ll keep you posted on my personal journey.