There are times I like to dream of not running a photography business. Of not going to clients and taking their dream images but rather just getting on board with the a “normal” job, a financially secure job. Let’s face it arts and creative field just aren’t as financially stable as all of us who love the field wish it were. Instead its mostly a luxury field filled with us striving to follow our passions and serve those who want but do not need our services to survive.
I have been in this field for a very long time. I have hit highs and lows. I have wanted to walk away from this passion and I have fought to keep going with it as well. Yeah, the lure of steady finances, not being the family black sheep, and being “normal” are a draw. But for every normal job I get because its the responsible adult thing to do something happens and it doesn’t stick long but the one constant is my art profession.
Yet, it is a huge struggle to stay creative from stress, burnout, from always trying to stay relevant and have new work and update socials to put your work into the world. It is incredibly hard especially when you are not feeling it.
I have been there I have started to build a great social following then hit burn out and watched it stop. I have failed to even touch a camera for months on end from lack of drive, passion, and depression. I have dealt with the lack of work because of political climates, inflation, and many many things to keep my business afloat but I also have learned that it is acceptable to take a break, slow up, and think about what you want.
I love being a creative, I love photography, but I do not always love running a business and the stress that comes with it. I would be very happy in a position where I could use my passion and knowledge of photography to further anothers business and create for myself on weekends.
That’s the thing there is nothing wrong with following your passion but securing financial security and peace of mind. We do not have to burn ourselves out taking every client, doing sessions we hate, and pounding the pavement just to teeter on the edge of being a starving artist. We can do what makes financial sense and still be artists.
Taking another job to keep from burning out in your passion, feed your family, and put a roof over your head isn’t giving up. You are still a creative, you are still an artist. Nothing can take that away from you.