hanna
is wildlife photography right for me??
I've always loved taking pictures of anything outside. I have also always loved nature. I'm not sure about what i should do because my parents want me to go in the medical field but i don't think that is what i want to do. I want to be a wildlife photographer but i want to make them happy and proud of me too. what should i do? #helppp
1 answer
Chris Dodds
Chris’s Answer
Hanna, it's great that you've found something you enjoy doing. I love photography too, so I'm happy for you.
Have you considered that you could do both? Most of the professional photographers I know didn't start their careers as full-time photographers. They used non-photography jobs to support themselves and give them the freedom to practice and get better at photography in an enjoyable, stress-free way (since their day job was paying the bills). It was only later as they 1.) got really good and 2.) had developed general business skills to help them run a photography business, that they went full time.
There are a few other angles to this to consider:
- Sometimes taking a hobby you enjoy and turning it into a job is actually a bad thing and can ruin your enjoyment of the hobby because it introduces stress and all sorts of other things that people normally use their hobbies to escape from.
- Nature photography, in particular is a very expensive hobby, and having another job might be a good way to build up your collection of lenses and other equipment. It might also help fund you traveling to interesting places.
- The percentage of nature photographers who can make a living from their photography is very small and those folks tend to be "the best of the best". That is definately something to aspire to, but I think it's important to understand that you won't immediately be in that group when you are just getting started.