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How many hours do you work as a photographer?

Do you work any long hours?, How long can you work for? I am a sophomore in high school and want to know more about this job.

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David’s Answer

Hi Maya, your question should be: how many hours do I have to work to make a living as a professional photographer? Of course, that depends on what genre of photography interests you. Commercial photographers are the top earners. They also have a lot of overhead to support These days wedding shooters can make a good living and they work hard when they are shooting. If you do not find a staff job, which pays a salary, then you are a freelancer. Freelancers can work as little or as much as they like, but if you are not shooting, you are not making money. And, as a freelance, you need most of your time looking for work.
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manush’s Answer

It depends on whether you are working alone or with friends, freelancing, or with a production studio team. and also it depends upon the project you are doing, whether a wedding, an event, or just family portraits or landscapes, nature just anything. you got to value yourself with time. working for more than a few hours is that any good for me or not, is it worth my time and value? you have to think about that. Honestly take your time on the project but don't take forever. slowly with experience and knowing the time and its value, you will gradually be faster than before.
So don't overthink about how many hours, it all depends upon the project and your experience.
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Laeti Golden’s Answer

Hello Maya, your question is absolutely fantastic! Remember, every photographer has their unique perspective, and that's perfectly fine. Your approach will depend on several factors. Are you pursuing photography part-time or full-time? Are you a contractor, a freelancer, or an employee? My insights are based on my experience as a full-time Lifestyle Photographer, with a focus on couples and families.

Before diving full-time into photography, I was employed in the corporate world. During that period, I pursued photography part-time, capturing everything from high-school seniors to wedding moments. It was challenging, juggling a 40-hour corporate job and then dedicating my nights and weekends to my photography business. On average, I devoted about 15-25 hours per week to my photography. Once I transitioned to full-time photography, my work week could range from 40 to 60 hours.

However, after deciding to concentrate on couples and families (stepping away from wedding photography) and completely restructuring my business, I now work an average of 25-30 hours per week, depending on the season. Spring and fall are my peak seasons, so I work slightly longer hours then. But it's crucial to ensure I take time to rest, exercise, maintain a healthy diet, and spend quality time with my boyfriend and friends, as well as some me-time. As a business owner, it might feel like you're always working, but staying organized and sticking to a schedule can help maintain a balance and prevent burnout, a common pitfall for many new business owners.

Remember, maintaining a balance between your personal life and business is key to happiness and success. I hope you find this insight helpful!
Best regards,
Laeti
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Yamil’s Answer

Work hours depend on the job.
Over the past 40 years I have worked staff in:

Hobby Magazine/Publication :40 Hours a week (Salary)
Industrial Military Contractor : 40+ hours, (Hourly) but overtime was paid very well
Catalog Company (Salary) we did overtime over 40 hours a week, but our manager was VERY relaxed to give us comp time in those rare occasions

Now that I do freelance Magazine and Catalog work, I work as long as I have to in order to meed deadlines and deliver the work on time. I work for myself and I no longer keep time.
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El-sent’s Answer

I personally would usually work from 12 - 6 daily, but that doesn’t mean I can’t go longer than that on a regular day
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Angel’s Answer

My friend worked as a photographer, and they usually logged around 20 to 40 hours a week, depending on the season and projects. During busy times, like wedding season, they often put in long hours, sometimes working 10 to 12 hours a day, especially on weekends. They enjoyed the flexibility of the job, but it also meant juggling editing photos late into the night. Overall, being a photographer can be rewarding but requires a good balance of creativity and hard work. It’s a great choice if you’re passionate about capturing moments!
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Fabrício’s Answer

Since 2000, I've been honing my craft as a professional photographer, tackling a wide range of projects, each presenting its own unique set of challenges and requiring a distinct approach. On average, I dedicate approximately 12 hours to each project, encompassing the stages of research, execution, and post-production. However, it's crucial to understand that the life of a photographer extends beyond just producing captivating images.

It's about crafting a personal brand, growing a compelling portfolio, staying updated with the latest industry trends, and constantly polishing one's skills. Moreover, a significant part of my photography expertise is channelled into educating and guiding others, enriching my journey as a photographer with a variety of experiences and rewarding outcomes.
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Nicole’s Answer

This would depend on many different things:

1. What niche you're photographing in
2. If you're freelance or working for someone else
3. if you've honed in on your editing process
4. How much prep work your clients need

For ex- I worked more in the beginning because I was doing it all and I took a long time to find my editing stride.
Now most of the time I work weekly is networking and meeting new people :)

You can make photography fit into your life quite nicely if you have that passion and talent and are willing to get better every shoot!! Good luck! =]
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