The true reason I am drawn to photography.
There are many reasons why some people get into photography and it can vary wildly. For some it is just the photography itself as an art, others as an escape from their reality and an opportunity to create an alternate one with photos. There are some who see it simply as a business or a way to make money and even others who will use their camera as a magic power to get into places only photographers and media can go. My motivation came from a need but later evolved into a passion.
Although the story from the beginning can be long, I am going to stick with the photography side of things for this story. It all started for me and this website in 2007 which was one of the worst years of me and my family’s lives. You see prior to that year’s things were really good at least that is what I thought. I had a very good Monday through Friday job with very good pay and all the bills were always paid on time. Everything changed in a heartbeat at the end of 2007 and I found myself in a huge predicament. I lost my job and was on the verge of being homeless. I needed to make money and fast. I made a quick list of things I already owned and said to myself “is it possible to make money with it” or did I need to sell it make money. As you might have already guessed my Canon 20D camera was on this list.
Being of the entrepreneurial spirit, I decided to become a professional photographer. Photography was just blowing up at that time and digital was just exciting and still something fairly new to non-professionals at the time. I knew that with just a little practice and some luck I could shoot my way out of the situation I found myself in. I was not disappointed, by my decision to make a small business out of it. I soon started this website to accompany my photography and again it to was a huge success. Sales from the website were accounting for about 30% of all our sales and things were great again for about the next five years. Unfortunately, all good things come to an end and it all came to a sudden halt the same way it had all started.
Money was my original motivation for becoming a great photographer. Great, because in order to make money in this business, “ real pay my bills money”, you need to be better and faster than your competition and you need to have lots of luck to be connected to the right people for jobs and mentors to help you along the way. You can’t do it all on your own, in any field, not just photography. I think this is the reason many fail, asking for help is important, and not asking can cost you big time and money. Education is the true key to success, it is a life long lesson which never ends and is always evolving. Being up to date is being up for the task at any moment.
That was then, but now for me, it is all about the people and their lives. History is all around us and it needs to be captured. I still charge but it is more about me being a part of their history. We all have a good story to share and pass on to family down the family tree. How do we want those stories presented? Is your history dark and blurry or is it bright and beautiful? Many of my clients have become lifelong friends and it has been through their support that Camera64 has managed to survive this long and we hope to continue our mission of great photography for years to come.