living as a photographer [wisconsin portrait photographer]

I have only been in the business side of photography for about 2 years and am learning every single day on how to run this business of mine. This summer and fall have been crazy ones as I graduated this past spring with a degree IN photography (not many people can say that!) My instructors, fellow photographers, and online articles could teach me and tell my all they want about what the photography world is all about, but it's something you really need to experience for yourself.

I have goals and dreams of this being my one and only job, my career. People laugh, people say it's not possible. I just laugh back. I'm not in this for the money, I'm in this because it's something I love that I've turned into a (possible) career.

Here's the catch, most people don't get that this is a career. I had this discussion with some friends recently about people thinking photography is just a hobby. Yes there are hobbiest out there. For me it started that way, as a hobby. That hobby then grew, grew into a career. For some it never does, some photograph for pure fun or escape; and I get that. Many photographers had touched on this subject in the past, many will in the future as well. We are trying to make a career out of this. Our livelihood is photography. That's why our prices are the way they are. We don't have a 9-5 job. It's hit or miss, it's seasons. We spend most of our time responding to emails and editing pictures, times we aren't "on the clock" for. It's sad that so many photographers have to touch on this. I hate talking about it as well but it's something that's so frustrating. I went to school for this. Photography isn't just something that I just decided to do last week, it's been thought out. I've studied the history, my camera, the light, and the business of it all. It was scary enough going to school for it let alone trying to make a career of it too. It's possible though. I follow so many amazing photographers who are doing it everyday. It's amazing how much the photography world has blossomed.

It's a scary world out there. It's a leap of faith to pursue photography as a career. I believe in myself and hope my work shows my hard work and dedication. Which is why there is a price tag for photography. There is so much that goes into a photography. It's not just the click of the button. It's the view of the human clicking that camera. Their image, the way they see you or the world. There is also the equipment that goes into it, I don't think I even need to explain how much good photo equipment costs (you all already know). There's the time that takes to go through each image and hand pick the ones that we believe show your own personality or the love between you are your families. The images we select for you are our artistic vision but also memories you will have forever. You will look back at those images in ten years and remember the things you did back then, the memories that were made! So I ask of you, look at the work not the price. Our work is personal. No one has the same view of the world which means each photographer has a different style. That's part of our selling point; our view of the world.

We are artist but also pursing careers. These are our passions that we've turned into business.