When A Photography Job takes AWAY your passion..

[Not_Your_1993_Steppin_Stone]

What are you supposed to do?
I was working for a Camera company (I won't say the name)
but it was at a tourist attraction in NYC at 30 Rock
and it just drained me, as a photographer.
Now I realize in my situation the company ereally had nothing to do with it, it was all the people in charge.
But now I mean I don't even want to pick up my camera and when I do pick up my camera I feel so programmed to just take
"quick snapshots that are pretty and nice so the customer will buy these over priced photos"
I DON'T know how to get out of this rut.
Any suggestions/ideas?
I'm starting a photo-project/walking trip
Where I explore the entire city of Manhattan and take pictures.
I went to Chinatown just the other night and I got only a few shots worth posting, so I'm putting them in the Critique section, will post the link here once it's up.

Thanks for your help everyone!
~Nadine

[metallion58]

Originally Posted by Wanna-Be_Photographer

I feel so programmed to just take
"quick snapshots that are pretty and nice so the customer will buy these over priced photos"

One thing I may suggest is to "work the shot". Just to counter the programming.
Let's say you see something interesting to shoot. First, take the "quick snapshot". Then, stay there and shoot it again. Different angles, focal length, lighting, and so on.
I'm sure you'll soon rediscover your capacity to see stuff your own way and the fun will be back.
There are also other options that you can explore. Your only limit is your own imagination.
So be there, be bold and we'll see you around.

[andrewdt]

Is photography your full time job? My thoughts are to just leave the camera alone, go and have fun doing something else completely different that you enjoy and within 2-3 weeks you will be absolutely yearning to get out somewhere with the camera, and you will have ideas of what to go and do instead of mindlessly wandering around town trying to force shots.

When it comes to hobbies and interests I firmly believe that absence does make the heart grow fonder...

[Tito87]

Keep in mind, that was just a job--something you needed to do. That's not who you are. You know there's something more than that within you. You just need to let it come out, and it will. You don't need to force it, at all. Remember why you got into photography in the first place. If it's really your passion, don't even worry about it: something as mundane as a silly job won't be able to squash it. Take it easy, and when you're ready, let us see the work you're doing. I truly believe that you have it in you. Wish you the best, and keep us posted. Good luck!

[Not_Your_1993_Steppin_Stone]

Originally Posted by metallion58

One thing I may suggest is to "work the shot"....First, take the "quick snapshot". Then, stay there and shoot it again. Different angles, focal length, lighting, and so on.
I'm sure you'll soon rediscover your capacity to see stuff your own way and the fun will be back.
There are also other options that you can explore. Your only limit is your own imagination.
So be there, be bold and we'll see you around.

I've actually been doing this, giving myself time to think, but not overthink the shot.
It's a comfort to know my instinct is still on point

Originally Posted by andrewdt

Is photography your full time job? My thoughts are to just leave the camera alone, go and have fun doing something else completely different that you enjoy and within 2-3 weeks you will be absolutely yearning to get out somewhere with the camera, and you will have ideas of what to go and do instead of mindlessly wandering around town trying to force shots.

When it comes to hobbies and interests I firmly believe that absence does make the heart grow fonder...

Uhm, yes and no haha I'm a jobless college student so while I have only ever made $40 off my photography(and that was last year) it is kinda my job(?). Second, I have/am periodically taking breaks. At some points I do miss it but yet I fall into that rut/mindset. So it's a slow battle, but I am not stopping.

Originally Posted by Tito87

Keep in mind, that was just a job--something you needed to do. That's not who you are. You know there's something more than that within you. You just need to let it come out, and it will. You don't need to force it, at all. Remember why you got into photography in the first place. If it's really your passion, don't even worry about it: something as mundane as a silly job won't be able to squash it. Take it easy, and when you're ready, let us see the work you're doing. I truly believe that you have it in you. Wish you the best, and keep us posted. Good luck!

That's a major reason I quit. That and the scheduling problems.
Photography is SO much more than the "cool thing" to do like it is with half the people I know, it's just... Me. Something I love doing, something I NEED to do.
But thank you all so much for the encouragement and advice
You'll be seeing my work around here once again

[SwissJon]

Try coming up with an idea of something really artistic. Completely different to what you have been doing.. Something that takes time to put together, something that brings out your skills as a photographer and that is completely different to what you were doing..

It'll come back.. You just need to mentally separate what you were doing from the reason why you started on the photography trail.. Mind numbing photography is like mind numbing anything else.. And if that's what you associate with your camera, then is it any surprise you don't want to pick up a camera?