Pro No More

[mshockley]

Well It is with a heavy heart that I have made the decision to close my studio. When I started this business venture it was on a "shoestring" budget....seriously the mere cost of business cards was to buy fewer groceries that week!

I promised myself I would give things a solid 12 months to start to feel like things might take off and I would be able to earn a respectable wage for my efforts.

Yes, I heard time and time again about what great photographs I have taken, and yes, I heard time and again many compliments as to my professionalism and quality. But the fact of the matter is this, I'm just not making any money.

Now I could have left things as they are, and took the work as a few calls and shoots came along, but really---why?

I decided what I would rather do is go back to shooting for the fun of it. I thought portrait photography is what I wanted to do.....and have been blessed to have had the chance to shoot some very, very, lovely children and adults, but I've found what I really love to shoot is old broken down rusted out stuff!

It truly has been difficult, but then again at the same time I feel a sense of weight lifted from my shoulders! I hope everyone has a wonderful and profitable New Year and enjoy your time spent out photographing the things you love!

[Bruce A]

Well Michelle did you try shooting broken down rusted out people?

Seriously, it must have been a tough decision, but you made up your mind for the sake of enjoying this hobby over the frustrations of trying to get enough business in for your studio work and it's most likely for the best one for your health and sanity

All the very best for 2012

[Hill Country Hack]

I'm sure your decision was difficult to make. I wish you the best for 2012 and shooting for the sheer joy it can bring.

[veritasimagery]

That's tough, but I truly understand. My heart's passion with photography is landscapes and nature. But, I have had many people try to push me into doing portraits and weddings ("Why don't you take pictures of important things" from my mother-in-law), because that's "where the money is." I do enjoy shooting people, but it is much more of an effort on my part. I believe that you have to shoot your passion. Don't try to conform. Sure I may be able to make some money, on the side, shooting people but it's only to enable me to shoot what I really want to. And maybe, someday, my passion will pay for itself.

Best of luck in the new year. Keep shooting, and loving what you shoot.

Kevin

[NathanFranke]

Kinda in the same boat. I started back with the camera when I was unemployed December 2010 to April 2011. I've been gainfully employed since then without time to devote to building a client base or work on anything for photographically that wasn't a paid gig. This year, I'm just going to shoot for myself, and let the chips fall where they may. There's much better money to be had helping hospitals with their computers. Also, less risk. And more enjoyment when I'm shooting for me. You're in good company, Michelle.

[SwissJon]

Sorry it didn't work out for you Michelle..

However never say never.. It didn't work out on this occasion for whatever reason, but that doesn't mean it never will.. just not right now..

Good luck in whatever you decide to do next.

[RLucas]

Now I see what you meant in the other thread. Must have been a pretty tough decision. I applaude you for making the effort, and also knowing and admitting that you've hit the proverbial wall. All too often, people keep trying to plug on, digging a deeper hole than they could get out of. Losing sanity, and not having any fun.
Best of luck to you in the upcoming year Michelle! I hope you can get something going again that will suit your tastes a little more.

[Tzetsin]

Congratulations and condolences.

Its always a hard decision to make to admit when something isn't working well enough. This is not a failure. This is a successful attempt to learn what you don't want to do for a living.

Photography is a many headed beast, with just as many ways to earn money. Some ways are more lucrative than others, and some make zero income, but are valuable in other ways.

I opened a computer repair shop because I LOVE fixing computers. I ran it for 2 years, and then the oil field called me and needed me to come back to work (after the economic slow down caused me to loose the job in the first place) I literally JUMPED at the chance to ditch the shop and go back to my old job. Even now, I have dozens of people a week hunting me down and stopping me in the street to ask me to fix their computers, but I just cant bring myself to even LOOK at a computer anymore... I'm glad you pulled the pin on your shop before it ruined the passion you have for photography, like mine did to mine. (with computers)

[Tito87]

Sorry to hear that, but you have to do what's best for you. Wish you the best on whatever you decide to do next. Have a wonderful 2012. Don't stop shooting.

[Doug Pardee]

Congratulations on what you've learned about your interests, on having the gumption to give the studio a solid try, and on having the wisdom to walk away from it.