It’s okay to do this for yourself – to pursue a career in professional photography for the sake of your own creative expression, social expansion, and financial betterment.
But who else are you doing this for?
I make art for myself… I think I’d go crazy if I didn’t spend most of my waking hours creating.
But I also make art for my kids… So they see the example of embracing your inner truth, fighting the resistance, and putting your heart and soul out there against all outside (and inside) pressure.
And I make art for my clients… I’ve been blessed with the talent and interest to make photos people are grateful to have, and to write words people are encouraged to read.
And I make art for my community… The financial boons of staying the course through the free season and into paid work gives me more to give back to the good causes in my city and world.
And I make art for my God… Grant Cardone, longtime sales trainer, talks about how it is one’s ethical duty to take what you have to offer the world and get it into the hands of as many people as possible who would be blessed by it. To shy away from this calling because of internal fear or external adversity is an insult to the creator who endowed you with the seeds of talent, opportunity, and inspiration. For the less spiritually inclined, Gary Vaynerchuk preaches that being alive at all is winning the ultimate lottery, and if you waste it, “You suck.”
This to say, your dream of success as a professional photographer is anything but selfish.
Yeah, the vision in your head might be of big checks from clients and recognition from your peers, of expensive camera gear and the best studio equipment and a personal assistant…but the impact of your success is a waterfall of blessings that pour out on you, your family, your clients, your community, and our shared world.
Take a minute to feel good about this. What you’re doing is pretty awesome. 🙂
Having a hard time feeling awesome in your journey? E-mail me and let me know.
James Michael Taylor
www.parttimephoto.com.