Deciding to leave behind my career to try working for myself as a full-time professional photographer wasn’t obvious or easy. For years, I waffled and found ways to squeeze freelance projects into evenings and weekends. Eventually, I was faced with having to say no to a large project I wanted because it conflicted with my job. I was tired and disillusioned with my work as a Digital Media Manager for a restaurant group. I wanted to commit myself to photography fully, so I finally gave my two weeks’ notice.
Photography Full-Time
My first month or two of freelancing went surprisingly well. I emailed people to let them know that I was working as a freelance food and travel photographer around Chicago and would be available full-time moving forward. The work trickled in. It may have been beginner’s luck because things quickly dried up. The rollercoaster-like existence of working for myself came into focus. When I was working and freelancing on the side, I always had my job to fall back on, so I never paid much attention to marketing or pitching. Things came my way, and I decided whether or not I was interested. Now, as a full-time photographer, I didn’t have a job to fall back on, and I realized that I also didn’t have the marketing or pitching skills to keep myself steadily busy. It was a stressful realization.
Facing Failure
Summer was supposed to be the busiest season for photographers, and instead, my first summer was painfully slow. Very quickly, the worst-case scenario of failure seemed very feasible. When I decided to make the jump, I had saved up enough to get through about six months, but I saw myself quickly hitting the bottom of that well. With failure as a real possibility, I became a bit of a recluse, which didn't help my cause. A few months later, a friend who seemed extremely busy admitted that he had also had a rough summer. It’s difficult to be social when you feel like you’re failing. Social media also makes it bizarrely difficult to parse out what is real and what's edited to look better than it is. It took a lot of mental pep talks, but getting out and about ultimately helped me work through my rut. Friends buoyed me emotionally and occasionally hired me to assist. It helped me slowly find my footing.
The Reality of Support
Also, to be transparent, I got a lot of help during this time. It drives me into a slight tizzy when artists, writers, and photographers omit the parental support or family inheritance that kept them afloat during hard times from their stories of success. My savings might have gotten me through my struggle phase, but my husband, Eli, and I got hit with two unexpected tax bills that wiped us out for a little bit, and we had to lean on our parents financially for a month. I felt extremely grateful and fortunate for the support, but also totally sheepish that I needed it. We got through it and are in a much better place now.
Reassessing the Path
By the end of the summer, I had a very serious conversation with Eli about quitting or, more like, unquitting and going back to a regular job. Thankfully, he had a bit more gumption and confidence and convinced me to stick it out for at least one entire year before throwing in the towel. With failure as a real possibility and a time limit on making photography work, I buckled down and ordered a whole lot of self-help and business books.
Navigating the Feast or Famine Cycle
Counterintuitively, I decided to incorporate my photography business. I wanted to create a structure that would help me escape the feast or famine cycle that so many freelancers experience. When I started, I didn’t want to trade in bad bosses for bad clients, but often I found myself thinking I couldn’t afford to be picky. I took all the jobs that came my way, even when they weren’t a great fit. My work ended up feeling scattered and incohesive, and I wasn’t particularly happy with it either.
Once I created a corporate structure, I looked back at my invoices from the past six months, picked my worst month, and made that my new salary. Even though it was just a structural change, separating my business and personal finances took me out of the feast or famine cycle. It created a predictable income and alleviated a lot of my fear. Most months, I made more than my low salary, and that money became my reserve and investment pool for research and marketing. Without fear as a motivating factor, I approached each potential project much more strategically and started creating a more cohesive body of work.
These days, I work on projects because I genuinely like the people involved, want to make the sort of images I’m being commissioned to create, or believe in the company. It’s a great feeling.
Growing Through Self-Promotion
Going off on my own forced me to look hard at all my hang-ups. I have been deeply uncomfortable with self-promotion most of my life. The thought of sales and marketing made me feel itchy, but without it, I wasn’t getting enough work to keep my budding company afloat. I haven’t exactly figured this out yet, but I’ve acknowledged that it’s something I need to improve, and I’ve started to take uncomfortable steps to get better. Sometimes it’s just simply sharing a few images from a trip when I get home with a few photo editors. It shouldn’t be a big deal, but I can have a whole two-hour mental argument with my internal self-critic about it.
To help, I hired a photo consultant to assess my work and potential projects. That was the starting point for many of the successes I would have later on. Working with someone who pushed me to define my goals clearly and assess each opportunity much more strategically was a huge shift in thinking for me. I started saying no to work that didn’t excite me, resonate emotionally, or help me get closer to my ultimate goals. I also made the terrifying move of letting go of clients who weren’t a good fit for me, which left me feeling drained but also relieved.
Building a Stronger Portfolio
Being pickier about projects and clients made so I feel extraordinarily excited and proud of the projects I did take on. Promoting my work became a lot easier when I felt genuinely excited about what I was creating. This renewed passion showed in the quality of my images and in the way I approached my work.
I invested more time in building a strong, cohesive portfolio that reflected the direction I wanted to take my career. This involved carefully selecting the images I wanted to share publicly and strategically pursuing assignments that would fill gaps in my portfolio. It was a slow process, but over time, I started to see my style become more consistent and my reputation grow.
Managing Emotional Ups and Downs
Working for myself has been an emotional roller coaster. The inconsistent flow of work means months of intense activity and stress followed by dry spells that test my patience and confidence. Learning to manage these ups and downs has been crucial.
I found it helpful to develop routines and habits that support my mental well-being. Setting aside time for exercise, connecting with friends and family, and allowing myself breaks during slow periods helped me avoid burnout. I also learned to celebrate small wins and milestones, which boosted my morale.
Despite the challenges, the creative freedom and sense of ownership over my work have made the emotional struggles worthwhile. I feel a deeper connection to my craft now than I ever did before.
Financial Realities of Freelance Photography
Freelancing is unpredictable when it comes to income. Learning to budget, save, and manage finances carefully has been vital. Early on, I underestimated how important it was to set aside money for taxes, equipment upgrades, and marketing.
Incorporating helped me separate business expenses from personal finances, making tax time less stressful. I also started to build an emergency fund to cushion against slow months or unexpected costs.
Pricing my work appropriately was another learning curve. I had to balance being competitive with valuing my time and skills fairly. Over time, I became more confident in negotiating fees and setting boundaries with clients about usage rights and deliverables.
Building Relationships in the Industry
Networking and relationships have played a big role in my growth. I reached out to other photographers, photo editors, and potential clients to build a community around my work. Attending industry events and workshops helped me learn and connect with like-minded creatives.
Collaborating with others occasionally on projects broadened my perspective and opened doors to new opportunities. I also found that helping others when I could—whether through mentorship or assistance—strengthened these relationships and created goodwill.
Learning to Say No
One of the hardest lessons has been learning to say no. Early in my freelance career, I said yes to almost everything out of fear of missing out or needing the income. This led to exhaustion and taking on work that didn’t fulfill me.
Gradually, I realized that turning down projects that didn’t align with my goals or values freed up time and energy for better opportunities. It also improved the quality of my work and kept me motivated.
The Importance of Continual Learning
The photography industry changes rapidly, and staying current is essential. I committed myself to ongoing learning through books, online courses, and workshops. Whether it was improving technical skills, understanding business practices, or mastering marketing strategies, I kept pushing myself.
Learning didn’t just improve my photography; it also helped me build confidence and adaptability. This mindset has been crucial to surviving the ups and downs of freelancing.
The Role of Mentors and Coaches
Working with a mentor or coach has been invaluable. They provided honest feedback, guidance, and encouragement when I felt stuck or overwhelmed. Sometimes it was just having someone to hold me accountable that made a difference.
I recommend seeking out mentors early on, whether formally or informally, as they can accelerate your growth and help you avoid common pitfalls.
Setting Goals and Measuring Progress
Without the structure of a traditional job, setting clear goals became vital. I started tracking progress not only in terms of income or projects completed, but also in skill development and personal satisfaction.
Breaking down big goals into smaller, manageable steps kept me focused and motivated. Celebrating achievements along the way made the journey more rewarding.
Finding Balance Between Creativity and Business
Balancing the creative and business sides of photography is a constant challenge. While I love creating images, running the business aspects—marketing, invoicing, client communication—can sometimes feel tedious.
I’m learning to accept that both sides are necessary and to allocate time accordingly. Delegating some tasks or using tools to streamline workflows has helped me maintain this balance.
Building Confidence Through Experience
As my first year unfolded, confidence became both a goal and a byproduct of my work. Initially, every shoot felt daunting, and every client meeting was nerve-wracking. I questioned whether I was skilled enough or whether I deserved to be called a professional photographer. These doubts are common, but facing them head-on was essential.
With each project completed, no matter how small, I gained evidence of my capabilities. Positive feedback from clients and colleagues helped reinforce my self-belief. I learned to trust my creative instincts more and to stand firm in my decisions about style and direction.
Learning from mistakes was equally important. When things went wrong — whether it was a missed deadline, a technical glitch, or miscommunication — I took responsibility and looked for ways to improve. Failure became a teacher rather than a threat.
The Impact of Passion on Persistence
My passion for photography kept me going when times got tough. It wasn’t just about making a living; it was about telling stories through images and capturing moments that matter. This intrinsic motivation fueled my persistence.
There were days when the workload seemed overwhelming or when self-doubt crept back in, but remembering why I chose this path reignited my energy. Passion also helped me stay curious and open to new ideas, which enriched my work and kept it fresh.
The Importance of Client Communication
One of the skills I had to develop quickly was effective client communication. Photography is a collaborative process, and clear expectations from the outset can prevent misunderstandings.
I learned to ask the right questions early in a project to understand the client’s vision and needs thoroughly. Regular check-ins during shoots and the editing process helped keep everyone aligned.
Delivering work on time and managing feedback professionally strengthened client relationships and often led to repeat business and referrals.
Balancing Creativity with Client Needs
While it’s important to express my creative vision, I also had to balance that with what the clients wanted. Sometimes their requests challenged me to think differently or stretch my skills, which was a valuable learning experience.
At other times, compromises were necessary, but I always tried to maintain the integrity of my work and ensure that the final images felt authentic and high-quality.
Finding this balance helped me build a reputation as both a creative artist and a reliable professional.
Expanding My Skill Set
To stay competitive, I expanded my technical skills beyond basic photography. Learning about lighting, editing software, studio setup, and different genres of photography broadened my capabilities.
I experimented with food photography, travel shoots, portraits, and even some commercial work. This variety kept my work interesting and opened doors to diverse projects.
Investing time in post-production skills was equally important. The ability to deliver polished images efficiently increased client satisfaction.
Managing Time and Workflow
Working for myself meant managing every aspect of my schedule and workflow. I quickly realized that without discipline, projects could easily pile up and deadlines could be missed.
I developed routines for planning shoots, organizing files, editing photos, and invoicing clients. Using digital tools for project management helped me keep track of deadlines and priorities.
Setting boundaries around work hours prevented burnout and allowed time for rest and creativity.
Marketing and Building a Brand
Marketing myself felt intimidating at first, but it was necessary to grow my business. I worked on defining my brand identity — what made my photography unique and who my ideal clients were.
Building an online presence through a portfolio website and social media helped showcase my work. I focused on platforms where my target clients were most active and tailored content accordingly.
I learned to share behind-the-scenes glimpses, stories about projects, and the thought process behind images to connect with audiences on a deeper level.
Networking and Collaborations
Networking remained a vital part of my growth. I sought opportunities to collaborate with other creatives such as stylists, models, chefs, and writers.
These collaborations expanded my portfolio and introduced me to new audiences. They also sparked creativity and kept the work dynamic.
Building genuine relationships rather than transactional contacts made networking more rewarding and sustainable.
Handling Criticism and Feedback
Accepting criticism gracefully was another challenge. Not all feedback felt positive, but I learned to view it as constructive rather than personal.
Seeking input from trusted mentors and peers helped me improve my craft. Over time, I developed a thicker skin and used criticism to refine my style and technique.
Balancing feedback with my own artistic vision was key to maintaining authenticity.
Financial Growth and Planning
By the end of my first year, I began to see financial growth, although it was gradual. Careful planning helped me reinvest in my business — upgrading equipment, attending workshops, and marketing efforts.
Tracking income and expenses regularly gave me a clearer picture of profitability and areas for improvement.
I set financial goals for the coming year and planned steps to achieve them, such as targeting higher-paying clients or developing new services.
Celebrating Milestones
Recognizing milestones was important for motivation. Whether it was landing a big client, completing a challenging shoot, or simply paying bills on time, celebrating achievements helped maintain momentum.
I took time to reflect on how far I’d come and acknowledged the hard work behind each success.
These moments of celebration kept the journey enjoyable and reminded me why I chose photography as a career.
Looking Ahead: Goals for the Future
As the one-year mark approached, I thought about where I wanted to go next. I set new goals to continue growing creatively and professionally.
These included building a stronger niche in food and travel photography, improving my marketing skills, and expanding my client base nationally.
I also planned to refine my workflow for greater efficiency and to seek opportunities for teaching or mentoring others.
The Emotional Journey of Freelancing
Freelancing isn’t just a business choice; it’s an emotional journey. There were moments of excitement, pride, anxiety, and loneliness.
I learned to manage these feelings through mindfulness, support from loved ones, and maintaining a healthy work-life balance.
Accepting that ups and downs are part of the process helped me stay resilient and adaptable.
Advice to Aspiring Photographers
Looking back, there are several lessons I’d share with those considering a similar path. First, be patient. Success rarely happens overnight. Persistence and continuous learning are essential.
Second, build a support system. Whether friends, family, mentors, or peers, having people to turn to makes a difference.
Third, don’t be afraid to say no to work that doesn’t align with your goals. Quality over quantity leads to greater fulfillment.
Lastly, enjoy the journey. Embrace challenges as opportunities and celebrate the creative freedom freelancing offers.
Embracing the Business Side of Photography
One of the biggest shifts in my first year was learning to see photography not just as art but as a business. This meant mastering contracts, invoicing, taxes, and legal considerations. Initially, these tasks felt overwhelming and tedious, but they are essential to sustaining a freelance career.
I educated myself on basic accounting and set up systems to keep track of expenses and income. Consulting with a professional accountant helped me understand tax obligations and deductions specific to photographers. This knowledge reduced stress during tax season and ensured I stayed compliant.
Contracts became a vital tool for protecting my work and setting clear expectations. I developed templates that clearly outlined deliverables, usage rights, payment terms, and deadlines. Having these agreements in place built trust with clients and prevented misunderstandings.
The Role of Social Media in Growing My Presence
Social media was a double-edged sword. On one hand, it provided a platform to showcase my work, connect with other creatives, and attract clients. On the other hand, it sometimes fostered comparison and self-doubt.
I worked on creating a balanced approach by sharing authentic content and focusing on engagement rather than follower counts. Posting consistently, responding to comments, and collaborating with other creatives helped build a loyal community.
I experimented with different formats like stories, reels, and behind-the-scenes posts to keep my audience interested. Over time, social media became less of a source of anxiety and more a valuable marketing channel.
Overcoming Creative Blocks
Creative blocks are inevitable in any artistic career. I encountered periods where inspiration felt scarce and motivation waned. During these times, I sought new experiences — traveling, trying different genres, or collaborating with others — to reignite my creativity.
I also found value in stepping away from the camera occasionally. Giving myself permission to rest or explore other interests helped prevent burnout and opened new perspectives.
Reading photography books, attending exhibitions, and following other artists provided fresh ideas and reminded me why I love this work.
Building a Support Network
Isolation is a common challenge in freelancing, so building a support network was crucial. I connected with local photography groups and online communities where I could share work, ask questions, and find encouragement.
Having peers who understood the unique challenges of freelance life was comforting. We exchanged advice, referred clients, and even collaborated on projects. These relationships enriched both my personal and professional life.
Adapting to Changing Circumstances
The first year taught me the importance of adaptability. Market demands, client needs, and personal circumstances can change unexpectedly. Being flexible in approach and open to learning kept me resilient.
For example, when a client’s project shifted in scope or deadline, I adjusted my plans and communicated proactively. During slower periods, I explored side projects or skill development.
This adaptability also applied to technology; staying current with new equipment and editing software ensured I remained competitive.
Personal Growth Through Challenges
The emotional highs and lows of my first year fostered significant personal growth. I became more self-aware, learning to recognize when stress was building and how to manage it healthily.
Setting boundaries around work and personal time helped maintain balance. I learned to say no without guilt and to celebrate small victories.
This growth not only improved my well-being but also enhanced my creativity and professionalism.
The Importance of Mentorship
Working with mentors proved invaluable. Their guidance provided perspective and helped me avoid common mistakes. Mentors challenged me to think critically about my goals and encouraged me to push beyond comfort zones.
If you are starting out, seek mentorship early. Even informal relationships can have a profound impact on your career trajectory.
Reflecting on Success and Failure
Success and failure are two sides of the same coin. My first year was filled with both. Celebrating achievements boosted confidence, while failures provided lessons that shaped my approach.
I came to understand that failure is not a permanent state but a step in growth. Embracing this mindset made setbacks easier to navigate.
Looking Forward With Optimism
As I look ahead, I am excited about the future of my photography career. The first year laid a foundation of skills, experiences, and relationships that I will continue to build upon.
I plan to focus on projects that align with my passion and values, refine my style, and expand my reach. Continuing education, networking, and self-reflection will be pillars of my ongoing development.
The journey is far from over, but I am confident and eager for what lies ahead.
Conclusion
Looking back on my first year as a professional photographer, I see a journey filled with challenges, growth, and profound learning. Taking the leap into freelancing meant embracing uncertainty and facing fears I hadn’t fully acknowledged before. Yet, through persistence, self-reflection, and the support of those around me, I transformed those obstacles into opportunities for growth.
This year taught me that success in photography is about much more than taking great pictures — it requires building relationships, managing a business, and continuously evolving both creatively and professionally. It’s a path that demands resilience and adaptability, but also offers unmatched freedom and fulfillment.
For anyone considering this path, my advice is to be patient with yourself and the process. Build a foundation of skills and support, stay true to your vision, and don’t shy away from the hard work. The rewards of pursuing your passion on your own terms make the journey worthwhile.
As I move forward, I carry with me the lessons of my first year — ready to face new challenges, seize fresh opportunities, and continue growing as both an artist and entrepreneur. The adventure is just beginning.