Who wants to be a Pro Photographer?

Why is there an emphasis on Turning Pro for Photographers.

I have noticed for quite a long time now, that on a lot of photography blogs and websites that there is an emphasis or assumption that, every photographer wants to become a Professional Photographer. Now for the life of me, I do not know why that assumption exists. While, I have been a photographer for a long time now. In fact, I actually started trying to work as a photographer back in 1988.

Having been what I would call professional photography ever since. I have made mistakes in how I would market myself and I really wish, that we had available the kind of information that is available online, these days when I started. I learnt a lot of what I know about the business side of being a photographer, the hard way. That is by making mistakes and learning important lessons along the way, which had real financial costs attached to them.

I think there is a lot of negativity about being how difficult it is to be a professional photographer. Then there are people who will tell you the magic formula, (for a fee). While at the same time, I perceive some sort of vibe/feeling that it is somehow not cool to be an amateur photographer.

I personally gave up trying to be a professional anything years ago and now just call myself a photographer, no where in that is there anything about whether I am a professional or an amateur, as I have a deep love of photography and I have ever since I started making images. Photography is my life it is how I see the world and it is how I think about light, surface and intention when out and about in the world. Maybe that is why I am drawn to a particular kid of photography.

Business cards, etc.

Yes, I have a business card and it lists my website, social media handles, email address and photo number, oh and features a logo and an image. But all it says for job description is photographer. I encourage people go to my website (www.michaelwayneplant.com) to see what kind of photography, I do. I also have a reasonably well thought out elevator pitch, that I give if someone asks. It goes something like this: “I am a photographer interested in the social landscape of capitalism and I make street photography images, social documentary and portraits.” Yes I could also add other things to this, however it is simple and to the point of what I do.

I am not saying I make any/much money from it as a pro photographer. If fact, I now really only make images, because I want to, on subjects that I want to work on. This for me as a photographer has been very liberating, as I no longer need to satisfy a client. As more often than not, I am my own client. If I am not happy with my images, then I have only myself to blame. And I subsequently think, that I need to work harder on making better images, for the purposes that I intend them for.

I asked ChatGPT ….

Street Photography is one of those areas that there are not so many clients so it is hard to make money with. Yes it is possible so I asked ChatGPT how I could make money as a professional street photographer. Here is and edited version of what it said

Me: How can I make money as a professional street photographer?

Chat GPT: Becoming a professional street photographer who earns consistent income requires combining creative skill, business savvy, and diversified income streams. Here’s a detailed breakdown of how you can make money sustainably:

1. Sell Prints and Fine Art

Tip: Build thematic series — e.g., “Urban Silence,” “Reflections of Paris,” or “City at Dusk.” Collectors and curators love cohesive stories.

2. License Your Photos – Upload to stock agencies

3. Lead Workshops and Photo Walks

4. Freelance and Editorial Work – Pitch your work or services to: Magazines and newspapers’ Event organisers, Brands

5. Build a Strong Online Presence – Maintain a portfolio site, Grow your Instagram and TikTok Publish on platforms like Instagram, TikTok, 500px, Flickr, or Behance. Collect emails and start a newsletter

6. Diversify Income Streams – Don’t rely on one source.

7. Legal and Ethical Notes – Be aware of privacy laws. Editorial use is safer than commercial when photographing people without consent. When selling to brands, always obtain model releases if subjects are recognisable.

I then went onto ask it to create ‘draft a step-by-step business plan tailored to London.’

ChatGPT then gave me generic information on how to go about this. Only thing with it is that it gives the same information to everyone who is interested in doing the same thing. So how do you develop a unique photography business, as a professional if we are all using the same resources and steps to become pro photographers.

And why would we want to, when as I state in the beginning of this article that; there is often this underlying assumption, that all photographers want to be pros. What is wrong with just wanting to be a great photographer, who has some of the aspects of a professional photographer, without needing to earn money from something that you love doing.

Follow your own path in street photography

So why not as a street photographer, have a business card that simply gives contact details social media handles and website. Have a website, because you love your images and you want to share them, not because you are looking to work as a street photographer, but because you control the space . Have the social media platforms, because you are not worried that someone else controls through the logarithms who gets to see your work based on the programming that social media companies do, as all they want to do is keep us addicted to viewing their platforms.

Do street photography because you love it, if you find that you want to turn it into your profession, then learn how to go about being a small business owner and be prepared to learn skills that you never thought you needed as a photographer. The nature of photography has changed and it is still possible to be a professional, if that is what you want to do. However, there is no issue, if you find that having a job that lets you be a photographer in your own time. And provides an income that lets you think freely when you do pick up your camera, to make images that these are your images and they are made for your needs, not someone else’s. This is a great place to be and is okay as you still thinking photographically as a photographer.