Ever loose your photographic mojo?

Jay_A · Jul 16, 2014

Since deciding to pack in my sideline of glamour photography earlier this year, I can't seem to get my love for taking pictures back.

I've done a few bits here and there (some nice car pics), but where I lived and breathed it for 18months, I seem to have lost that spark.

Anyone else ever go through this?

DaveDreads · Jul 16, 2014

Yes for the last 14 years, ever since I graduated Uni,
I haven't taken a photo for pleasure since then, unless it makes me money I don't pick up the camera.

McGherkin · Jul 16, 2014

I've not got my camera out for ages. I've got a photoshoot to do on Saturday with mine and my mate's cars though.

Jay_A · Jul 16, 2014

DaveDreads said:
Yes for the last 14 years, ever since I graduated Uni,
I haven't taken a photo for pleasure since then, unless it makes me money I don't pick up the camera.

And do u find making money from it a nightmare?

riz · Jul 16, 2014

Yup about a year ago. Hardly touched it since.

Ay Ay Ron · Jul 16, 2014

I stopped using mine for a good few years, probably 5 or so without picking it up. Ended up going digital in about 2009 and use it pretty often now.
My old Canon eos 30 still has old film in it which I imagine is pretty fucked now.

v15ben · Jul 16, 2014

I definitely don't use the camera as much as I did a few years ago.
Still have it in my bag most of the time, but rarely if ever do photoshoots any more, just the odd snap if I see something interesting.

DaveDreads · Jul 16, 2014

JaysBoudoir said:
And do u find making money from it a nightmare?

Yes very much so, if I went into wedding photography I could be making a grand a shoot,
but i've done a few weddings as favours or wedding presents and it's stressful as hell
and I always come away thinking the shots aren't good enough,
even though the bride and groom are happy.

But I wouldn't be confident charging a grand for the quality of shots i've produced in the past.

Sadly all of my skills lie in commercial studio portraits,
model makeovers, boudoir, families, kids, pets etc,
but even when I had my own studio it wasn't easy making money,
i've done it as a staff photographer for other studios and at best you make £16-18k a year,
so no matter how highly skilled I am or how impressive my shots are,
i'm never going to make enough money to actually get on in life.

Jay_A · Jul 16, 2014

DaveDreads said:
Yes very much so, if I went into wedding photography I could be making a grand a shoot,
but i've done a few weddings as favours or wedding presents and it's stressful as hell
and I always come away thinking the shots aren't good enough,
even though the bride and groom are happy.

But I wouldn't be confident charging a grand for the quality of shots i've produced in the past.

Sadly all of my skills lie in commercial studio portraits,
model makeovers, boudoir, families, kids, pets etc,
but even when I had my own studio it wasn't easy making money,
i've done it as a staff photographer for other studios and at best you make £16-18k a year,
so no matter how highly skilled I am or how impressive my shots are,
i'm never going to make enough money to actually get on in life.

Ah fair play to you Dave. I had no idea mate

DaveDreads · Jul 16, 2014

That's because I never go in photography chat. lol

Doing you hobby/passion as a job doesn't always turn out to be a good thing,
if it made more money then i'd love it alot more.

Here's a couple of examples of my work.

Flat Eric · Jul 16, 2014

Nice!

Jay_A · Jul 16, 2014

Lovely stuff mate.

Mines www.500px.com/jaysboudoir

SharkyUK · Jul 16, 2014

Awesome Mr Dreads

Yeah, I've lost my photography mojo somewhat. I think that's due more to the fact I haven't had my car on the road for a while and my photography seems very much linked to my driving / travels.

DaveDreads · Jul 16, 2014

Cheers dude.

JaysBoudoir said:
Lovely stuff mate.

Mines www.500px.com/jaysboudoir

I used to love doing the glamour shoots when I worked for a model agency,
there's not many jobs that within an hour of meeting a girl you tell her to strip naked for you.

Mr Burns · Jul 16, 2014

I've never tired of taking pictures, but I have given up trying to take great pictures... If that makes any sense?

I've sold the DSLR and use a bridge camera now, and I'm happy enough snapping away to the best of my abilities.

Jay_A · Jul 17, 2014

DaveDreads said:
Cheers dude.

I used to love doing the glamour shoots when I worked for a model agency,
there's not many jobs that within an hour of meeting a girl you tell her to strip naked for you.

haha good point

Jay_A · Jul 17, 2014

Ste Burns said:
I've never tired of taking pictures, but I have given up trying to take great pictures... If that makes any sense?

I've sold the DSLR and use a bridge camera now, and I'm happy enough snapping away to the best of my abilities.

Sounds good mate

DaveDreads · Jul 17, 2014

What do you actually do for a living if photography is you side line?

Jay_A · Jul 17, 2014

DaveDreads said:
What do you actually do for a living if photography is you side line?

I'm an Information Security Manager for a consultancy company.

w33 brl · Jul 18, 2014

ive lost mine for a while cant find the motivation to lift the camera now

Jay_A · Jul 28, 2014

Well one of my friends got in touch last week who I used to shoot with a fair bit and asked if I fancied doing some new pics.

So I grabbed the 50mm and thought I'd try my hand at some natural light portrait stuff. Also got to use my reflector which has been gathering dust for two years

Have to admit it was great to be shooting again just for fun. We always have a laugh