Why I wanted to change my career path as a photographer
I’ve been sharing my book cover work, my success as a book cover photographer and I’ve had a few messages asking why I would leave it behind if I’m doing so well.
That’s exactly why though. I always wanted to do it to eventually create passive income. And it was and still is. I wanted it to be my safety net.
I was at a crossroads two years ago. I felt like I was burning out quickly, that I had lost my direction and I was scared to tell anyone because I was doing well. Better than most photographers I knew, I wasn’t having to hustle, just carried on as normal. But my stress still blossomed and bloomed. I have to explain that the rest of my life wasn’t exactly pretty, I was in a relationship that we both knew was heading downhill but we were fighting to try and save it, I was living far from family and friends and I had scary health issues looming over me. My burn out was 80% of my life.
But I knew, instinctively, a little voice whispered it was time to make a change.
I reached out to a long time friend who always championed me and always insisted I should be doing bigger and better things. I knew reaching out to him to ask his advice (only on my career debate), would give me an idea and I knew I wasn’t going to be judged for wanting to seemingly leave something so good. Strangely enough we are now together and I guess I shouldn’t be surprised.
He messaged back and had clearly put a lot of thought into his answer, with advice and not one hint of asking why I was looking for a change, if anything he applauded me wanting to grow and learn further. I had already thought along the lines of unit stills photography after seeing a BAD photo for a new TV series. We chatted about that and he helped me start my path with contacts, advice and suggestions. Eventually I did my first job for him, as he was directing a music video and I really enjoyed it. Being on set, around other creatives and all working together.
A few months later I asked if he was working on a feature film being shot in Norfolk, he wasn’t, but he had the contact number of someone who was. Within a week I was meeting the producer and he took a chance on me, I literally was half way out the door and said to the producer “I can do this. Don’t pay me if you think I do a shit job.” and right then and there he booked me for one day and then I did a further 4 days on my first feature film, a big one too. It was one of the best experiences of my career and I felt like I was made for set life. Trust me, it was the steepest learning curve I’ve ever experienced. After that I knew it would be so difficult but it’s what I wanted to aim for so I did and still am. I’ve worked on two feature films, for the discovery channel and a Netflix show. I can’t wait for lockdown to be over so I can keep working on this dream of mine. In all of this I already have had the delight of meeting Tilda Swinton and hanging out with her daughter Honour. Richard Ayode, Tom Burke and a fleeting meeting of Charlie Heaton. It’s surreal and amazing.
Whilst all this is happening I still get a good passive income through book cover photography. I don’t have to worry about when I get paid, I don’t have to worry about if productions stand still in the midst of COVID-19, I just don’t have to worry.
