How I Escaped Boredom to Become a Photographer
Before I was a photographer, I had taught in two different basic schools. The first, I quit after a week and the second I was fired. Not long after I met a guy who was a photographer in the church we used to attend. They used this rusty old Canon camera which I don’t remember the model. It didn’t create great images, but were visible enough to identify whoever was in the photo.
I told this guy I wanted to learn photography and he made me shoot with the camera one night, practicing. He gave me some tutorials to watch, there, I learned the exposure triangle and how to use different modes on the camera.
Right after that, I dived deep with my head to pursue my new found interest in photography. It was great, it felt good, but after a while, the rush dies down, and you’ve got to face reality. Now you need to transition from hobby to business. Then learn how to start a business and manage it successfully.
It wasn’t going so well. Getting paid chicken change was tough. You will think people will understand and appreciate your craft but nobody cares; nobody cares about your expensive equipment. They only want what they want. The worst that ever happened to me was when I was hired one time because I owned a camera (another story).
I was broke, suffered depression and… it was a tough one. I had to always call my mom for some coins. That was embarrassing for me to a certain degree, but she kept motivating me.
Then, I knew I didn’t have to feel sorry for myself. I needed to find a job. Just because my friends are doing photography full-time and having fun doesn’t mean I’m there yet. And most of them have got side jobs. Seriously, they just don’t tell you about it in the YouTube videos. Nobody has got a perfect life. No one.
When i got a job, I didn’t have to think about tomorrow’s meal. It wasn’t the best paying job, as every Ghanaian teacher will say, “Teachers are paid less,” and like most Ghanaian women will say, “I will not marry a teacher, they are poor.” Well, most of them are, but I’m here with a vision and a mission and you should too.
I have not stopped being a photographer, and I have not stopped being an author. In fact I’m currently writing a book on financial literacy for photographer (maybe the title might change), but one thing I can say with gladness is that finding another job in addition to being a photographer has made me sane, less depressed and more sociable.
You do not have to be a starving photographer. Do something else, fund your dreams. You shouldn’t take my word for it, but give it a try. If you don’t like it, quit. Yes, keep creating content, chasing your dream clients and avoid the hassle of having to think about what to eat tomorrow.
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