Professional Photographers Need Personal Projects

I once had a fellow photographer tell me that they won’t pick up a camera unless they’re being paid.

Um, that’s a little short-minded.

Let me ask you this - does Yo-Yo Ma practice his cello?

Everyday.

Did Pablo Picasso do sketches before putting paint on a canvas?

Yup.

Should a professional photograpoher craete photographs for the fun, for the practice, for the hell of it?

You betcha.

Personal projects are needed (not simply suggested) or several reasons:

• Creative Exploration

• Skill Development

• Motivation and Inspiration

• Networking and Collaboration With Other Professionals

• Exploration of Personal Interests

Remember the movie The Shining? How does Jack’s wife realize he’s lost his marbles? When she reads what he’s written, over and over again: All work and no play makes Jack a dull boy. I am not suggesting that a photographer who only does client work will wind up taking a hatchet to their spouse . . . but it will make them a dull photographer. I know I worry about repeating myself as an artist but like all of us, I worry too about burn out. Heading out with a camera and a challenge unrelated to work is a break and what’s more it is what working with a client should be:

FUN.

As some may know, a personal project I take on every April is to find a spot along the Appalachian Trail (AT) and do what is called trail magic for those hikers coming from Georgia and heading to Maine along a 2100+ mile walk in the woods. I admire them and while others do trail magic by having food available, I do their porrtaits. I only ask for two things: their trail names and an email where I can send a link to an online gallery where they can download their photos. But the real fun comes in conversation about how they got their trail name, why they are hiking the Appalachian Trail, and what do they hope to do afterwards - I find their energy transfers to me and I leave more enthused for what I do.

Meet 2023’s AT Hikers (click on any photo to see a larger version)!

You know what would be a great personal project for next year? Oh, I would still do their portraits but let’s make a short film about it, too! What do you think?