Microstock Career Transitions
It’s a bit of a jolt to realize you have made the move from freelance photographer to professional without quite knowing it. The assignments I got in the beginning were based on geographic proximity to areas and locations that were from people halfway around the world. Now, I bring photography and image value into the website or domain development discussion.
IÂ took the above picture for a website called www.quicknetbook.com. I positioned the still life to display the size of the computer was almost too small to put a cup of coffee on. I took a few other pictures, and asked other people to let me take pictures of their computers. Where did I get the nerve?
A driving force to capture the shot had taken hold. I realized once again that even the smallest and most commonplace of elements like a doll or a set of book titles on the spine have an image value. A bright colored automobile or a new sign, or fresh morning air cold from the rain inspires soem great shots. Once a microstock photographer is experienced in bringing quality to the table, there is always work.
My growing adaptability taking photos in the field has led to some expanded photography assignments I never saw coming a few years ago. Adding photos to my work, websites, and daily life has evolved into a part time career that was not formally planned. But a pseudo professional career in photography should have multiple revenue streams. One single client cannot support an entire photojournalistic endeavor.
People tend to view picture taking as a very solitary endeavor. But sometimes taking pictures sparks a discussion. Feedback in the field is important. Sometimes the only person you may ever be able to talk about your shots with are the people in the immediate environment. This gives some interesting feedback to details and interest in the image when you can still change your approach.
 The course of a single day can serve so many different subjects it is amazing. But the knowledge you gain by examining a subject and narrowing your focus to its best qualities, facets, angles and perspective adds to a harmony with the real world. This is the type of fulfillment many careers promise but never deliver on. I myself never saw a career in photography on the road ahead. But I seem to be moving in that direction more and more every day.
In my images and picture taking with acquaintances, but recently I realize photography has become much more than a hobby. Â often discuss But when I see a page of Vanity Fair with inset images very like the ones I take, and utilize most of my candid stock images in my websites, I realize that I am a professional photographer.
I meet all kinds of people who respond positively what they are flattered their work is being noticed. They enjoy focusing on something they’ve done in their lives is the complementary sympathy of being noticed. People like to hear feedback about their flowers or garden or car color giving someone else a bit of happy fun. The role of photographer allows a transition between the role of an observer and the role of a participant.
IÂ write this entry to reflect on the fact that while the revenue stream from microstock image sales and low cost legal photo sites may not buy the dream hosue in the hills, it may buy the equivalent in self-respect, autonomy, creative development and interpersonal exchange.
