To everyone out there that wants to become a Senior Portrait Photographer because “hey that looks great, and I want to make a lot of money doing it”, stop and read this.
Every Photographer out there will have something they are truly good at, and is their passion or calling – and Senior Portrait Photography may, or may not be that. I urge you to explore ALL types of photography to see what you enjoy doing, and what makes your heart skip a beat every time you take your camera out. It is very disheartening to get emails and messages from other people who want to “learn how to do what I do” just to make a buck. My clients mean the WORLD to me, and I am so lucky to have found such a wonderful niche in the world of Photography that speaks to ME and especially my clients. I strongly believe that I am successful at what I do because it is my TRUE passion. I don’t do it for the money. I fell into it, and it has become my calling. Making teens feel TRULY great about themselves as a person is what makes me wake up in the morning. I believe that EVERY girl is beautiful on the inside and out, and it is so amazing that I can help them see that.
I cannot stress enough that if you are looking for fame and fortune – you won’t get it. Do it because you LOVE it. Do it because you LOVE your clients. Do it because you are changing the world in some way or another. Do it for the LOVE of Photography. The rest will come with time.
Please keep scrolling to read our Class of 2010 “Wrap Up” as we honor ALL our graduating Senior Portrait Clients!
Makeup for Ruthie by, [Jenny Bowker]
by Michelle Moore
19 comments
Alyssa Schroeder - Wonderful post Michelle. Passion is definitely the key to success with many things.
Gabrielle Bass - I love this post. It rings so true. I take pictures because it gives me an internal “ooh-aah!” feeling.
Gabrielle Bass - I am recently married and my wedding pictures were OK. The thing is they could’ve been better!…so when I read this statement off of Ken Rockwell’s site, I just laughed…and I believe it’s true:
“Good pictures are usually the provenance of artists, who are the ones worrying about creating better pictures, instead of making better cameras. This is why women make a disproportionately better share of good pictures than men: women aren’t worrying about the gear.” – KEN ROCKWELL
alexa - Right on! What we do as photographers is important! We shouldn’t overlook the fact that we are capturing such important memories… And it shouldn’t be about making “a quick buck”. Congrats on another super successful year Michelle! What you do is awesome.
Chad Nelson - Very true. It’s a good reminder to let the passion motivate, not the $$$.
carlycarlson - AWESOME! Thanks Michelle- posted this to my FB :)
lesley - This is just perfect, thank you for writing this! I love working with Girls who are graduating and it’s one of my two passions that I want to create my photography business out of. When I meet with other photographers who want to do graduation photos, just for the money, it makes me truly upset, cause I’m working hard to make a name for myself and create an experience for them, and they just want to make money. Thanks for posting this! :)
wrecklessgirl - i loved reading this post. “The rest will come with time.” — orrrrr, it may not come at all. but at least you were doing what you loved.
Melissa Corcoran - So true! Your love for what you do shows in every image! I feel this same way about family photography! I LOVE it because it gives them the gift of seeing what their love looks like – something to hold onto forever.
Angela - I totally agree with what you said and that is why I have been trying my hardest in life to make it about what I LOVE not what will make the quickest buck. Its been extremely hard and frustrating but I know it will pay off in the end.
Then there are those like you mention that do it just to make a buck and nothing makes me more upset then hearing about those people especially in the world of photography.
Anyways keep up the AMAZING work!! I love your photos :D
AJ - I’m a photographer in the UK and just had to comment after reading what you’ve written about those sharks that get into photography ‘cos you can make loads of money’. Grrr. They make me cross too. On a positive, you’re an AWESOME photographer. Lovin’ your work. Keep it up!
Ciara Richardson - Michelle, each and every one of your photos inspires me. Thanks!
Chris Walter - The way I look at it is if someone isn’t truly passionate about photography and willing to pursue it with all their strength simple because they love it then someone else will. Natural selection, it’s a part of ever creative, passion driven field.
Love it or leave.
Julie McLeod - Your love for your work shows in every portrait you display. That’s why it’s a pleasure and an inspiration to visit. Thanks for this post.
Anne - You are amazing!!! I follow you for quite some time and you are really a great inspiration to me! HUGS! anne
Prosens - wow – this is amazing!
Renee Booe - I love your goal. Of making seniors feel beautiful. I love shooting seniors. It is my favorite. And my heart is to help them see their own unique beauty. I have been contemplating the idea of specializing in seniors, but I must confess that I am fearful of narrowing my business. Not sure why. It just scares me. But photographing seniors is what I love. And what I am good at. How did you make the decision to just do seniors? How difficult was the switch? I am inspired by you. Blessings!
Nina A. - Hey Michelle, I am a beginner photographer from Germany. You are so right. You can only become good at something, when you truly love what you do. So I just realized: I haaate shooting weddings. I rather take photos from one or two persons with the right light and location and enough time! So thanks a lot to remind me of such important things. :-) Wishing your Inspirations will never end! Nina
Melissa Johnson - Michelle, this post is phenomenal. Helping to create a sense of self confidence in teens (and women) has always been a goal and passion of mine. As a photographer I have been so blessed to see that achieved in clients. It’s great to know that you are not only doing what you love but also making a difference. I’m looking forward to senior portraits this year and will strive to emulate your fantastic approach and success with them. If each of us could do as much to help as you do I truly believe the world would be better for it. You can see the confidence of these young women radiating through your images! Well done and inspiring!