I am a photographer, have been for 13 years, at least that is what I answer when asked what I do.  It’s not really true.   There are tons of reasons and excuses why my career has been a non-starter,  and I may touch on some of them,  but let’s just say I am not a photographer.

I started taking pictures my senior year of high school and was instantly in love with the medium in every way.   The tools and processes satisfied my inner geek, and the ability to visually express my thoughts was intoxicating.  I was all in.  So naturally I spent 7 years of college getting an MFA in photography (with a little video/film work).   When I started that path a career in photography was a questionable idea,  when I graduated in 2009 it seemed completely insane.

At that point, I was teaching classes at night while keeping our son/s during the day.   This was necessary and not by choice,  I am not blessed with the stay-at-home parent gene.  I need to work to be happy.  MY time was heavily invested in my family, with whatever remained going to my students.  Personal work and career building activities were non-existent.  The situation stayed pretty much the same for a couple years, with a foray into wedding photography and a couple $10/hr day jobs, until my wife finished her residency and we moved.

The plan was for me to have 6-12 months to focus on my career, while she covered the bills.  After about a month of no significant income, that was vetoed.  I was lucky to find a good salaried job doing outside sales with a new high volume photography business that kept me busy and the bills paid (barely).  Everyone is happier, my wife has some financial freedom and the kids love daycare.  I am busy and happier, but my mind and heart are wandering.  Photography, my kind of photography, calls out to me, begging me to make images again.

Now is here, and I am starting my career in photography from the ground up.  I have some academic/art world photographic experience, and a pretty good base of technical knowledge, but I don’t have a portfolio of work I like, gear/money, or contacts in our new city, etc etc.  With some advise from smarter business minds, I plan on keeping my day job, but in a year I plan on being able to call myself a photographer without debating it in my head first.  I will be using this blog to hold myself accountable, and document my thoughts, work, and learning moving forward.  I hope you enjoy and learn from my experiences, and your support is always appreciated.

Thank you,

Chase