10 Questions I Get Asked As A Photographer

Being in a creative industry, I get asked a lot of questions about what I do, my competition and the occasional ‘advice’. Most of the time, I love when people ask me questions about the things I love to do, but sometimes it can be degrading. There’s questions that really just make me want to roll my eyes and others that make me want to encourage someone to do what interests them. I’m just going to break down the most common questions that I get.

Spoiler… the most common questions are pretty degrading.. 

1. How did you get into photography and video?

When I was really young, my brother was very interested in art and drawing. He had some amazing work. I remember him explaining how he was doing what he was doing, but I was just falling in love with the creative process. Then, YouTube came along when I was in middle school and I started making silly videos by myself and with friends. In high school I joined our video production class and was extremely involved in the daily announcements. I fell in love with storytelling and picked up photography while in high school, and the rest is pretty much history. I’ve always known that I would be creative in some kind of capacity.

2. What’s your favorite type of photography?

My personal favorite type of photography is event photography. Whether it’s a concert, birthday, charity event or whatever, I love capturing moments that people are just enjoying. 

3. Do you edit your own pictures?

Absolutely. I love the editing process. It’s time consuming and I’m not the most advanced editor, but it’s fun and honestly, I find it relaxing.

4. So you just take pictures?

I actually do video work as well. I personally like video a bit more because I have more chances to try something different than I do with photography. Plus, wouldn’t you rather have a recording of someone’s laugh forever than just a photo of them laughing? I know I would.

5. Do you think you will make a living doing photography?

I don’t know. I would love to make a living doing it, but I’m not sure it’s practical for me. At least right now, that is. I think it’s too hard to say. I feel like I’m so young and just starting to really narrow down on what I want in the future, so I don’t think I can say.

6. Have you ever thought about doing wedding photos or videos?

This is always a question that I get asked. I know it’s where the money is and what is mainstream, but honestly, I have no real desire. Weddings just aren’t my thing. I respect wedding photographers and videographers because it’s hard work. I’ve done a few and I was just not a fan. It’s so much stress and so much anxiety. It’s not my setting. 

7. Why do you and other photographers charge so much?

Oh boy. That’s a loaded question that has come up so often that I can’t even express how tired I am of being asked. If you think us photographers are trying to ‘get rich quick’, you have no business hiring us. Plain and simple. We spend thousands of dollars on equipment, editing software, marketing, and so much more. We also pay for gas to get to shoots and food for when we are running and we still have to pay our bills. If you’re hiring a photographer that doesn’t have a regular full time job, then you should be mindful that they have to pay things like rent, utilities, groceries, car payments, insurance, and many other life expenses. Trust me, no photographer is trying to ‘get rich quick’ because that will never happen. The ones that are ‘rich’ have put a ton of time into being a photographer.

8. If you have a full time job, are you sure you can handle my photo/video shoot?

This question just frustrates me. Does anyone in your shoot work? Go to school? Have other plans? Surely you can’t handle a few hours of fun on the weekends then right? That’s exactly what it sounds like when people ask this question. Most shoots are on the weekends because life happens throughout the week. If you need a shoot during the week, we can work that out. If you hire me to do a job, I will do it. Regardless of my other responsibilities. Just like I do at a regular job. 

9. Will you help me get photos or videos done?

Of course! This is a favorite question of mine. I love helping people and maybe that can be a flaw, but I genuinely love doing it. If you need work done, I would love the opportunity to help. Like everything, there are some limitations such as location, timing, and type of session. No matter what, I would love to help you get a shoot done, or help you find someone that can!

10. What made you decide to do photography?

Honestly, I just wanted to end this on a positive note so I made this the last question. I kind of just fell into photography. I had a camera and helped a classmate get senior pictures and I fell in love with it. From there, I just started doing shoots and taking the time to learn about it. Now, I continue to learn and keep wanting to find ways to be creative.

I hope you enjoyed this blog and have gotten some insight into what it’s like being a photographer. I’m not one of the most talented photographers, but I do what I’ve said in this blog can be applied to more than just myself. If you’re wanting a photographer, please take a second to think about these questions.