I'm sure most of the full-time professional photographers here went through a lot to be where they are today - sleepless nights, double jobs, endless scorn, equipment failure, screwups, unpaid work, etc..

While I am a serious hobbyist and occasional pro photographer, I am too chicken to make the jump and be a full-time pro (100% of earnings from photography). Until then, I'd like to hear (and learn from) your war stories and the circumstances surrounding the turning point of your career - how/when you decided to turn pro and when did your career take off, who gave you a break, what sacrifices did you make, etc..

Help us fence-sitters make the jump!

One urban legend that never ceases to amaze me is that of Jake Verzosa - an ex-corporate hack who was pencil-pushing in his Makati office one day when he simply decided that he have had enough and stood up, walked out, never looked back (nor file his resignation), and decided to be a full time pro photographer.

He has achieved success in my book, check out his work:

Blog:
http://jakee.blogspot.com/ (http://jakee.blogspot.com/)

Galleries:
www.jakeverzosa.com/ (http://www.jakeverzosa.com/)
www.pbase.com/jverzosa (http://www.pbase.com/jverzosa)
www.photos.ph/jverzosa (http://www.photos.ph/jverzosa)

What's your story? :)

Nice topic Jerry! would love to hear those inspiring stories from our pro friends.
Been really really contemplating! Hopefully this thread will help me decide.

hay... jake versoza....

...his story has always been my inspiration....

yup guys. please post your stories! im sure im not the only one here contemplating about making the big decision soon...

How about this... I was a nurse by profession turned designer/photographer... :)

How about this... I was a nurse by profession turned designer/photographer... :)

care to share how it happened..?:)

Nice topic Jerry! would love to hear those inspiring stories from our pro friends.
Been really really contemplating! Hopefully this thread will help me decide.

I agree, interesting topic.. hope the pros here can share their stories and lessons learned :)

Astig! (Tough one)

care to share how it happened..?:)

It's a long story... I'd spare everyone the gross details... But, it was indeed a decision filled with alot of regrets, remorse, oh yeahs, okidokees, woahs and good things as well... In the end--I found out I was happy about it... And that's what's important! :) Life goes on...

Earl! This is what the thread is for - we want to hear the looooooooong of it. :D

Earl! This is what the thread is for - we want to hear the looooooooong of it. :D

exactly!

now ahya... start your kwento. :)

exactly!

now ahya... start your kwento. :)

Later... I'll compose something first... :)

oo nga, share ur experience, earl :P

How I wish that I can break out of corporate and pursue a career in photography.:)

How I wish that I can break out of corporate and pursue a career in photography.:)

You can always do it naman eh... Just prepare for the consequences of your actions... :)

Jerry,

This is a nice thread you started here. Hopefully we get some inspiring stories. Harvey Chua in another thread posted the wonderful story of AdPhoto which was one of the best reads yet on this DPP forum.

I'll be monitoring this closely.

@ jerry..

naku.. pressure from nick.. hihih

@ earl.. it looks like you are in the hot seat.. :)

Jerry, yes this is a very nice thread you started.

In fact, it is my opinion that fence sitters like "us" come in varied shape, sizes and forms. We have all a variety of reasons that stop us from jumping into the band wagon. In my case, I noticed that some of my friends who are serious hobbyists do not pursue any professional path due to the administrative stuff that come con committant to the "job". I share the same opinion.

Call time, billing, admin staff work, sorting/classification etc are some that come to mind that make propfessional work seem like "work". I love to shoot and be creative about it. But when it comes to post processing, large volume classification.....its a large no no for me. Can one become a professional photographer by shooting only? Is there a way that the admin work be done by others? The answer is YES. IF only you have the money to pay others to do that. Then the issue of administrative investment come into play. How deep is your pocket? Most successful photographers do everything on their own in the beginning.,,,i guess.......then and only then will they afford assistants, staff PP support externally. But I am assuming that all these are costed into the "work" done. Hence equipment capitalization will be the only issue that has to be imputed into your investment recovery spread over a reasonable business period.

Let the thread continue, and I am sure we will all crystalize an acceptable equation. Case in point example.........Jerry, maybe we can work together, I shoot and you do all admin/post processing work!!!!:D :D

Hopefully this thread continues because its a good one.

Taking photos out of passion and taking photos because its a job are two different things. Prior to photography, I was involved in the golf industry. I must have been one of the biggest golf addicts around. After sixteen years selling and distributing golf gear my love of the sport gradually disappeared. I realized that selling golf clubs suck. Its the playing of the game that is exciting.

I wonder how much passion will remain to a photographer if they decide to make a complete living out of photography.

nice thread... i am waiting for the kwento of sansei earl... (tama ba spelling?)

nice thread... i am waiting for the kwento of sansei earl... (tama ba spelling?)

It's Sensei... :)

Anyway... I'll post something later... Still trimming it down to bite size pieces eh... Too explicit, gorry and boring... :)

Jake's story is stuff of legends, but at the same time very real. And that is what makes it so amazing.

I met jake when he was starting out, we weer both shooting UAAP for the same client. I was just in 3rd year college and he was on his first year of shooting full time. And I guess that was the turning point for me. Shooting nearly everyday and learning first hand on how to do things, assisting, holding lights, reflectors, even fixing models for Mr. Verzosa became my turning point. I decided I wont practice psychology anymore. I had been learning from one the best photogs and he always told me that I'll be able to make it in photography.

I was studying psychology, and I finished it with a thesis on self efficacy of male and female athletes. I had a choice of being an intern in HSBC for marketing or be an intern for summit media. (I chose the latter. Interned for Cosmo and FHM! ayus!) I was on my way to become a sports psychologist and study abroad. That was the plan.

But now, I'm a sports, dance and travel photographer. Doing it full time for two years. I started even before I graduated college. I'm only 23 years old now. Being passionate and in this craft and seeing others share it can be very rewarding and be life-changing.

It's true that passion can carry a photographer for so long, and commissioned jobs can take a lot out of an artist. I guess a remedy for that is to have personal projects. Travel. See new things and discover the joy photography all over again.

oh yeah, and admin work is still a pain. Billing, burning CDs or DVDs, batch processing.. meetings and getting projects.. etc etc.

In my case, I noticed that some of my friends who are serious hobbyists do not pursue any professional path due to the administrative stuff that come con committant to the "job". I share the same opinion.

Touché (tama ba spelling?). That's also the reason I stopped my budding career in wedding photography 2 years ago. I decided that I'll work hard in my day job - so that I can afford to shoot any wedding for free (if I want to), regardless where it is, with the best gear I can afford - simply because I enjoy it doing it and I love making the couple (the bride specially) happy.



Let the thread continue, and I am sure we will all crystalize an acceptable equation. Case in point example.........Jerry, maybe we can work together, I shoot and you do all admin/post processing work!!!!:D :D

Sure ba, basta't I get to use your gear, drive around in your toy car, and work out of your den. Then there's health coverage, 16th-month pay, profit-sharing, stock options, retirement benefit... do I also get to hang out with your cool friends? :D

I would love to hear from you guys how you started because this is something I have been contemplating in the last few months. I've been into photography since HS, but really started seriously in the last 2 years only. I'm basically a corporate slave with a job that pays the bills + supports my camera "luho". I've never sold any photos and the most I got to have my pics published are in the department newsletters and office circulars.

Hopefully, your stories will inspire me and at the same time answer some of the questions I have like:
- Being a professional means that you will be shooting stuff that might not interest you? Would photography be as fun? Or should I keep my job to paying my photography hobby and at least take photos of what I like???
- How do you get to the level where you are paid enough to actually call it a living?
- Would you leave a high-paying job to pursue photography?
- Obviously, moving to this career is a risk. How do you mitigate this risk? Is it wise to go "all in" and "let the chips fly"?
- Coming from the corporate world to full-time pro shutterbug, what is the formulae for successful transition?

Really love to hear from you guys!!! :)

Sure ba, basta't I get to use your gear, drive around in your toy car, and work out of your den. Then there's health coverage, 16th-month pay, profit-sharing, stock options, retirement benefit... do I also get to hang out with your babes? :D

Sorry wrong thread.:RedEye: Looks like we're looking for the same thing.

Mark Floro, told me that creating your stock photo database is a good way to start. Aside from shooting what interest you, possible earnings can come in if you have "it". file your photos with a reputable "host" that can market your images. Today, he still shoots commercially for corporate assignments. But other than that, he is commissioned by either a Hongkong or Singapore based stock photo company for their requirement, something which he used to spend on with his own money. He gets paid to travel to places to shoot.

So Melvin, I guess, matching travelling and photography may be a potential career shift if "one" has the style, the eye in this hobby.:)

@NICK, is this something DPP can do for us? Can you make your mother company market our images from your huge following here? Is there a way? I am sure this will increase your marketing circulation if you become a forum for professional image hosting. Eyi guys what do you think ha??

@NICK, is this something DPP can do for us? Can you make your mother company market our images from your huge following here? Is there a way? I am sure this will increase your marketing circulation if you become a forum for professional image hosting. Eyi guys what do you think ha??

Hey, I like that! I can help out in the data center provisioning and online payment gateway part!

Offshoring with a photographic twist - I'm in! :D

Ahem.. now back to regular programming. Calling Earl, Pilar, Louie A, Pat, Patrick, Lito, Dino, and all pro photogs - share your stories naman! :D

Reading this thread is fun.. hehe,
I'm juz new in photography.. and I'd also want to become one of those high paid wedding photographers someday.. so keep your stories and opinions coming.. :D

Hey, I like that! I can help out in the data center provisioning and online payment gateway part!

Offshoring with a photographic twist - I'm in! :D

Jerry, here's one link you can start your analysis on. http://www.picturestock.com/ Maybe we can run this business parallel to DPP, and let them subcontract the business to us? Hosting lang tayo? :Evil: :Evil: I like it. I like it.

i like this thread, hope some of the members post their stories too. :)

I hate to be a cheerleader but aside from Jake, Rem Zamora's story is also an inspiration.

He graduated in UPD with a degree in Business Ad and Accountancy. He took the boards and passed. He worked in SGV for like a year til he realzied he can do something better and a lot more fulfilling than calculating taxes. It took him awhile for his break but he was patient and finally he got a job as a photo correspondent for the Manila Times. He is now a staff photographer for one of the country's top broadsheets, Philippine Daily Inquirer where he gets to document Philippine history and share it with millions. He also got awards and one of his pictures was even a basis for the Quezon landslide memorial. Despite all this, he remains to be humble (which is, come on admit it, rare) and passionate.

Jerry,

This is a nice thread you started here. Hopefully we get some inspiring stories. Harvey Chua in another thread posted the wonderful story of AdPhoto which was one of the best reads yet on this DPP forum.

I'll be monitoring this closely.

Why, thank you!:)

If the stories of how we started will help inspire photographers who are just starting now, then I would gladly share - especially if they're starting the way we did - with practically nothing. :)

Maybe this thread should not be in Foto Cafe, but among the main topics. This is very photography-related, and I thought Foto Cafe was for non-photography topics.

I made a big career jump earlier this year, quitting my HR job in San Mig Corp to pursue a BS degree in Nursing. Now I'm thinking of running two parallel courses, turning pro while I still have 2+ years of studying... Taas naman grade ko eh. :)

Come on guys, share your stories! Earl, yours is waaaaaaay overdue!

Ma'am Harvey, I'm still paying for my camera. Am I in the category of starting out practically in debt? :D

Harv, my mistake - I thought it's for non-tech non-critique related discussions. :) And yes, I have a weakness for autobiographies and turnaround stories! And we all look forward to you and John's story of Adphoto's Turning Point!

hey guys, mine naman was sort of an accident, it was a gradual career shift that i wasnt expecting...a god given path

ive been involved in music all my life starting from high school.took up percusssion at u.p conservatory of music in college. i had a rockband called stormfront at that time...our first royalty check of 35t ,i bought my first slr canon eos 5, ive been using my dads camera on and off since grade school ae-1 model.i was into nature then and also shooting band gigs, after college my wife and i ventured into the food stall business (wont say na what is was), was succesful with and it used the funds to also open up another business. that second business was also doing well (music related).then when i joined my 2nd band in 1999 called battery, using my advance royaly again,,i got an eos 3, so stll purely hobby pa rin.. that same year i made paki shoot in my friends wedding, they liked the pics so much i got inspired to shoot a few more weddings of my friends., i was able to make a best of weddings sample using a vic cuyugan album (ha) that same year , showed it to a referal from my bro and got my first paying gig dec.2000. that's how i became wedding photog (wasn't really planning on it ,nangyari na lang)..then 2002,parang bitin pa ang weddings for me..wanted to explore more, i got interested in fashion naman, i made pakapal mukha and called up francis abraham since i new he shoots for preview..we became good friends and he even let me use his studio so i can build up a portfolio for fashion and beauty , then here i am now doing 2 different worlds of magazine and weddings,,wasn't planning on these 2 things it just happened slowly, i was getting lots of referals and business and decided to do a career shift when i was 28 yrs old na. dropped my music rockstar career and never looked back! i think i'm the only photog shooting fashion and weddings at the same time...i get my inspiration from these 2 fields by buying all foreign and local fashion mags and also weddings books,, just like being the diverse music lover, i bought all kinds of music for listening from dave matthews, to swing to jazz to heavyh metal....

my reference to music only meant that i wanted more to just being a wedding photg, i wanted diversity just like in listening to different types of music.. who knows whats next for me and malay ba natin,baka maging travel photog ako in a few years..!!

i took the big jump,risk..2 years ago by going full time and opened my studio in greenhills, believing in God that he will provide and make my photography business thrive...my photography now is our main source of income na

Nice tight story Pat, thanks for sharing! :)

Way to go Pat! The lesson from your story is to work hard at what you have a passion for and you'll be blessed with the success due you - be it music or photography. You have, not one, but two careers that mother-in-laws would frown upon as a non-traditional source of livelihood and true enough - build it and they will come!

Certified DPP Idol! :)

Ever since I was a student I was already a frustrated writer, poet, photographer, artist, painter, calligraphist... However, due to financial constraints, I had to set these things aside and focus on my immediate goals, which was to finish schooling and the book I was trying to write in the most economical way. :)

When, I got into college, I studied Nursing at UST--hoping to make it a good stepping stone (PREMED) for Medicine; while still frustrated in trying to finish my book which was long overdue (A self imposed deadline, that was getting unlimitedly extended.) Anyway, due to unforseen gross circumstances... Family and financial troubles etc. etc. I was forced to become a working student. My dreams of becoming a doctor were shattered... My book would now definitely go unfinished, coz I now lacked the motor, cognitive and inspirational drive to even go back at it... So at that time my tunnel vision was fixed on getting through it all, with my sisters, etc. also studying at that time and under my sole guidance, supervision and care. :Grin:

So where was the turning point? Well, you know a few years ago... Nursing was just starting to get noticed as a field worth considering... Monetarily speaking... So I decided that if I am not going to be a doctor anymore. I am also not bound to be stuck as a nurse! My dominant and adventurous personality kicking in there somewhere... I ventured into my past frustrations seeking promise in them... Luckily, I wasn't disappointed... I went back to chase after the writer, poet, photographer, artist, painter, calligraphist... etc... in me. I went after my dreams so to speak. And with the help of alot of kind hearted people; the internet and my "reboots" to Japan... Here I am right now... Still striving, though this is much more fun than being tied up somewhere... Well, atleast for me. :) The rest is history...

I know there are alot of missing elements in this story, to help in its congruency and consistency... But, Hey, I cannot type everything here... It's simply too much to be worded... and besides I'm shy... :D

Maybe you have to talk to me in person and squeeze the finer details out of me. All you have to say is, please...

Smashing Thread, Jerry-Bro.!

This is inspiring for corporate lads like me who's only wish is a single sunny day to shoot and get a dose of distraction.

@earl,

Coming from the corporate slavery community, this is quite interesting and inspiring! I just hope that I find the "testicular fortitude" to explore outside my "economic" comfort zone and do something which I'm really passionate about. :D

Hey Earl, great story. I wish I have the same courage as you guys have. I'm also one of those people on the fence waiting to jump in...

Nice Thread.

Guys... reading your story is bring an inspiration... can't wait to see more stories from our friends.

@Earl nice story too... no turning back.

Most of the time, alot of hidden options in life are revealed when we choose to pursue our dreams passionately! :)

I hope soon enough I'd have the courage to pursue what I really dream of doing... but then I'm still trying to figure that out...:Thinking:

@Earl, great story.. a little bitin, though.. I'd love to hear more about it..:)

@Earl, great story.. a little bitin, though.. I'd love to hear more about it..:)

You have access to me naman... :Grin: Just about a couple of drives worth...

Ok let me share my story...

In my previous life, I was a banker...:D (sorry had to laugh at this one) anyway, I always enjoyed travelling and would take my film point and shoot with me to every trip I went ( I did not even know that SLR's existed) anyway, I bought my first SLR a Canon EOS A2E and treated it the same way as I did the point and shoot and was totally disappointed and intrigued with the results. I then decided that I needed to learn how to use it properly to take advantage of it. I took lessons in U.P (under their Fine Arts department) for 2 sems. I loved the dark room (black and white film) and built my own in the house where I would hibernate up to 12 hours a day:Shock: I then took more lessons, seminars and bought books. Name a seminar, or lesson and I most probably took it. Anything that had the word photography and I was there. I was going nuts! I bought complete studio system, built a studio in my house and started photographing anything that had a face. I enjoyed photographing children and was doing it for free...including prints. (my husband thought I had lost it at that point) So I started to charge... still did not make much.. until a friend of mine asked me if I would be interested to back up for him at weddings and at first I was not interested until he said that he would pay:Grin: Well, true enough, I enjoyed myself and decided that I would enter the wedding industry. (after backing up for 6 months to master the flow)I went to the U.S and took up classical portraiture under Monte Zucker to improve my skills.
I joined WPPP and met more wedding photographers, joined their contests, and won Photographer of the Year for 2004.
There were no lady wedding photographers at that time I entered the scene and I was not sure about how the people would react to a lady photographer. Luckily, I was accepted by the market and people were paying attention to my work and not the fact that I am a female.

Nice one Pilar! :) Thanks for inspiring us more! :)

Sana I have a story to tell :Mad:

..... corporate slave really sucks big time.

Very nice thread Jerry. Can't wait to hear from other photogs who will make us cry :)

Just want to share mine.

I've been connected to the telecom industry since 1991 but I started my hobby in photography only in 1996. Since then, I love B&W and made a website. (http://dinolara.tripod.com) That website won People's Choice in the 2nd Webbyawards in 1999. A couple noticed my website and inquired if I do weddings. Upon knowing that the bride was Dick Gordon's daugther, I lied :) . I said YES but I was very honest that I haven't shot a wedding professionally. For some reason, they got me and it generate few referrals.

As I shoot more weddings (once a month), I've been getting more inquiries because I was shooting couples from weddingsatwork (http://www.weddingsatwork.com). That's the time I needed to decide if I will pursue wedding as full time or give it up and concentrate on my work in SMART.

In Dec 2000, I showed my wife a financial plan that I can come up with same income minus the benefits as SMART's 16-month salary benefits. Ironically, that year SMART announced an 18th month bonus. But I decided already to resign. When I submitted my resignation paper, my boss told me that there's another 1 and 1/2 month bonus for managers. Still, I resigned.

I'm quite confident I'll make it because that time I'm already conceptualizing my digital storybook. I'm ready to launch it by 2nd quarter of 2001. I gambled my 10-yr career in telecom for that.

So far, I may be earning more if I stayed in telecom but weddings are more fullfilling for me.

my story,
Dino

Thank you for sharing Dino.

You're story shows how much hand-wringing and soul-searching one have to go through to be a pro photographer - esp when one started out as a hobbyist and already earns a decent livelihood from a different line of work.

I've come to realize that seeking approval from your significant other (by way of a business plan, no less) is one of the major (if not the last) turning point to finally get one's ass over the fence.

After that, there's no turning back - even if the grass is greener on the other side (it always is).

In the end, I guess it's all about pursuing one's life passion with the satisfaction of knowing that you will one day die doing what you love most - and good money, if it comes, is just a fortunate consequence of it.

Inspiring share Dino!! Now who's next - Louie, Patrick, Lito, Jo, Allan, teka.. sino pa..

I hate to be a cheerleader but aside from Jake, Rem Zamora's story is also an inspiration.

Tammy, can you drag his butt over and let him add to the short blurb you've just written? :Grin:

Jerry,

This is a nice thread you started here. Hopefully we get some inspiring stories. Harvey Chua in another thread posted the wonderful story of AdPhoto which was one of the best reads yet on this DPP forum.

I'll be monitoring this closely.

Nick, looks like we're gonna have more than just *some* inspiring stories here. I'm thinking what you're probably thinking - a full section (or monthly feature) in an upcoming issue with photographer's mug, equipment profile, portfolio, and of course his/her Turning Point story. :)

I took lessons in U.P (under their Fine Arts department) for 2 sems. I loved the dark room (black and white film) and built my own in the house where I would hibernate up to 12 hours a day:Shock: I then took more lessons, seminars and bought books. Name a seminar, or lesson and I most probably took it. Anything that had the word photography and I was there. I was going nuts!

Man, now that's passion! And that goes to prove that even in a hard-up country like ours, non-traditional careers will work out as long as one has relentless passion! Puede akong mag-VA? :D

Hi Ms. Pilar,

Thank you for sharing your story to all of us. :) As another lady photographer, I really admire your hardwork. Believe me, all your studying paid off because it can easily be seen on your work.

Hope to read more inspiring stories. Thank you all!!!

Great stories Pilar, Dino, Nick and Earl! I hope to follow your track and be able to post mine two years from now :Grin:.

Tammy, can you drag his butt over and let him add to the short blurb you've just written? :Grin:
Hahaha his butt is in Cebu now covering the ASEAN *yawn* He practically didn't do anything for a year but waited for that job opening. Well his hard work during the Collegian days and patience paid off. I'm proud as hell http://specials.inq7.net/thegoodnews/index.php?ver=0&index=1&story_id=77825 (http://specials.inq7.net/thegoodnews/index.php?ver=0&index=1&story_id=77825)

So one big f you to people like Mike P who look down on professional photographers

Hahaha his butt is in Cebu now covering the ASEAN *yawn* He practically didn't do anything for a year but waited for that job opening. Well his hard work during the Collegian days and patience paid off. I'm proud as hell http://specials.inq7.net/thegoodnews/index.php?ver=0&index=1&story_id=77825 (http://specials.inq7.net/thegoodnews/index.php?ver=0&index=1&story_id=77825)


Congratulations to Rem Zamora! and thanks to Tammy for the news about Rem's award.

Congratulations to Rem Zamora! and thanks to Tammy for the news about Rem's award.
This was last June pa but thanks I'll let him know. Hats off to you to Ma'am Harvey

Just want to share mine.

I've been connected to the telecom industry since 1991 but I started my hobby in photography only in 1996. Since then, I love B&W and made a website. (http://dinolara.tripod.com) That website won People's Choice in the 2nd Webbyawards in 1999. A couple noticed my website and inquired if I do weddings. Upon knowing that the bride was Dick Gordon's daugther, I lied :) . I said YES but I was very honest that I haven't shot a wedding professionally. For some reason, they got me and it generate few referrals.

As I shoot more weddings (once a month), I've been getting more inquiries because I was shooting couples from weddingsatwork (http://www.weddingsatwork.com). That's the time I needed to decide if I will pursue wedding as full time or give it up and concentrate on my work in SMART.

In Dec 2000, I showed my wife a financial plan that I can come up with same income minus the benefits as SMART's 16-month salary benefits. Ironically, that year SMART announced an 18th month bonus. But I decided already to resign. When I submitted my resignation paper, my boss told me that there's another 1 and 1/2 month bonus for managers. Still, I resigned.

I'm quite confident I'll make it because that time I'm already conceptualizing my digital storybook. I'm ready to launch it by 2nd quarter of 2001. I gambled my 10-yr career in telecom for that.

So far, I may be earning more if I stayed in telecom but weddings are more fullfilling for me.

my story,
Dino

Dino, I though you did not like your wedding album that's why you ended up shooting weddings he he he. :Grin: Joke lang. Very inspiring story indeed. I just hope we can achieve just even a little of what you are now.

Dino, I though you did not like your wedding album that's why you ended up shooting weddings he he he. :Grin: Joke lang. Very inspiring story indeed. I just hope we can achieve just even a little of what you are now.

Yes, but that's part of the details I'm not supposed to broadcast over the net. :BlackEye:

Nice thread Jerry. Sorry took too long to respond to your request.

I am a photographer by accident.
I never planned to be one.
I never even had the thought of getting into it.
Ever since high school I would always be having a camera handy, not for anything creative but just for sentimentality sake. I just loved capturing moments with friends, etc.
I was a retreat master for La Salle for 15 years, and simultaneously for St. Scho for 9 years. I would be close to all the kids and would document the activities with them for posterity.
By the late 80's, while still giving retreats and doing campus ministry work, I started doing sideline work through concert productions. Some of my former classmates and students who had become big concert artists started hiring me to help them out for concerts. Sometimes I would start shooting, again just for posterity.

For many years, a number of friends who were into advertising would often bug me to suggest students who they could use as models for various commercials they were doing. I never paid attention to it. But by 1991, I decided to give it a try after one friend convinced me to start being concerned about my future in terms of economics. I didn't earn much from giving retreats so I had to look for another source of income.

So, in 1991, with no experience whatsoever, I put up a modeling agency recruiting some of the students I have met through the retreats over the years. It was so difficult at the start as no one from the ad agencies paid much attention. But my roster of talents grew quickly with students from the exclusive schools readily joining me since I was close to most of them. Soon the agencies took notice.
Of course I needed photos of them for their composite cards (zed cards/set cards). I checked with photographers and it would have cost me P3,000 per model. That was totally unaffordable for me considering I only had P10,000 to start the modeling agency with. So, together with some friends we decided to take the photos ourselves. It was quite amusing because we improvised everything. We used various bedsheets and blankets as backgrounds and used household tungsten bulbs to create our studios. It was pretty crude at first but it served its purpose.
Eventually, as my modeling agency (which I ran single handedly, by the way) became more successful I would invest in photo equipment little by little. Still, there was no conscious desire to be a photographer. It was just out of necessity to come up with better photos of the models.
Everytime the models would have shoots for print ads I would observe the photographers and ask questions. I used to ask Bien Bautista and Raymond Isaac "why do you need an umbrella" or "when do you use a softbox", etc. Little by little I would learn along the way.
I ended up handling a total of 227 models, so imagine, I had a lot of opportunity to practice. I didn't take any course or lessons in photography so everything was basically trial and error.
By 1995 a number of my models decided they wanted to enter showbiz. All of a sudden I entered the realm of showbiz as a talent manager. It was during a meeting with Johnny Manahan of ABS CBN that he was looking through the photos of all my models searching for possible talents they could invite for their talent center. He then asked who took the photos. I said "me". He immediately asked "how much do you charge?" I said I don't charge, I just shoot for my models for presentation purposes. He told me to figure out a rate as he wanted me to shoot the members of their talent center. That was my first paid job as a photographer.
After that I still didn't pay attention to photography seriously although people started hiring me. I was shooting for some of the networks and movie companies on the side yet it was handling talents that I was focusing on. At the same time I was still giving retreats but on a part time basis.
I would even often shoot for magazines when some of the artists I handled needed to be featured, they would sometimes get me to shoot as well. When I look back I regret not even collecting any of the magazines I shot for at that time. I guess it was because I really didn't see myself as a photographer - photography was just a necessity, an incidental.
Soon as I was getting hired more and more I started to take photography a bit more seriously and started experimenting with lighting etc.
By 1998 I got so tired of showbiz that I wanted to quit but I didn't know what I would do to survive financially. Then I walked into my small studio I had set-up in the house and realized all of a sudden that I have a full studio with lights and everything. I realized all of a sudden... I am a photographer nga pala. So I started doing less talent managing and started putting all my efforts into photography.

Ayun! I didn't even take a single course in photography. I took theology and scripture, then religious education, etc. Everything was basically self study, observation, trial and error, and occasional Q&A with Bien, Raymond, and the legendary Vic Valenciano.

I seriously believe God planned this for me because I never planned it for myself. I stumbled onto it by "accident."

wow. your story is a real inspiration, sir louie. salamat for taking the time to write this.

from retreat master to professional (big-league) advertising photographer. a lot of us dream to have similar stories....

Nice To read your turning point Louie it's an inspiration to me..,

I dont have any thing to share yet, because photography just a hobby for now, but of course i want to be also in the future,

I will remember this thread so maybe after five to ten years i will write my story,,, if ever I became a succesful one..

for Earl it's a nice one too, And I hope you can finished your book..

For mam Pilar, another inspiring story, your name stand out on the Male dominated Industry...

Thanks for sharing Guys & Gals, Truly it's an Inspiring to read.

Hi Louie,

Such a great personal history! Very inspiring. Hope to work with you on writing pricing guidelines.

ah, such a cool thread, jerry.

of course, i did notice that a lot of you guys that made the shift were relatively young at that time. and it's highly commendable... to ride the wave of your principles at such an early age. that would be the ultimate maneuver.

guys, if you're still in your 20's, and you're thinking about shifting... shift NOW! because you can still afford to take hits. even if you have kids already. at this age, your mind and body can still withstand a lot of pressure. don't be that guy by the dark end of the pub, drinking with his buddy named "what if?"

so i'd also like to hear more from some who really gambled midway... somebody in their late 30's who made the shift.

as for me, i'm taking the odd position of realizing that i can't do the shift anymore. age is definitely a factor as i am nearing already the big 40. secondly, i don't think i have the patience to "start from scratch" when i don't have to. thirdly, i have seen the pros and realized that it ain't for me FULL TIME. lastly, of course, i do realize that i want to have some form of contribution to this endeavor. that, i have yet to find out HOW. in the meantime, i enjoy the little money that i get from being a corporate hack and use it to fund my adventures.

to the guys who made the jump, my hats off to you.

to the guys who are still young and SERIOUSLY contemplating on making the jump, what the freak are you waiting for?

to the rest, like moi, let's all have a cup and enjoy life :)

great thread. great group. great everything!

love life.

live it.

My story as requested by Cez.

I graudated Economics, cum laude, from Ateneo de Davao. A course I never wanted by had to take since my dying father's wish. My original course (don't laugh) was Pre Divinities in Ateneo de Manila. Yes, I wanted to become a Jesuit Priest. That's where the money is right? Just before graduating, Glaxo already hired me to become a med rep. But sadly, didn't last me long since had conflicts with them. After a few months, became a medical representative for a nephrology supplies company. So I'm pretty much familiar with all those kidney diseases, terms and supplies.

During that time, I already was teaching in Ateneo De Davao. Subject: Finance and Economics. Already picked up my camera back then. Canon AE1. Shooting crappy film. A few weeks, bought my Canon G3. Loved it, bought all the accessories and lenses that could be attached, including adapters. My sister's company is Davao's leading wedding cake maker. I had a hand in making wedding cakes (fondant) and shooting some of her pastries with my G3. Also doing website creation for my family's business, mine and my sisters. That got me into Photoshop.

Enrolled in I can never count courses in Davao, which just ended in utter disappointment since the quality of Photoshop teaching was just fricking horrible. It wasn't what I was looking for. Flew to Manila after a few months, enrolled in at least 12 courses which took me 4 months to complete, costing me over 100K. Did I learn? A bit. Forgot most of it already, except for Photoshop.

I got sent to Canada for a couple of months to do some serious vacation. That was 2004. Summer I think? Took the Adobe Certified Exams on Photoshop CS after studying for two weeks and locking myself in my room. Passed... Got a job after in the same training center I enrolled in months back. Executive Director. This time, already was shooting landscapes with a Canon 10D and a 24-105 usm lens (not L).

Learned from industry leaders. Apprenticed with two of them. Had personal trouble with the son of the boss, and a Kodak employee so I ended up resigning. So I stayed with Dominique James for a while. Everything I know, I knew from him. This was together with my best friend, Randy Tamayo. We were shooting fashion almost everyday. Even bonsai. I kinda owe the guy my career also here in DPP for encouraging me to join the Tuasons and training me to be a good photographer.

Tried joining showbiz. Didn't work out for me since I didn't work out. Had the face, but not the body. LOL. My manager, DJ, had a hard time looking for gigs. LOL Went back to Davao. Shot fashion for free. Weddings I charge. But the local photography industry is not as friendly. You could actually say, for the lack of a better word, evil. Went back to Manila, continued studying with DJ.

Around Photoworld 2006, Nick sat me down with Pilar over dinner at Cibo. We shook hands, and now I'm here happily with DPP.

Currently learning color management, display technologies, printer tech, WIFI tech and some serious PC overclocking and tweaking (being a gamer).

Career path: Econ - Med Rep - ACE - Executive Director - Tech Geek

I started 22, now I'm 25.

@Louie, thanks for sharing your story man. It's truly inspiring to know that, sometimes, we just have to let life run it's due course and accept whatever comes our way. This is the lesson that I'm still trying to learn.

@Raul, I'm near the big 4-0 as well and in my early 30's I had considered going into photography full time. After a couple of not-so-inspiring weddings, I realized that it's sometimes difficult to be honest to myself and say that I did very well or that I created magnificent images in each and every wedding. That was the time that I realized that it has become 'work' and I decided that that's not the kind of photography I wanted.

@Dino, thanks for sharing and I read that you did 100 weddings this year with 75% of the same booked for next year! Wow, commercially, that's a success! May I ask a difficult question - were all the 100 weddings you shoot truly inspiring shoots? Were there weddings that weren't as beautifully prepared or not as emotionally-loaded such that you have to create the wedding images for the couple? Kung baga parang staged production na? If yes, how many such weddings do you get and how do you deal with it and still deliver inspiring images?

@Nino, man I wish I'm still 25. :D

This thread is really a nice read. I never bothered to take a peek as it was in the "show me the money" section and figured that it would be mostly with a pro flavor in it. My own myopia never ceases to amaze me. Hahaha!!!

Anyway, Jerry, you're absolutely right on the money with the "work" thing. That's why I'm really awed by the pros like Mr. John and Ms. Harvey, Dino, Nino, Nick and Pilar to name a few here in DPP... "where angels fear to tread" as that old line goes. Photography as a business is not for the faint of heart.

And, yes, I still wish I am 25... the spirit is willing but the knees are getting to be really weak. Hahaha!!!

I wish I made the jump earlier. I wish I took up a real course on photography. I wish I shot film first than digital. So many things I wish I did when I was younger.

The spirit is willing. So willing. As we walk longer the path we take, we realize the distance we covered is still not enough.

nice one... nino... a long and hard path!

pare, at 25, you're way ahead than most. there are countless of poor souls out there who're still searching. take yours truly for example. i just stumbled into this hobby last year and never in my wildest dreams thought i'd go to places to shoot (I usually go and veg. hehehe). so imagine me waking up to the realization that I love photography at the not so tender age of 38... spent 3.5 years of my life in the US with only a stamp on my passport to show for it. pathetic :)

i guess being this "old", it's my "duty" to you "younger" folks to tell you that you people are doing ok and encourage you to soldier on. so, don't be too hard on yourself. you are the envy of most... and that would include people outside of photography. there's only a handful of the world's population who have realized what they wanted to do at your age. man, i have lots of friends who don't the heck know what they want to do with their lives and they're already making jillions. so who do you think is REALLY ahead? ;)

I wish I made the jump earlier. I wish I took up a real course on photography. I wish I shot film first than digital. So many things I wish I did when I was younger.

The spirit is willing. So willing. As we walk longer the path we take, we realize the distance we covered is still not enough.

The few things I realized in this journey towards my future as a photographer:
1. Do what you love most, else you're not happy.
2. There's still a long road ahead, not matter what the age. We all have to pay our dues.
3. Look into your heart and find yourself. Don't care what people say. Follow your own way.
4. Friends come and go. Real ones stay beside you in your journey.
5. You're never too old to learn more.

nino....nice story...inspiring naman...for your age, you've come a long way bro!

...but you left the best parts out in your kwento! :D

nino....nice story...inspiring naman...for your age, you've come a long way bro!

...but you left the best parts out in your kwento! :D

The best parts, are actually parts I don't want to remember. It's not as fun as we thought it was.

really? hmmm...i sense regret...remorse....

sabagay. those are just false perks. the fulfillment of your soul as an artist cannot be trumped by any worldy or material thing....

wow, spent 30 mins or so reading this thread, the stories here are very inspiring, very encouraging and very real. hopefully things will work-out for me too, been interested in photography for so long on and off but now im taking things for real this time.
by being pro ( 100% of income from photography ) would it count if my main income now comes from the photo-industry? guess im an entrepreneur/semi-pro, my wife's still asking me when we can get our ROI from the gear i bought :( .

thanks for sharing your stories, can't wait to read more and thanks again for the very encouraging real life stories

Well when you are sitting on your death bed looking back at your life, do you think you'd say "I wish I could have spent more time in the office?"

Anyway, Jerry, you're absolutely right on the money with the "work" thing. That's why I'm really awed by the pros like Mr. John and Ms. Harvey, Dino, Nino, Nick and Pilar to name a few here in DPP... "where angels fear to tread" as that old line goes. Photography as a business is not for the faint of heart.
!

Jerry, truly, we've done nothing that should awe you. The reason why we are in photography is because we didn't know anything else and did not know any better in 1973 when we started Adphoto. All that John wanted to do was photography. He was a high school graduate (dropped out of college in the first part of the first semester) and had no other skills.

In 1978, I took my MBA at the Ateneo and learned the many requirements of starting a business. Buti na lang pala at we had already started our photography business. Kung nauna yung MBA ko (which incidentally I did not finish), hindi na sana kami nakapag-start sa dami ng dapat iconsider before starting a business. We were not aware na may pitfalls and risks din pala. Tira lang ng tira. Reminds me of a quote I once saw that I found inspiring - "A big shot is just a small shot who keeps shooting." Appropriate for photographers, di ba?:) Note: See translation of this paragraph below. John reminded me not to post in Taglish.

In 1978, I took my MBA at the Ateneo and learned the many requirements of starting a business. It's a good thing that we had already started our photography business. If I had enrolled with my MBA first (which incidentally I did not finish), we would not have been able to start the business for fear of the many requirements/considerations before starting one. We were not aware that there were risks and pitfalls. We just kept on shooting. Reminds me of a quote I once saw that I found inspiring. - "A big shot is just a small shot who keeps shooting." This is appropriate for photographers, isn't it?

guess im an entrepreneur/semi-pro, my wife's still asking me when we can get our ROI from the gear i bought :( .

Funny, my wife's asking me the same question... and here I am already thinking of updating my gear :Grin:.

This is a nice topic, It made me smile thinking of my best and worst times......
I was a freshman in Fine Arts Advertising and loves to paint
using either watercolor or oil as my meduim. I had a hard time
and got frustrated - Photography is one of our subjects and
got hooked on it. With my first (Praktica) camera and a 50mm
lens i would shoot anything and even earn from it by doing
my classmates assignments.I would spend long hours in the dark
room for printing for my and my classmates prints.
As a student, I had a hard time sustaining the expenses
.... My allowance would’nt fit. Super mahal ang gamit.
It was when I became an Art Director in an Advertising agency
when Photography really gave life to me. I met a lot of
photographers and John Chua was one of those who enlightened
me and eventually i think i forced myself to be one of their employees.
John has an assistant at that time and he did’nt needed 1 more.
So, I started as an in-house designer. I was eager to learn
photography and forgot my being of a designer. Luckily (for me),
John’s assistant got married and resigned. We were shooting cars that time when John and Harvey asked me if I can carry power packs, of course I answered yes....
BOOM! I became an assistant and forgot designing.
- I was practically assisting everyday. With all the techniques, challeges, adventures, learnings, sweat, tears, laughter and
everything. I became who I am today. I thank my mentor,
John who would always tell me “Just do it!” and pushed me
to do my best. I had a small notebook where i wrote all the
teachings he shared and collected all the polaroids and wrote
all the diagrams on how he would light up a subject. He would
always asked me, “What have you learned today?” That time
I would always worry I might not answer any and he would
get mad , I always need to be prepared that’s why my notebook
helped me a lot.I would always look for a time to shoot
for my folio even on sundays and holidays. Applying what I’ve learned and improving my skill. .
There was a time when John was out of town for a shoot and a client had a rush requirement needed to be shot in the studio, He would see me assist John on all of their shoots - he had no choice and gave me the first break ever in my life. I shot his requirement and everything followed.
Photography is my life, I practically shoot everday and still
enjoying .

I was once doing a product photography shoot for an ad agency's client. This was back in the mid-90's and I charged the client about P8k for the whole shoot. The client kept on grilling me for my qualifications and client list and other stuff and I couldn't figure out why.

The ad agency released my check a couple of months after the shoot and there was a form that was left accidentally attached to my check that stated that the client was billed P40k for my photography services!

That was a wake up call. I quickly realized that I was undervaluing myself and my services and quickly raised my prices :D

Funny, my wife's asking me the same question... and here I am already thinking of updating my gear :Grin:.

This is what I meant. John and I did not know anything about business (I finished Pol Sc. at U.P.), had not heard of ROI, or anything thing like that. We also did not have any money to buy. John would ask me to borrow equipment from my photographer-friends, but since I didn't (still don't) like borrowing, I saved every centavo to be able to buy him the lenses and cameras that he needed. :) Now, of course, I worry about ROI. John still doesn't. :D

pare, at 25, you're way ahead than most. there are countless of poor souls out there who're still searching. take yours truly for example. i just stumbled into this hobby last year and never in my wildest dreams thought i'd go to places to shoot (I usually go and veg. hehehe). so imagine me waking up to the realization that I love photography at the not so tender age of 38... spent 3.5 years of my life in the US with only a stamp on my passport to show for it. pathetic :)

i guess being this "old", it's my "duty" to you "younger" folks to tell you that you people are doing ok and encourage you to soldier on. so, don't be too hard on yourself. you are the envy of most... and that would include people outside of photography. there's only a handful of the world's population who have realized what they wanted to do at your age. man, i have lots of friends who don't the heck know what they want to do with their lives and they're already making jillions. so who do you think is REALLY ahead? ;)
Raul... do you believe in State of Mind... Photography is one hell of a profession - the best.. where you can came in anytime in your life and still can be the best. No degrees nor titles needed just passion. everything can be learned. I am going to be 59 years old next month. Last sunday I was running around searching for images that would depict the tragedy that has fallen on the people of Albay. My heart bleed for them as i took pictures of their sufferings. Then Wednesday coming from Albay I went on to shoot for a fashion magazine - Underwater Fashion Shoot with my improvised underwater casing for my Canon 1DsMk2. Risk my camera for that shoot. Today, the editor was amaze with all my shots and thank me for giving my time for this project.
When I was 40 i begin seriously thinking about being the best photographer that I could be. I started to attend seminars and workshops. So I say to you, Life begins at 40... all I want to know if you have that passion... if you do, l challenge you to come and visit my studio and lets talk it over. I have a motto... Dont wait for things to happen...You make it happen. Do I expect to see you before the year end...John Chua

Age doesnt matter - Its your State of Mind is more important...believe me.

This is what I meant. John and I did not know anything about business (I finished Pol Sc. at U.P.), had not heard of ROI, or anything thing like that. We also did not have any money to buy. John would ask me to borrow equipment from my photographer-friends, but since I didn't (still don't) like borrowing, I saved every centavo to be able to buy him the lenses and cameras that he needed. :) Now, of course, I worry about ROI. John still doesn't. :D

I get the same response from my Ate... but I'm not yet ready, or not even sure yet, of taking the big leap into serious photography... So I tell her, "Oh don't expect any ROIs soon.. not yet..."

@ Sir John and Ma'am Harvey, your story is truly inspiring.. :)

OT: Sir John, Thanks again for the brownies.. I think your goal is to make all the canon girls gain weight this season! :D

pare, at 25, you're way ahead than most. there are countless of poor souls out there who're still searching. take yours truly for example. i just stumbled into this hobby last year and never in my wildest dreams thought i'd go to places to shoot (I usually go and veg. hehehe). so imagine me waking up to the realization that I love photography at the not so tender age of 38... spent 3.5 years of my life in the US with only a stamp on my passport to show for it. pathetic :)

i guess being this "old", it's my "duty" to you "younger" folks to tell you that you people are doing ok and encourage you to soldier on. so, don't be too hard on yourself. you are the envy of most... and that would include people outside of photography. there's only a handful of the world's population who have realized what they wanted to do at your age. man, i have lots of friends who don't the heck know what they want to do with their lives and they're already making jillions. so who do you think is REALLY ahead? ;)

I'm 25 and will soon turn 26. I don't want to spend another minute of my life to waste. I don't want to look back 5-10 years from now and regret not doing something that I'm so passionate about. That's why I'm really planning to be serious about this field. I plan to buy my first DSLR camera, then take up workshop and expand my network.

I have a "regular" job right now but I also know that there's no such thing as "security" in any employment, so I'd rather do something that I'm passionate about rather than be in a job that pays well but you don't know if you'll still have a job tomorrow. Don't get me wrong, I like my job right now but I also know that photography is something that I will not only call my job and career but also my passion and that is something no amount of money can buy.

Hi guys! This is such a great thread and I loved reading all the stories.
I knew I love photography ever since I bought my first digicam in 2000. In the office they always ask me to take photos of many of our events and I do it for free. Every shoot I am more inspired to go for it full-time but just scared to really jump into it.
Thanks for the really inspiring stories and I hope one day God-willing I could turn pro too.

I just wanted to ressurect this thread. My all-time favorite. I'd like to hear new ones since I need my dose of inspiration

what's yours tammy? have you reached your turning point?

what's yours tammy? have you reached your turning point?

More like Boiling Point

boiling point?

boiling point?

That's right! frustration got the best of me so I'll focus my efforts on becoming the world's best milk maid

Thanks for your sharing. This surely encouraged me to take on the invitation of friends to cover for their events and take on photo assignments. DPP has surely helped me in this field. Thank you people!

Fascinating stories, very inspiring. Thanks all for sharing. Here’s my bit.

By trade and calling, I am a writer. During the day, I work as the Deputy Editor for a Singapore gadgets and gear magazine. My duties include copywriting, copy editing, and managing our special projects production team, based in the Philippines because we’re cheaper. Our team conceptualizes and produces advertising publications such as the Canon 40D supplement some of you might have picked up from our Philippine edition.

I don’t believe I’ll ever make the jump to professional photography. At least not full time. What I’ve learned to do, though, is how make money from my hobby – and it seems most of us here consider photography a hobby – by integrating it into my primary skillset.

The magazine has already given me many opportunities to immerse myself in photography, though not in shooting per se. I’ve reviewed many cameras. I’ve shot product. I’ve even co-written a book on the Sony Alpha. I’ve also recently been given the extra task of looking over our sister publication PHOTOVIDEOi, which is I think Singapore’s only dedicated photography magazine (different market DPP folks – not competing here ;-) ).

That’s what I do for my daily grind. When I’m not doing that, I write freelance for other magazines (shhhh, it’s an open secret!). Here’s where being an amateur photographer comes into play. For a travel story, an editor needs copy and photos for his/her layout. Normally, that means sending a writer and a photographer to some far-flung location to gather material for the layout. That means two plane tickets, two bunks, twice the number of meals and double the paperwork. It makes perfect business sense for the magazine to cut down on the budget by sending someone who can perform both roles.

While I don’t consider my photography skills “there” yet, I’ve been successful in getting my stories and photos published. Magazines pay for the story and they pay for the photos. I wish they paid more haha but the reality is, editorial pays crap.

My last travel assignment was to cover the hot air balloon fiesta. Of course I HAD to have gone on Day Three, a day that will live in infamy among DPPers. No balloons flew. Where was my story? I had shots of model helicopters and kids launching rockets. I wrote the hell out of the experience and made the most out of the situation. Submitted photos but the editor really wanted hot air balloon pics. I recommended someone I knew had gone to Day Four. His photos were selected (gorgeous!) to accompany my article. My disappointment that none of my photos were used lasted about three seconds. They did a fantastic job on the layout. No hard feelings. Learn from the experience.

Sure, I’d like to branch out and shoot more for pay. I’ve no doubt that will happen. There’s shooting for stock, something I’ve written about but have never actually tried. There’s product shots for our clients. There’s food photography with my wife’s cooking. Racket dito, racket doon. A little extra at the end of the month gives me that fuzzy feeling. I just need to remember this: Writer first, Photographer second. The trick is to make Photographer a really close second.

Turning point? Not really. More like a parallel route with occasional intersections.

Naku, Karlo, writer ka nga! (Hey Karlo, you really ARE a writer!) hehehe.

Testimonial, I met Karlo when he was the kick-ass Managing Editor of T3 magazine, which explains why he is so into gadgets. I was then, a novice Managing Editor of Top Gear magazine and our tables were within spitting range.

Like Karlo, I went the writer to photographer route because the sponsor would only pay for one plane fare. But I did start out with film in the 80s but stopped when I lost my Nikon F3 during my travels. The pain still hurts.

My turning point was when I was sent to cover the F1 race in Sepang, Malaysia in 2005. Naturally, there being only one plane ticket, the publisher loaned me a Canon AE1 (if I remember, right) and gave me 100 rolls of film for the three day junket.

I remember changing rolls several times during the race, muttering to myself, no crashes, please, no crashes (while I'm loading film).

Currently, I'm back in banking with an occasional freelance photography job here and there (Karlo, take the HINT, HINT, WINK, WINK).

I'm planning to go full time photog when I retire and watch movies in Makati for free. As written earlier in this thread, it's not too late...

Very inspiring! I wish I have the courage to quit my job :Grin:

I was once doing a product photography shoot for an ad agency's client. This was back in the mid-90's and I charged the client about P8k for the whole shoot. The client kept on grilling me for my qualifications and client list and other stuff and I couldn't figure out why.

The ad agency released my check a couple of months after the shoot and there was a form that was left accidentally attached to my check that stated that the client was billed P40k for my photography services!

That was a wake up call. I quickly realized that I was undervaluing myself and my services and quickly raised my prices :D

So you mean sir Jo that some advertising people really are lowballers and when it comes to their suppliers? I had a similar experience recently which kinda broke my heart. They look down on you just because i dont look and sound pro.

This is one thread i really enjoy reading and i always come back here just to be inspired.

As for me, i don't have a turning point yet, but everyday for the past 2 years of my life i keep on dreaming and wishing to be a good photographer. There's a lot of "what if's" and "i wish" that i'm experiencing right now, i guess it comes with the age (i'm 37):Grin: .

Right now i'm an in-house graphic artist working in a small company, it's really sad to think that a lot of my college buddies now has titles like "Art director" or "Creative director" working for big time agencies, or some have their own design studios, but at 37 with a wife and 2 kids i'm still a "graphic artist" living by the paycheck.( now i'm sad:() hehehe.


Anyways (sorry for being OT) my interest started 2 years ago when I took up lomography (yes that’s the one where we use plastic ”toy cameras”) until I dug up my old pentax k1000 film SLR, that’s the time I really got serious in photography, thanks to DPP my interest grew even more and I’m learning a lot just by reading the forums (before I don’t even know the difference between an ISO from an f/stop:Grin:)

So what’s the point in all of this? I guess if you really have the passion and drive to do whatever you want to do in your life, you go for it, take the big leap, don’t wait for a year or 5 years or 10 years, just believe in yourself and believe in your capabilities or else you’ll end up just like me:D hehehe

And yes I also wish I’m 25 again!:)



P.S. I'm still using my Pentax K1000 Film SLR and still waiting for a miracle that one day it will rain with money so i can buy myself a nice DSLR :Grin:

Jake's story is stuff of legends, but at the same time very real. And that is what makes it so amazing.

I met jake when he was starting out, we weer both shooting UAAP for the same client. I was just in 3rd year college and he was on his first year of shooting full time. And I guess that was the turning point for me. Shooting nearly everyday and learning first hand on how to do things, assisting, holding lights, reflectors, even fixing models for Mr. Verzosa became my turning point. I decided I wont practice psychology anymore. I had been learning from one the best photogs and he always told me that I'll be able to make it in photography.

I was studying psychology, and I finished it with a thesis on self efficacy of male and female athletes. I had a choice of being an intern in HSBC for marketing or be an intern for summit media. (I chose the latter. Interned for Cosmo and FHM! ayus!) I was on my way to become a sports psychologist and study abroad. That was the plan.

But now, I'm a sports, dance and travel photographer. Doing it full time for two years. I started even before I graduated college. I'm only 23 years old now. Being passionate and in this craft and seeing others share it can be very rewarding and be life-changing.

It's true that passion can carry a photographer for so long, and commissioned jobs can take a lot out of an artist. I guess a remedy for that is to have personal projects. Travel. See new things and discover the joy photography all over again.

oh yeah, and admin work is still a pain. Billing, burning CDs or DVDs, batch processing.. meetings and getting projects.. etc etc.

the brave ones rock on the best opportunities... very inspiring, aaron... :)

Most of the time, alot of hidden options in life are revealed when we choose to pursue our dreams passionately! :)


i couldn't agree more... pew!

i want more pls

Through our 35 years in advertising photography, we have had many turning points and I know we are still having them, but one of the earlier ones, when there were only two of us at Adphoto, was this:

John was not in the mood to shoot a product shot, which we had committed to do. I sat him down - all 160 pounds of him (he is heavier now) with my less than 5' frame and gave him a lecture on responsibility. I said, "John, you are now a professional photographer, and professional means you do not go by your moods. Imagine if you went to your doctor and he tells you he is not in the mood to treat you. You have to do this product shot, no matter what your mood is, and you have to do a good job at it." Even though protesting, John went back to work, and produced a product shot that delighted our client - who never knew what went on between us.

@ ma'am harvey, very inspiring indeed...:)

would you and sir john adopt me?:Grin:

My share (pardon the length, i got carried away):

I came from a school background that had nothing to do with visual arts or anything like that. My photography career all started with a Nokia 7650 back in mid 2003, during the time I was taking my MBA. I was taking photos of plants, people, landscapes, and anything i thought of with my 7650 and my friend Toti Parcero (who was a photographer back in the early 1990s) took a look at my pics and said that he'll teach me how to use a proper camera. After a couple of weeks of looking for one, I finally came upon a Pentax K1000 in the basement. Toti taught me for the whole of 10 minutes on how aperture, shutter speed, and ISO interacted in taking a shot and told me to keep on practicing. He told me that he didn't want to teach me anything else, that I should develop my own style and eye by myself.

Sometime soon after that, he shows up lugging a big flight case full of broncolors and lightstands. He told me that since he started practicing law he didnt have time to shoot anymore and that i should borrow the lights first because they're just gonna get wrecked if he doesnt use them (I had 2 out of 3 fixed up because he didnt use them for YEARS). He also lent me his backdrops! I started taking photos of my friends for practice in my living room (still with my pentax K1000). I "wasted" hundreds of rolls of film taking photos of anything, even lugging that heavy camera (with lenses) to europe. I sold numerous pics of some of those photos to see if I can recover the cost for the film and printing and found that i was more than halfway to buying a 10D by february 2004. I borrowed money from my mom to buy the 10D in order for me to save money by not having to buy film and have contact prints and scans done, and continued shooting out of my living room. More paid shoots slowly came in through referrals and finally my first shoot for a major magazine came out (it was FHM Sept 2004). At that time I started getting PR shoots as well. My first major paycheck was for the PR photos of NIKE Beautiful (also around late 2004). I was shooting with an RB67 Pro SD during that time (i got it secondhand for an absurdly cheap price). And the shoots continued, for portfolios, for modeling agencies, and for restaurants ( I couldnt discriminate what clients to take).

The turning point came after a year and a half of DESTROYING the living room and shooting out of my house. My mom finally had enough and told me to move my operation. She knew exactly what I was making because I was giving her all of my checks. I opened my studio in May 2005 with everything I had saved. The first year was terrible. I had no idea how to run a studio, and I was doing everything myself. I hired my first assistant who helped me do all my burning, permits, billings, and deliveries. I ended up losing money on my first year. My second year was a different matter. By that time, I had developed my own workflow and made more contacts (by going out all the time and meeting clients). I never refused any job except for events, which I still dont do up to now (too TIRING). I took photos of babies, toys, men & women, food, houses, etc. in order to hone my skills and diversity of my portfolio. I also never stopped presenting to agencies and direct clients. My second year netted me a much bigger profit compared to the first year.

I'm now 27 and will be on my third year of shooting and supporting myself 100% with photography. I moved out of the old studio a month and a half ago and started construction on a big space, which I now share with an ad agency and a production designer. I employ a larger staff as well. And I am back, full circle, to where I started during my first year in the studio: TOTALLY BROKE. Thank goodness for collectibles. :D

I guess as long as you believe in yourself and continue to hone photography and business skills and develop contacts, photography could be lucrative. One thing for certain though, if you make the jump, you have to pay your dues. Develop a GOOD portfolio, try to do some editorial work (which initially pays crap) to get your name out there in order to net the bigger fish (advertising and PR). Price and know your value as well and respect the market. And don't forget to look at your old photographs in order to remain humble, to remember that there was a time that you DID SUCK :D

Wes,
Great sharing! You've done so much and you're only 27! More power to you.
Harvey

Thanks Harvey! Hopefully my studio will someday be at least as successful as yours! :)

Thanks Harvey! Hopefully my studio will someday be at least as successful as yours! :)

I'm sure your studio will be, and even more successful, and sooner. :)We took a long time because we had almost nothing - no money, no equipment, no knowledge, no experience, no contacts or network of relatives or friends, no online forum to throw questions to or get inspiration from. All we had was a dream, and willingness to work hard. And we are still dreaming, and we are still working hard.:)

I am sure there are many success stories out there waiting to be told. It would be great if those who read this thread would also share the stories of their turning point(s). :)

i wish more would post their success stories here..:D im constantly watching this thread..continually being inspired by all your wonderful stories...
iv been into photography for a couple of months...iv been into photoshop for over a year..i'v shot a handful of weddings together with my girlfriend (we were back-up photogs)..she's the one who got me hooked into photography..i finally bought a cam and got it last week...next month, we'll be registering our photography service and will be practicing shots whenever possible..we still have no funds for some equipments or a place..we'd be relying on referrals...being in davao certainly doesnt make things easy...not many opportunities here...but we'r still hopeful...:D
will be watching this thread, waiting for other stories to be posted, re-reading the previous ones...sort of like a beacon of light for the tough times ahead...:Grin:

My share (pardon the length, i got carried away):

I came from a school background that had nothing to do with visual arts or anything like that. My photography career all started with a Nokia 7650 back in mid 2003, during the time I was taking my MBA. I was taking photos of plants, people, landscapes, and anything i thought of with my 7650 and my friend Toti Parcero (who was a photographer back in the early 1990s) took a look at my pics and said that he'll teach me how to use a proper camera. After a couple of weeks of looking for one, I finally came upon a Pentax K1000 in the basement. Toti taught me for the whole of 10 minutes on how aperture, shutter speed, and ISO interacted in taking a shot and told me to keep on practicing. He told me that he didn't want to teach me anything else, that I should develop my own style and eye by myself.

Sometime soon after that, he shows up lugging a big flight case full of broncolors and lightstands. He told me that since he started practicing law he didnt have time to shoot anymore and that i should borrow the lights first because they're just gonna get wrecked if he doesnt use them (I had 2 out of 3 fixed up because he didnt use them for YEARS). He also lent me his backdrops! I started taking photos of my friends for practice in my living room (still with my pentax K1000). I "wasted" hundreds of rolls of film taking photos of anything, even lugging that heavy camera (with lenses) to europe. I sold numerous pics of some of those photos to see if I can recover the cost for the film and printing and found that i was more than halfway to buying a 10D by february 2004. I borrowed money from my mom to buy the 10D in order for me to save money by not having to buy film and have contact prints and scans done, and continued shooting out of my living room. More paid shoots slowly came in through referrals and finally my first shoot for a major magazine came out (it was FHM Sept 2004). At that time I started getting PR shoots as well. My first major paycheck was for the PR photos of NIKE Beautiful (also around late 2004). I was shooting with an RB67 Pro SD during that time (i got it secondhand for an absurdly cheap price). And the shoots continued, for portfolios, for modeling agencies, and for restaurants ( I couldnt discriminate what clients to take).

The turning point came after a year and a half of DESTROYING the living room and shooting out of my house. My mom finally had enough and told me to move my operation. She knew exactly what I was making because I was giving her all of my checks. I opened my studio in May 2005 with everything I had saved. The first year was terrible. I had no idea how to run a studio, and I was doing everything myself. I hired my first assistant who helped me do all my burning, permits, billings, and deliveries. I ended up losing money on my first year. My second year was a different matter. By that time, I had developed my own workflow and made more contacts (by going out all the time and meeting clients). I never refused any job except for events, which I still dont do up to now (too TIRING). I took photos of babies, toys, men & women, food, houses, etc. in order to hone my skills and diversity of my portfolio. I also never stopped presenting to agencies and direct clients. My second year netted me a much bigger profit compared to the first year.

I'm now 27 and will be on my third year of shooting and supporting myself 100% with photography. I moved out of the old studio a month and a half ago and started construction on a big space, which I now share with an ad agency and a production designer. I employ a larger staff as well. And I am back, full circle, to where I started during my first year in the studio: TOTALLY BROKE. Thank goodness for collectibles. :D

I guess as long as you believe in yourself and continue to hone photography and business skills and develop contacts, photography could be lucrative. One thing for certain though, if you make the jump, you have to pay your dues. Develop a GOOD portfolio, try to do some editorial work (which initially pays crap) to get your name out there in order to net the bigger fish (advertising and PR). Price and know your value as well and respect the market. And don't forget to look at your old photographs in order to remain humble, to remember that there was a time that you DID SUCK :D

wow very insoiring Wes, you already have come in full circle in photography i wish i can start my own circle hehehe by the way what do you mean when you say "if you make the jump, you have to pay your dues."

Hi to all! Mine is not really a success story :Grin:

It all started when we went to the hot air balloon festival a couple of months ago, it was the third day wherein no balloons flew because of the strong winds so its kinda frustrating:(.

There I saw many photographers with their slr's. I watched them shoot, compare their cameras with one another, and most of all became amazed with the pictures that they have taken. Maybe its because of that event that I realized that I want to become a part of the world of photography:D. After that, I started imagining myself carrying an slr and taking pictures hahaha:D.

Then came Feb. 16, 2008 when my imagination turned reality, I bought my first dslr with the help of my friend's credit card..haha after that, I started taking pictures without reading the manual first (excited), and of course you'll have an idea with the results:Grin:. That time i still have no idea about the terms in photography such as shutterspeed, depth of field, aperture size and other photography jargons, I'm just enjoying the clicking and i feel like a professional photographer already..haha:D

Up to now, I'm still familiarizing myself with my cam, taking pictures of anything under the sun and maybe someday when I'm knowledgeable enough, start a business with it and recover my initial expenses, then if ever that happens, I think that will be the time to take the jump:Grin:

Hi to all! Mine is not really a success story :Grin:
I'm just enjoying the clicking and i feel like a professional photographer already..haha:D
:

John still does that - even imitating the sound of his imaginary shutter running at several frames per second...

When he was using a film camera many years ago, he would pretend to cock and press the shutter. You can see his thumb moving the imaginary shutter cock and his forefinger "pressing" the shutter button. Faster and faster and faster :Grin:

That's a good sign. it means you are in love with photography.:)

i wish more would post their success stories here..:D im constantly watching this thread..continually being inspired by all your wonderful stories...
iv been into photography for a couple of months...iv been into photoshop for over a year..i'v shot a handful of weddings together with my girlfriend (we were back-up photogs)..she's the one who got me hooked into photography..i finally bought a cam and got it last week...next month, we'll be registering our photography service and will be practicing shots whenever possible..we still have no funds for some equipments or a place..we'd be relying on referrals...being in davao certainly doesnt make things easy...not many opportunities here...but we'r still hopeful...:D
will be watching this thread, waiting for other stories to be posted, re-reading the previous ones...sort of like a beacon of light for the tough times ahead...:Grin:


calling JT!

hello :)

well i don't shoot professionally in the strict sense. I've been paid to do shoots but mostly for PR friends who needs product shots and event photographers. I don't really advertise openly -- I still consider it a hobby for the most part.

What helped me get some clients were two things:

1. My Flickr Page
It is a good idea to keep a portfolio of your best shots. I was surprised when people contacted me through my blog and went "I saw your flickr page and I was wondering if you wanted to shoot so and so..."

2. Flickr Moo Cards with my photos on the back
I give out Moo cards, printed from Flickr ( http://www.moo.com/flickr/ ) and somehow people remember.

OFF TOPIC: On Flickr

I used to be a flickr-head til my PRO account expired last December. It's a good thing since I would just upload and upload and my head got a little swollen with oh so nice comments. It's a good thing I'm done with my Flickr-ing and focused on real boot camp or online gallery biz (well at least working on it)

Here's a good read

Flickr: No Cartier-Bressons here (NY Times)
http://www.nytimes.com/2008/04/27/magazine/27wwln-medium-t.html?ex=1367035200&en=24068d91b0e276f1&ei=5088&partner=rssnyt&emc=rss

Next goal: Digital Railroad

tammy,

hows the jakarta show? i heard that you 7 had 1-meter prints showed there. beats flickr in a heartbeat i must say. comes to show what basic photography can do to your career.

cool thread..photography, a profession or a calling? :)