How do you define a successful photographer?

[Bynx]

I would think you are a successful photographer when customers seek you out rather than you are looking for customers.

 

[o hey tyler]

I will consider myself a successful photographer when I can consistently produce the images I see in my head. Whether they be for a paycheck, a beer or my own enjoyment doesn't matter to me.

Real talk.

 

[c.cloudwalker]

How do you define a successful photographer?



Who cares? This kind of question makes no sense without specifying what kind of photographer we are talking about. As an artist, producing what is in my head is being successful. As a business however the photography had better pay the bills and feed the retirement plan. In one case I could not care less what people think and in the other if they thought I suck I wouldn't be here chatting.

The only thing that matters is Are You Happy? And you most definitely don't seem to be.

I will be a successful photographer when I have a show, in a gallery, in France.
Then I will quit, at the top of my game.

Then you will be successful my son, lol. No harder getting a show here than back in the US. However, when you get to show here (Les Rencontres d'Arles 2011) you will impress me. And I won't be surprised to see you there some day

I will consider myself a successful photographer when I can consistently produce the images I see in my head.

Although I like this way of looking at things it means I am not successful. I went to painting because I could not consistently produce photographically the images in my head. Too much work or too much money to do some of them. Yeah, my head is weird, lol.

When I'm banging a hot supermodel. That's being a successful photographer.

Ok realistically I AM a successful photographer. I am an amateur and this is my hobby. I enjoy it immensely and that is my success. When I stop being successful I stop being happy so I need to find another hobby. But I don't think that will happen anytime soon.

That is my favorite way of looking at it. Although hot supermodels are way overrated. I prefer thinking women, lol.

Happiness is key imho.

 

[spacefuzz]

I am a successful photographer because I enjoy taking pictures, and happiness is success.

 

[baturn]

Garbz got it!

 

[imagemaker46]

I haven't always considered myself successful inspite of my accomplishments. Having said that, I do believe that because some of the images I have produced have touched the hearts of people, invoked a positive response and had people simply say thanks for the great picture. That makes what I've done to this point in my career successful.

 

[KmH]

When a photographer is able to consistantly make photographs the photographer enjoys looking at, the photographer is successful.

 

[KVRNut]

My definition of a successful photographer is one who can touch other's souls with their work.

 

[The_Traveler]

I will consider myself a successful photographer when I can consistently produce the images I see in my head. Whether they be for a paycheck, a beer or my own enjoyment doesn't matter to me.

Absolutely how I feel.
The natural follow on is then always the struggle to see new things.

 

[KmH]

I will consider myself a successful photographer when I can consistently produce the images I see in my head. Whether they be for a paycheck, a beer or my own enjoyment doesn't matter to me.

Well said! I missed your comment my first time through page 1, and that's basically what I was trying to say, but you did a better job of it..

 

[manaheim]

A successful XXXXXXXXX is any XXXXXXXXX who meets the goals that they establish for themselves. What others think is a successful XXXXXXXX is irrelevant to that person, because other people's goals are not their own.

Or, as cloud said... "Who cares?"

 

[STM]

For me, "success" in photography is a rather nebulous term.

For a professional photographer, certainly success could be measured by the amount of income their work produces. If they enter competitions, then certainly the number of awards they receive would define success. I guess also recognition by their peers if they are into such things.

The overwhelming number of photographers out there do not do this professionally, however, rather they do it as a hobby. This is where the term "successful" has many different meanings, and could mean different things to every person. Do they use photography as an artistic outlet? Are they happy with the quality of their photos, regardless of the level of expertise? Do they get enjoyment out of taking photographs? If their photos give them what they are looking for, then yes, they are successful.

Every hobbyist photographer has a different yardstick by which they define "success". For everyone, that yardstick may be a different length and include different scales by which they measure success.

 

[STM]

"When I'm banging a hot supermodel. That's being a successful photographer".


Trust me, I have photographed some very beautiful and pretty successful models in my life and a surprisingly large number of them that I have come in contact with have straw for brains and can be very self absorbed, narcissistic beotches. You really wouldn't want to be around them for any longer than it takes to finish the shoot!

Take the money and RUN!!!

 

[Bynx]

Since it seems no on can agree on what success means the question will never be answered.

 

[c.cloudwalker]

The natural follow on is then always the struggle to see new things.

As I was reminded again recently while visiting a museum, there is very little new under the sun so, that's definitely going to be a struggle. Seeing things in a new way is much more doable.

A successful XXXXXXXXX is any XXXXXXXXX who meets the goals that they establish for themselves. What others think is a successful XXXXXXXX is irrelevant to that person, because other people's goals are not their own.

For me, "success" in photography is a rather nebulous term.

:thumbup:

straw for brains and ...

My thought exactly. :lmao: