Did you come here looking for some tips on how to become a freelance photographer? Let me give you the most valuable one - don’t. Becoming a photographer isn’t a smart idea. Let’s look at why you shouldn’t:

1) There aren’t a lot of jobs available. It’s a fact. With the invention of the internet, many magazines and especially newspapers have felt the squeeze of their readership dropping which, in turn, affects their ad revenue and ultimately their employing power as well. And unfortunately, many editors and publishers value the written word more than the pictures that accompany them. Writers stay - photographers go.

2) Everyone is suddenly a photographer. Because of the falling costs of digital SLRs there is currently a plague of amateur-at-best shooters out there with dreams of seeing their pictures in print. The editors and publishers referenced above are more than ready to accept pictures from these types of photographers with no more compensation than a cutline under the photo - eliminating a paying job for a pro somewhere.

3) A segment of the population hates you. Going out in the field makes you a target for people who don’t trust the media and they’ll let you know. This job requires a tough skin.

4) You will be poor. For every staff position a photographer holds at a newspaper that pays a salary, there are untold numbers of freelancers waiting in the wings for the call that sends them out on assignment - and a paying gig.

…still here?

So, why should you be a photographer? Because you love making photos and sharing the images and your point of view with the world. Don’t take that last statment lightly. It’s one thing to say it (in fact, you’ll see that exact statment on a lot of different photographers’ bio pages), it’s another thing to live it. And, don’t get me wrong. I’m not trying to be a downer. Sometimes people do really well right from the start - but that isn’t usual. Becoming a photographer is a lot of hard work - mentally, physicially and financially.

Unless you are willing to keep at it, even if it means living out of you car and eating Top Ramen straight out of the bag, you should just keep taking pictures as a hobby.