Making Peace Between Passion and Profit

We all have different interests, likes, and dislikes — it’s what makes each of us unique. Some of us turn those passions into hobbies, and some are fortunate enough to turn those hobbies into paid work. Maybe we teach, sell our likeness, or offer services tied to our craft.

But there’s a fine line between creating for the love of it and creating for a paycheck. Between being an artist and being a businessperson. I’ve struggled with that line for years.

I always dreamed of traveling the world and making a living through photography. I believed that dream would become real by simply making photos — but recently, I’ve learned that’s not entirely true.

I love getting paid. I love doing different jobs. But I also love the creative process — making images just for the sake of creating. People used to say, “Art doesn’t pay the bills,” and for a while, I believed them. But then Instagram came along and showed me a new path — that it was possible to turn your art into income.

I remember my first paid gig — a portrait session.

“How much do you charge?” they asked.

I blurted out, “Fifty bucks.”

We picked a location, I shot everything in auto mode, didn’t edit a thing, and looking back… the photos were terrible. But I was hooked.

That moment showed me I could work, grow as an artist, and get paid — all at the same time.

But here’s the catch: artists don’t make money. Business-minded people do.

I struggled for years with pricing my work, collaborating with others, and showing up professionally. I was so focused on my creative process that I forgot people don’t just hire great artists — they hire great humans. I lost jobs and connections because I couldn’t be coached, didn’t listen, or let my ego get in the way. My attitude sucked.

But that’s life. You live, you learn, and you adapt.

Today, I still want to make money and make photos — but I do it for me first. If I pour all my creative energy into someone else’s vision, I lose the fire. But when I create for myself, I show up better for my clients, too.

This shift has changed everything. I feel more energized, more aligned, and more fulfilled — not just as a photographer, but as a person. As an artist.