What to do, what to do...

[Schen]

So I'm in a bit of a pickle at this point in my life. If you've noticed I've been relatively quiet the last couple weeks. Car is paid off, I've got a job although not a successful one, girlfriend has a job, were happy, we do stuff together. So on and so on. Things are good.

But I think I'm getting tired of photography. Or at least, don't have the time for it anymore. Not as much as I would like to at least.

Right now, I'm holding a steady job (which by the way has nothing to do with my photo work) but I've been at this place for 3 years now without a penny more, work the most horrible of hours (10:30-7), and by the time I get home just do not have the urge to sit in front of a computer for a few hours. There's alot more than just this but those are just the big details.

What I'd like to hear is some opinions. Am I being to naive? What should I look for? I realize 3 years is a drop in the bucket. I know some guys work 80+ hours a week. Sometimes I feel like I'm being taken advantage of. I was told by some to get out, that things will get worse and while some things have I don't think it's gone completely south. Yeah, I come home pretty stressed some nights and I've learned to deal with it but I really want change. I'm just not sure when I'm going to hit that fork in the road.

I have reached out to FCA as a possible option at some time but nothing has come up. I will forever love the company, still have a ton of passion for Viper and would like nothing more to be involved somehow. That is my ultimate goal.

I'm open to any and all advice because that I'm only 25, some of you may have (or not) been in similar situations before. By the way, don't think I'm just dumping photography completely, I am registered for the NY Auto Show already. I'm just looking for some advice.

--RS

[vipertank]

Might sound far fetched and unrelated, but do you exercise? If not you'd be surprised by how much better you feel when it becomes a habit...and what new ideas come to mind while running, biking, etc etc . Sound body-sound mind...someone smart once said that.

[ViperTony]

This may sound odd but I was in a well-paying profession for 16 years and while the pay was great I was bored and unhappy which carried over into my personal life, what little time I had for it as I was working silly hours for years. Maybe I was burnt out, not sure, but I was not happy. It was clear to me I was no longer doing what I loved to do. I pursued my hobby, cooking, and became a chef. It was a dramatic 180 degree career turn. I literally quit my chosen profession and dove right into the culinary world. When I started I was making 1/20th of what I was making in my first career but I was motivated, challenged and very happy. 5 years later the hard work is paying off. I am a much happier person and, frankly, it feels fng great that I was able to accomplish this.

Sometimes, in order to get a foot in a door of a profession you want to be in requires some sacrifice. For me, it was working for free for a high-end restaurant so I could get into the kitchen and work with a very talented chef. I didn't want to screw around as I figured I had one shot to at least try my best. I literally had to fight for my positions in the kitchen. When the chef called me to audition me he said "You're my age. I talk kids half our age to get out of this business and do something else. Are you sure you want do this?". LOL. It's something I wanted, very badly, so I did what I had to do to make it happen. While I want to have my own restaurant I wasn't going to dive into it without working in the trenches first and climbing the kitchen ladder. I'm glad I did. It's not easy but anything worthwhile doing is never easy.

If photography is something you really want to do for a living, I'll try to put you in touch with a NY/CT member that is right up there when it comes to photographers. Maybe he can give you some helpful advice to break into that profession. I guess if I have any advice to give you it's to pursue what makes you happy. I don't know what your day job is, if it's related to your chosen profession or not. I have a feeling that you really enjoy photography but it may be a hobby at this point and it doesn't pay the bills. You're 25 years old, you should grab the world by its' balls and take some chances.

The question is: What do you REALLY want to do for a living? And how does FCA fit into that?

[IndyRon]

The key is fulfillment. If you like getting up in the morning and doing what you do, it won't matter that the hours aren't perfect, you work hard, or someone else makes more money. Find something you really enjoy. That's not to say that some days won't just be "routine" and feel like just a job, but you'll ultimately feel good about what you are contributing to the world, especially if it is in an area that you feel that you are skilled or gifted in.

[plumcrazy]

Talk to tonys hookup in the photo field, hes a good guy.

id like to hear what you REALLY wanna do too. Where do you see yourself in 5, 10 years ? I had zero idea what i wanted to do after school, got a job in a related field to what im doing now and ended up where i am. Love my job. It takes time to figure out what you actually wanna do or to figure out what you are good at.

[Schen]

Thanks guys.

I feel Tony is right on point as to how my current situation is. I was hesitant at first to post some details, this is the internet. Anyway, I work at a surgical supply store. I'm a warehouse employee and I'm constantly moving in and out of a building to fill large oxygen tanks, hospital beds and other equipment. So exercise is def a part of my daily routine. (even though I am, errr, pudgy)

What's my goal in life? To be a full time photographer! To be working at CDC in Detroit. I want so badly to be involved with visual concepts, whether that be for press items, social media and so on. I can write too, if you couldn't tell, scored pretty good on a high school efficiency exam for writing. A viper owner told me in 2003-04 at the Zone Rendezvous (remember those Phil?) that I had a good eye for photography, so I pursued it going into high school which dropped their photo program as I entered as a freshman. I used to go to local Ferrari events to shoot cars. Out of high school, I went to college and took some courses but didn't finish since some unfortunate family deaths occurred and some other things, that led me to working at a supply store for the last three years. But I feel like I've earned my time and I really want to live the way I want to, not cause I have to.

--RS

[plumcrazy]

sounds like you need to somehow get your foot in the door somehow in that field then. Once in, you can work your balls off and move up.

talk to tonys friend, see if he can point you in any directions

[VYPR BYT]

Ron, no matter what path you choose...
Be sure it's something you enjoy doing and you'll never work a day in your life. ;-)
Mike

[Sybil TF]

Might sound far fetched and unrelated, but do you exercise? If not you'd be surprised by how much better you feel when it becomes a habit...and what new ideas come to mind while running, biking, etc etc . Sound body-sound mind...someone smart once said that.

Exercise is in a select group of people's blood, the only ideas that come to mind for someone who doesn't have it in their blood is "when is this torture going to be over"...Usually good ideas come from a good mentor or a wise old person who is successful.

[Roddy]

Might sound far fetched and unrelated, but do you exercise? If not you'd be surprised by how much better you feel when it becomes a habit...and what new ideas come to mind while running, biking, etc etc . Sound body-sound mind...someone smart once said that.

Transform your body, Transform your life

[octopus]

It seems like you know you're interested in photography/visuals but are being put off by the lack of work and open arms to newcomers in that field. If its what you wish to do for a living then you must pursue it. Keep plugging away with pictures on different sites and all forms of media. Have you tried different styles (I'm not sure if thats the right word) of photography? For instance, people have fallen in love with Speedhunters pictures lately. I'm not sure what it is about them but they just look "different". I know nothing about photography but hopefully you understand what I'm getting at. Maybe just less filtering and effects and more simplistic high quality shots. You're supposed to be out taking pictures because you enjoy it. So even if success doesn't come immediately it shouldn't bother you too much.

As far as your job, is it paying well? If it is, and you're comfortable with everybody and pretty secure there then I would hang on a bit longer until you can find something in your field of choice. It's not easy to find a secure job in this area, so don't throw away what you have. Many of us here work long and weird hours but it pays the bills I guess. I'm only a couple years older than you and I'm fairly sure we live nearby but feel the same way sometimes about work and this area of NJ. Stuck in the rat race with no end in sight. You've got to keep plugging away and looking up. Car is paid off? You're already doing well, and you can tell yourself that everytime you pass the folks waiting at the bus stop in the middle of winter who are trying to make it happen day in and day out.

Unfortunately, winter has arrived and we'll all be stuck inside for 3 months, but don't let that bum you out too much. I'm trying to keep occupied with small jobs on the Viper, maybe some painting around the house and what not. Lots of us do the same. Maybe you can go through all your camera gear, clean, organize, and sell some old stuff you don't use. Possibly even buy a few small things you've had your eye on that would get you pumped to go out and shoot again. Like previously mentioned, exercising isn't for everyone. But if you can find a sense of pride and motivation through the completion of smaller projects then give that a shot. None of us here recommend giving up on photography though. Keep at it!

[arizonajack]

I was in the working world for 40 years until I retired. What I learned early on is that the only thing your employer cares about is that your efforts make him money. He'd throw you under a busy the minute it suited him.

If you don't like the hours and the pay, find another job.

When I was in my 20s and 30s I changed jobs every year or two to get something better. Wasn't until I was in my 50s that I found my niche and stayed with it until I retired.

Unfortunately, a lucrative career in the creative arts is often elusive to most people. Not everyone gets to be Ansel Adams.

So keep a day job and pursue your photography as a sideline until you can really make some money out of it.