Do you consider photography a stressful job?

Do you ever find it overwhelming at times? Just trying to get up to speed on all of this and get a name established in a competitive market is a chore! Those that have made it, do you consider photography a stressful job?

I saw a report the other day listing the most stressful jobs. Photojournalist was one of the top 10. I think it was about #7 or so. Of course those people are often thrown into war time situations with nothing to defend themselves. Not all are war correspondents of course but just covering the local gang culture can heap stress on your life.

Then there's the wedding photographer. I've done enough of that to know I don't want to do any more. Brides in particular want everything perfect and who can blame them? It's something they have wanted all their lives in some cases and some have obsessed over it in fact. Obviously not all are like that but every one I've shot the bride was like that. I was doing video though. That may have made it worse because I had to consider how to get the audio right etc.. But mainly brides are harried to begin with, they want perfection because they expect the wedding to be a once in a lifetime event and often it is. They are stressed and they will stress you.

Other situations can cause stress too. I've run into it at almost every job I've done to be honest. Between trying to get setup when my crew doesn't show to wanting to get important historical events down well to just trying to get that good shot that covers all the action at a football game for example or even worse, basketball. It gets crowded in a gym and finding a spot to shoot that won't be obstructed at the exact wrong time is no easy matter.

But then again I was doing video of events and concerts and interviews. You have to keep getting it right with video. The still photographers around me always seemed a lot less stressed than I was. But I would bet that some of them were up against it in one way or another especially at weddings. Digital cameras have made still shot coverage of events much easier though. You can shoot so many photos you're bound to get some good shots.

I "worked" in photography many years ago, in the film days, and I did let it get stressful. I learned to deal with it then, which is good. The time element should make it easier now, but the competition maybe otherwise.....

I think any job is going to be stressful if you let it get to that point. I've been stressed taking out the trash

If I relied on it as my sole income then sure it would be stressful. I do not know who made up that list, but what I have been doing for the past 13 years is way up there in the stress area. I work in two areas in the general labor area that are on top of the lists. First is I drive large commercial vehicles, second I operate a concretepump, which you might as well call a crane with pipes. The stress between the two amounts to a lot. Most of my mixer drivers say my job looks easy compared to theirs, well until they try it, then they ask me why I am not more of a wreck. Our industry has a very high attrition rate in the amount of people that last after training in the first six months.
Any job will be stressful, it is up to you as to how stressful you choose to make it.

I find it to be extremely stressful. Doesn't mean I don't love it! You have to be technically proficient while holding an interesting conversation that proves you're personable. You have to be court jester for the kids and an insightful and intelligent human being for the parents and young adults. During all of this you have to tap into the artist within and this doesn't even account to the business side of photography. Ya, I'd say it's stressful, but man do I love it!

I have to agree with Nakean. It can be very stressful and very rewarding and it's usually one but not both of those feelings at the same time. There are more challenges today as a photographer then ever before. The cost to enter the business is low so lots of competition and we've also got a bad economy where everyone is watching every penny and the first things cut are generally entertainment/non-essential items and photography is affected for sure.

That said, photography can be very rewarding and lucrative but be prepared for long hours and chanelling the left and right side of your brain. Taking pictures is the easy part but to be successful you must MASTER marketing and sales as well. There are lots of talented starving photographers out there and there are lots of rich mediocre photographers.

So I guess the moral is do what makes you happy and buy lots of Finestra Art paper .

Nakean wrote: I find it to be extremely stressful. Doesn't mean I don't love it! You have to be technically proficient while holding an interesting conversation that proves you're personable. You have to be court jester for the kids and an insightful and intelligent human being for the parents and young adults. During all of this you have to tap into the artist within and this doesn't even account to the business side of photography. Ya, I'd say it's stressful, but man do I love it!

I'm going to agree with you here!

I used to be a Nurse and that was very stressful compared to photography. Now that I am a sports photojournalist the deadlines are stressful, getting the right shots to go with the articles is less stressful. I find the joy in the work- even weddings! I shoot happy events and find it to be joyful. The less stress that I put upon myself the better.

Hey I recognize that arena - can't miss that green and yellow (have taken pictures there too). Nice group shot.

When I've done sports it was for marketing etc. so it wasn't too stressful without a deadline and I had plenty of opportunity to get the photos I needed. I would think it would be harder to get the shots you need when you're working within time constraints. I did find it more challenging on occasion trying to get a photo of a ceremony or presentation during the open or intermission when you have to get it done quick and get the hell off the ice before they drop the puck or the zamboni heads in your direction!

I've enjoyed photography as a sideline without the pressure of deadlines or having to depend on it as income.

Wedding day is 90% always stressful when you are being pulled in 5 directions

When Bridezilla is roaming around, absolutely yes!

Farestad wrote: When Bridezilla is roaming around, absolutely yes!

No certainly not!

I get stressed about running the business. I get stressed when things are out of my control (subject is late). Once I'm shooting I'm not stressed.

OH I've had my share of those!