Feast or Famine – The Photographer’s Diet

If you’ve ever wondered what life is really like as a professional photographer, let me let you in on a little secret…

Photography has two seasons: feast and famine.

One week I’ll be photographing a conference on Monday, a commercial shoot on Tuesday, school on Wednesday, an event on Thursday, and a wedding on Saturday. Somewhere in between I’ll be editing thousands of images while surviving on coffee and whatever snacks happen to be in arm’s reach.

Then, just as suddenly… silence.

The phone stops ringing. The inbox goes quiet. I find myself re-organising camera bags that were already organised, cleaning lenses that aren’t dirty, and convincing myself that testing every lens in the cupboard is “important business.”

Every photographer knows this cycle. It’s just part of the job. To be fair actually, its an inherent component of being self employment regardless of profession.

The funny thing is, the famine weeks are often where the magic happens. They’re the time to update the website, learn a new technique, service equipment, or finally attend to some personal work kept simmering on the back burner.

Of course, just when I’ve settled into a routine wondering when the next enquiry might arrive – bang!! Three enquiries at once, two weddings wanting the same Saturday, and a commercial client who needs images… yesterday!

I’ve learned not to panic during the quiet periods, or complain too much during the crazy ones. Both have their place. The busy times keep the business alive, while the quieter times help me become a better photographer.

So if you’ve sent me an enquiry, and I reply at lightning speed, it’s probably one of two things. Maybe it’s during a time of famine, or you perhaps know the best person to ask is usually someone busy!! If my response arrives after I’ve photographed three events, edited 4,000 images and consumed enough coffee to power Christchurch for a day… perhaps, you’ve caught me in feast season.

In actual fact though, you will probably will never know. Nor should you, if I look after you the way I should regardless. Either way, I’m grateful. After all, every busy week starts with someone deciding to trust me with their memories, their business or their story.

And that’s something I’ll never take for granted.

— Tony Stewart
Photoshots | Christchurch Photographer