This is what it’s really like to be a pro photographer (it’s not glamorous)

Everyone thinks being a professional photographer is all about shooting glamorous film stars and eating delicious leftovers from food shoots. Everyone, that is, except for those who actually work in the industry. While there certainly are moments of fun and when I wouldn’t want to be doing any other job (like the time a bakery paid me my weight in cake), there are also the not-so-fun times. Like any job, particularly when life squeezes you on all sides, the reality can be quite different from what everyone imagines.

In this video, commercial photographer Scott Chouciño from Tin House Studio shares his real behind-the-scenes day-to-day life and shows us his work-life balance (or lack thereof). It’s an interesting watch, and it really shows us what it’s really like to quit the day job and do photography full-time.

Adjusting to life’s realities

I’m wondering if Scott is having some kind of mid-life crisis, as he seems to be contemplating how his age has changed his approach to work. Gone are the days of 16-hour hustle sessions, says Scott. Now, every full-day shoot demands a week to recover. I’m a few years older than Scott, and I can certainly attest to needing a weekend to recover from the last wedding I shot, so I understand the physicality of a long day shooting.

But there’s a way around it. Slowing down isn’t about giving up; it’s about working smarter and embracing limitations. You need to take into account your overall health and fitness and improve that where possible. Regular exercise and a healthy diet will help you professionally in terms of stamina and recovery time. No, it’s not easy; nothing is, but you’ll thank yourself for it in years to come.

A typical day

Luckily, most days aren’t spent doing long, pressured shoots. They are, in fact, spent doing admin and other business duties. Invoicing, planning shoots, and managing an overwhelming volume of emails all take time, not to mention the ongoing marketing that we all must do.

Shoot preparation also takes time. Doing bids, treatments, planning, contacting and liaising with agents, assistants, and stylists all take time. And, of course, it’s all fuelled by copious amounts of coffee.

Work-life balance

I’ve heard it’s possible for this to exist! I’m still searching for it. It will look different for each person. I’m an all-or-nothing kind of person and tend to have periods of extreme business and activity followed by lulls of extreme laziness. I’ve tried being more consistent, but I’m accepting that maybe this is how I am. Scott, however, seems a bit more measured and cherishes his time alone in the studio, away from family disruptions and pressures. Sounds nice!

Finding joy in the routine

Even when you’re a hotshot commercial photographer, you still end up doing all the unsavoury tasks at the end of the day when everyone else goes home. Washing dishes, riding the studio, and even cleaning the bathroom often fall into your hands. But it’s okay. Balancing creative work with mundane tasks is part of the reality that Scott has come to accept—and even enjoy.

In the end, it’s all worth it for the freedom to create high quality work and collaborate as part of a team. Even the worst days as a photographer are better than the best days in a job you hate. To achieve longevity in any creative career, you need to pace yourself and leverage experience over youthful exuberance and energy.

I’ve found that collaborating with people of all ages is helpful and mind-expanding. The older people have the advantage of experience and have a lot to show you, the younger ones have boundless energy and fresh ideas. I’ve found that to be extra helpful towards the end of a long day when we middle-aged folk start flagging!

As Scott says, it’s about finding joy in the routine, working smarter, and appreciating both the creative and mundane aspects of the craft. And then there’s no better job in the world!

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