The Rollercoaster Ride of a Social Media Photographer
Once upon a time, I lovingly dubbed my money-making day job as the rat race, while gleefully indulging in the world of photography. Ah, what bliss! Initially, snapping pics felt like my great escape from the monotonous grind. But then, enter the era of social media – suddenly, every Joe Schmoe with a smartphone thinks they’re the next Ansel Adams, and Instagram becomes the battleground for likes and follows. So why not join the fray, eh? Even if it means trading one rat race for another, this time adorned with trendy filters and cryptic hashtags.
And it all starts with the iconic moment when dear ol’ mom (or your pals) showers you with praise for your “keen eye for photography.” Oh, the sweet, sweet irony!
Destiny is calling! Quit my day job for a life behind the camera: Redwood Forest National Park, California (CA), USA
Friends and Family Stage: Getting Started!
So, here’s how it all started – innocently enough, mind you. I tossed a nature photo onto my favorite social media playground, not realizing I was already sliding down the slippery slope to internet fame. As soon as the post hits the social platform stream, and boom! Mom swoops in with her glowing review. Bless her heart, she even reminisces about my childhood stick figure masterpieces – apparently, I was a prodigy with those dino drawings. Then she proceeds to share my photos with the entire extended family, the neighbors, and probably the mailman too. Next thing I know, I’ve got strangers commenting, suggesting I should ditch my day job for a life behind the camera taking nature photos at exotic locations.
Well, well, well… Am I really that good? Must be, considering the flood of unsolicited career advice. The dream begins to take shape in my mind – exotic locales, glamorous shoots, and the look on my boss’s face when I hand in my resignation letter. But hey, who needs reality when destiny is knocking at your door, right? This is it. This is my moment.
Acquisition Stage: In search of “My Precious”
So, here I am, diving headfirst into my grand quest to become the next big nature photographer sensation on social media. But first things first – gotta look the part, right? That means decking myself out with all the gear the pros use. So, naturally, I hit up every photography group on social media and start rubbing virtual elbows with the “big shots” – both the real ones and the self-proclaimed ones.
But alas, tragedy strikes! I convince myself that my trusty two-month-old DSLR suddenly feels like something straight out of the Stone Age. It’s practically a relic! Clearly, the only solution is to upgrade to the latest and greatest mirrorless system. Because, you know, who needs financial stability when you can have shiny new gear?
So, off I go, embroiling myself in endless online debates about megapixels and ISO, in search of that perfect camera, “My Precious”. Never mind the fact that I am still shooting in full automatic P-mode and crossing my fingers that my shots turn out half-decent.
2001: My first attempt after spending $4K on photography gear.
But alas, there are two tiny little obstacles standing in my way: money and the dreaded task of convincing my oh-so-practical better half. Maybe a spa day with her besties will butter her up? After weeks of strategic planning (complete with flowcharts and backup plans), I’ve concocted a master business plan that involves sacrificing luxuries like Starbucks and living off soup for the foreseeable future. And if all else fails, there’s always the good ol’ credit card to bail me out, right? What could possibly go wrong?
Selfie Stage: Becoming famous on Social Media
Ah, the glamorous self-promotion stage – arguably the highlight of my journey, right after splurging on my shiny new gear. Can you blame me? It’s like a rite of passage to seize those precious 15 minutes of fame. And let’s be real, once I’ve got my hands on that sleek Sony A7rVIIX or that snazzy Canon EOS-r87, it’s practically mandatory to snap a selfie on the picturesque shores of Maui. Bonus points if I manage to squeeze the camera into the frame – because obviously, my photography prowess is directly proportional to the price tag dangling from my gear.
Selfie with “My Precious” in Maui, Hawaii, USA
#MyCoolPose Selfie, Nicaragua
Yet Another #Selfie
Before I know it, my social media feed resembles a global tour of my face – airports, planes, mountains, beaches, lakes…and of course in a bathroom mirror. You name it, I’ve selfie’d it. And each shot features my signature pose, complete with a quirky name, because nothing screams “#JayPatelPhotography” louder than a meticulously crafted selfie stance.
In my valiant quest to establish my personal brand, I find myself taking just as many selfies as I do actual nature photos that, you know, matter. And naturally, every single snapshot – most of them shot in good old automatic P-mode with my shiny new mirror camera – finds its way into every photography group I’ve ever joined. Because why limit the world’s exposure to just my stunning landscapes when they could also bask in the glory of my bathroom selfie?
Going Pro Stage: Reality is catching up
Well, buckle up, folks, because now that I’ve got my paws on that shiny new mirrorless wonder, it’s go time! No time to dilly-dally – it’s either jet-setting to exotic locales or sweet-talking potential clients for a spectacle of epic shots.
After snapping roughly 200,000 photos (give or take), I finally stumble upon two that don’t make my eyes bleed. Naturally, I think, “What the heck?” and submitting two of my finest masterpieces to the prestigious halls of National Geographic or Google Chromecast for publishing consideration. Spoiler alert: they weren’t impressed. But fear not, for I am reborn in the illustrious pages of a little-known blog, soon to be hailed among the top 50,000 social media photographers. Take that, world – I’ve officially made it!
Created just for my social media fans!
With newfound confidence (and perhaps a touch of delusion), I dive headfirst into the abyss of full-time photography. I’m hustling for clients, whipping up a website, and slapping together business cards like it’s nobody’s business. Heck, I even recruit dear old mom to help drum up some business – after all, she’s the one who started this wild ride in the first place.
Oh, but the obsession doesn’t stop there, my friends. I’m burning the midnight oil, glued to my screen, mastering Photoshop, firing off emails to the editors of Outdoor Photographer, and brainstorming new ways to flood social media with my work – because apparently, there’s no such thing as too much spam after the selfie stage. And who needs sleep when you’re on the fast track to photographic superstardom, right?
Nirvana Stage: For Love of Photography
So, picture this: I’ve spent every waking moment of the past few months (okay, maybe years… decades?) on a quest to morph into a full-fledged nature photographer extraordinaire on social media. You know, the kind with thousands of followers, millions of likes, and enough photo views to make your head spin. But guess what? Reality check time: less than a measly 10% of my income actually comes from nature photography. And guess where most of that cash flow comes from? Yep, you guessed it – dear old friends and family buying prints or hiring me for their wedding gigs.
Then, one fateful day, my ever-so-practical spouse – you know, the one with the better outlook on life – drops a truth bomb on me: in my noble quest to escape one rat race, I’ve stumbled headfirst into another one. What a plot twist! Cue the existential crisis – I can’t believe I’ve done this to myself.
Be honest!! Have you ever done any of this before?
And thus, I find myself in the Nirvana stage of enlightenment. In this stage, there’s a glimmer of hope. The silver lining, if you will. Suddenly, joy of photography isn’t measured by likes or followers, but by the sheer experience itself. I’m talking about embracing the joy of snapping photos, exploring my creative boundaries, and yes, even reveling in the beauty of my glorious mistakes. I’m not afraid to flaunt those blunders on social media, because hey, who needs validation from the masses anyway? It’s liberating to pick up the camera and just… be. No pressure, no expectations, just pure, unadulterated photography bliss.
Now, before you go thinking I’m some sort of photographic unicorn, let me burst your bubble – I’ve been through all these stages, my friend. Every. Single. One. So, do you fancy yourself a social media photographer? Have you been on this rollercoaster of photographic self-discovery?
About Author Jay Patel
I could startoff like this – “Seeds of Jay Patel’s appreciation for beautiful places were planted early in his childhood….” but it would get boring really fast. I will just sum it up and say that I am a Landscape and Wilderness Photographer who loves to capture dramatic light. My photographs have been published in various magazines, calendars and advertising materials throughout the world.
Patience is a virtue...unless you are chasing your dreams
