Photography may be one of the most rewarding jobs there is. You get the opportunity to capture images, share them with the world in your unique way, and inspire people. And if you put in the necessary time and effort to be excellent at this craft, photography can also be highly lucrative.
However, the life of a professional photographer isn’t exactly picture-perfect. Many constantly face numerous pressures. For instance, one challenge is juggling the demands of your profession with personal responsibilities, which can be quite a handful.
So how do you secure your footing in all of these? In today’s post, find out how you can maintain a healthy work-life balance in photography.
Top life-balancing hacks for smart photogs
1. Keep your eyes healthy.
Although vision-impaired people can still take beautiful photos, it’s undeniable that photographers highly value a good pair of eyes.
A healthy vision will help you better appreciate (and seize!) the fine details that provide the beautiful nuances of an image or even a moment.
It can also facilitate mobility and help you better protect yourself against falls and other accidents (like if you specialize in nature photography). But more than all these, it goes without saying that the ability to see things can help you live optimally.
However, frequent and prolonged photo shoots can cause eye problems. This is why photographers must take care of their peepers and find ways to prevent digital eye strain, such as:
- Have regular check-ups
- Combat dryness with ophthalmologist-approved eye drops.
- Exercise, and get enough eye-loving nutrients from foods rich in omega-3 fatty acids, lutein, vitamins C and E, and zinc.
- Quit smoking.
- Protect your eyes from the sun.
- Take blink breaks
- Practice the 20-20-20 principle: Every 20 minutes, look away from your lenses or screen at something 20 feet away from you and focus on it for 20 seconds.
2. Preparation is key.
Keep yourself from getting unnecessarily stressed by preparing for success instead of failure. Although many things are beyond a photographer’s control, there are a ton of stress-spiking factors that you can avoid.
A no-brainer is prepping well before your photo shoot. It’s critical to anticipate the conditions you will face and be aware of potential problems, especially technical difficulties, which you may encounter. Days (or even weeks!) in advance, already do a tech scout of your location.
This matters regardless if your shoot is outdoors or not. The amount you invest in prepping will depend on the complexity of your project.
Also, finalize the list of photographic equipment you need to take to the location the day before. Make sure to clean and charge everything. You may also want to bring two of each item to anticipate most, if not all, scenarios and ensure a smooth shoot. And don’t forget to check your gear’s settings ahead of time.
3. Be financially savvy.
Financial smarts are a must-have whether you intend to earn a living out of photography or keep it as a hobby. Regardless of how much you enjoy taking photos, It can be quite stressful if you keep bleeding money.
Make your love for photography viable by being financially savvy. First, create a marketing plan to give your business structure and entice customers. Some of the questions you may want to answer include:
- What touchpoints will you use (emails, social media, phone calls, etc.) and how frequent will your marketing communication be (without spamming)?
- Who will be your target clientele?
- Does your site help establish your credibility? Do you already have one, to begin with?
- How do you intend to drive clients to your web pages?
Another cost-effective hack is to stick to your budget plan. The number of zeroes you invest in your business will depend on where you are, where you want to go, and the rate at which you want to grow.
It may be wiser to ensure that your skills can support your business goals before you invest in expensive gear. An alternative is to rent or borrow gear you may need as you accumulate the necessary experience, know-how, and customers that can justify purchasing costly equipment.
4. Leverage technology.
Technology in any scenario can be a godsend, potentially making tasks more efficient and effective. Thus, this godsend can save you a ton of time (and stress!) to allow more balance between your professional work and personal life.
As a photographer, new technologies can expand what you can do with your craft. Sometimes, these can even help you stumble into a new photographic approach. One case in point is artificial intelligence that can smoothen out photographic workflows, enabling better photos and eliminating repetitive tasks.
Technological innovations have also penetrated our homes to make life more convenient and pleasant. One such development is laundry apps that provide quick, convenient, and affordable peer-to-peer wash-and-fold services.
5. Take regular breaks.
Beauty is in the eye of the beholder, but not when they’re drained or run-down. Burnouts can result in physical and emotional exhaustion and feelings of isolation. Prevent job burnout through better time management skills and finding a different hobby or activity totally unrelated to photography.
Going on vacation, even taking short breaks, is also essential to protecting your health. Such respites allow you to recharge.
Being taken out of your routine can also give you a fresh perspective, something you need to break your subjective fatigue and get your creative juices flowing constantly. As a result, your work performance improves, and you can better take on any challenge thrown your way.
The takeaway
The life of a photographer can be all the more fulfilling, especially if you can strike a balance between your work and personal life. So apply the tips we shared, and get started on a more enjoyable and satisfying photographic journey.
For more life hacks, check out peekatthis.com.
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About the author: Trent (IMDB | Youtube) has spent 10+ years working on an assortment of film and television projects. He writes about his experiences to help (and amuse) others. If he’s not working, he’s either traveling, reading or writing about travel/film, or planning travel/film projects.
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