When people hear you’re a “professional photographer,” it tends to spark a lot of envy.
“Wow, you must spend your days working with stunning models, traveling to exotic locations, and eating five-star meals!”
If only that were true.

The reality of being a working photographer is a lot less glamorous than Instagram would have you believe. Yes, there are amazing moments. But behind every beautiful photo is a mountain of admin, editing marathons, relentless marketing, and hours—hours—of sitting at a computer.

Let’s pull back the curtain and have a proper look at what professional photography life is really like.

The Glamour Myth: Models, Mansions, and Michelin-Star Meals?

There’s no denying it — the image of photographers living the high life comes from somewhere. You’ve seen it: behind-the-scenes shots of fashion photographers on beaches, destination weddings in Santorini, big advertising campaigns in New York.

And yes, those gigs do exist…
But they are the exception, not the rule.

In reality, most of us spend our time shooting in far less glamorous locations:

• A freezing industrial estate at 7AM.

• A slightly dingy hotel conference room.

• A windy, rainy field in the middle of nowhere.

One of my “luxury” shoots last year involved photographing a glamorous product launch… in a tiny windowless basement with flickering fluorescent lights. Very glamorous. My packed lunch that day? A squashed ham sandwich eaten while sitting on my camera bag.

What Most of a Photographer’s Time Really Looks Like

Endless Admin

Photography is a business first, creative second — and running a business means paperwork.

• Sending quotes and invoices.

• Drafting contracts.

• Chasing late payments.

• Sorting out insurance and licenses.

At least once a week, I spend an afternoon doing what I lovingly call “Admin Day,” when I don’t even touch my camera. Instead, it’s emails, spreadsheets, updating client files — and sometimes arguing with the printer.

Editing Marathons

Taking the photo is the quick part.
Editing it? That’s where the real work starts.

For every hour I spend shooting, I’ll usually spend at least three to five hours editing. Sorting through hundreds (sometimes thousands) of images, color-correcting, retouching, resizing, exporting, uploading…

And you can forget about glamour during editing. Picture this: me in trackies, slightly hunched over my laptop at midnight, eyes watering from staring at Lightroom sliders too long, half a cold coffee beside me. That’s the real “behind the scenes.”

Marketing: Always Selling Yourself

You could be the most talented photographer in the world — but if no one knows you exist, you won’t get any work.
Marketing yourself is half the job.

• Updating your website.

• Posting on Instagram, LinkedIn, Facebook (whether you feel like it or not).

• Running ads, sending newsletters, writing blog posts.

• Networking with other businesses.

Some weeks I feel like a full-time marketing executive who just happens to take photos on the side. The hustle is very real — and it never ends.

Planning and Pre-Production

Photography jobs don’t magically appear fully formed.
There’s a lot of behind-the-scenes prep:

• Scouting locations.

• Meeting with clients to nail down their vision.

• Making shot lists.

• Checking equipment (and backups!).

• Booking assistants or makeup artists if needed.

• Planning for bad weather, delays, or disasters.

I’ve spent hours walking around muddy fields or poking around hotel lobbies trying to find the one good angle where the lighting doesn’t look terrible.

Sitting in Front of a Computer

When I tell people how much time I spend behind a desk, they look genuinely shocked.

At least 70–80% of the job is computer work.
Editing, emailing, marketing, learning new software, researching trends, building client proposals… it all happens sitting down, staring at a screen.

I once clocked 48 hours of desk time for a single wedding — from initial client consultation through editing the final gallery. That’s six full eight-hour workdays… for one job.

The Emotional Rollercoaster of Professional Photography

It’s not just the work that’s intense — it’s the emotional side too.

• The highs: Booking a dream shoot, getting amazing client feedback, seeing your work in print or on a billboard.

• The lows: Clients ghosting you. Last-minute cancellations. Creative ruts. Rejected proposals.

There are days you feel like a genius and days you feel like a total fraud.
I’ve had mornings where I land an incredible booking and afternoons where I stare at the ceiling wondering if I should retrain as a barista.

The only way to survive it?
Thick skin, stubbornness, and remembering why you fell in love with photography in the first place.

Why We Still Love It (Despite the Hard Truths)

With all that said — I wouldn’t swap this career for anything else.

There’s nothing quite like:

• Capturing a fleeting, perfect moment.

• Delivering images that make people cry (happy tears!).

• Telling a brand’s story in a way that genuinely excites them.

• Building a life around creativity, even when it’s messy and tough.

The hard days are very hard.
But the good days? They’re absolutely magic.

Advice for Aspiring Photographers

If you’re dreaming of becoming a professional photographer, here’s my two cents:

Manage Your Expectations

You probably won’t be jetting off to the Maldives for shoots within your first year (or even your tenth).
Photography is a marathon, not a sprint.

Fall in Love with the Boring Stuff

If you can learn to love editing, invoicing, and marketing — or at least tolerate them — you’ll outlast a lot of people who can’t.

Build Business Skills

Photography skills will get you started.
Business skills will keep you in business.

Invest in learning about pricing, contracts, copyright, customer service, and marketing just as much as you invest in camera gear.

Conclusion

The photographer lifestyle can be beautiful — but it’s not a nonstop reel of sunsets, supermodels, and luxury.
It’s work. It’s hustle. It’s spreadsheets, editing software, late nights, and long emails.

But if you love the craft, if you find joy in the messy middle, and if you’re willing to do the unsexy work behind the scenes…
Photography is one of the most rewarding careers in the world.

And hey — every once in a while, you do get that glamorous sunset shoot.
Just don’t forget to pack your own lunch.

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