To blog...or not to blog...

Obviously, I've been gone a long time. I haven't had much to write about, life has been busy, but nothing that's different from any other person's life.
Weddings, showers, everyone having kids, school, work, summer...there ya go. That sums up the past 8 months I've been MIA.

I have been chewing on this the past few weeks...trying to decide if this was what I wanted to write about when I made my return to my blog. Is it going to bite me in the butt? Will I get a little bit of backlash from others...who cares. So, here goes everything...

My last post was in January and I had talked about doing some photography and supplementing my income that way. I haven't done much photography that has put money in the bank, but I have taken a TON of photos in recent months that enough people have said "You should start a business." Yeah...why not? I should just book up my calendar and start taking photos all the time and make a butt-load of money. Great idea! Awesome! right?

WRONG!

Have you noticed how EVERYBODY and their BROTHER is starting a photography business lately. That may be because they took a couple of nice photos and someone said to them "You should start a business" and they did. So, you got an expensive DSLR camera for Christmas, your birthday, anniversary, whatever...and you think you're a professional now, right?? Sure not! Just because you have this fancy camera and it has the capability to do super awesome things means you need to be a professional photographer. Let me think about that... Hmm, nope.

If everyone with a DSLR was an awesome photographer, there would be no photography industry. No one would be able to create a business, even if they were the best at what they did. Because there would be so much competition it wouldn't be worth it. They'd lose business left and right and never make a profit.

You have to have an "eye" for the art of photography, have your own style, be able to think on your feet, make your client comfortable and happy and actually know how your camera works. It's not just pointing the camera and pushing a button. You also need to continually evaluate your work, come up with fresh ideas, and be original with the images you're capturing.
And, all of the post editing in the world can't make up for a bad picture. People want GREAT images that have feeling and emotion. I don't want to look at a photo of a kid in their sports uniform sitting on a bridge. I don't get the feeling you're trying to convey...All I'm thinking is LAME! (sorry if you don't like my opinion)

What's my point? Well, I want to be good at what I do. I told Bobby today that all of this work that I'm doing now, taking photos for friends and family, not starting this business right now...it will help me out eventually, I hope. It will help me to build a portfolio, a small client base, and get a ton of experience that I need. The people who are awesome at what they do, have businesses and get paid, like photogs Michael Henninger, Jen McKen Photography, and Teri Enciso have YEARS of experience. (Make sure you check their work out, btw, you won't be disappointed)

Remember, I'm not trying to offend anyone, and to my friends who have suggested that I start a photography business, I hope this explains to you why I haven't done so.

Aaaannnnddd....end rant.

Oh...don't forget to leave me a comment. I'd love to know your feelings on this subject.