I.
I’m an Artist, Not a Business
"Where’s the line for you between
being passionate vs. being a sellout?"
"my line for sellout and passion is simple-
if you wouldn't do free work. you're not passionate"
...
From what I have seen in friends, and my personal experience growing as a photographer. I have noticed an unfortunate teaching and approach to the topic.
It seems taught that the goal is to make money. But- why?
Personally, I have tried to run a photography business. I have sat and contemplated pricing, product packages, hourly rates. Never once did the number, no matter how market low, felt right. Even charging 50 dollars for a no limit shoot, made me so uncomfortable. But what really sealed the coffin was when I was 17 starting this business and two events happened...
I was hired to photograph a banquet business event, unfortunately I was unskilled but there was one specific photo that I fell in love with.
The client I was shooting for was disappointed with my work.
But- of course he was! He didn't pay for that. He paid for event coverage, not this moody photo of a man looking out of a window.
The second situation that did it for me. I was asked to video a wedding. I was paid generously and over time. The day came, and it was a disaster. No microphone, I had a tripod and one lens and my camera. The footage was grainy in low light. My camera couldn't even record 1080p @60.
I spent 4 months avoiding this product because even in editing, it was horrible. I was so disappointed with the work. I then borrowed the full job cost from my 401k with intention of paying the couple back.
But they refused the money, and were pleased with the result.
I couldn't fathom how or why they were satisfied.
04/08/2022 - 17 years old.
After that event; I put my camera down I decided I wanted nothing to do with it.
It became more about the money than the art. When I would shoot before that, I was an artist with abstract pieces and in love with what I did. I spent every chance I had shooting. The only time I shot was random requests people had for nothing I cared about, which was infrequent. As time went on, and I grew apart from my camera, I grew my love for cars. Nothing felt more right than car photography.
I am an artist, not a business man. The financial freedom of free work is unmatched. I do take tips, though I always assure people that it's not necessary. If I offer free work, no one can come at me over buying a service and not getting the product they wanted.
II.
I Don't Have Clients.
I have built genuine friendships and bonds with the individuals and cars I have worked with. Often times, It leaves me misunderstood with my goal or how I am approached. That isn't a complaint, In fact, I want to keep it this way. This approach to photography has filtered out the kinds of people I want to surround myself with. My circle is passionate, willing, excited, and appreciative. I am not fighting over agreements, or negotiating rates, or turning people away who just need a service.
The effort I put into my craft has brought people into my life I wouldn't have otherwise. This is the most respected I have ever been... Charging and running a service business would take away from that. I don't want to be called or texted only when I'm needed.
There was a period of time in Spring of 2025 I had to sell my photography equipment. I sold $2,500 of gear for $800. My car payment was due, and I was between jobs. This is a real text I got when talking about my free work with someone.
"i just think it’s funny how you reach out to me asking to borrow my gear to support your “friends” by being a free photographer when in reality you should be using your own gear/skills to support yourself and your vision that way you’re not forced to sell your gear again. I get that we all have setbacks but people will manipulate you into thinking they believe in you and your work but in reality using you for personal gain/growth if you say you met these people thru the craft of photography then tell me what happens when you have no gear? the love still there or are they busy all of a sudden"
Obviously, I will not be revealing the who- that part doesn't matter. I understand the factor of sustainability. But this falls apart when I share the reality of it. The reality is; I had many people reach out, expressing their grief for my position, and many of the ones who did shoot offered me lend me their gear. And several of them I took their offer on. It was no questions asked, it was no reimbursement needed. These were friends that want to support me like friends. So yes. The love is still there.
All of these photos we're taken by me, on cameras that were not mine.
III.
No, It's not one-sided.
Yes, I can understand how it looks like it. I show up and do several hours of work and get nothing out of it.
I will be very open and honest. My Canon R8 camera body new from BestBuy with tax was somewhere around $1,700. The Canon 50mm lens I use retailed for around $200. The CPL, 1-9 stop ND, and 1/4 PM were all around $90 total on Amazon.
Okay so we're looking at about $2,000...
Okay? You know what costs more than my camera, lenses and filters? The $65,000 modded Honda which costs another $60 to fill the tank. Or what about the 2024 Porsche GT3 RS that I was given the key and permission to film and photograph as long as I wanted. These owners have invested far more time and energy into their craft than I ever could. I'm not the only one making effort, and so much of it cancels out. Both of us are driving and putting miles and our time. Some of these owners are adults, with families and kids. Their time is far more limited and valuable than mine. I am either working or I'm not working, I try to fill my "not working' time with photography.
Not to get too "into it." But as a man and individual, my belief is that my purpose in life is to be a service provider. The texts, compliments, and thank you's are far more rewarding than money."thank you so much dude these are literally amazing"
"Getting to see your car in this kind of detail and style is amazing. It's inspiring and makes you fall back in love with your ride. Thank you for taking YOUR time and energy as well to capture all these fire shots. Happy to have met you both ✌️"
"These came out better then anything I could of asked for. Straight up ⛽️⛽️🥵 thanks @ya_bxi and @kmproductionllc for the amazing photos!"
These are real people. Real friends. Real compliments. So no, I don't want the money.
IV.
I Hate Gatekeeping.
It's not just about free work and friendships. I value transparency, I value support, reliability. I have run into situations where a photographer will keep a shooting location hidden like it's their "little secret." I have had photographers not describe their editing process as if I'm trying to be them, or compete with them and their style. I have been going through photographers pages, and blatantly seen the most obnoxious and photo ruining watermarks of this century. I have seen photo delivery limits, or location limits.
It bothers me. To see all of those. I play my part in fighting it directly. There is nothing I will hold back. Want the location? Want the rejects or RAW files? They're all yours. Want to know how I edited it? Want it in full quality with no watermarks. I tell people when I leave shoots:
"When I send you that link, they're yours. I don't care what you do with them."
I will let this message I sent to another photographer speak for itself..."...I know it’s a bold claim but unless you work for a business, or do “objective” photography, the business people need to stay the #### out of it and let the artists run the show."
I have heard people respond and address the concern of being taken advantage of. As far as I am concerned- that's the point?! I offer free work, with no limits. Use that opportunity. You can't take advantage of me. I will take pictures I am interested in taking. If I'm there, I want to be there. I am satisfied...
V.
Scam.
One of the greatest compliments I have ever gotten was a backhanded one. I received a message request on Instagram to take photos of a S197 Mustang. He asked me how much it was, I gave him the breakdown. He asked when I was availible, I told him next day. He asked where and what time, I gave him one of my favorite spots. I wake up the next morning and he backed out because I was sketchy, and I was blocked.
That ties into attracting and keeping a crowd of likeminded people around me. And I am so happy that a service I offer is such a deal on time and quality that I was called a scammer.
It's not a discussion of reputation either. I have as of writing almost 400 posts, 1,300 followers. All my work tags the cars or locations, I have links to other pages and everything.
The point is, a lot of people associate cost and quality, which is so strange to me. I understand in consumer America the concept of cheap means bad in terms of manufacturing cost and profit margins. Not here, I have a job where I make my money. This ties back in with my social network. My circle is made up of people who understand me and my mission, I wouldn't promote an environment full of people who don't support me or my cause. It's a "their loss. More for me" relationship, and really I love it. If someone shows they trust me and my cause, I would love to keep them around.
Occasionally, It is frustrating to be disregarded for my cost and not being taken seriously. But I then remind myself what it is that's truly being said and shown, then I become grateful.
VI.
The Love of the Game.
In conclusion. I just like cars, cameras, and people. I don't care about business. I just want to meet people and look at cars... It really is that simple.