I was recently asked by a reader about my transition into photograph full time. I'll be the first to say that it wasn't an easy one, but at the same time I was lucky enough to have a previous job/career that A: was very relate to photography and B: was very flexible. I spent 5 years as a graphic designer previous my photographic journey, and is what I went to school for. Graphic design was my most prominent passion. During my time of freelancing, I picked up a digital camera to shoot content for my graphic design work since most of the clients I had were small and couldn't afford to pay for imagery. Eventually I convinced a non-profit client of mine to split a trip to Africa with me to build a photo library for them. Upon my return, I had created some pretty good images, and the client was pleased. It was then, the light bulb went on and thought "That was amazing. I could really see doing this as a career!" a few months later, I connected with another photographer that I was doing some web work for. He invited me out to set just to hang out and see what it was like, so I went. And kept going, and eventually he started paying me to assist him when he had the budget. All the meanwhile, I began shooting weddings, which was great for the learning curve. It taught me a lot about natural light, how to shoot on the fly, etc. It also funded my gear addiction. I juggled assisting, graphic design work, and a few weddings throughout the first year. Graphic design allowed me to make money yet still have a flexible schedule to assist when jobs came up. I stopped shooting weddings a couple years ago. Simultaneously, I started shooting my pretty friends, then moved on to models with an agency, then got into model testing which became another small source of income. At a certain point my model testing work diverged into more lifestyle, and has evolved to where I'm at now. I've been developing my creative vision from the beginning, but the more I shoot, the more I understand what I love.
Becoming a full time photographer is A LOT of hard work and not an easy endeavor. You have to A: have talent, B: be incredibly self motivated, and C: have a strong business sense. During the beginning and/or transition era there are a lot of sacrifices to be made. The number one sacrifice is consistent income. It was hard enough being single, and going through good and bad times. I couldn't imagine having a full time job, or a wife and kids. It takes more time than a normal full time job to make it work, and it takes a couple years before you start to see the rewards. I sacrificed financial stability, and that's not something a lot of people like to do. I also sacrificed not having a significant other for the time and ability to focus on what I was doing. People take all kinds of different paths, and these sacrifices are more of a result of MY path and personal priorities. Just like ISO, Shutter speed, and Aperture, each path is different and has different variables that yield different results. You just have to make the decisions to get what you want and accept the sacrifices that come with them. The most important thing is to figure out what it is you love to shoot, hone your creative style, and build a business around that.
i would love to see a nick onken wedding ;-) think you will ever come out of retirement for us?? ;-)
nice story, i hope i at least 2 of the three, maybe i can fake the third.
Posted by: jay | September 26, 2008 at 09:50 PM
Nick, I can't thank you enough for writing this blog post! I'm at that point where I want to make the transition, I just need to figure out the right time.
Thanks for the inspiration through your words and your pictures!
Posted by: Elton | September 27, 2008 at 10:25 AM
Thanks for the post Nick! Your words are very encouraging and I appreciate your down to earth take on what you went through and the sacrifices you made to be where you are at now!
Posted by: Clark | September 27, 2008 at 10:46 AM
Nick, Is there somewhere I can view your original work from Africa? Sounds similar to what I currently do for a living. I'm starting weddings on the side, but I'd love to get to where you are eventually. Love your work, thanks for sharing.
matt powell
Posted by: Matt | September 28, 2008 at 02:19 AM
This is one of the most inspirational realistic situation that really opens your eyes to what you sacrifice with a goal in mind. My husband and I are starting our business with the both of us still working our full-time jobs and have a baby on the way... What can we say, we like a challenge. haha. It's nice to see that God worked on your side and got "lucky". We are where you were but we love it! It is totally worth it. We just have to be goal-minded. My husband loves your work and has recently got me addicted. Keep up your artistic craft!
Posted by: Lauren | September 30, 2008 at 08:15 PM
great post!
Posted by: matt sloan | October 01, 2008 at 05:36 AM
I've known Nick for a number of years now. I first met him in 2000 during his graphic design years. I thought he was an incredibly talented graphic designer and I was amazed with his decision to switch careers. I don't believe that brief summary above even comes close in describing or capturing the extent of what he has gone through to get to where he is now. As a web developer I meet many creative people. In my experience, people like Nick are truly unique. For many, going the extra mile seems tough. I don't think Nick even considers the extra mile anymore, he past the extra mile on day two. His passion and dedication could be likened to an ultra marathon. Not many people would even want to run an ultra marathon, who can blame them? I know many people would like to get the projects that Nick gets shoot, but I wonder how many would be willing to follow his footsteps to get there. Heck, he didn't even mention his year in France...
Posted by: david hayakawa | November 10, 2008 at 01:06 AM
Very thoughtful post. Particularly about the graphic design journey. I sort of did it the other way around ;-) I still shoot commercial, but it is via photography as a gateway that I now more appreciate the fine arts such as classical painting.
Even as recent as 10 years ago a visit to an art museum was a lackluster experience - now it is a delight.
Many who run down to the Best Buy, grab a DSLR and start to shoot weddings (or anything, for that matter) miss out on the enrichment to be gained from exploring the visual arts.
On sacrifice - boy, you know it ;-) A 2 hour wedding that turned into a 7 hour wedding, commercial shoots that throw you off sched because a product does not arrive on time, client handholding - they all take their toll.
Posted by: Libby | July 23, 2009 at 11:10 PM
Beautiful to see how your journey unfolded, you have such a great approach to life and no doubt that is your most driving factor in your journey. Thanks
Posted by: Emma | October 08, 2009 at 09:03 AM
Great post Nick. Succinct and insightful. Matt, what a lovely response too...
David, by contrast you miss the point. What you list as sacrifices are all part of the job itself, not things you've sacrificed to enable you to do the job in the first place. Sorry to pick on this, but I think whingeing about clients, overruns etc. goes against the spirit of this thread.
Posted by: Andy | October 08, 2009 at 12:19 PM
You are very inspirational and I hope to meet you one day.
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