Is photography a hobby or something more?

When I am out with a camera, I can lose myself

My image making time is probably the one point where I can forget about everything else. When I practice photography, there is just what is in front of me and the question of how best to portray it. Everything else just fades away from my mind. I can lose myself in the moment. 

It’s a wonderful way for me to find some peace in the noisy, crowded world.

Why do you make images?

I don’t think I am alone in my experiences. For many people it is more than just the act of photography for the sake of it. It is not the simple technical exercise that some people would have you believe. Most people make images rather than just take photographs. In other words, they are adding their point of view to the final photograph rather than just recording what was there.

Perhaps, for you, it is a way of seeing the world

The world may change for you when you see it through the camera lens. The camera helps you appreciate what is in front of you more.

Or maybe it is a way of being mindful. Photography slows you down. It helps you into a calmer state of being.

It might be that photography also helps you express feelings that you may find hard to express in other ways.

And, finally, photography can be good for mental health. I know this is true for a number of people. There are at least two well know photographers who have talked openly about how photography has helped them in this area.

For anyone who practices photography in this way, it becomes an important part of life.

To me that is more than a hobby

The dictionary definition of a hobby is an activity that you do for pleasure when you are not working. We all need hobbies. We all like to do things for pleasure. But, for me, if we describe photography in this way we undersell it.

It deserves to be valued as more than just a nice way of passing the time. 

Photography is so much more than just a leisure activity

In my mind, it should be classed as more than a hobby. It is far better described as a creative calling, a way of life or a part of one’s well-being.

PS If you see photography is the same way as I do and you want to develop your practice, then I would love to work with you. Find out more about my online 1-2-1 mentoring here.