Photographer Justin Mott on the Unvarnished Reality of a Career

Summary

Professional photographer Justin Mott reveals the stark contrast between the perceived glamour of his career and its day-to-day reality. Even at the upper tier of working photographers, Mott emphasizes that the profession involves self-funded projects that lose money, unpaid personal projects, and even trade work for portfolio shots. He details how high-paying commercial work, while lucrative, is inconsistent and often lands later in a career, with typical assignments ranging from luxury hotel shoots to conservation stories and commercials.

Key points

• The online portrayal of photography careers often misrepresents the actual work involved.
• Many professional photographers undertake self-funded projects or unpaid personal work.
• Consistent, high-paying commercial photography work typically requires decades of experience.
• A professional photographer's career involves a wide range of unpredictable assignments and income streams.