People don’t want to work anymore
I’ve noticed a glaring trend since Covid - people generally don’t want to work anymore. Perhaps we were spoiled by the option to work from home, or maybe for those who couldn’t work at all and were still getting paid to stay home, life seemed pretty great for a while. But in my personal opinion, this shift is starting to take a serious toll on society as a whole.
At this point, you might be thinking, “What does this have to do with photography?” Well, it actually has quite a lot to do with it - let me explain. Often, I find myself shooting large sporting events that can last 14 hours or more, not including travel time to and from the venue. Is that a long and tiring day for me, especially at my age? Absolutely. Is it hard on my body? Without a doubt. Would I want to work a 14-hour day every single day? Probably not.
What I’ve noticed is that some people treat this kind of work as if it’s some sort of superhuman feat, when in reality, it’s just a very long day of dedication. Most people, on the other hand, seem to be stuck going through the motions, just wishing the day would end sooner, and doing the bare minimum possible - an attitude that working from home has, in many cases, enabled.
Looking ahead, the future genuinely scares me. Not so much because of the well-known threats like war, disease, or even the rise of AI, but because of the economic pressures weighing down on everyone. Things are ridiculously expensive, not just here in Australia, but all over the world, and there’s no clear sign that this trend will reverse anytime soon. People are drowning in debt. Entire countries are burdened with debt. And it costs millions of dollars just to have a roof over your head - something that seemed completely unimaginable when I was growing up.
Before I get too far off track and start going on a full rant, the main reason I want to share this with you is to highlight that despite all these challenges, it’s actually never been easier to succeed. Because most people aren’t performing at a high level or putting in that extra effort that’s so critical. Let me give you some examples of how I approach my work and what mindset helps me keep pushing forward:
I’m highly organised for each shoot, making sure every detail is planned in advance. I know exactly what gear I need to take with me, the specific shots I aim to capture, how I’m going to get to the location, and even what the venue looks like before I arrive. The day before each shoot, I completely clear my mind of anything else except for the upcoming shoot, allowing myself to be fully focused and mentally prepared for the job ahead.
I always arrive early at the venue. Arriving early serves several important purposes. Firstly, it helps to create a great first impression with the client, showing professionalism and commitment. Secondly, it gives me ample time to mentally prepare myself and organise my gear for the day. Ideally, I like to find a quiet, tucked-away spot away from the crowds where I can carefully assemble my equipment and check that my batteries are charged and ready to go.
Once I’m fully set up, I take a slow walk around the venue or shooting area, making notes about the best vantage points, evaluating the lighting conditions, and deciding which lenses will be most effective for the shots I plan to take. After this initial reconnaissance, I’ll pull out the client brief and read through it at least three times. This thorough review ensures I clearly understand what the client expects from the shoot and allows me to deliver exactly what they want.
If any questions arise, I make it a priority to contact my day-of liaison to clarify any uncertainties, making sure we are completely aligned before I begin. Then, as soon as I’m ready, I start shooting immediately. Even prior to the event’s official start time, I use this opportunity to test the lighting and get a feel for the atmosphere. This early shooting time is also perfect for capturing shots of branding, backdrops, and empty spaces without any distractions from crowds or activity.
Once the event officially begins, I’ll be shooting continuously throughout the entire day. The more shots I capture, the better the chances of delivering truly exceptional images for the client. Even if I feel like I’ve taken enough photos of a speaker or panel, I always push myself to experiment with different angles, camera settings, and lenses to capture unique perspectives. Since I’m being paid to be there, I see no reason to waste any time during the event. Additionally, by shooting more frequently and trying various techniques, I gain invaluable hands-on experience that significantly contributes to my professional growth over time. I’ve worked alongside other photographers who complete all the ‘standard shots’ within the first hour or two, then spend the rest of the day doing very little. To me, that approach feels like a missed opportunity.
Once the shoot wraps up, I always make it a point to check in with the client to confirm that they’re happy with the results and the overall experience. Ultimately, beyond delivering great images, clients value someone who is easy to work with, punctual, and polite throughout the entire process.
By taking this dedicated and focused approach, I can confidently tell you that I am ahead of 99% of other photographers simply because I consistently put in the hard work and effort that many shy away from. When I’m not shooting for a client, I’m either constantly learning new photography techniques and skills - mostly through in-depth tutorials on YouTube - or pursuing my own personal projects to refine my craft. For example, I’m a big fan of street photography, which helps me stay creative and sharp. On top of that, I spend significant time meticulously editing client images to ensure the highest quality.
Even during the editing process, I refuse to take any shortcuts. I literally go through every single image in the shoot - some sessions can contain over 3,000 photos - and carefully select only the best ones that meet both the client’s brief and my own standards of excellence. Then, I edit each selected image individually with great attention to detail. Does this process consume a lot of time? Absolutely. Would I love to speed it up sometimes? Definitely. But do I want to rush my work and deliver anything less than top-tier quality? Never.
Your portfolio is everything in this competitive industry, and delivering substandard work will inevitably impact your reputation and future opportunities over time. Personally, my goal is to provide the absolute best image quality possible to every client, which is why I hand - edit all images and use prime lenses to capture maximum clarity and detail. All these efforts add up to a stronger portfolio that helps attract more clients and elevate my professional standing.
In an era when AI-generated content is becoming increasingly common, don’t fall into the trap of thinking that working less or cutting corners is the solution. If you maintain a great work ethic and stay dedicated to delivering exceptional work today, people will notice, and you will naturally stand out - because most simply won’t.
Have you noticed similar patterns or trends in your own field? I’d love to hear your thoughts in the comments below.