So this week I officially left working in the camera industry behind me. I am leaving behind thinking about any cameras other than my own and can finally begin to work on photography again.
Whilst I am grateful for the last 8 years or so of working in the industry on the other side of the counter/computer, it did leave me with some insights I would like to share before I completely wipe them from my mind in favour of photographs I’d like to take and those I’ve seen which I’d like to remember better.
It doesn't feel glamorous or creative, and it shouldn't be considered a stepping stone into a full-time creative or freelance photography career. When I took the first job working in a camera shop, I was pretty young and stupid. Well, maybe not stupid, but naive at best. I thought I would go in, sell a famous photographer a camera, get chatting, and suddenly they’d be asking me to come work with them on their next assignment for National Geographic or some such adventure.
Sadly, this was never the case, and as each day dragged on, I actually found myself slipping further and further away from the dream I once had. The reality is you will be nothing more than a glorified car salesperson. The companies will claim they encourage creativity when, in reality, they have departments paid for that and really want you just to stay in your lane, sell the most amount of gear you can, even if you know it to be the wrong choice for the customer, as they need to keep the lights on and the suppliers happy.
Next, I would like to point out how little you actually need to know about cameras or photography. Most people you will deal with on a daily basis are more clueless than you, and as such, a small basic amount of camera/lens specs will get you by for a very long time. You see, the pros/people who really know what they are talking about and doing don’t phone up or come in for advice; they just buy it as they already know. You will have one or two who come in spouting off some technical jargon about Leica lens codes or different Sigma element groupings. However, these people just want to feel big and clever, so all you have to do is nod, and then they can go jerk themselves off in their car on the ride home after wasting your time.
Finally, I think it’s very important to understand how rude and demanding most people working as creatives in the industry are. I have been shouted at, demeaned, called the nastiest names, and just generally insulted by people who I would consider to be relatively successful photographers and videographers alike. Working in the retail side of the industry, you are lower than low; they do not and will not care about you or your feelings. It is not a stepping stone; you are simply stepped on.
If you feel you can hack it then do it, the money is terrible the treatment by the industry is replaceable and for any self respecting photographer or videographer I would advise stacking shelves in a supermarket would be a better use of your time.
No images for this one as sadly I don’t quite know how I can photographer the anger and disappointment I have in myself for taking this long to see the light at the end of the tunnel.
