2011, the year I stopped trying? The year I gave up? Maybe it was the year I got real.
Would I like to make a living from photography? Yes.
Is it possible? No.
Well, it’s possible to make a living from anything but I don’t want to eat noodles and put my kids in the shitty San Francisco public school system so there’s where that whole idea falls flat. Fast.
So, I sold some equipment and largely put down my camera, only shooting photo’s of my family (plus a few of my friend Adam Del Rio and one epic day of hiking with Bobby). We added one child this year, lost our dog and tried our best to keep the oldest one as normal as can be.
In amongst the chaos and rhetoric on Twitter I took these photos.
Hi Paul,
How have you been mate, remember me(Mars)?
Hope all is well buddy and congrats on your new edition to the family wonderful photos to say the least:)
I have another one coming in March so it will get really crazy as you probably can relate to.
On a personal level I would like to know what prompted you to make this decision, I for one am finding it really hard to make the transition because of my full time job and although I am getting better and better with my photography I find it sad to see a great photographer such as yourself to put it on the back burner for a while.
You still inspire mate, I wish you the very best in life Paul and keep kicking ass or arse as we say it in Oz.
Cheers
Mars
Hi Mars
Of course I remember you!
The decision was simple. I looked at what I earn from my real job and what I could potentially earn as a photographer and there was a shortfall of around $100,000 or more. Simple maths mate, simple maths.
It’s a game for young guys with no kids, once you have them you have to do everything in your power to provide for them so they can have a great childhood and future. Something had to give, it was photography.
Listen to the lyrics in this song, they are spot on: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=K9IzlnUcyZk
I’ll still shoot. Just when I have time.
Cheers
Paul