The concept of job security is becoming increasingly elusive. The traditional notion of working for a single company for decades and retiring with a comfortable pension is fading away. This is especially true for the Gen-X generation, many of whom are approaching retirement age with little to no savings.
The Reality of Retirement for Gen-Xers
I came across a study by the National Institute on Retirement Security (NIRS) – millions of Gen-Xers have almost nothing saved for their golden years. In fact, the typical Gen-X household with a private retirement plan has a mere $40,000 in savings. Even more concerning is that about 40% of this generation hasn’t saved a single penny for retirement.
A Personal Journey from Web Development *Back* to Photography
Back in 2001, I was on a promising career path as a web developer. The tech industry was booming, and I secured a lucrative job even before completing my associate degree in computer information systems. But the tech bubble caught up with me, and I found myself jobless.
Like many Gen-Xers, I grew up watching my parents dedicate their lives to their employers, believing in the promise of job security and retirement benefits. But the reality was starkly different. Companies, both big and small, often failed to uphold their end of the bargain. My own experience in the tech industry was a testament to this harsh truth.
I began working as a freelance developer on what used to be called eLance (now Upwork) and scraped by for about a year. I worked very long hours for little money, competing with cheaper developers outside the U.S. It was miserable work and it wasn’t sustainable.
I had a wife, two young kids, and bills to pay. I was drowning. And all of a sudden, decent-paying jobs for new programmers were hard to come by. I needed to come up with an answer.
Rediscovering Portrait Photography
Reflecting on my non-tech skills and interests, I considered the possibility of freelance photography. My first paying gigs as a photographer actually came before high school and I could’ve continued down that path. But when you’re young, you get distracted and want to try new things so it kind of fell by the wayside for a few years. But I wondered, could I turn this skill set into a full-fledged career in my 40s?
See how I later realized getting older was an advantage.
I gave it a shot. My first few months were dedicated to learning the business aspects of portrait photography. I learned how to set up a business, market myself, and book clients. I did a lot of jobs for local magazines, musicians, family portraiture, and eventually started booking weddings. My specialization in Boudoir photography set me apart and brought in a steady stream of clients.
Able to Breath Again
The beauty of being a portrait photographer is the autonomy it offers. You’re in charge of your rates, clientele, and schedule. Yeah, there are challenges, but the rewards can really be worth it. Not only do you get to pursue your interests related to photography, but you also have the potential to earn a solid income. This course is a great way to get started.
Also, deciding to become a pro photographer doesn’t mean you have to give up your current source of income. If you’ve got something steady right now, and it’s working for you, you can definitely do both. The great thing about that is if something happens to your day job, you can just dedicate more of your time to your photography business and earn more in the process.
Something to Think About
At a time when job security is a myth, it’s important to think about taking some control of your future no matter what age you’re at. If you’ve got an interest not only in photography but in running your own small business, starting a portrait photography business can be a fulfilling and lucrative venture.