AshleyTheGuy Photography

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Does the potential for money impact creativity?

It has for me. Creative endeavors that start simply as an outlet often, and sometimes quickly morph into a 2nd source of income; or that’s the hope, right. I like doing this thing, it relaxes me, and now I can make extra money… or maybe it gets big enough I quit my job, do this full time and work for myself.

Even if just for a fleeting moment many of us have this thought. Well from the moment someone, with the intent of a compliment, told me my photos were good, good enough to sell, this thought train ran through my head.

That single complement changed the direction of my photography. Can I make it more marketable? Do I need a website? How many hashtags should I use? Also for good and bad it has changed what I take photos of. I shot more portraits, which I love. I take more “normal shots”, that while I enjoy them many times it doesn’t carry the same passion.

I like finding and capturing interesting compositions parts of a scene that catch my eye. I am not sure they will ever sell, but it is where I feel the most creative. It is what I enjoy the most. This is what I will do more of: