Why All Street Photographers Are Amateurs

by Eric Kim on December 3, 2010

1x1.trans Why All Street Photographers Are Amateurs
1x1.trans Why All Street Photographers Are Amateurs

Photo Credit: Carmen A

Street photographers are all amateurs. Not to say that we lack skill, insight, or vision– but that we do street photography for the love of it (not the money). Although people typically equate calling someone an amateur in a negative way, the word amateur roots from French meaning “love of.”

I know very few (if any) street photographers that make a living doing only entirely street photography. Honestly in this day and age– I would say it is near impossible. However, us street photographers try to take out every minute of our days and free time to go out and do what we truly love doing–shooting in the streets.

Having a passion for street photography for the pure reason of loving photography is beautiful. There is nothing better than wandering the streets, stumbling upon serendipity, as well as meeting fascinating people along the way. Not only that, but there is no greater joy than getting “The Shot”–rushing home–downloading your photos to your computer–processing them–and finally uploading them on the internet for others to appreciate as well.

When I realized that I shoot street photography purely for the love of it and not for the money, I tried my best to take away the temptation of making money from my passion. I knew this would only cause me to be miserable and lose the true sight of why I love photography. In-fact, I hear many photographers who go into commercial and wedding photography…they feel that photography is more of a bore and a chore than their passion. I never want this to happen to myself.

Sure I could always use a bit of extra money–but I knew that I wanted to spread the love of photography rather than making myself richer. Therefore I founded The Sukhee Chung Photography Foundation which strives to spread the love of street photography to under-privileged youth. I have already raised enough cameras for the high school class I am teaching (with a very generous grant from Jonathan Murray) and am looking forward to helping out other photography programs in Los Angeles as well.

So remember–shoot street for the love, not for the money (as my good street photographer friend Thomas Leuthard loves to mention). Be an amateur and truly bask in it. Before there is nothing more noble than doing something purely for the love of it.

Tagged as: amateur, street photography, sukhee chung photography foundation

  • C

    Your vision really speaks to me. When I was younger I wanted so badly to have a digital camera like all of my friends or take a photo class in high school but my family didn’t have money to buy one. I remember many moments where I longed to try it… not knowing what you’re actually capable of artistically because of financial difficulty is inexplicable. So thanks for starting the foundation. Best of luck.

    • http://www.erickimphotography.com Eric Kim

      Hey Christine,

      Glad that it really resonated with you! I hope my foundation will really help like you–who wanted to learn photography at an early age but couldn’t afford to. Thanks for leaving a comment! :)

  • Milo

    Interesting. Are photojournalists street photographers?

    • http://www.erickimphotography.com Eric Kim

      I would say they are similar–but distinct in different ways.

      First of all, photojournalists are assigned to shoot certain stories. This is different from a street photographer, who likes to simply roam the streets and take photos of what he/she desires.

      I think the freedom is the difference :)

  • http://www.janklomp.nl Jan

    Although I’m not a streettog I was thinking for a while how to make a little money making photo’s. After reading this I don’t see the point anymore really, I already enjoy it so much, I don’t see why a little money would improve this. I’ll just focus on purely on the joy again ;-)
    Thanks!

    • http://www.erickimphotography.com Eric Kim

      Glad to hear that you enjoyed the post Jan! And yes– I have fallen into the trap as well, and doing photography for the pure joy is the best :)

  • Vivian Shen

    I’m glad you mentioned the part about commercial and wedding photographers. Every now and then, my friends try to push me to pursue wedding photography because they’ve seen how lucrative it can be. I understand their logic, which is that I’d make “a killing” doing something I love. It’s difficult to explain that the stress of client satisfaction (especially in a such a subjective area of service) would quickly turn photography into something I’d have to do, and I’m not willing to give up my passion. I think you really hit the mark with this post :)

    • http://www.erickimphotography.com Eric Kim

      Hey Vivian,

      I have been sucked into the lure of wedding photography several times before because of the money–but after shooting a few, I realized I genuinely didn’t like it. I could easily see myself ‘hating’ photography after a while when I was doing things I didn’t wish to do

  • http://paris-and-i.parissetmefree.com/ Sab

    Hi Eric, I was very interested by your posting – thank you.

    There are so many points raised, it’s difficult to know where to start. I totally admire and understand your ideas about NOT making money from street photography, both because it’s not easy and because you might lose your love of it – absolutely – when I was doing weddings and even studio portraits 20 years ago, something in me was saying ‘this isn’t what I wanted to do’, which may be why I dropped photography for some years before being reinspired by the Paris streets.

    I have to tell you that I do make money going around the streets of Paris taking street photography though. I do photo tours for tourists who want… street photography, and I have both the pleasure of doing what I love and also meeting new people from all over the world and helping them get some great shots.

    I admit that right now I couldn’t live on what I make, but that’s because I do other things as well and like it very much that way. You know, to be honest, if I have too many tours the temptation is to say, oh no, not another tour of Montmartre, and I guess that’s the same in any ‘great’ job, like a rock star having to play their biggest hit until the end of their days even when their sick of it. But then I think two things: one is, don’t be stupid, this is fantastic – you’re being paid to meet great, relaxed, excited people and show them the city you love through the activity you love. And secondly, as you well know, the streets are never the same.

    The other thing you mention tho’ about your foundation is great though, and I’ve been thinking of doing something similar here in Paris. Go into some school where the kids have a lot of problems, supply them with little digital cameras, take them out on the street to shoot, and then have a photo exhibition that all their parents and friends can come to – fantastic. So I’d be really interested to know how you are doing it so that maybe I could steal some of your ideas! Thanks again :-)
    Sab

    • http://www.erickimphotography.com Eric Kim

      Hey Sab,

      You definitely seem like you have your heart in the right place. Now I’m not saying its bad making money off of what you love–but making money shouldn’t be the ONLY reason why you are doing street photography. Your refresh sounds very fun, and it definitely sounds like you’re doing it to help others (and taking a few tips on the side).

      Also great blog and images! Keep up the amazing work that you do, and hopefully you can start your own foundation in Paris :)

  • Victor Lm

    I don’t like to measure every achievement with money… well, I think everybody too. A friend of mind says, “this kind of activity will raise you from the bed and take you to a place that you never seen before” and he is right. If not a good pictures at least we get healthier body and spirit, I joke to him.
    Impressive article, Mr. Kim.

  • Will

    I don’t necessarily want to make money off photography, but rather that I don’t want to spend my time pushing papers in an office looking out the window at people lying in the sunny park seemingly making the most of their time. Offer me some other profession by which I can feed, clothe and shelter myself while not slowly suffocating and i’ll be content not making money from photography.

    I hear what you’re saying, it’s sort of like how i’m fascinated by physics but I never wanted to pursue a career in it because in reality you’re not making discoveries everyday, i’d rather enjoy the work of others. Would photography be ruined if I tried to make money from it? quite possibly, but at the moment i’m counting down the days till I can get out from behind this desk and find something more intune with my personality. However I doubt very much i’d make any money specifically from street photography.

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