12 Good Reasons To Pursue Photography As A Hobby
Photography can open up a whole new world. Start as soon as today.
Picking up hobbies is a great way to relax the mind, and explore different outlets and careers. Plus, it can help stave off academic burnout when it hits hard.
Photography is super fun. It comes with a ton of benefits you probably never thought of. It can help you level up your selfie game, learn new skills and even get you paid.
So if you’re considering the art of photography as a hobby, we’ve come up with 12 good reasons why you should. Plus, with an MPB student discount, you can get your hands on equipment at fantastic prices, getting you started in this amazing hobby much sooner than you think.
Jump to:
- It’s a creative outlet
- Photography niches are endless
- It broadens your horizons
- It makes you work with what you’ve got
- It’s a great addition to your CV
- You can literally start now
- Cheap start-up costs
- Create memories to last a lifetime
- It could become a side hustle
- 10. It’s a gateway to new connections
- It’ll get you out more
- It’ll improve other skills
1. It’s a creative outlet
If the idea of drawing or picking up crafts doesn’t sound like you, then you’ll find that photography is a much easier creative outlet to pursue. It’s super accessible too. A modern-day smartphone is all you need to get started, before moving on to DSLRs.
Picking a creative hobby can be hard, especially if you’re on a demanding university or college course. How long will it take to get decent at the hobby? What are the start-up costs? How hard is it? Will it fit around my studies? Fortunately, photography can be balanced with everyday life and can be a gateway to other creative pursuits too.
2. Photography niches are endless
Got a specific hobby or interest like model making or cosplay? Photography is a huge part of those niches! You’d be surprised how much fandom these niche photography disciplines harbour and you could be a part of it too.
In terms of the most common photography niches, here’s a list to get you started:
- Wedding photography
- Still-life photography
- Portrait photography
- Social Media Photography
- Real estate & property photography
- Fashion photography
- Drone photography
- Wildlife/Landscape photography.
3. It broadens your horizons
Pursuing a creative hobby can open your mind up to other new skills and experiences. Think about it, for almost anything you google, there’s a photo for it. You might end up exploring a unique theme in your photography niche or discovering something totally new you’d never have considered before.
But like with any artistic pursuit, creators’ block can strike at the worst of times. There are tons of ways to get out of a creative slump in photography. Including:
- Consuming media you’ve never seen before
- Edit old photos in a different way
- Take a break and come back to it
- Try a different photography niche.
4. It makes you work with what you’ve got
If you’re particularly interested in shooting people, objects and things, it can be a little tough to get out in the rain and winter months (though shooting in cold weather is totally possible).
Working with what you have in your home is more than enough to create some stunning imagery. Get a white bedding sheet or large piece of card, be close to a natural source of light, and make use of white card to bounce light off to fill in harsh shadows. MPB has six tips to get you started with still-life that is super useful for beginners.
5. It’s a great addition to your CV
Adding a photography skill to your CV can set you apart from other candidates. It’s especially true if you’re applying for an entry-level photography job, or a social media or content assistant position. Plus, if you can back it up with a portfolio or detailing the specific photography you’ve been honing your skills in, you’re bound to impress.
It’s not just photography you’ll put down either. You’ll want to include any editing software you’ve been using along the way.
6. You can literally start now
Photography is super accessible and all you need is a smartphone to get started. You can also invest in a DSLR cameras for beginners if you really want to get into the hobby fully.
Plus, tons of tutorials are available online via YouTube and numerous guides. MPB also has its very own photography tips and techniques page to fast-track your photography learning.
7. Cheap start-up costs
All you really need to get started is your smartphone’s camera. But, if you want to take the extra step and learn how to use a DSLR camera, then a second-hand body and lens will significantly cut your start-up costs for this lucrative hobby.
MPB have an amazing selection of new and used cameras to choose from. If you’re really not sure where to start, you can read MPB’s best entry-level small sensor cameras, which detail the exact models to look out for. Finally, you can trade in old photography kit if you’re looking to upgrade your current gear.
8. Create memories to last a lifetime
Having a photo of a landscape that left you in awe can bring back those very same memories. Or, if you want to compose the perfect group photo, you can reminisce on the fun you had directing the perfect jumping shot with your pals.
Want to learn about composing the best group photo? Read MPB’s beginners guide to composition!
9. It could become a side hustle
Photography is a lucrative side hustle and the possibilities are endless. Of course, when you’re starting out, you may need to do a few gigs for free, but it’s only a matter of time (and consistency) before you can start to freelance and charge for your photography work.
Better yet, photography could be a gateway to a full-time career. Yes, you really can make it as a photographer for the long haul. The more you shoot, the more you’ll realise what you truly enjoy and can market yourself in a specific niche(es).
10. It’s a gateway to new connections
Buddying up with friends and other new photographers is a great way to share tips, develop storytelling in photography, critique each other’s work and potentially make long-lasting connections!
Plus, it can increase your chances of getting recommended by other photographers if they’re already booked up or need a second shooter, meaning potential work for you further down the line.
11. It’ll get you out more
Photography, while can be done at home, is the perfect activity to get you outdoors. This is especially true for people who love to take photos of others, landscapes, buildings, nature and the like.
It could even coincide as a fitness activity if you love to go on walks or hikes. Great if you’re not a fan of the gym!
12. It’ll improve other skills
Photography can vastly improve things like your attention to detail, all the way through to graphic design (depending on how much you love to edit!).
Plus, learning a new skill helps the brain and improves our memory. And the more difficult the skill, the more you benefit. So try pushing yourself when you’re out there shooting, even if it looks totally impossible. Have a go, learn, make mistakes, improve and refine your craft.
Sign up to Student Beans to redeem our exclusive MPB student discount, where you can save cash on photography gear such as camera bodies, lenses, lighting and much more.
This is a sponsored post in partnership with MPB.
