Everyone has hobbies they like to pursue. For some that might be baking or gardening or shopping (which can get expensive ).
Well what about photography?
Photography has seen peaks and values in popularity. In the 50’s & 60’s it was the advent of rangefinder cameras. Then in the 70’s, 80’s. The 90’s began the digital revolution with the Logitech Fotoman that had a CCD sensor for capturing images. It wasnt until 2000 when mobile phones had the first digital camera integrated into the phone. Nearly everyone has a camera on their phone to take pictures. In 2024, per Statista.com, photography is the 15th most popular hobby whereas 41% of respondents choose Cooking / Baking as the #1 hobby. Everyone should have at least 1 hobby.
I learned long ago the reason for loving this hobby involves left AND right brain thinking. Left brained for the technical and logical mastery of light and exposure. Right brained for the creative and emotional side of composition.
so…
Off I went always thinking, planning, and with a little luck get a shot that I thought was perfect. That was the drive initially and continues today.
But..
What is the success? How can you pursue this hobby and still have a great relationship?
I’ll share 3 tips that have worked for me.
Tip #1
Remember why you married your spouse.
When we were first married and even before that, I thought i was big man on campus. My thought was my .. at the time.. girlfriend was pretty and wanted a picture of this girl. Ths was way before the digital cameras or phones; just film cameras. She became my muse. She liked to pose and I liked to photograph. So, think about what got you started with the hobby and try bringing your spouse in the fold. Being married to my spouse for 35 years, I think about how I got started in this hobby and continually try to think about involving her today. For you, that might be doing selfies with your spouse or something else that utilizes a camera.
Tip #2
Involve your spouse whenever photographing anything.
I quickly learned that if I found something we were both interested in, then, the opportunity to capture it through photography could happen. Don’t force it. Let things happen organically. It means pack your camera and see where things take you. You could be just sitting in your house or out on the town or anything in between. Partnership will yield great opportunities.
Always be ready and see where things take you. This way you are involving your spouse AND doing something you like to do too.
Tip #3
When deciding on an opportunity (i.e travel, random, events, sports, etc…) to shoot photographs, pick things that your spouse likes or would like first, then see how photography can play a part instead of photography dictating opportunities.
As a Photo Nerd, I always look for opportunities to shoot.. to shoot anythings where I can use a camera. I focus on things like let’s shoot film, let’s use a medium format camera, maybe I need a pocket camera, or just use a mobile phone. It’s great to think that way and understand what, where and when to use a camera… BUT… don’t let this determine choices and decisions wholly.
By involving your spouse (Tip #2) then there is buy-in and support holistically. That will pay dividends when you are out and together that A) you are involved with your spouse B) doing something you both like or want to experience and C) creates opportunities when you see a chance to photograph something that your spouse will dip their toes into doing the same thing to.
Conclusion…
Loving photography and having that as a hobby can be thoroughly enjoyable. It also can be a catlayst or a bond to find something together that you and your partner can enjoy. Whatever the case may be, hopefully these tips offered some value to those starting out and want to go the distance in their marriage with someone who is all in with this hobby or those who have been together and its a chance to introduce the hobby to their spouse and see where things take them.
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