Is photography better kept as a passion, or does turning it into a business change the relationship entirely?

In this episode of Shutter Nonsense, Michael and Jeffrey dig into the real-world tradeoffs between photography as a hobby and photography as a source of income. The discussion explores what monetization actually looks like for landscape photographers, why prints and education tend to be the most common paths, and how financial pressure can quietly influence creativity, subject choice, and long-term enjoyment of the craft.

The episode also looks beyond gear and images to the less visible side of the business: financial readiness, safety nets, diversification of income, and the mental and emotional weight of being “always on.” Whether photography is something you love on the weekends or something you are trying to build into a career, this episode offers an honest framework for thinking through the decision with intention.

Join the Shutter Nonsense Patreon community to participate in post-episode conversations and share your own photography experiences! Available to free and paid members. www.patreon.com/ShutterNonsense

• Hobby vs business: what it really means to monetize photography
• Common income paths for landscape photographers, including prints and education
• Why portraits and events often become the first step into paid photography
• The reality of saturation and competition in nature photography
• The hidden workload behind monetization and being constantly “on”
• Financial readiness beyond gear: savings, insurance, and unexpected expenses
• Why timing matters when considering full-time photography
• How monetization can influence creativity and subject choice
• Balancing personal passion with work that is more marketable
• When paid photography starts to pull energy away from what you love
• How teaching and selling work can deepen connection with an audience
• The importance of diversified income streams for long-term stability

Relevant Links:

https://www.michaelrungphotography.com/post/struggling

Learn more about Michael's photography: www.michaelrung.com

Learn more about Jeffrey's photography: www.jeffreytadlock.com

In Episode 19 of Shutter Nonsense, hosts Michael and Jeffrey dig into how photography trips shape us far beyond the images we bring home. Travel can spark creativity and excitement, but it also introduces uncertainty, pressure, and the challenge of balancing expectations with reality.

We talk about what happens when you photograph unfamiliar places, how travel can help reconnect you with your original motivation for picking up a camera, and why growth often comes from being uncomfortable. Along the way, we share personal travel stories, discuss planning versus spontaneity, explore solo versus group travel dynamics, and reflect on how revisiting familiar locations compares to chasing something new.

This episode is less about destinations and more about intention, awareness, and the long-term impact photography trips can have on your creative life. Whether you travel often or only occasionally, this conversation is about making those trips more meaningful.

Join the Shutter Nonsense Patreon community to participate in post-episode conversations and share your own photography experiences! Available to free and paid members. www.patreon.com/ShutterNonsense

Highlights:

• Why photography trips often change how we think about photography, not just what we photograph
• The creative benefits and mental challenges of working in unfamiliar locations
• How travel can help reconnect you with your original motivation for picking up a camera
• Planning versus spontaneity, and why both matter on photography-focused trips
• Solo travel compared to group trips, and how each shapes the experience differently
• Balancing photography goals with simply being present while traveling
• The role of repeat visits versus constantly chasing new destinations
• How deeper connections to places can influence conservation awareness and advocacy
• Practical advice for photographers planning their first trip centered around photography

Relevant Links:

Learn more about Michael's photography: www.michaelrung.com

Learn more about Jeffrey's photography: www.jeffreytadlock.com

In this episode of Shutter Nonsense, hosts Michael and Jeffrey explore the often-overlooked power of local photography and why shooting close to home can make you a stronger, more fulfilled nature photographer.

Traveling for your nature photography is inspiring and iconic, but local landscapes offer something just as valuable: repetition, familiarity, and the chance to truly learn a place. We talk about how photographing nearby locations can sharpen your skills, deepen your connection to the land, and help you stay creatively energized without constantly chasing new destinations.

We also dig into the realities of balancing local and travel photography, how to work through location fatigue, and why your audience often connects just as much with meaningful local work as they do with bucket-list locations.

This episode is part practical advice, part creative mindset, and part honest reflection on what keeps photography enjoyable long-term.

Join the Shutter Nonsense Patreon community to participate in post-episode conversations and share your own photography experiences! Available to free and paid members. www.patreon.com/ShutterNonsense

Highlights Include:

• Why local photography is one of the best ways to improve technical skills
• How familiarity with a place leads to stronger compositions and better timing
• The mental and creative benefits of shooting close to home
• Scouting and building fitness without always bringing a camera
• Planning vs spontaneity when working locally
• How to avoid burnout and location fatigue
• Balancing local projects with travel photography
• Audience reactions to iconic travel shots vs meaningful local images

Relevant Links:

Michael’s App: https://www.photopackpro.com

2026 Workshops: https://www.michaelrungphotography.com/landscape-photography-workshops

Learn more about Michael's photography: www.michaelrung.com Learn more about Jeffrey's photography: www.jeffreytadlock.com