Burnout almost cost a photographer his love for photography, highlighting how easily turning a hobby into a profession can extinguish creativity. This cautionary tale could help you safeguard your own passion from a similar fate.
Coming to you from Rick Bebbington, this insightful video explores the complicated reality of pursuing photography professionally. Bebbington shares a personal account of transitioning from hobbyist to professional, a journey that initially felt like a dream come true. However, the repetitive, creativity-draining tasks of commercial photography began to overwhelm him, making photography feel more like a burden than a passion. Even photographing his own family became a chore—he found himself unable to capture meaningful moments outside of work.
What’s especially important here is Bebbington’s honesty about his burnout stemming from underfulfillment rather than just overwork. He pinpoints precisely why photography lost its appeal: the repetitive, uncreative tasks left no mental space for personal projects. He speaks openly about struggling with anxiety and depression, ultimately deciding to step away and rebuild his career differently. This transparency is beneficial because it highlights a less-discussed type of burnout—one tied directly to a lack of creative satisfaction. Understanding this distinction might help you recognize similar feelings and take steps to avoid long-term dissatisfaction.
Bebbington doesn’t stop at describing his problems; he details the steps he took to regain his passion. A crucial turning point was prioritizing photography solely for personal fulfillment, free from external pressures like social media validation or perfectionism. He mentions an exercise that helped him define exactly what type of photography genuinely excited him, which might benefit you if you’re currently struggling. Another significant change he adopted was the “80% rule,” focusing on completing projects well without obsessing over perfection. Bebbington emphasizes that embracing imperfections helped him gradually reconnect with photography. While he hasn’t fully returned to his earlier enthusiasm levels, he now experiences regular glimpses of joy, showing that recovery from burnout is gradual but achievable. Check out the video above for the full rundown from Bebbington.
