The Real Struggles of Freelance Photographers

Intro: The Truth Behind the Lens

Freelance photography is often romanticised—a life of flexibility, creativity, and artistic fulfilment. And while those elements are real, there's another side to it. Beneath the perfectly curated portfolios and social media highlights is a demanding, unpredictable world filled with struggles, sacrifices, and burnout that few see

The journey as a freelance photographer isn't just about mastering light and composition — it's about learning to survive the physical toll, the never-ending workload, financial anxiety, and the emotional weight of being misunderstood. I've lived through all of it. Still am, to be honest.

Freelance photography isn't all creativity and flexibility—it comes with challenges few people talk about. In this article, I'm opening up about the setbacks I've faced, from exhaustion and injury to unfair treatment, and how I've learned to push forward. If you're a photographer navigating similar struggles or simply curious about what happens behind the scenes, I hope this gives you perspective—and maybe a bit of encouragement.

The Struggles (And How to Beat Them)

Physical Strain & Common Injuries in Freelance Photography

Let's not sugar-coat it — photography is physically brutal. Lugging around heavy gear, crouching into awkward positions, standing for hours on end… it all adds up. My back? Wrecked. Wrists? Constantly sore. Knees? Don't even start.

We don't talk enough about the common injuries in freelance photography — chronic pain. It's not just discomfort; it affects how we work, how long we can shoot, and even how creative we feel. When your body's screaming, it's hard to stay inspired.

What's helped me: ergonomics. Swapping camera bags for trolleys when I can. Stretching daily. And most importantly, listening to my body instead of powering through like a hero. Long-term, your health is your career.

Time Management for Freelance Photographers

Here's the cruel twist: going freelance to get more freedom… only to feel like there's never enough time. Between client shoots, editing, responding to messages, managing socials, updating websites, and doing admin, you're basically a one-person agency.

Honestly, time management for photographers is a survival skill. I've lost entire weekends just editing one massive event or chasing late payments. The creative burnout is real, especially when there's no clear end to the workday.

What's helped me: batching tasks. Saying no to last-minute bookings unless they're worth the chaos. Most importantly, blocking out personal time without guilt. Your time is valuable — protect it like your best lens.

Emotional Toll: When Family and Friends Don't Understand

This one cuts deep. The looks. The passive comments. The way people say, "That's your job?" with a smirk. Or worse, when they assume you're just snapping photos for fun and must be free to run errands, hang out, or shoot for them for free.

Being a photographer comes with challenges that spill into personal life. The exhaustion, the unpredictable schedules, the requests for “just a quick shoot” that aren't quick at all—it's a struggle to make people understand that this work is physically and mentally demanding.

What's helped me: drawing boundaries — even when it feels awkward. Explaining my workload clearly. Surrounding myself with people who get it. And sometimes, just tuning out the noise and focusing on what lights me up. Validation doesn't always come from others — sometimes, we have to give it to ourselves.

The Cost of Photography Gear & Financial Pressure

Photography is expensive. Like, ridiculously expensive. From cameras and lenses to lighting gear, storage solutions… it never ends.

Photography gear investment isn't a one-time thing. It's a constant cycle of upgrading, replacing, and repairing. And when clients bargain you down or skip payment altogether, that financial pressure turns crushing real quick.

What's helped me: being transparent with clients about what goes into a shoot. Pricing myself fairly and walking away from lowball offers. Creating a gear fund to save bit by bit. And resisting the urge to buy every shiny new gadget — good work comes from vision, not just the latest tech.

Dealing With Competition & Industry Gatekeeping

Let's be real — this industry can be cutthroat. There's healthy competition, and then there's sabotage: undercutting, gossip, shady tactics, and exclusion from "insider" circles. I've been there — and it sucks.

Competition in freelance photography can either push you to grow or break your spirit. And gatekeeping? It's alive and well. Some folks act like knowledge is sacred and sharing it means losing power.

What's helped me: staying in my lane. Focusing on creating work I'm proud of. Connecting with photographers who believe in community over competition. And remembering that real recognition doesn't come from cliques — it comes from consistency, kindness, and craft.

Photography Retouching Scams: The Rise of Spam Retouchers

You know the DMs — poorly written, aggressive, often accompanied by cringey before/after samples. These photography retouching scams flood our inboxes, offering "cheap editing" services that not only look awful but devalue our work.

Some even steal your photos to "improve", then blast them online as portfolio samples without consent. It's frustrating, unethical, and exhausting to deal with constantly.

What's helped me: blocking fast, reporting when needed, and educating newer photographers to spot red flags. I also make it clear to clients that all my retouching is done personally or by trusted collaborators — no outsourcing, no cutting corners.

Exploitation by Clients and Models: Unfair Treatment in the Industry

Some of the worst wounds come not from strangers, but from those we work with. I've had clients ghost me after receiving unwatermarked previews. Models who begged for a "collab" and vanished the moment the images went live, refusing to tag, credit, or reciprocate.

Unfair treatment in the photography industry is rampant. From being asked to shoot for exposure, to being expected to work for free "because you love it", to dealing with entitled attitudes — it's draining.

What's helped me: contracts. Clear communication. And knowing when to walk away. Not every opportunity is worth the stress. And honestly? The good clients — the respectful, appreciative ones — they do exist. Don't let the bad ones taint the whole journey.

Mental Health & Burnout

Let's talk about the quiet killer — creative burnout. It creeps in silently, often disguised as tiredness or disinterest, until one day you're staring at your camera like it's a brick and thinking, Why does this feel like a chore?

Creative burnout in photography is real, and it's relentless. The constant cycle—create, impress, market, deliver, repeat—can drain the joy out of the craft if you're not careful. I've had moments where even the thought of picking up my camera felt unbearable. It wasn't laziness—it was sheer mental exhaustion.

What's helped me: taking deliberate breaks before hitting breaking point. Creating just for myself, no pressure. Talking to other creatives who understand. And reminding myself that rest isn't the enemy of productivity — it's the fuel. You can't pour from an empty cup.

Client Education Struggles

This one tests your patience like nothing else. You quote your rate, and the reply is, "Wah, so expensive ah? Just take photo only right?" Cue the internal screaming.

One of the toughest parts of being a photographer? Explaining pricing to clients. They see the shutter click but rarely consider everything behind it—the prep time, the expensive gear, the hours of editing, ongoing training, data backups, and countless late nights.

What's helped me: being upfront. I explain the value before the quote. I break it down if I need to. And I've learned not to chase those who will never see photography as more than "press button". If they can't respect the craft, they're not your people.

Imposter Syndrome & Confidence Dips

"Am I actually good enough?" That voice? Yeah. It's familiar. And it doesn't care how many clients you've had or how many compliments you get. It shows up anyway.

Self-doubt as a creative is ruthless. Some days I look at my work and feel proud. Other days, I scroll social media and spiral — comparing, questioning, shrinking. It's exhausting.

What's helped me: accepting that self-doubt is part of the process, not proof of failure. I look back at old work to see how far I've come. I remind myself that growth doesn't always feel glamorous. And sometimes, I just keep showing up — even when I don't feel confident — until the feelings catch up.

Sustainability vs Survival

Let's be real — doing what you love doesn't always pay the bills. And chasing only the jobs that pay can drain the soul. This constant tug-of-war between heart and wallet is the hardest part of building a sustainable freelance photography career.

You want to do meaningful work. Work that feeds your creativity, your values, your purpose. But rent's due, groceries are real, and exposure doesn't pay in cash. So you say yes to jobs you don't love. You stretch. You compromise.

What's helped me: diversifying my services. Finding a rhythm that includes both passion projects and reliable gigs. Permitting myself to take on less "sexy" work to fund the stuff I care deeply about. And reminding myself that survival today doesn't mean you've sold out — it means you're still here, still fighting to create.

Personal Story Highlights

I'm Skai, a photographer in Singapore who works solo—handling everything from concept to final edits, ensuring every shot holds meaning.

My journey has been anything but effortless. It's been filled with challenges, resilience, and lessons earned through experience. What I share isn't just about photography—it's about the reality behind it. The hustle, heartbreak, and moments remind me why I keep going.

If you've ever struggled on this creative path, I see you. You're not alone.

My Injuries

I have suffered various injuries, directly and indirectly, due to photography. Some have since recovered, while some have not.

Sprained right wrist It was during my first official event photography, which unfortunately required an insane number of clicks continuously for almost an hour. I held the camera very long on my right hand while my left hand was busy adjusting the speedlite on top of my camera to create the best bounce lights possible for every snap.
Numbness on shoulders I carried my tripod sling bag for excessive time without taking sufficient rest. Eventually, I was left with numbness in my left shoulder, together with a kind of non-sharp pain. It didn't take away my strength and the pain would subside over time, but the injury would return whenever I load anything over the shoulder again. I suspect I have badly injured my shoulder blades.

Following that, my right shoulder has started giving way as well.
Bad bruises on knees On various occasions, I had to kneel to reduce the camera shake. The grounds happened to be rough. Multiple times, I got very badly bruised which would take months to recover from. The rest would hurt me for over a week at least.
Bruises on sides of legs On certain occasions, I had a more relaxing photography session where I could manage to get seated on the ground to reduce camera shake. However, I pressed onto the ground too hard to keep my camera stable and sometimes, it was just my silly mistake that I tried to get up too quickly that I caused some friction against the ground. Luckily, they weren't very bad bruises.
Sand fly bite The worst insect bite that I ever had was during my solo exploration trip to Coney Island for an upcoming portrait photoshoot. I was lucky throughout my life that I had managed to keep my hairy legs clear, apart from a surgery scar, and the suspected sand fly bite left a permanent mark.
Mosquito bites Since I do outdoor photography at all kinds of places, I do get attacked regularly. I can get over 10 mosquito bites for photography at places such as Fort Canning Park.
Injured pinky finger on the left hand Many keyboard shortcuts require the use of the "ctrl key" in combination with other keys. The last finger on my left hand was somehow injured due to excessive use. In the year 2021, the joint was hit by a fan inside my desktop computer when I was trying to fix something and somehow the injury worsened.
Left wrist injury My left wrist started giving me pain out of a sudden. It was likely injured during a photoshoot trip due to the transportation of equipment in some weird angles that the muscle group wasn't commonly used. The pain lasted for months and I was diagnosed by myself that a vein was injured, and it led up to my elbow.
Dry eyes The excessive staring at the computer screen left me with frequent dry eyes, which caused fatigue. The rushing of photo albums that would usually take days for post-production and online marketing were devils.

Unintended Offences

Throughout my career, I've been privileged to collaborate with outstanding clients and creatives—but I've also unintentionally offended certain individuals. Here are a few personal anecdotes that illustrate why establishing clear boundaries is essential:

Unpaid "Collaborations" with Influencers:
A "model" with a significant online following once proposed an unpaid shoot, intending to use the images for a commercial catalogue. Declining was necessary: professional commercial work must be remunerated. Respecting my business model means turning down even high-profile "opportunities".
Clients Seeking Excessive Discounts:
Some prospects negotiate fees down to exposure alone. While I value cost-effective solutions, I will not compromise the integrity or sustainability of my service by offering steep discounts or pro bono sessions outside of agreed terms.
The Perpetual Promise-Then-Ghost Client:
I once conducted a dating profile shoot for a client who repeatedly postponed, selected the lowest-tier package, then ceased communication post‑session. Years later, he requested removal of his images—without compensation for the effort involved. When I applied a reasonable administrative fee, he reacted unprofessionally and cited the absence of a written contract.
Portfolio-Builder Turned Detractor:
Early in my practice, I assisted aspiring models pro bono to build their portfolios. Some later demanded removal of online albums without offering fair recompense for photography, editing, copywriting, or site management. In one instance, a model exploited my time, arrived late, then issued a false review after I withdrew her images.
Criticism from Industry Peers:
I publish candid articles addressing poor industry practices and anonymous case studies. Although I never disclose names, certain black sheep have taken my insights personally and reacted defensively.
Misinterpretation of Language:
In describing common skin concerns as "blemishes" or "imperfections," which is used by clients, I've unintentionally offended followers sensitive to that terminology. This taught me to choose descriptors more carefully to maintain respect and clarity.
Envy-Fuelled Backlash:
Sharing educational content online attracted criticism from some amateur photographers who felt my guidance diminished their competitive edge. In reality, fostering knowledge sharing strengthens the entire community.
Disruptive Collaborators:
A few collaborators, troubled by personal issues, have attempted to undermine my projects by spreading unfounded rumours. Such experiences highlight the importance of professional vetting and clear communication.

Key Lesson: Maintaining professionalism requires clear contractual terms, transparent communication, and mutual respect. By setting and enforcing boundaries, you safeguard your reputation and ensure every collaboration remains constructive.

I Said No — And Chaos Ensued

As a photographer, I believe in always working with a clear conscience. In year 2018, I had an experience with a makeup artist who approached me for collaboration. A businessman, whom I didn't recognise, approached her and wanted to meet for a "business discussion". After some investigation, the makeup artist discovered that this businessman had a bad track record and was once jailed for molesting model(s).

I couldn't risk being associated with someone who had such a bad reputation as it would harm my reputation. Most of all, I was afraid that beginner models might think that I had endorsed him and thus they would let their guard down when dealing with him.

When I declined the collaboration, the makeup artist became upset and tried to sow discord between me and the other people we had collaborated with. Unfortunately, she made a few successes.

Eventually, the businessman approached me directly, asking for free photography services, which I ignored. I have proven right that the business discussion was a sham after all; it was totally about abusing talents with no compensation for his own commercial gain.

In conclusion, I would rather work with people of good character, even if it means offending those with bad character, rather than compromise my principles and risk damaging my reputation. My goal is to maintain a clear conscience and always do what is right, even if it means going against popular opinion.

Conclusion: Still Standing, Still Shooting

Freelance photography is a test of endurance as much as it is of creativity. It requires resilience, patience, boundaries, and the strength to keep going when things feel unfair. The journey isn't smooth, but when an image connects with someone, when it sparks emotion, that moment makes every challenge worthwhile.

If you're deep in the struggle, I want you to know—you're not alone. The burnout, the difficult clients, the exhausting conversations where you defend your profession—I hear you. And I understand.

Thank you for taking the time to read my story. If you have your own experiences, challenges, or victories—big or small—I'd love to hear them. Text me, and let's keep this conversation open, honest, and supportive—just like the work we do.

You may be interested in:
- Advantages of being a freelance photographer
- Disadvantages of being a freelance photographer
- Photography is a sunset industry
- Clients from hell (photography services)
- Ways to insult a professional photographer

Updated: Wed, 21 May 2025