Action Now: Ask Me Stuff

2 Responses to Action Now: Ask Me Stuff

• Phill March 31, 2025

  Hi Marcus,As an aspiring photographer, I find myself pouring my soul into creatively documenting my buddies hucking themselves down our local NC hills. Lately, however, I find myself questioning: is it worth the effort, will it pay off, do these young rippers respect what I'm doing, can I make a living doing this or should I search for a less passionate path? I was wondering: Have you ever found yourself in this struggle? If so, what advice do you have? What helped you in the past to achieve your transcendental status within the skateboarding community?Thanks Marcus, and mad respect to you for your inspiring and entertaining work!Cheers,Phill

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    Wheelbase April 11, 2025

    Thanks for the comments and reflections. NorCal is a great place btw, you're stoked! Anyway, shooting skateboarding most likely will not pay off and that's okay. The idea is that you are self motivated and you do what you do because you want to learn and grow as a creative. If the dudes you are shooting are not growing, then move on to shooting with people or in ways that allow you to grow as a creative. If you are trying to make money, skateboarding is not the place. It's just not the place. And yes, I've experienced the struggle of feeling that some skaters do not respect what I'm doing, but then I move on from that head space and stay focused on my path of skill building and exploration: Making skateboarding better through the story telling of imagery — this actually transcends to like for me — make the world better through the sharing of stories and building more inspirational and technical skills to do so. Basically, I do not do this only for money: I love skateboarding and find a great value in it and want to also share that knowledge with others — there are many who just do it for fun and they will not care about it as an art more than that. Butthat's okay and not up to us as creatives to decide — we just have to stay self motivated and inspired. Now back to the topic of money: You must make it so you have to make yourself a valuable asset to the people who will pay you. If they do not find you valuable, then that is it: Kaput. This is a real struggle, but not the entire picture. Money is always hard in a niche market with many fighting for the same small piece of pie. Some will do anything to get that pie from you. Know that except that, then go about your business. It can get ugly. Again, I do not suggest being involved in skateboarding for money. It will depress you. But I'm not saying that you are. Basically, skate and shoot for fun and work with people who inspire you. If you get bored or are working with the uninspired, work with other people and/or take a break. If you are truly passionate about photographing skateboarding you will find a way to make it happen. Sorry for the rant. Thanks again for the question and for peeping my column. The reward is in the doing, in learning, in the experiences, in skill building.

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