By Kelsey Doletzky – Nature and Family Photographer

In today's world, anyone with a camera can be a photographer. With a quick search on eBay, you can grab a $300 camera, and with a few hours of editing tutorials on YouTube, you might feel ready to hit the ground running. But, as someone who has spent years honing my craft as a nature and family photographer, I'm here to tell you that the truth is far more complicated.

Photography Is About More Than Just Equipment

Sure, technology has made cameras more accessible, and editing software has given everyone the tools to enhance their photos. But at its core, photography isn't about the camera. It's about the moments you capture, the emotions you evoke, and the stories you tell. A certain magic comes with knowing how to see the world through your lens—technically and emotionally. And that's something you can't learn overnight.

While anyone can take a photo, authentic photography takes time, patience, and practice. It's not about ensuring your white balance is perfect or over-editing until every shot looks straight out of a magazine. It's about capturing a feeling—a fleeting emotion that resonates with the viewer. It's about seeing something unique others might overlook and bringing that into focus.

The Eye for Photography Is Something You're Born With: My Passion

I see it all the time—people who think they have the "eye" for photography but haven't yet refined it. And it's understandable. Photography feels like something anyone could do. After all, everyone owns a phone with a camera these days. But the actual photographer's eye isn't something that can be learned or perfected over time. It's something you're born with. It's an innate ability to see beauty, connection, and emotion in the world around you—something that others may miss.

You can learn techniques, perfect your camera skills, and become technically proficient. But that special something—the ability to capture the essence of a moment in a way that makes someone feel something—is something you either have or don't. It's a gift that some people are born with, and no amount of practice can replace it.

I didn't wake up one day as the photographer I am today. It's been a journey of experimenting, failing, succeeding, and constantly learning. And that's something many people miss—photography is not just a hobby you pick up and suddenly make money from; it's a lifelong dedication to growth. It's about passion. It's about becoming attuned to the world around you and figuring out how to translate that into your images.

Social Media and the Illusion of Instant Success

Here's where things get tricky—especially for the younger generations. With Instagram, TikTok, and the sheer volume of influencers out there, it's easy to think that success as a photographer is just a viral moment away. Maybe you'll get a few hundred likes on a picture of your dog, and before you know it, you're a "content creator" with thousands of followers. That's the dream. You can make money off your photos, quit your 9-5, and live the dream life.

But let's get real. That's not how life works. Sure, a few might get lucky, but the vast majority of us? We work tirelessly, learning and evolving over the years. There's no quick fix, no magic algorithm that can replace hard work and passion. Becoming a successful photographer takes years of dedication to be successful in a sustainable, fulfilling way. You don't just wake up one day and start earning. You put in the hours, the sweat, the sacrifices. And you keep learning. You evolve.

The Journey Is Part of the Joy

For anyone considering a photography career—or any creative endeavor—the most important lesson is this: It's not about shortcuts. It's not about finding the fastest path to "making it big." It's about building something meaningful over time. Whether photographing your own family or capturing the beauty of nature, it's about patience, practice, and passion. You must accept and embrace the journey's reality—especially when things get tough.

This isn't just about photography. It's about life. It's about realizing that the world doesn't owe you instant success. It's about embracing the imperfect, the raw moments, and the people who matter most. For me, that's my family—my husband and my home. I hold on tight to those things because they remind me why I started this journey in the first place.

Photography is a love affair with life. Not everyone is ready for that commitment, but for those who are, the rewards are rich, and the journey, no matter how long, is always worth it.

About Kelseycharmayne Photography

Kelseycharmayne Photography is a Michigan-based business dedicated to capturing authentic moments and telling the unique stories of each individual. Passionate about connecting with clients and understanding their vision, Kelseycharmayne specializes in creating timeless photos that evoke genuine emotion. Whether it’s a special birthday celebration, an intimate family gathering, or a stunning engagement session, Kelseycharmayne’s photography captures moments that matter.