Can You Make a Living From Your Passion?

Yes, you can.

Photo by Author

I’ve been lucky to turn not just one, but three passions into work I love — music, photography, and videography. It wasn’t a straight road, and it didn’t always look the way I imagined. However, over time, I discovered ways to transform what I love into something people would pay for.

Let me share how.

Find Out What People Are Willing to Pay For

I started playing guitar when I was 15. Like many young musicians, my dream was to tour the world, write songs, and sell albums. But the reality was different — it was hard to break into that world. So I started playing cover songs at pubs and events instead. That helped me earn a steady income. I also began teaching guitar, learning from other musicians and passing on that knowledge. Teaching gave me both purpose and money.

Later, during COVID, I picked up photography. At first, it was just for fun — street and travel shots. I didn’t think I could earn from it. But since I had friends in the music scene, I started photographing their gigs. That turned into paid music-related jobs. As I improved, I began shooting birthdays, weddings, and corporate events — and that’s when I started to make a real living from it.