p.1 #1 · Burnout, stress, and finding the joy in art again
I was previously a growing photographer, prolifically photographing my travels while in the US Navy.
In 2019 I sustained a back injury that resulted in me almost being kicked out in 2020, except that my son was diagnosed with cancer which put me in a protected program while we put him through treatment. We also got a positive diagnosis for Severe (level 3) autism, which the chemo didn't help.
During that time I gradually lost my... drive? Motivation? Muse? I'm not sure but my photography started dropping off. He range the bell and I retired in 2023, and I tried to pick it back up and failed. I managed to in 2025 on the first vacation I took since his diagnosis, and realized that I'm burnt out, exhausted, etc. But the joy that trip brought me was an eye opener. I used to be outdoors all the time, photographing, loving life. Now... every day is stress filled with his therapy, hospital visits, behavioral and developmental issues, etc. I'm retired but spend over 40 hours a week just doing the things needed to take care of his needs, to the point that making sure my daughter gets her time is becoming a struggle, much less with my wife.
My wife is 100% behind me getting back outside and taking photography back up, and had me go buy a new kit I loved while we were in Japan visiting family. I dove right back in there and loved it, while we had family support to take care of our son.
But when we came back, it felt like all that weight and stress returned. Now I'm again struggling with burnout and how to find that joy.
I don't know that anyone would have any advice I haven't heard, or if I just wanted to vent. But I'm open to ideas, motivations, etc.!
p.1 #2 · Burnout, stress, and finding the joy in art again
You're on a tough road at the moment. I know a little bit about caretaking and you do need to find a way to get some time to yourself.
My initial reaction was that you should use photography to document what you're family is going through right now. I realize that it's not giving you a break, but maybe using your camera to tell your story might distance yourself just a bit.
My other thought is to give yourself an assignment. Start a picture-a-day project, or photograph vertical lines one day, or pick a color and photograph that. None of this has to be become one more burden, or something you *have* to do, but it gives you a reason to get out of the house.
Try walking around in your backyard and challenge yourself to come up with the best compositions you can find. Just step outside and start, don't wait until you feel better. Tell yourself, "I'm going to take one photo," and see what happens.
p.1 #3 · Burnout, stress, and finding the joy in art again
kbrede wrote:
You're on a tough road at the moment. I know a little bit about caretaking and you do need to find a way to get some time to yourself.
My initial reaction was that you should use photography to document what you're family is going through right now. I realize that it's not giving you a break, but maybe using your camera to tell your story might distance yourself just a bit.
My other thought is to give yourself an assignment. Start a picture-a-day project, or photograph vertical lines one day, or pick a color and photograph that. None of this has to be become one more burden, or something you *have* to do, but it gives you a reason to get out of the house.
Try walking around in your backyard and challenge yourself to come up with the best compositions you can find. Just step outside and start, don't wait until you feel better. Tell yourself, "I'm going to take one photo," and see what happens.
A few thoughts, hope some of it might be helpful....Show more →
I've actually considered the assignment, and documentary.
I tried the documentary during his chemo, and we managed it for a year before it became too much for us. We still have that somewhere, but have a hard time revisiting that time.
For the assignment, I was doing a daily while in Japan and made it work, and I carry my OM-3 + 20mm with me everywhere. But I'm just so mentally exhausted most days. Maybe I need to work through that.
I appreciate the input. Your suggestions reinforce that those might be the best way.
p.1 #4 · Burnout, stress, and finding the joy in art again
It's really hard to know what to do. I went through a couple hard years of managing my parent's care. Nothing like you're going through, but I remember more than anything, just wanting to sleep.
Another idea, maybe a short walk in your neighborhood, and take your camera with you. The walk gets you outside, it's good for you, and if you find a few things to photograph that might get your mind off of things for a bit.
p.1 #5 · Burnout, stress, and finding the joy in art again
kbrede wrote:
It's really hard to know what to do. I went through a couple hard years of managing my parent's care. Nothing like you're going through, but I remember more than anything, just wanting to sleep.
Another idea, maybe a short walk in your neighborhood, and take your camera with you. The walk gets you outside, it's good for you, and if you find a few things to photograph that might get your mind off of things for a bit.
Did the walk today, with the wife and dog. Didn't bring the camera today, as I was too stressed. Maybe tomorrow...?
p.1 #7 · Burnout, stress, and finding the joy in art again
There are plenty of reasons not to do photography, so don't feel like you need to do it. Figure out where that is coming from and deal with it first. There are many activities that come and go during a lifetime. If there is something else better for now then do that! Perhaps a few years from now you will regain interest, but forcing anything is a bad idea unless it is absolutely necessary.
It took me until about 40 to fully realize that I don't like most photography and will never be good those due to unpleasantness. I refused to ever shoot for money again and only concentrate on a few things like species and lansdscapes. Sometimes I capture images 3-5 weeks per year, othertimes fewer.
p.1 #8 · Burnout, stress, and finding the joy in art again
EB-1 wrote:
There are plenty of reasons not to do photography, so don't feel like you need to do it. Figure out where that is coming from and deal with it first. There are many activities that come and go during a lifetime. If there is something else better for now then do that! Perhaps a few years from now you will regain interest, but forcing anything is a bad idea unless it is absolutely necessary.
It took me until about 40 to fully realize that I don't like most photography and will never be good those due to unpleasantness. I refused to ever shoot for money again and only concentrate on a few things like species and lansdscapes. Sometimes I capture images 3-5 weeks per year, othertimes fewer.
I actually love photography, but at the same time I empathize with you. Once upon a time I did retirement ceremonies as a paid thing and realized I utterly hated that. So I swore never to do event photography of any type ever again, paid or unpaid.
I know what type of photography I enjoy, and to restrict myself to that. It's excellent advice, for sure. I have concepts of things I want to capture right now; it's getting my emotions and mind in order to do them that I'm currently struggling with.
