Why do you do Photography?

[pharmaphotog]

To me, photography is just like golf.  One good shot keeps me coming back for more.

I earn money for side jobs; however, I would still have all of my gear if I were never compensated for it.

[tron]

i enjoy it...

me too 

[jsexton]

One of the best ways to relieve stress.

[Click]

One of the best ways to relieve stress.

Ditto. 

[K3nt]

It started out as a trial, got my 7D for personal use and didn't think anything about it. Then I thought, I _have_ to learn this stuff as it would be embarrassing going around with a 7D on Full auto. So I got a few books and was hooked, things just sort of escalated from there and now it's earning some money as a side job.

I agree with previous posters, good stress relief and I enjoy it, plus, there's always some new thing I want to get out and try. A lot of inspiration comes from the likes of flickr et al. "Whoa! How'd they do that? I want to try it too." -sort of thing.

[bholliman]

It's my form of artistic expression.  I can't sing, paint or write poetry, but I can take good pictures.

I started getting serious about photography three years ago, but was taking mostly landscapes when we were on vacation.  I didn't shoot much unless we were someplace with breathtaking scenery.  That's evolved over time to include just about everything, every day.  When our 12-month-old son came along last spring, I became very interested in documenting his young life, so have been working hard at my portrait and indoor photography skills.

As others have said, photography has expanded the way I look at everything.  I notice more details.  I'm more aware of the light, it's sources and direction.  I see beauty in things I didn't even notice before.  Even when I don't have a camera with me I think about how I would shoot a certain scene if I did. 

Photography is a way to relieve stress, but at the same time it's challenging.  In addition to the artistic aspects, I love working with high tech equipment and figuring out how to use it to its full potential.  I enjoy the challenge of composing and executing a shot in difficult light, or of trying to capture the beauty and feeling of a place and time. 

[Kristofgss]

For memories. I only have a few pictures and wirtten cards of my grandparents and little memories, their graves have been removed  and I so often wish I had more pictures of how their lives were and wished I could hear their voices one more time. So when my wife and I had children, I started taking pictures  of the thousands of little things that attracted my attention and video fragments of their family and grandparents so that when they grow up, they can look back on them.
I also shoot lots of other stuff, but that's the prime reason. When we're no longer around, at least some of the pictures will be. They will probably not be that good or special, but it's like memories which you can still touch or see moving.

[Dylan777]

I have two kids(4&2yrs). I want to capture all the memories with the best tool that I can afford, since they only grow-up one.

[J.R.]

I have two kids(4&2yrs). I want to capture all the memories with the best tool that I can afford, since they only grow-up one.

+1 ... Same here

[2n10]

I do photography to record my other hobby, aquariums, and because I enjoy it and want to remember things that I found interesting. 

[Dylan777]

To me, photography is just like golf.  One good shot keeps me coming back for more.

I earn money for side jobs; however, I would still have all of my gear if I were never compensated for it.

+1...I use to play 2-3 time a week. Now with 2 kids, there is no most no times left in the day for anything else.

Still keeping my Taylormade R7 TP driver & fairway woods, Taylormade Rac TP MB irons and all time fav. ScottyCameron Newport2 putter(1st version) though

[ksuweh]

It started out as a trial, got my 7D for personal use and didn't think anything about it. Then I thought, I _have_ to learn this stuff as it would be embarrassing going around with a 7D on Full auto. So I got a few books and was hooked, things just sort of escalated from there and now it's earning some money as a side job.

I agree with previous posters, good stress relief and I enjoy it, plus, there's always some new thing I want to get out and try. A lot of inspiration comes from the likes of flickr et al. "Whoa! How'd they do that? I want to try it too." -sort of thing.

My story is exactly the same right down to the 7D as my first body for personal use! I just fell in love with photography! I even sold my BMW motorcycle (another expensive hobby) to buy more photography gear!! Its such an addiction!!

[pdirestajr]

I'm a professional visual artist. Photography is just another form of expression.

[ecka]

Life seems to be so short, mostly because we don't remember every precious moment of it, while trying to forget all the worst that had happened to us. Photography helps to remember everything , the good, the bad and the boring (unfortunately).

[Pakman]

I like photography because it clears my head when my only aim is to get that shot. I also like the feeling of satisfaction I get when I get a shot that I like. I personally think its quite the deterrent to becoming complacent in everyday life, or falling into a boring day-in-day-out routine.