When Passion Project Meets Side Hustle

It’s all about creativity, and fun!

Photo by Sharon Pittaway on Unsplash

This is the time of year that I start hatching new projects. Things are slow with my main side hustle, photography — so my mind naturally wants to conjure up something else to do with my spare time and creative energy.

In my mind, each of these new endeavors begin as a Passion Project — something I feel strongly about, and want to express creatively. It’s also a Side Hustle, in that it takes up my time — but I am not thinking about making money, as much as burning off some creative energy, and perhaps spreading a message.

Of course, I would love for one of my projects to go viral, and the money to start pouring in. But so far, that has not been the case. Yet, I persist — since money has never been my motivation.

And the line is blurred between the two things, sometimes. Writing, for example. I do it for fun, but I make a few bucks with it, too — that’s just a bonus. I reckon I would still be writing even if I didn’t get paid for it, because I love doing it. It’s an ongoing Passion Project, that pays.

Now my photography? There are a lot of blurred lines there. People pay me to take pictures of their weddings, and families, and head shots. Then I take that money and go on vacation for the sole purpose of taking more…