We’re excited to introduce you to the always interesting and insightful Erick Donoghue. We hope you’ll enjoy our conversation with Erick below.

Erick, thanks for taking the time to share your stories with us today Being a business owner can be really hard sometimes. It’s rewarding, but most business owners we’ve spoken sometimes think about what it would have been like to have had a regular job instead. Have you ever wondered that yourself? Maybe you can talk to us about a time when you felt this way?

I concluded a long time ago that I would never have a “real job” or a “normal job.” I’ve tried a handful of times to leave things I was passionate about for the security of a steady paycheck. It never worked out, I was miserable every time. I’m a weed-in-the-wind, go-with-flow type of person and value quality of life over money every day.
I am extremely happy running my small photography and videography business here in Boston. I have control, freedom, and self-expression.

There I was…sitting on a bar stool managing a restaurant I didn’t want to be at. I felt like I was going to die on that stool while the world was passing by outside. I still love bartending on the weekends and networking with people over the bar don’t get me wrong. However, I decided to quit and dive full force into photography…I ended up having my busiest Fall to date.

I never miss the M-F 9-5 life. That’s never going to be my life. I spend hours in the gym every morning strengthing my body and my mind. I go home to my studio and edit photos before I head to a session or an evening of slinging drinks and making people laugh. I love my life, I love my schedule, and best of all…I get to say I truly love what I do.

My biggest conclusion or piece of advice? Prepare for the burnout. Even the happiest of people who love what they do get burnt out and want to throw in the towel. That’s why I hike mountains by myself. That’s why I’m always shooting new things that I haven’t photographed before. That’s why I take breaks, and thats why I still have my occasional bar shifts. I LOVE making drinks and meeting new people. The hospitality industry is in my bones. It’s also great money and free networking for your business haha.

Erick, love having you share your insights with us. Before we ask you more questions, maybe you can take a moment to introduce yourself to our readers who might have missed our earlier conversations?

My name is Erick Donoghue, I’m a freelance photographer & videographer here in the Boston and greater New England area. I specialize in models, weddings/engagements, and all things people! You’ll also catch me in nature in my free time, going on crazy solo adventures and shooting the milky way and time-lapse of the stars! I’ve been into cameras since I was a kid. Always taking my parent’s disposable cameras and wasting all the film. I went to film school in the early 2000’s before everything went truly digital. So I’m almost entirely self-taught.

I think what sets me apart in the world of natural light shooters and everyone being a photographer is my “off-camera flash” work and my relationship with lighting. Off-camera flash is a really tricky art and I have spent years mastering it. It’s very hard to do but when executed properly it produces unreal results. You’ll see IG stories of me lugging gear up mountains, swimming with cameras over my head, or hanging out the back of cars to get the shot.

I’m a people person and I aim to please. Every session with me starts with a one-on-one consultation making sure all your needs are met and that I am the photographer for you. I’m known for over-delivering and producing professional results.

eDon Productions is an idea. It’s a mindset that your photoshoot doesn’t have to be stressful, awkward or forced. Everyone I work with has a great time and we laugh a lot. I love capturing your special moment whatever it may be.

What’s the most rewarding aspect of being a creative in your experience?

Simple. Making people happy. Having a positive impact in people’s lives and being able to capture what matters most to them in a beautiful and artistic way.

When I show people the back of my camera during a shoot, and they see themselves through my eyes they will GASP or say “Oh my god…” That brings so much joy to my heart. I love inspiring confidence and making people feel good about themselves.

What’s a lesson you had to unlearn and what’s the backstory?

If you truly “love what you do” then don’t be all about the MONEY. Sure it’s why we are all here right? To make money and have fun doing it? Of course. My lesson came from getting burnt out and doing things for the wrong reasons.

Once I started shooting for the FUN of it, and what I WANTED to shoot…then people started noticing. Then people started following and asking for prints. Then people said, “oh my god I’d love to shoot with you what are your rates?”

Do what you love, have fun doing it and the money will follow. Have backup plans, and other forms of income lined up so the burnout doesn’t become real.

Contact Info:

• Website: www.edonproductions.com
• Instagram: edon_productions
• Facebook: facebook.com/erick.donoghue

Image Credits
Arlan Fonseca Molly Greeley