We were lucky to catch up with Richard Barman recently and have shared our conversation below.
Richard, thanks for taking the time to share your stories with us today Are you happier as a creative? Do you sometimes think about what it would be like to just have a regular job? Can you talk to us about how you think through these emotions?
Sometimes, when you choose a less traveled road, there’s this quiet weight you carry around, especially when people keep bringing up how important it is to be stable rather than chase after what you’re truly passionate about. It comes up in every chat where someone kindly suggests you get a “proper” job. For me, photography was never just about clicking a shutter or making pretty pictures; it was how I made sense of the world, a way to keep stories from being forgotten. But we live in a world where they often judge how well you’re doing by how steady your job is, where a regular salary is seen as the key to a good life. Because of that, chasing a career in something creative was always met with a bit of doubt. There were times when I wondered about it too. Would having a regular job give me the money I needed to keep doing my photography? Would I be able to follow my artistic vision more freely if I had a steady income? These thoughts stuck with me, but I could never find an answer that felt right enough to make me give up on what I was passionate about.
Back in 2022, I took the plunge into videojournalism, thinking it was the perfect way to blend a steady income with my passion for storytelling. It felt like a natural next step; after all, visual storytelling was where I thrive, and the essence of journalism, as I understood it, was about capturing the real world. However, the reality of the industry was a far cry from what I had imagined. While journalism is supposed to be about truth, I found its integrity was being compromised by various influences. The stories that were being told weren’t necessarily the most important ones, but rather the ones that were most likely to bring in revenue. Instead of shining a light on what was hidden, I saw stories being molded to benefit interests beyond the public’s well-being. It was a system that valued having the right connections over being truly accountable, where power was often embraced rather than scrutinized. In that kind of setting, my camera didn’t feel like my own anymore. It belonged to the company, to their goals, to the pressures that had nothing to do with staying true to the creative process.
Financial security came at a cost, the erosion of creative freedom, the exhaustion of dedicating time to work that felt increasingly disconnected from the storytelling I valued. I was filming daily, yet I was not creating. My personal projects, the narratives I was compelled to tell became afterthoughts, waiting for a moment that never arrived. I had a job, yet it felt more restrictive than liberating. Beyond that, I learned a fundamental truth: in any job, no matter how closely related to one’s craft, true creative freedom remains elusive. The demands of the system, the compromises required, and the time it consumes leave little room for independent artistic pursuit.
So, I ended up at a crossroads. I could either keep down the road I was on, where I’d have a secure job but lose control over my own creative work, or I could go back to the freedom of independent photography, even though it was unpredictable. I went with the latter. Many manage to balance both, a job and their creative aspirations but I never wanted to split my vision. I wanted to commit fully, to create without compromise. Walking away from the certainty of a paycheck was a risk, but one outweighed by the need to reclaim my voice. In a world where countless artists settle for comfort, taking risks is the only way to rise above the noise. Playing it safe might provide stability, but it will never lead to distinction. The choice was clear: remain invisible in the crowd or embrace the uncertainty and carve my own path.
Great, appreciate you sharing that with us. Before we ask you to share more of your insights, can you take a moment to introduce yourself and how you got to where you are today to our readers.
I am a photographer based in India, specializing in street and documentary photography. My work is rooted in authenticity, capturing life as it unfolds, from human interactions and cultural traditions to the evolving landscapes of urban spaces. I document not just people but the environments they exist in, preserving moments before they are lost to time.
Photography, for me, is not just an artistic pursuit but a way of seeing and understanding the world. Drawn to the interplay of light and shadow, fleeting expressions, and the subtleties of everyday life, I have always been fascinated by unscripted moments. During my training in photography and videography, I realized that the most powerful images emerge naturally, rather than being staged. This perspective has shaped my long-term projects, which explore themes of social change, cultural heritage, and shifting cityscapes.
While I primarily work in black and white for its raw, timeless quality, I use color when it enhances the story. My photography extends beyond individuals to the spaces that shape them, the quiet corners, the changing streets, and the rapid transformations of urban life. Through editorial collaborations and commissions, I work with publications and organizations that value storytelling through imagery.
What matters most to me is not just recognition, but the connection my work creates. If an image makes someone pause, reflect, or see the world differently, then I have achieved my purpose. My goal is to document reality unfiltered and unscripted so these stories can be preserved and shared for years to come.
Is there something you think non-creatives will struggle to understand about your journey as a creative?
The journey of a creative is often misunderstood by those who see success through the lens of stability and predictability. The struggle is not just about perfecting a craft but about constantly justifying its worth in a world that values tangible results over artistic pursuit. Non-creatives may find it difficult to understand that creativity is not a structured path with clear milestones, it is an evolving process, often filled with uncertainty, self-doubt, and relentless dedication with no immediate guarantees.
One of the hardest things to explain is the emotional and mental investment required. Unlike a conventional job where effort is often measured in hours worked and salaries earned, creativity demands an endless pursuit of refinement, where success is uncertain, and validation is rare. There are no fixed promotions, no defined career ladders, only the work itself and the hope that it resonates with the world. It requires an acceptance of instability, an ability to persist even when there is no assurance of reward.
What many fail to grasp is that creativity is not just about talent, it is about resilience. The ability to take risks, to embrace failure, and to continue creating even when no one is watching is what defines a creative journey. It is not the pursuit of comfort but of meaning, of crafting something that lasts beyond oneself. Those who seek security may never fully understand why someone would choose this path, but for a creative, there is no other choice. The fulfillment of bringing an idea to life, of capturing a moment that speaks beyond words, is worth more than certainty.
Any resources you can share with us that might be helpful to other creatives?
Looking back, I wish I had understood earlier the immense value of being part of a larger creative community. Engaging with photography workshops, industry forums, and peer networks is not just about learning techniques, it’s about exposure to diverse perspectives, meaningful collaborations, and opportunities that can shape one’s artistic path. Access to curated archives, professional critiques, and grants for independent projects would have also been invaluable in refining my vision and expanding my work’s reach. These resources don’t just support growth; they open doors to conversations and experiences that can be transformative.
Contact Info:
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/richardbarman
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/richardbarmanphotography
- Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/richardbarman
- Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@richardbarmanphotography
- Other: https://500px.com/richardbarman
https://bsky.app/profile/richardbarman.bsky.social
Image Credits
Copyright © Richard Barman