One of the most profound pieces of advice for photographers comes from André Kertész, the Hungarian-born master of modern photography. In an era where everyone strives to “go professional,” Kertész offers a refreshing and perhaps surprising perspective on the true path to creative freedom.
Professional vs. Amateur: The Path of No Compromise
André Kertész believed that the pressure of making a living through photography could often stifle the very soul of the art. His recommendation to photographers remains timeless:
“The best solution is for a person to find a tolerable job to make a living, and dedicate the rest of their time and energy to photography. In this way, there is no need for any compromise. If someone doesn’t have enough money, it’s difficult to make good photos. But if you have to earn money with photography, you have to make too many compromises. Commercial photographers must satisfy their clients, as they work for them. Only the amateur can do what they feel like doing. There is true happiness in this. I can only recommend to everyone to remain an amateur. This is the best version.” — André Kertész
Why This Advice Matters Today
Kertész (1894–1985) was not suggesting that one shouldn’t aim for professional quality. Instead, he championed the “amateur spirit”—the freedom to experiment without the constraints of a commercial brief or a client’s expectations. For Kertész, the term “amateur” (from the Latin amator, meaning “lover”) represented the purest form of photography: doing it for the love of the craft.
Throughout his career in Budapest, Paris, and New York, Kertész maintained this integrity, influencing generations of photographers including Henri Cartier-Bresson, who famously said: “Whatever we have done, Kertész did first.”
André Kertész
Hungarian born photographer
July 2. 1894. – September 28. 1985.
On the photo André Kertész (right) and Robert Doisneau, Arles, South-France, 1975
Read more about the fascinating life journey of André Kertész here
