I’ve always liked art but I have a science brain so it’s the only artistic medium I’m naturally good at.
For personal photos, I love recording memories in that medium, draws me back into whatever was happening or whatever I was doing at the time.
For client/photos of others, I just really enjoy the reaction people have to a good photo of them doing something really cool or looking really good. It’s a nice feeling to be able to give someone the same experience I have when I take photos for myself.
Also it’s just fun, I love collecting gear, I love the color and light science stuff, it’s one of the few things I can obsess over in terms of learning new techniques, researching new or experimental gear, and its just a really easy way to say “I wonder what would happen if I did this?” And being able to produce something.
For how problematic and how big of a pain in the ass that client is going to be to work with I’d quote something like double the day rate and just see if they’ll pay it. Kind of a win win, you either make out on the income or don’t have to deal with a nightmare job.