Balancing Passion Projects and Client Work: What's Your Ratio?

Hey DPs, I’m grappling with something that’s come up a few times in conversations and I’d love to hear your real-world experiences. I recently took on a smaller commercial shoot with my AMIRA and a set of Supreme Primes, which was great for the income, but didn't push my creative boundaries much.

Lately, I’ve been trying to carve out time for a short film concept I’m developing, aiming to shoot on a VENICE 2 if I can swing it. I’ve heard the advice floating around that a 60/40 split, favoring passion projects, is ideal for career growth and creative fulfillment. I'm finding it tough to schedule even a 20% commitment to my own stuff when client work comes in.

For those of you who’ve been in the game for a while, how have you personally balanced your creative ambitions with the need for consistent income? And for those who’ve tried a specific ratio like the 60/40 split, did you find it truly effective in your journey as a Director of Photography?