Photography After Retirement (Page 2): Thank you.

julesannb

Thank you.

bobmcculloch Loc: NYC, NY

julesannb wrote:

I am wondering, is anyone who is retired or of retirement age, making money by just selling prints, greeting cards or other type of image sales, (locally or online) in order to supplement your income, whatever that might be. That is where my interests lies. No weddings, events or clients. I don’t want to deal with those kind of hassles in my retirement. I just want to make some extra cash doing what I love.

Like you I don't want any hassles, I post photos at Fine Art America, sell enough to pay for the site, doubt I make enough to be bothered except that it gives me a nice display site, and in a sale they take care of everything, plus the quality of their printing is good, I've seen several prints made by them. I would take suggestions of sites where I could publicize my site so as to build traffic and get more potential buyers. Bob.

julesannb

Buildings, especially old and abandoned buildings. Macro and unusual or quirky images on the backroads. I know several landlords and they call me to run over and get pictures of damages when tenants abandon their rentals, when they don’t have the time or the inclination to do it themselves. I also take photos of unusual objects grouped together in thrift stores, mom & pop shops and then sell canvas prints to the owners to hang in there shops. I’m not a professionally trained photographer or an expert in anything. Just having fun and making some cash on the side.

julesannb

Funny and true!

julesannb

Thank you. I will give this a try. So glad you and wife are having fun. That’s most of the ballgame right there!

Gene51 Loc: Yonkers, NY, now in LSD (LowerSlowerDelaware)

julesannb wrote:

I am wondering, is anyone who is retired or of retirement age, making money by just selling prints, greeting cards or other type of image sales, (locally or online) in order to supplement your income, whatever that might be. That is where my interests lies. No weddings, events or clients. I don’t want to deal with those kind of hassles in my retirement. I just want to make some extra cash doing what I love.

I hope you mean "during" and not "after" retirement.

If you haven't been doing this for a while already, it's a lot of effort to do what you are asking. I now live in a coastal community, and from time to time participate in local art shows and sell my prints there. During the summer months there are tourists that like to take home samples of local art. The trick is to make your images different. An artful treatment of a popular subject will sell better than a straight ultra-sharp, ultra-detailed print. Landscapes, seascapes, pastoral scenes, waterfalls, cats, dogs, an occasional stunning sunset/sunrise, night scenes etc tend to do well.

But there is the setup - a little mini-gallery with tables, matted and/or framed prints, etc that you will need. If you do outdoor shows you'll need a canopy, possibly lighting, etc. I did this for a few years, packing up my Volvo with prints, frames, tables, etc etc, etc - and found that after all was said and done, it wasn't worth it. I have had moderate success selling prints from my websites, etc.

julesannb

I had to semi retire, not from choice but because my Dad has dementia and I moved him in with me to look after him and I also take care of my Navy veteran brother from time to time who suffers from PTSD. Just trying to make up shortfalls with some extra money every month. Love my family and love photography. Life is good!

julesannb

Yes, definitely “during” not after. :)
I have been doing this for a while and was just having fun. Now I am having fun and trying to make some money to supplement forced retirement.

pithydoug Loc: Catskill Mountains, NY

julesannb wrote:

I am wondering, is anyone who is retired or of retirement age, making money by just selling prints, greeting cards or other type of image sales, (locally or online) in order to supplement your income, whatever that might be. That is where my interests lies. No weddings, events or clients. I don’t want to deal with those kind of hassles in my retirement. I just want to make some extra cash doing what I love.

Not to discourage you but the market is flooded with those trying to make money retired or not. The pros I play with, do weddings and portraits for food on the table. Since many think just because they have a camera they can shoot weddings, big mistake, one must have some proven credentials unless you want to work for chump change. if you don't want weddings or portraits you had best be very unique and work hard to get your stuff to the right palace to sell.

Wish you luck!

farwest Loc: Utah

Fotomacher wrote:

See the attached image for my opinion.

Pretty much the way it is. iPhones shoot so wide that they are always standing in front of you unless you have a super wide angle on.

StaneeRae Loc: Lincroft, NJ USA

I belong to Facebook groups where people are designing stock book covers for authors. Some use their own photos, others create photo composites. Some who’ve established a following also get paid commissions.

I also belong to Facebook photo-art groups who sell their creations on artboja.com and other sites. These are students of https://www.quillandcamera.com/photoshopartistry/

julesannb

I’m not trying to take money away from the professional photographers struggling to put food on their tables. I just find myself ina situation where I have to take care of family members during my retirement and I need to make a bit of money. I have been selling my prints for a while now and decided to just step up my game and see what more I can do. I don’t think there’s anything wrong with the person who wants to make some money doing what they love and creating photographs that are good enough for someone else to want to buy. I am not by any means trying to call myself a professional, but a lot of people make money with jobs that are not necessarily professionals so to speak. I’m not out there competing with the professionals or trying to take work away from them by booking clients when I know I do not have those same skills. I am just taking photos that people enjoy and want to hang on their walls. And I try to help mom and pop shops with their marketing needs with my photography.Thank you for wishing me luck.

JD750 Loc: SoCal

julesannb wrote:

Funny and true!

If you use "Quote Reply" then the readers will know who you are replying to.

Thank you.

SteveR Loc: Michigan

rmalarz wrote:

Yes, I do.
—Bob

Bob, you've been making money for years.

TGanner Loc: Haines, Alaska

The problem with doing nothing is that you cannot quit and take a break.

Photographers generally do not make a lot of money selling prints, and across the board I have heard of no one making money on greeting cards.