making money in photography?
Mar 22, 2018 23:13:49 #
HarryM
Loc: NYC (now in Florida)
Not trying to, but have made some money being recommended by friends & neighbors.
Mar 23, 2018 00:00:17 #
Mar 23, 2018 00:35:08 #
canon Lee wrote:
You asked about "seeking"... I believe that most of us are here because we are seeking to be better photographers. There are many different businesses that involve photography -- weddings and other events, photo journalism, portraits, and ???. I make a pretty good living from architectural and real estate photography -- especially since the RE market has recovered from the severe recession (at least here in most US markets). That is why I have been absent from this forum for the past several months -- too busy taking photos.How many actually are seeking to be in the business of photography? Part time to full time?
Mar 23, 2018 00:54:25 #
I recently retired and my goal is to "save" money by giving photos as gifts. (Realistic) Maybe someone will see my work hanging in an office, restaurant, or something, and ask them where it came from. (Dream)
Mar 23, 2018 07:31:18 #
Photographer Jim wrote:
Doing photography as a business really doesn’t have to take away from the joy of the activity itself. But doing it as a business can lessen your enjoyment of running a business!
Out of all the people who own cameras and of all who profess to be "pros" how many support themselves as business people and their families?
Mar 23, 2018 07:45:20 #
traderjohn wrote:
Out of all the people who own cameras and of all who profess to be "pros" how many support themselves as business people and their families?
Very difficult to do today. I could easily support myself today with what my business brings in. I started my real estate photography, video, and drone business 18 months ago just to utilize my $50K investment in camera equipment and bring in part time income. I am so busy that I may have to hire editors soon. I hate to rely on other people for my quality of output. Young people just do not have the work ethic today. One time sales like portraits or weddings are just fluff, and with wedding photographers giving it away for $500 and DVD, or bidding the business on an internet site, they just are not worth it. Look for businesses that use their photography to sell products and services. Those are the repeat customers that will keep the income flowing.
Sadly the digital camera has ruined the photography business. Now it is about selling the latest camera and tack sharp lenses. If you got those, YOU'RE a photographer.
Mar 23, 2018 07:55:58 #
traderjohn wrote:
Out of all the people who own cameras and of all who profess to be "pros" how many support themselves as business people and their families?
Possibly those that get paid for delivering the pizza or being an Uber driver?
Being a self employed professional or small business owner has never been easy, there has to be sufficient market opportunity.
Someone mentioned jewelry. My wife had a decent growing business dealing in antique jewelry, but the market collapsed in the 2008 recession. It has not recovered, there is nothing you can do when the market is gone.
Mar 23, 2018 08:35:31 #
Peterff wrote:
Possibly those that get paid for delivering the pizza or being an Uber driver?
Being a self employed professional or small business owner has never been easy, there has to be sufficient market opportunity.
Someone mentioned jewelry. My wife had a decent growing business dealing in antique jewelry, but the market collapsed in the 2008 recession. It has not recovered, there is nothing you can do when the market is gone.
Being a self employed professional or small business owner has never been easy, there has to be sufficient market opportunity.
Someone mentioned jewelry. My wife had a decent growing business dealing in antique jewelry, but the market collapsed in the 2008 recession. It has not recovered, there is nothing you can do when the market is gone.
It’s coming back but slowly. I propelled one of my clients into the big time. I have had to invest in a Canon 5DSr to keep the business from going to the big boys in NY using medium format cameras. But for now we are hitting the magazines on a regular basis with good quality. Fingers crossed.
Mar 23, 2018 08:54:44 #
Brent Rowlett wrote:
It’s coming back but slowly. I propelled one of my clients into the big time. I have had to invest in a Canon 5DSr to keep the business from going to the big boys in NY using medium format cameras. But for now we are hitting the magazines on a regular basis with good quality. Fingers crossed.
What is your market and how did you get it started? Did you call real estate agencies, etc? Do you have to live somewhere like New York or LA or travel frequently to have anything worthwhile to photograph?
Mar 23, 2018 09:43:46 #
BridieMcKenna wrote:
What is your market and how did you get it started? Did you call real estate agencies, etc? Do you have to live somewhere like New York or LA or travel frequently to have anything worthwhile to photograph?
There has been a lot of discussion about marketing. That is important but quality of image, being able to correct wide angle distortion, pulling in the window views, and attention to detail in presentation is probably more important. I tried to photograph for the big out of state companies, but they run you to death, pay you peanuts, and keep most of the money for their overhead and owner's 6-figure salaries. I make 6 times what they were willing to pay me photographing a home working for myself. And Drone work makes BIG money--$1000 to $3000 per day for commercial concerns. But you have to be able to edit photos and video, put commercials together with music etc.
I made quality 6 x 8 photo cards using Vista Print, and made personal sales calls to all the brokerages. Advertising on Craig's List has done wonders. Most of my out of state Drone work comes from those firms searching for photographers on Craig's List. Once you build up a customer list of 20 real estate brokerages/agents, you will have no trouble making $1000 per week and more. I spend extra time reviewing my images with the home owner and agents. All my blue sky, green grass, and defects edits, I do for free. It is that 110% effort that promotes word of mouth advertising and loyalty. The other guys rush in, do a half-ass effort, and rush off to the next home. If the home is not ready, they leave and charge a trip charge. Music to my ears...all the marketing and promotion in the world cannot please a dissatisfied customer with that experience. If you are a salesman, you will be booked solid...solid.
Same thing with jewelry and food. Call on the companies that use those images continually to market their products on the web or in print. If you are a designer, you are golden. Nothing like a 1 Stop Shop to help the little guy with the daunting task of how to market products. Where do I find a good photographer? How do I get a spread designed? Where do I go to get it printed? How can I place my images in a web site? If you can command solutions to their task, you are valuable and you can command big money. I hope the links work.
https://atlanta.craigslist.org/nat/rts/6527903486.html
https://atlanta.craigslist.org/nat/rts/6527871759.html
https://vimeo.com/235470784
https://vimeo.com/255076806
www.eyephotodesign.com
Mar 23, 2018 09:54:01 #
Brent Rowlett wrote:
There has been a lot of discussion about marketing... (show quote)
Help others make money. This is a $5000 project building this man's website and populating it with before and after video. Nothing sells a business like pictures and video. They can send this clip to prospects and eliminate hours of Bull Roar selling.
https://vimeo.com/260551867
Mar 23, 2018 11:48:22 #
ricardo7 wrote:
I used to sell through galleries. The money per print was good ($350 - $1200 for quality Silver Gelatin prints)
but the number of sales did not quite get me the Mercedes I had my eye on. It got tiresome, especially the
amount of work it is to make darkroom prints. I haven't sold in a number of years but have been thinking of
going back with digital pictures.
but the number of sales did not quite get me the Mercedes I had my eye on. It got tiresome, especially the
amount of work it is to make darkroom prints. I haven't sold in a number of years but have been thinking of
going back with digital pictures.
Can you tell us how to get into a gallery? I shoot primarily for other studios but now at retirement age i would like to shoot and sell to galleries.
Mar 23, 2018 13:21:52 #
drklrd wrote:
Can you tell us how to get into a gallery? I shoot primarily for other studios but now at retirement age i would like to shoot and sell to galleries.
Galleries are folding and going out of business right and left. Galleries are forced to charge rent for space and as much as 60% of the sale—not worth it.
On line is where the sales are, but I have found that is not worth it either. I have a whole bedroom full of photography and paintings. People would rather spend money elsewhere these days.
Mar 23, 2018 15:39:07 #
I freelance for several media outlets and marathon racing groups. And shoot a lot of Rodeos and Barrel Races. I average 600 minimum a month. It's great extra income and helps me keep my gear up and keep upgrading. Also I get the best seats in the house for sports. Nothing like being on the sidelines for a D1 football game or on the court for basketball games.
Mar 23, 2018 15:52:31 #
Architect1776 wrote:
Do not want to destroy the joy of the hobby.
HI not at all... Not all people are entrepreneurs, and want to go into business!! There are those that play golf and have no intention of going pro... But for those that have that sense that they can make money from something they are good at, I say go for it. I did, more than a decade ago, and still own and operate my own photography business... Started out part time but is now a year around business... I would much rather "work hard" at something I love doing than not.....
I see on here, many awesome shots from hobbyest that really enjoy their hobby but have no desire to go into business.. As I mentioned, there are those that want to go into business and those that don't!
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