Going Pro
Dec 7, 2011 00:17:31 #
In the back of your mind you probably think; "Those people are just trying to keep me out of the business so they can clean up on it!" Go ahead and jump in. Find out for yourself.
For the past 50 years I've been dabbling with being a pro but never really jumped in. I took on a "normal" job instead. Having retired I now have a constant flow of cash coming in.
What little discresionary funds I now have, I can at least develop my long time passion and... (and this is the most important thing you should remember), I don't have to worry about my next meal so to speak.
A photographer I met at my last job, worked for Chrysler Corp. (Sounded like a great job, cars all the time, etc.) He was full time but only photographed cars once or twice a month. The rest of the time it was "sit" around and or an ocaisional component photograph for an engineer. He was full time and the pay was decient, but he was bored.
He was bored because almost every auto photo was now computer generated. (Does that tell you something about the photographic business?)
WHere I worked, they hired a photographic team to cover events and things. One of the photographers told me that she did work for a large local newspaper.
When hard times hit, the editor(s) cut the photographers down to a couple and then gave their reporters a fancy camera. After that, the reporters were told they had to supply the photos that would appear in their article. (That's why so many of the photographs in the papers are so... generic!) Any reporter who didn't want to use a camera found a new source called stock photography. Those on the cheap "borrowed" from Flickr, Facebook, or other similar places.
Most of the general public think, they are the best! Because of that, most will undercut to no end. After the thrill is gone and get out of the business, there are a hundred other so-called photographer that will jump in.
The best thing I can tell you is to have a second income source and "jump" carefully!
For the past 50 years I've been dabbling with being a pro but never really jumped in. I took on a "normal" job instead. Having retired I now have a constant flow of cash coming in.
What little discresionary funds I now have, I can at least develop my long time passion and... (and this is the most important thing you should remember), I don't have to worry about my next meal so to speak.
A photographer I met at my last job, worked for Chrysler Corp. (Sounded like a great job, cars all the time, etc.) He was full time but only photographed cars once or twice a month. The rest of the time it was "sit" around and or an ocaisional component photograph for an engineer. He was full time and the pay was decient, but he was bored.
He was bored because almost every auto photo was now computer generated. (Does that tell you something about the photographic business?)
WHere I worked, they hired a photographic team to cover events and things. One of the photographers told me that she did work for a large local newspaper.
When hard times hit, the editor(s) cut the photographers down to a couple and then gave their reporters a fancy camera. After that, the reporters were told they had to supply the photos that would appear in their article. (That's why so many of the photographs in the papers are so... generic!) Any reporter who didn't want to use a camera found a new source called stock photography. Those on the cheap "borrowed" from Flickr, Facebook, or other similar places.
Most of the general public think, they are the best! Because of that, most will undercut to no end. After the thrill is gone and get out of the business, there are a hundred other so-called photographer that will jump in.
The best thing I can tell you is to have a second income source and "jump" carefully!
Dec 7, 2011 00:37:13 #
Out of all the pro's that I work with, the majority are wedding/Event Photographers. I work mostly in Ad/Film/Broadcast. I consider myself very lucky to make a good living selling composite work and booking a few commission pieces. I do work constantly these days, and am VERY glad I love it, or I would be burnt badly.
It's possible to make a good living still, but I would agree that it's a huge difference between now, and even 5 years ago. Location may also help in your decision. I'm lucky to live in an area where unemployment is not catastrophic. But now that everyone is a "professional" photographer, things are a bit more work.
It's possible to make a good living still, but I would agree that it's a huge difference between now, and even 5 years ago. Location may also help in your decision. I'm lucky to live in an area where unemployment is not catastrophic. But now that everyone is a "professional" photographer, things are a bit more work.
Dec 7, 2011 01:54:11 #
mdorn wrote:
Ive been an amateur photographer for many years n... (show quote)
Going pro will definitely kill the fun in photography. I really appreciate photography more now, since I don't have to sell my pictures any more. But of course, that's just me. Good luck with your adventure. cheers :D
Dec 8, 2011 01:40:00 #
Wow... thanks for all the wonderful insight!
If nothing else, my feet are back on the ground and my head is out of the clouds. I don't necessarily like my day job, but I also don't necessarily hate it either. It's a steady income with good benefits---in these hard economic times, what more could I ask for?
I think I'll go with my gut and play it safe for now by not quitting my job. I've been at this crossroads before, and I'm sure I'll be back. In the meantime, I'll keep clicking.
Again, thanks for all the great feedback.
If nothing else, my feet are back on the ground and my head is out of the clouds. I don't necessarily like my day job, but I also don't necessarily hate it either. It's a steady income with good benefits---in these hard economic times, what more could I ask for?
I think I'll go with my gut and play it safe for now by not quitting my job. I've been at this crossroads before, and I'm sure I'll be back. In the meantime, I'll keep clicking.
Again, thanks for all the great feedback.
Dec 8, 2011 03:44:23 #
i'm not a pro, but i do sell my work when i can. and that's not very often. instead of trying to make it a profession, and putting all that pressure on yourself, and taking the chance that "having" to do photography will take the fun out of it (it will), and having to take money from what meager income you earn to pay your own health insurance, etc., how 'bout this? keep your day job, but look into selling your work on the side. investigate galleries, look into places to display and sell your work. you didn't say what kind of photography you do, but assuming it's not weddings or portraits, you can often sell photos at local craft fairs, places like that. it's not a lot of income, but it's still a kick when someone likes your work enough to want to hang it in their home, and the extra cash you make might add up to enough for a new lens or perhaps a trip to take more photos! and you'll still enjoy taking pictures!
Dec 8, 2011 19:57:15 #
Everything is going full circle. When I was in Journalism school in the 70's we were told as reporters we needed to be able to be a photographer to maximize our employment opportunities.
What is going to happen today, is that the point and shoots are getting so good that reporters won't have to worry about being a photographer, they will just point and shoot.
What is going to happen today, is that the point and shoots are getting so good that reporters won't have to worry about being a photographer, they will just point and shoot.
Dec 8, 2011 22:16:48 #
mdorn wrote:
Wow... thanks for all the wonderful insight! br b... (show quote)
If you do start, have a business plan. Photoshelter has a free one at:
http://www.photoshelter.com/mkt/research/photo-business-plan-workbook
Can't beat FREE :thumbup:
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