What to do in 2014
Dec 23, 2013 09:44:18 #
Firstly of all Merry Christmas to you all, I do enjoy seeing this in my mailbox on Monday mornings.
This morning there was a mist on the tree tops, I saw two hawks and got out my camera of course. Then I started to think, I take so many pictures and do nothing with them except store on a hard drive............then I though in 2014 I WILL do something, but what..........? I do not have a website, I don't do weddings. I am in east central Florida and cannot travel much. I would love to add to my SS check. I like portaiture but cannot charge the friends or friends of friends that I usually take. I love animals and wildlife. I have a few not too special cameras but I am happy with them. So I am in a 'slump.' I always have a camera with me as you just never know what you will see.
BUT I want to do something with my pictures. My work is decent and acceptable.
Any ideas most welcome!!
Kind Regards to you all. Thank you for help when I needed it this year.
Wendy
Cocoa, Florida
This morning there was a mist on the tree tops, I saw two hawks and got out my camera of course. Then I started to think, I take so many pictures and do nothing with them except store on a hard drive............then I though in 2014 I WILL do something, but what..........? I do not have a website, I don't do weddings. I am in east central Florida and cannot travel much. I would love to add to my SS check. I like portaiture but cannot charge the friends or friends of friends that I usually take. I love animals and wildlife. I have a few not too special cameras but I am happy with them. So I am in a 'slump.' I always have a camera with me as you just never know what you will see.
BUT I want to do something with my pictures. My work is decent and acceptable.
Any ideas most welcome!!
Kind Regards to you all. Thank you for help when I needed it this year.
Wendy
Cocoa, Florida
Dec 23, 2013 10:11:30 #
PW4GDF wrote:
Firstly of all Merry Christmas to you all, I do en... (show quote)
One of the best questions I have seen in a while and I will also be interested in seeing what others think.
They say the first step in getting is giving so my first suggestion would be to find a way to give (donate) your photography to a worthwhile project. An orphanage, pet shelter, maybe a senior center? Someone around you, I don't know who, could really use good quality photos but does not have the ability to pay a pro.
That was harder to do in the film days but with digital, all it costs is time. In giving you may find a profitable niche and at very least the activity will pay you in improved skill sets just from being active.
Hope this is at least some food for thought.
Dec 23, 2013 10:25:49 #
JohnM wrote:
One of the best questions I have seen in a while a... (show quote)
These are all great suggestions but I would like to add to this list...... you could find families that can not afford to take photos of their children. How about young couples who can not afford a wedding photographer. They are very grateful to have pictures.
Dec 23, 2013 10:27:54 #
I would love to add to my SS check.
By donating your time, you may find some who can afford to pay you for your time.
By donating your time, you may find some who can afford to pay you for your time.
Dec 23, 2013 10:47:43 #
There is someone on this forum that donates her time by photographing dogs in the local shelter to help them get adopted. By signing your photos others may want to contract similar services.
Dec 23, 2013 11:37:09 #
PW4GDF wrote:
Firstly of all Merry Christmas to you all, I do en... (show quote)
Hi Wendy,
Is the "Mouse Trap" still open on the "Beach."? Haven't been your way in thousands of years and I saw your address and had to ask.
Dec 23, 2013 11:39:29 #
No Mouse Trap for quite a long time, there was talk of reopening it but I don't thnk it hapened. I am driving A1A this afternoon I will look and see what is there.
Wendy
Wendy
Dec 23, 2013 13:16:23 #
How much money are you looking for? I have seen photos framed/canvas hanging on walls in some of the local independent tourist restaurants for sale. I know people who just sell matted photos of different sizes at fairs, craft shows, art shows, etc. I also know some who sell their matted photos in local gift shops. Sometimes libraries will let you set up a display of your work to sell.
We get a lot of tourists, as I am sure your area does as well and beach scenes and water fowl seem to be the most prevalent. They also put a sticker with their web site on the back of the photo so they can see the complete collection and purchase on line if they choose.
I have no idea how profitable any of this is. I wouldn't think you would get rich, but possibly make enough to make it worth your while.
Good luck and let us know what you decide to do.
We get a lot of tourists, as I am sure your area does as well and beach scenes and water fowl seem to be the most prevalent. They also put a sticker with their web site on the back of the photo so they can see the complete collection and purchase on line if they choose.
I have no idea how profitable any of this is. I wouldn't think you would get rich, but possibly make enough to make it worth your while.
Good luck and let us know what you decide to do.
Dec 23, 2013 15:21:44 #
Above are all good ideas to get your feet wet with possibility to get known and some income. May I also suggest that a UHHer told of taken pictures of local youth sport teams and soon was the team photographer selling to their parents. You also could check with a store like AC Moore to make mattes for your prints. I found Flicker is a good place to show your work. Good Luck, Tony
Dec 23, 2013 17:14:49 #
PW4GDF wrote:
Firstly of all Merry Christmas to you all, I do en... (show quote)
I know for sure this will not be the last word but I hope it rings true as a final thought, because it is true.
The people who have the most luck are the ones who work the hardest! Nothing will happen until YOU make a move so no matter what you do it will improve your chances to succeed.
As a sales manager I always told the sales staff that " the hardest door to open is the one on the front of your home".
Do Something! What you do should appeal to you if it can happen but its more important that you do something, anything rather than nothing.
Dec 23, 2013 18:02:54 #
PW4GDF wrote:
Firstly of all Merry Christmas to you all, I do en... (show quote)
Cocoa Florida is near water. You must have a huge amount of aquatic birds within reach. Do a photo book on the birds in your area. Donate it to the local library or give it to friends or relatives.
Dec 23, 2013 18:25:28 #
Wendy, you live in Florida where there is an abundance of wildlife such as those hawks you mention. I also enjoy wildlife photography and about a year and a half ago I was asking similar questions as you are now.
The solution for me for what to do with my photos was blogging.
It's a lot more interesting and creative then a typical web site. You can write about what you photograph as much or as little as you wish.
People can follow your blog posts and comment.
Feel free to check out my blog on Word Press and see what you think.
When I started it I didn't know if anyone would look at it but I now average over 450 hits a day and have had views from 130 different countries.
The solution for me for what to do with my photos was blogging.
It's a lot more interesting and creative then a typical web site. You can write about what you photograph as much or as little as you wish.
People can follow your blog posts and comment.
Feel free to check out my blog on Word Press and see what you think.
When I started it I didn't know if anyone would look at it but I now average over 450 hits a day and have had views from 130 different countries.
Dec 23, 2013 18:46:55 #
Swamp Gator wrote:
Wendy, you live in Florida where there is an abund... (show quote)
well done :thumbup:
Dec 24, 2013 07:46:31 #
First and foremost you need to think like a business, sure you can charge for your services, that's the only way you are going to add to SS.
Good luck,
Good luck,
Dec 24, 2013 09:20:40 #
wmvcooper
Loc: baltimore, MD
I'm in the same boat as you. Retired, more time on my hands that money in my pocket. I am also looking for a way to make some extra money with my pictures.
I took a course in portrait photography at the community college and what I'm going to do is take portrait shot of my friends for practice and to build my portfolio. then hope to make some extra cash shooting portraits.
I will also be taking a class in marketing photography.
As far as websites. One could build there own website and host it for about $5.00 a month.
I took a course in portrait photography at the community college and what I'm going to do is take portrait shot of my friends for practice and to build my portfolio. then hope to make some extra cash shooting portraits.
I will also be taking a class in marketing photography.
As far as websites. One could build there own website and host it for about $5.00 a month.
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