How to make $$$$ from photography?
Jan 30, 2012 13:25:16 #
I hope this is not off topic and acceptable, but here is my question.
I am recently out of work and like many others need to make some income. Taking pictures is my love, I have 1000's stored on hard drives and do nothing with them. I do not have a website as I don't know how to start or make one and then how do you link it to any one to see it?
I am making some notes cards with some of my IR images that I will try to sell locally but I don't think it will make a fortune. I do take portraits and pets and have business cards out, but that is not very luctrative.
Any ideas or comments would be welcome.
Thank you so much.
Wendy
Cocoa, Florida
I am recently out of work and like many others need to make some income. Taking pictures is my love, I have 1000's stored on hard drives and do nothing with them. I do not have a website as I don't know how to start or make one and then how do you link it to any one to see it?
I am making some notes cards with some of my IR images that I will try to sell locally but I don't think it will make a fortune. I do take portraits and pets and have business cards out, but that is not very luctrative.
Any ideas or comments would be welcome.
Thank you so much.
Wendy
Cocoa, Florida
Jan 30, 2012 14:13:35 #
docrob
Loc: Durango, Colorado
PW4GDF wrote:
I hope this is not off topic and acceptable, but h... (show quote)
I am interested in this too having joined the unwashed, the obviously drugged and way over educated throng of the unjobbed!
Jan 30, 2012 14:21:43 #
A guy I know works with different pet rescues and sets up at local PetSmarts, etc for different events and shoots photos (ie. pictures with Santa, Easter Bunny, etc). He's not making a killing but he makes a few bucks - he still does it and is quite busy doing it as well. Not a full time venture but does it mostly on the weekends. Since you photograph pets you might look at this. He has a simple lighting set up with a backdrop and different props for whatever holiday or event it is...bought most of his props at discount stores, dollar stores, yard sales, etc and they all look pretty good.
Jan 30, 2012 14:25:29 #
Another idea is to drive around and when you see a house for sale, take several good pix of it. then contact the realtor and show them to him/her. They may just buy them for posting on the net or even better, have you start doing it for them on a regular basis. Remember, most agents use a small p&S camera or their cell phone.
Jan 30, 2012 15:25:34 #
Roger Hicks
Loc: Aquitaine
This somewhat reminds me of the classic advice on how to make a small fortune out of publishing.
Start out with a large one...
Sorry to be so flippant, but the secret of success in any undertaking is a good dose of natural talent; a passion for what you want to do; and an enormous amount of hard work. After that comes the hard bit.
Cheers,
R.
Start out with a large one...
Sorry to be so flippant, but the secret of success in any undertaking is a good dose of natural talent; a passion for what you want to do; and an enormous amount of hard work. After that comes the hard bit.
Cheers,
R.
Jan 31, 2012 05:38:17 #
Jan 31, 2012 05:49:37 #
There is lots of money in photography. $2,000 lenses, $3,000 cameras, thousands in filters, software, tripods, filter wrenches, etc.
OH, just re-read your blog, you mean income.
OH, just re-read your blog, you mean income.
cwilliams31 wrote:
Better get a real job .... No money in photography ....
Jan 31, 2012 05:52:36 #
I hate to say it but wow...it's very tough. I was making my entire living as a photographer 20 years ago but now it's more of a sideline. The influx of cheap digital cameras and expensive but attainable editing programs have had a real impact on the business. I've been to three auctions this past year of pro studios that just gave up the fight. And one retail camera shop shuttered its doors after 60 years. What can you do when you quote a job for half what it's worth and the potential client still gets the "that Much!" look in their eye? They have kids with cameras in a cell phone and they think those photos are good enough so why are you charging so much? There are paying jobs out there but it will take a lot more work to get them than it did 20 years ago.
Jan 31, 2012 06:07:08 #
Jan 31, 2012 06:53:35 #
PW4, you said "I do not have a website as I don't know how to start or make one and then how do you link it to any one to see it?"
Well, you can create your own website, for FREE to practice with, and for just a few dollars ($12 or less) to buy a domain name. A website is no magic bullet, and has no guarantee, but it can be a small part of your overall plan.
Here's the link to the free Weebly site:
http://www.weebly.com/
And here's a link to one of my sites, just to give you an idea of what you can do for very little money.
http://www.brainattackart.com/
As you'll see, my stuff is free. But, you can charge real money for your services or prints.
Well, you can create your own website, for FREE to practice with, and for just a few dollars ($12 or less) to buy a domain name. A website is no magic bullet, and has no guarantee, but it can be a small part of your overall plan.
Here's the link to the free Weebly site:
http://www.weebly.com/
And here's a link to one of my sites, just to give you an idea of what you can do for very little money.
http://www.brainattackart.com/
As you'll see, my stuff is free. But, you can charge real money for your services or prints.
Jan 31, 2012 07:00:05 #
Here are some more links with information about selling stuff, whether photos or other kinds of "art." The techniques are pretty much the same for artists and photographers.
http://www.squidoo.com/sell-art-online
http://www.squidoo.com/sell-art-online
Jan 31, 2012 08:37:28 #
Jan 31, 2012 08:42:30 #
Roger Hicks
Loc: Aquitaine
heyjoe wrote:
cream rises to the top
Very true, but you know the classic rejoinder:
So does scum.
Cheers,
R.
Jan 31, 2012 09:51:22 #
cwilliams31
Loc: Salisbury, North Carolina
Had a guy I thought was a friend -
He just spent $4,000 in a recording studio doing a cd .
he ask me what I'd charge him to do some pictures for his cd.
I quoted him price of $100 for a two hour session
plus I would edit and put his pics on a cd .
Said he'd have to pass on that one.
Plus I think he is mad at me.
He just spent $4,000 in a recording studio doing a cd .
he ask me what I'd charge him to do some pictures for his cd.
I quoted him price of $100 for a two hour session
plus I would edit and put his pics on a cd .
Said he'd have to pass on that one.
Plus I think he is mad at me.
Jan 31, 2012 10:00:19 #
..and I think you weren't charging enough.
Sounds like it might have become more trouble that it was worth.
Sounds like it might have become more trouble that it was worth.
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