ohallboyz Loc: Boston, MA

Wondering if anyone has tried out the business side of photography and what they thought of it? What I don't like are nasty clients, people always wanting to wheel and deal, chasing toddlers that don't want their picture taken, the list goes on. But what I love is nailing the shot that I didn't think I was going to get (i.e. those crazy toddlers), the smile on parents faces when they see their galleries (if all goes well ha ha), and getting the opportunity to take photos of people other than my kids (and they love that too).

I could go on!! Just want to hear from people who may have dabbled in the business and got out, or those who are just happy with it being a hobby.

Thanks!

donnahde Loc: Newark, DE

I have had my business for years and continue to pursue it, but have yet to be able to make my living at it . A few months ago I took on a job at Home Depot to fill in the gaps. And I now have a significant other who is a photographer and we'd BOTH like to be doing it fulltime. And his favorite part is, of course, shooting nature. Making a fulltime income doing that is pretty much a pipe dream. I shoot 2 and 4 legged portraits, weddings occasionally, and all girls parties but it's hard to schedule them now that working at HD. <sigh>

All of the things you listed that you do not like will be part of your business. Plus being in business also requires extensive marketing/networking/selling. We all LOVE shooting but to be in business requires about 75-90% of the other stuff.

That said, getting that shot that people love is very rewarding. Getting them to pay what it's worth can be a horse of another color unfortunately. There's plenty of training out there to help with the selling part and I just spent several hundred for it. Now to find time to actually study it.

Go for it if it's your passion. Good luck.

Gary Truchelut Loc: Coldspring, TX

Here is another angle that might be helpful and still allow you to be creative and have fun in photography. This is the route I have decided to follow. I asked a professional nature photographer how he made his living at photography and his answer got me to thinking. Teaching others to do what I do, was his answer. If you feel like you understand your equipment and know how to get the shots everybody loves, you may want to teach others how to do the same thing. I specialize in nature, specifically bird photography and I teach beginners how to use their equipment. We basically start from square one and go forward. I found a real need for this now that DSLRs are so affordable and most people don't have a clue how to use them. So far it has been very rewarding, fun and lucrative. I have not had any problem getting people to sign up for my classes and I usually have a waiting list. Just a thought on another way to make money with your photography skills.

ohallboyz Loc: Boston, MA

That is a great idea. I have thought of that too. I also thought of just specializing, say just in newborns or high school seniors. I think life would be better if I was either photographing people that actually wanted it done, or ones that just don't move yet. Ha ha ha.

I am also exploring the avenue of second shooting weddings. I am literally leaving myself open to all things and I hope that will help me to determine what direction I want to take.

Thanks for the suggestion!

ohallboyz Loc: Boston, MA

I also wonder if I just decide to keep it as a hobby how I could get out and shoot different people, which is what the business has allowed me to do.

Terry Scott Reed Loc: Reading, PA

I'd be concerned if this was at the top of someone's list of reasons for going pro, but I'm surprised that no one has yet mentioned the word "deductability." I'm loathe to dispense tax advice, but simply put, selling your work may mean deducting your equipment expenses on your tax return. That could be a big thing!

ohallboyz Loc: Boston, MA

I am an actual business now. I have a tax id and i pay my taxes, and i deduct my expenses. I guess I am questioning how much I like having a business. A lot of time goes into it, whether or not it's profitable. And where I live the market is saturated with photogs of all skill levels with prices all over the board. I am trying to find my niche....or an edge to differentiate myself from them. But i am also on the fence about keeping on chugging along......

donnahde Loc: Newark, DE

Yes, but the IRS will only allow you to deduct with no profit for a certain number of years - I think maybe 5. After that, you have to show a profit or they consider it a hobby. Keep in mind that when you show a profit you have to pay both sides of social security taxes.

Terry Scott Reed Loc: Reading, PA

I have a feeling that, like many of us, you'll keep chugging along no matter what, because we find the challenge to be rewarding on some level or another. So you might as well take a deep breath, exhale, and try to feel better about it! People will always approach you about shooting something. You have a price point. It'll probably shock them--they are frequently looking to save a buck, not spend it. They will hire you or they won't. Either way, problem solved, no?

jimberton Loc: Michigan's Upper Peninsula

i photograph mostly product shots at my day job. we make dog beds and cat furniture, along with peoples clothing (shirts, jackets, hats. etc...) i do shoot some people shots modeling the clothes and i do lots of pets on the beds and furniture.

i have decided to advertise my photography skills in my area. i am 60 and plan on retiring at 62...maybe the photography will supplement my income at that time. i get calls all the time and have done some senior photos, 6 weddings, many events, etc....

i am going to give it a shot. but nothing will be lost if it doesn't work out as i do have my regular day job.

what made the decision for me was a toddler photoshoot this past sunday. i loved shooting photos of kids. this little boy did not want his photo shot..so i kept my distance a little with a 70-200mm2.8 lens. i shot almost 500 photos in 55 minutes. i loved this photo shoot. below is a few shots from that outside session.

as far as the weddings..i have shot 6 of them and was stressed to the max, so i will only take on a wedding as long as it is not a big-buck, high dollar wedding..i will leave those to the local pros.

i have a musician (guitarist) shoot to do after work this evening and i have no reserves about doing it.

my website will be up and running after this weekend...so we will see how it goes. i don't expect instant success, so i have nothing to lose and no expectations. if i don't have fun and enjoy myself, i can quit it anytime.....and doing it part time in evenings and weekends, i can pick and choose my clients. no stress.

i know the 3 local pros and they will definitely not be happy about my decision......

good luck in your decision.

donnahde Loc: Newark, DE

GREAT shots of Tanner! Good luck in your business. Sounds to me like you're doing it right. I was in print advertising and commissions had dwindled to the point of my losing my house so instead of going into my business from a position of strength I went into it from having nothing. It's important to have money to invest in your business which I did not have. It's also great to be in a position to take only the clients you really want! I have no doubt you'll be very successful.

ohallboyz Loc: Boston, MA

I don't have money to invest in my business. I have to save for everything and buy things when I can. I will not take out a small business loan either. If I had another job that I could fund my business with (right now I'm a stay at home mom/grad student) I'd be in much better shape. I will show a loss this year on my taxes (year 3) because I chose to upgrade my equipment to be competitive. I also got a new website, which I'm still putting the final touches on. I am not marketing myself right now which I know is a bad thing but I feel like until I know what direction I'm taking next I really shouldn't. Some people think I'm kinda crazy not to take on anything that comes my way. My accountant said that if I don't turn a profit this year the IRS will deem it a hobby, but I have a friend who is a CPA and she said it's within 5 years, not 3.

So I guess it's my bad that I'm not out there marketing myself........but I think taking a step back and figuring out which way I want to go next is essential.

donnahde Loc: Newark, DE

Wow, Heather! I just went to your site. Very, very nice work.

kristinelogan Loc: Indiana

I think the only way you can know how to market yourself is to experience as many sides of photography as you can. To limit yourself too soon is like eating only meat and potatoes without ever tasting the sweetness of fruit. Don't be afraid of what you haven't tried yet.

I started by shooting what people asked me to do. I have since learned that I don't enjoy shooting extended family portraits as the chaos isn't fun for me. I love doing artistic interactive photographs, but limiting myself to just that doesn't help pay the bills. But what it does do is generate interest in my work as a "photographer" which does pay more bills. Like in anything, if you are serious about what you do for a living (not a hobby) there are aspects to the work we love and those we could live without.

Do I still shoot extended families? At this time, yes I do. Do I enjoy it...not so much. However, I don't market myself that way and yet I am always asked to do it. That being said, I charge enough that I get compensated for the work it takes making sure I get paid for the extra people that aren't in a typical sitting. That helps keep the traffic down to the number of large sittings I can live with.

However, if you can't invest now in good equipment or software, it is really going to be tough for you to be competitive and get your fees high enough to be sustainable. So until you are in a position to do so, I think you should continue to educate yourself on the profession of photography but consider it a hobby.

If you have the website, start getting yourself out there to keep your skills current and your creativity fresh. But work hard and taking steps each month toward your business plan. Remember, Rome wasn't built in a day, neither is a good business or a great website. It is all about small steps and refining it along the way.

Good luck!

jimberton Loc: Michigan's Upper Peninsula

thanks. i am not investing any more bucks..i will just do what i feel i am qualified for. i am just about done with my website. it is a little more causal than the professional sites out there. i want to come off as a casual, regular type guy as that is exactly what i am. i will show my quality on a few photos. the idea for my website is just to show the local people what my capabilities are when they contact me. this way they can check out the website rather than getting together for a meeting to look over my prints. i had thought about opening a studio, as i have all the equipment already, but i over spent last year when we had our home renovated. funny how that always runs over!

so i am broke at the moment and am going to start with exactly what i have. if it works, it works. if not, can't say i didn't try.

i know i am not in the league of a couple of the local photographers, but i know there's a niche for me. maybe it's for the ones that cannot pay the crazy prices that are charged here locally........or looking for something different.

the toddlers photoshoot last sunday came from dissatisfaction from a job done by one of the "pros". the grandmother and mother were way more happier with my photoshoot. i haven't even got the prints back from adorama yet!!

i have no intention of renting a studio. i have no intention of putting up an expensive website. i have no intention of doing any big-time advertising. so i guess i will not be in their league.