How to make $$$$ from photography?
Jan 31, 2012 16:13:54 #
gonate
Loc: sacramento,calif
GoofyNewfie wrote:
..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.
This is the classic problem , to charge not enough, to charge to much, and your still out there trying to market your photos along with thousands of other photographers.
My sister in law worked for a insurance co. She went out with a nickle and dime camera photographed the house or car and returned to the office in 15 min , all for 10.00 per, thats hard to compete with when you have big bucks tied up with your equpt.
gonate.
Jan 31, 2012 17:21:16 #
janik wrote:
I hate to say it but wow...it's very tough. I was ... (show quote)
Those cell phone camera shots look good on their 2 inch screens, but not when you blow the up.
Jan 31, 2012 19:01:54 #
cwilliams31 wrote:
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.
Ah yes, just like so many "friends". No good deed goes unpunished. Or like so many brides who will spend thousands on a cake and flowers, yet will want to hire a photographer for a couple of hundred bucks.
I find the simple rule of "don't let the problems of others become your problems", keeps me quite well.
Jan 31, 2012 19:12:27 #
cwilliams31
Loc: Salisbury, North Carolina
I quoted a church member a price for her wedding.
She said "Oh no we can't afford that" !
I went anyway just to take a few.
Guess what, they had hired a pro .
The pro didn't like me hanging around there.
Gave me lot's of dirty look's.
I told her I wouldn't be in her way
that I was just there for the experience.
Four weeks went by . Bride and groom didn't have their pictures yet.
I haven't let them see mine.
Don't know if I ever will - But, mine were good ....
She said "Oh no we can't afford that" !
I went anyway just to take a few.
Guess what, they had hired a pro .
The pro didn't like me hanging around there.
Gave me lot's of dirty look's.
I told her I wouldn't be in her way
that I was just there for the experience.
Four weeks went by . Bride and groom didn't have their pictures yet.
I haven't let them see mine.
Don't know if I ever will - But, mine were good ....
Jan 31, 2012 19:27:15 #
Go on the Internet and search for stock houses. Shutterstock is good, but they only want the best images and the last time I checked, the min resolution was 4mp....Also get a copy of Photographers market and upload to the ones that are requesting certain images...they list them and you make the amount they advertise. I have made lot's of money using this exceptional book. You get immediate payment when accepted, unlike some stock houses that keep images for an unspecified time...they sell or not...
Jan 31, 2012 19:49:45 #
cwilliams31 wrote:
Smugmug has been on my agenda for quite some time.
That's my next stop.
That's my next stop.
I've been with smugmug for two years and love it.
Jan 31, 2012 23:09:47 #
Jambulee wrote:
I've been with smugmug for two years and love it.
cwilliams31 wrote:
Smugmug has been on my agenda for quite some time.
That's my next stop.
That's my next stop.
I've been with smugmug for two years and love it.
Have you sold anything from it?
Jan 31, 2012 23:15:05 #
I recommend a book called''The Artists Guide''. This book tells all about the business side of selling photos and other art.
Jan 31, 2012 23:40:57 #
cwilliams31 wrote:
I needed that and I really mean it - Thanks
Something I learned early in pursuit of a photography career. Friends expect you to give them something for free or next to nothing. But, they will pay a stranger in the business full price leaving you to struggle to make ends meet.
Feb 1, 2012 05:17:11 #
First of all, I'm loving this thread and all the ideas in it. I work and go to school, and as you can imagine, school takes up any 'spare' change I may have leftover from daily expenses. I'd love for my hobby to pay for itself. Although if I can get it to become profitable, well then goody for me!
My ex-husband tried this for a couple months, working for 2ish realitors. He found that the money he earned from the photos, ended up getting spent in gas driving around from house to house, and he was riding a motorcycle at 70+mpg, not a car at 25mpg.
I understand the photographers for high-end homes, who photograph the inside as well as the outside, make a lot better money, but you have to have friends in the realitors' offices to get these gigs.
crimesc324 wrote:
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.
My ex-husband tried this for a couple months, working for 2ish realitors. He found that the money he earned from the photos, ended up getting spent in gas driving around from house to house, and he was riding a motorcycle at 70+mpg, not a car at 25mpg.
I understand the photographers for high-end homes, who photograph the inside as well as the outside, make a lot better money, but you have to have friends in the realitors' offices to get these gigs.
Feb 1, 2012 05:19:48 #
cwilliams31 wrote:
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.
The studios out here charge $600-$800/ hour for that kind of work ... you offered him a steal!
Seems like his 'friendship' isn't worth it.
Feb 1, 2012 05:23:09 #
Feb 1, 2012 05:25:01 #
PW4GDF wrote:
Thank you for that website contact, I will certainly check it out. One question. I have avoided Facebook, don't really have time or feel I want to deal with it, but it was suggested to me that it is a good way to display 'your stuff' and sell. Any comments on that?
Thanks,
Wendy
Cocoa, Florida
Thanks,
Wendy
Cocoa, Florida
Facebook is a nice way to share your photos with specific friends and family. It is a social site, not a business site. Other people can save your photos for free to their webpages ("share" ) with little or no credit to you, much less any payment to you.
If you want to make money, don't waste your time with Facebook.
Feb 1, 2012 05:28:28 #
cwilliams31
Loc: Salisbury, North Carolina
People tag my photos on FB all the time.
In a way, that's stealing.
I'm going to Smugmug soon.
In a way, that's stealing.
I'm going to Smugmug soon.
Feb 1, 2012 08:14:58 #
Thank you all for your very informative replies. NO FACEBOOK, I did not think about the pictures going where ever some-one wants to send them. I will check out the links you have sent. I am going to take some things to a couple of consignment stores in our little downtown area. Tourists from the many cruise ships that come to the port do bring passengers there and this particular series of things I have been doing are all local. I will also check out the farmers market idea, I do think they have one. I am also going to send the notecards I have made to contacts for no good reason, just so they get out there. I will research on line. I am not looking for a fortune, just a few $$$ to feed the cats and dogs, the birds and squirrels, yes my husband and I also.
Again thank you.
Wendy,
Cocoa, Florida.
Again thank you.
Wendy,
Cocoa, Florida.
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