Comments on: Think You Can Quit Your Job and Be a Work-at-Home Photographer? http://blogs.photopreneur.com/quit-your-job-be-a-photographer Marketing Your Photography Business Sat, 13 Mar 2010 07:17:19 +0000 http://wordpress.org/?v=2.9.2 hourly 1 By: Rosh http://blogs.photopreneur.com/quit-your-job-be-a-photographer/comment-page-1#comment-1600 Rosh Mon, 02 Jun 2008 17:25:09 +0000 http://blogs.photopreneur.com/quit-you-job-be-a-photographer#comment-1600 The best way to make a living is to bring something new to the table. You can't be average. A well exposed, in focus and nicely composed image is not good enough. You can make six figures. It took me ten years to get to that point, but is was worth (and work) every second. Rosh http://www.rosh.com http://www.prosperousartists.com The best way to make a living is to bring something new to the table. You can't be average. A well exposed, in focus and nicely composed image is not good enough.

You can make six figures. It took me ten years to get to that point, but is was worth (and work) every second.

Rosh
http://www.rosh.com
http://www.prosperousartists.com

]]> By: Laura Johans http://blogs.photopreneur.com/quit-your-job-be-a-photographer/comment-page-1#comment-827 Laura Johans Thu, 20 Dec 2007 19:41:01 +0000 http://blogs.photopreneur.com/quit-you-job-be-a-photographer#comment-827 Great post. I've been doing "professional photography" going on 2 years now. It all started by taking portraits of friends kids a soccer games. It's great fun and I make more than my previous accounting job. The hours are good too but, shooting 8am sports events means getting up at 5:30 to get there and setup. I do spend a lot of time at the computer preping photos and getting print orders to my lab. I've recently started selling online with my PhotoReflect site. I've received a lot of positive feedback that I hope turn into more sales. My hope is that selling online will cut down on my time on the phone. Great post. I've been doing "professional photography" going on 2 years now. It all started by taking portraits of friends kids a soccer games. It's great fun and I make more than my previous accounting job. The hours are good too but, shooting 8am sports events means getting up at 5:30 to get there and setup. I do spend a lot of time at the computer preping photos and getting print orders to my lab. I've recently started selling online with my PhotoReflect site. I've received a lot of positive feedback that I hope turn into more sales. My hope is that selling online will cut down on my time on the phone.

]]> By: Kevin http://blogs.photopreneur.com/quit-your-job-be-a-photographer/comment-page-1#comment-648 Kevin Tue, 11 Dec 2007 23:50:20 +0000 http://blogs.photopreneur.com/quit-you-job-be-a-photographer#comment-648 I actually just stumbled upon this site via http://www.photoshopusertv.com - love that podcast! I've been taking photos ever since I was a child and never realized until the past few years that 'hey, I can actually make good money from this!' And the fact that I absolutely LOVE photography. I'm slowly building up my business in photography and have given myself another year or two to make the plunge into becoming a full fledged - in business for myself - photographer. All of the comments above, including the article have been extremely inspiring for me. There are a few quotes that I have on my desk at home that keep me inspired on a daily basis... "do what you love, and love what you do" - unknown "art is a form of life, it gives breath to the imagination" - Kevin Charlie "don't tell me how good you are, show me how good you are" - unknown I've slowly been getting busier with events like weddings and I've done some commercial product shoots and I have another potentially huge event to shoot in early 2008. Ultimately I would love to shoot food for a magazine or be called upon by cookbook authors to shoot the food for them. But as mentioned above, the 'bread and butter' is seemingly coming from brides and other social events. In my spare time I shoot my own styled food and I end up being the prop designer as well just to get more pieces in my portfolio. I consistently learn on a daily basis, and I think it is important to understand, even if you are already pro, that you never stop learning. There is always something new to try and your own personal style will develop and eventually become sought after. I think I'll be up for the rest of the night reading all of the articles on this site! Such an amazing resource and starting point for many 'new' photographers wanting to make it big! Good luck to all! [kc] I actually just stumbled upon this site via http://www.photoshopusertv.com - love that podcast!

I've been taking photos ever since I was a child and never realized until the past few years that 'hey, I can actually make good money from this!' And the fact that I absolutely LOVE photography. I'm slowly building up my business in photography and have given myself another year or two to make the plunge into becoming a full fledged - in business for myself - photographer.
All of the comments above, including the article have been extremely inspiring for me. There are a few quotes that I have on my desk at home that keep me inspired on a daily basis...

"do what you love, and love what you do" - unknown

"art is a form of life, it gives breath to the imagination" - Kevin Charlie

"don't tell me how good you are, show me how good you are" - unknown

I've slowly been getting busier with events like weddings and I've done some commercial product shoots and I have another potentially huge event to shoot in early 2008. Ultimately I would love to shoot food for a magazine or be called upon by cookbook authors to shoot the food for them. But as mentioned above, the 'bread and butter' is seemingly coming from brides and other social events. In my spare time I shoot my own styled food and I end up being the prop designer as well just to get more pieces in my portfolio.

I consistently learn on a daily basis, and I think it is important to understand, even if you are already pro, that you never stop learning. There is always something new to try and your own personal style will develop and eventually become sought after.

I think I'll be up for the rest of the night reading all of the articles on this site! Such an amazing resource and starting point for many 'new' photographers wanting to make it big!

Good luck to all!
[kc]

]]> By: Steve http://blogs.photopreneur.com/quit-your-job-be-a-photographer/comment-page-1#comment-547 Steve Mon, 03 Dec 2007 18:43:01 +0000 http://blogs.photopreneur.com/quit-you-job-be-a-photographer#comment-547 Went down the pro route a couple of years ago, started with a collegues wedding from work. They loved the results and passed around all my cards to their friends from the wedding but unfortunatly no result, since then I havent made a penny from it, spend money on advertising and a web site that everyone liked but no result, and not enough contacts to start the flow. I have now come to the conclusion that no matter how good a photographer you are, the salesman/marketer with a lot of contacts will get far more work and money even if a mediocre photographer. Went down the pro route a couple of years ago, started with a collegues wedding from work. They loved the results and passed around all my cards to their friends from the wedding but unfortunatly no result, since then I havent made a penny from it, spend money on advertising and a web site that everyone liked but no result, and not enough contacts to start the flow. I have now come to the conclusion that no matter how good a photographer you are, the salesman/marketer with a lot of contacts will get far more work and money even if a mediocre photographer.

]]> By: Manuel http://blogs.photopreneur.com/quit-your-job-be-a-photographer/comment-page-1#comment-531 Manuel Sun, 02 Dec 2007 00:14:22 +0000 http://blogs.photopreneur.com/quit-you-job-be-a-photographer#comment-531 I think I'm going to do the SAME, but I want to jump from Utah, USA, to somewhere in China or way down in Chile, I'm chilean, and I remember when I grabbed my guitar and backpack and traveled all Chile, work? yes, fun? yes, but now with all the digital bible, I CAN'T WAIT!!!!! I think I'm going to do the SAME, but I want to jump from Utah, USA, to somewhere in China or way down in Chile, I'm chilean, and I remember when I grabbed my guitar and backpack and traveled all Chile, work? yes, fun? yes, but now with all the digital bible, I CAN'T WAIT!!!!!

]]> By: Ben http://blogs.photopreneur.com/quit-your-job-be-a-photographer/comment-page-1#comment-529 Ben Sat, 01 Dec 2007 18:38:19 +0000 http://blogs.photopreneur.com/quit-you-job-be-a-photographer#comment-529 I am actually in graphic design field, started it when I got fired from my job for being a good worker. I began focusing on design and photography, and since then been doing that. It's not easy to establish your self, wheter it is graphic design or photography, it's all about business. When you go on your own, you go into your own business. Rather than reading books on how to establish your business, how to network, and how to be productive, I actually started with where I knew I could, and that is with my church. I did some church stuff photography and design, people picked up on it, and the word of mouth is what keeps me in business. I dont spend time advertising myself. -------------------------------- http://bibikova.com I am actually in graphic design field, started it when I got fired from my job for being a good worker. I began focusing on design and photography, and since then been doing that.

It's not easy to establish your self, wheter it is graphic design or photography, it's all about business. When you go on your own, you go into your own business. Rather than reading books on how to establish your business, how to network, and how to be productive, I actually started with where I knew I could, and that is with my church. I did some church stuff photography and design, people picked up on it, and the word of mouth is what keeps me in business. I dont spend time advertising myself.

--------------------------------
http://bibikova.com

]]> By: Cody Redmon http://blogs.photopreneur.com/quit-your-job-be-a-photographer/comment-page-1#comment-527 Cody Redmon Sat, 01 Dec 2007 04:02:10 +0000 http://blogs.photopreneur.com/quit-you-job-be-a-photographer#comment-527 Great post and comments. I've just made the transition, and as you can see from my website, I'm trying to go the route of fine art photographer with a focus on landscape...not the easiest thing. I think my work stands on its own, but making the connection with potential clients is difficult. I need to learn more about galleries and building relationships with them. Granted, I'm happy to shoot a wedding every once in a while, but I'm praying that I can flip the standard and make more of an impact with my art pieces. Oh the battle that ensues... Thanks again for the great post, Dean. Great post and comments. I've just made the transition, and as you can see from my website, I'm trying to go the route of fine art photographer with a focus on landscape...not the easiest thing. I think my work stands on its own, but making the connection with potential clients is difficult. I need to learn more about galleries and building relationships with them. Granted, I'm happy to shoot a wedding every once in a while, but I'm praying that I can flip the standard and make more of an impact with my art pieces. Oh the battle that ensues...

Thanks again for the great post, Dean.

]]> By: Ed Z http://blogs.photopreneur.com/quit-your-job-be-a-photographer/comment-page-1#comment-512 Ed Z Thu, 29 Nov 2007 21:19:23 +0000 http://blogs.photopreneur.com/quit-you-job-be-a-photographer#comment-512 this is some great advice for someone like me slowly transitioning away from a 9-5 and into a fulltime photographer. I really think the hardest thing is creating the initial client base. It's kind of a catch22 - it's hard to get clients without a good commercial book, and it's hard to get a good commercial book without clients! this is some great advice for someone like me slowly transitioning away from a 9-5 and into a fulltime photographer. I really think the hardest thing is creating the initial client base. It's kind of a catch22 - it's hard to get clients without a good commercial book, and it's hard to get a good commercial book without clients!

]]> By: Dan Bannister http://blogs.photopreneur.com/quit-your-job-be-a-photographer/comment-page-1#comment-500 Dan Bannister Thu, 29 Nov 2007 00:04:24 +0000 http://blogs.photopreneur.com/quit-you-job-be-a-photographer#comment-500 It's been a couple of years since I chucked the briefcase and lunch box for a camera so, with time under my belt, I can say it has been a good move for me and I've never been short of work or income. Kevin's post above is correct in saying a portfolio is key but, to add to that, the biggest challenge I found was the business side of things. When I went into this, I assumed that part would be a breeze, hey , I've got an MBA and was a corporate executive for 15 years. I assumed the business side would come easy. I forgot that as an executive, someone else looked after things like insurance, marketing, banking, fees, payroll, logistics etc. etc. I just signed the cheques and approved stuff. Now, I do it all myself and it's a major time suck. I've spent the last three days getting my financials for the year ready for my accountant, organizing a shoot in Mexico and six hours today dealing with customs officials to get the necessary paperwork to get my cameras into another country without paying duty. If you're going to make the jump, lay the groundwork for your business with a lawyer and accountant BEFORE you jump ship and get this stuff dialed down to a science in advance. Get your website up and running and start shooting stuff on days off, holidays, weekends and nights. I found a big commercial client while I was still working and used vacation days to shoot for them. When I left my job, having them in my back pocket generated the income and portfolio of commercial work I needed to find more business. It's been a couple of years since I chucked the briefcase and lunch box for a camera so, with time under my belt, I can say it has been a good move for me and I've never been short of work or income.

Kevin's post above is correct in saying a portfolio is key but, to add to that, the biggest challenge I found was the business side of things. When I went into this, I assumed that part would be a breeze, hey , I've got an MBA and was a corporate executive for 15 years. I assumed the business side would come easy. I forgot that as an executive, someone else looked after things like insurance, marketing, banking, fees, payroll, logistics etc. etc. I just signed the cheques and approved stuff. Now, I do it all myself and it's a major time suck. I've spent the last three days getting my financials for the year ready for my accountant, organizing a shoot in Mexico and six hours today dealing with customs officials to get the necessary paperwork to get my cameras into another country without paying duty.

If you're going to make the jump, lay the groundwork for your business with a lawyer and accountant BEFORE you jump ship and get this stuff dialed down to a science in advance. Get your website up and running and start shooting stuff on days off, holidays, weekends and nights. I found a big commercial client while I was still working and used vacation days to shoot for them. When I left my job, having them in my back pocket generated the income and portfolio of commercial work I needed to find more business.

]]> By: Kevin http://blogs.photopreneur.com/quit-your-job-be-a-photographer/comment-page-1#comment-495 Kevin Wed, 28 Nov 2007 19:35:33 +0000 http://blogs.photopreneur.com/quit-you-job-be-a-photographer#comment-495 About 6 months ago I threw caution to the wind.. quit my job and became a photographer. It's the scariest thing I have ever done in my life, but I wake up every morning happy as hell! Is going out on your own hard? Hell ya! it's the hardest thing I've ever done! Luckily I have been making enough money to pay the rent each month, and I have a VERY supportive wife! I just recently was hired to shoot a catalog for a clothing company. The gig came to me from a friend, but if my portfolio didn't stand out, I would have not gotten the job. Thats the one thing every photographer must have, a portfolio that can stand up to the likes of the pros in the same field that you are in. My style stands out and isn't for everyone, but I would not use it to try to get a job taking pictures of flowers! Thats just not my thing. As for the hours.. This post is true.. plan to spend HOURS in front of your computer. HOURS! My day starts at 9am and ends at 3am when I peel myself away from the computer to go to bed so I can start this all over again. Lightroom is my best friend, we spend hours together.. I have listened to everything in my iTunes twice and get excited when a now podcast comes out so I have something new to listen to while I work (My rule NO TV WHILE YOU WORK) sounds like I have no life... I kinda don't but it beats working somewhere you can't stand. The best advice I can give anyone though.. SHOOT! SHOOT EVERY DAY!! Don't limit yourself to only shooting if you're getting paid or not. I set aside an hour everyday where I sit down and just shoot something in my house or take a walk around the block with my camera. (my dog is my best model) Wow that was a rant huh? Hope it helped... Kevin www.theshutterclick.com About 6 months ago I threw caution to the wind.. quit my job and became a photographer. It's the scariest thing I have ever done in my life, but I wake up every morning happy as hell! Is going out on your own hard? Hell ya! it's the hardest thing I've ever done! Luckily I have been making enough money to pay the rent each month, and I have a VERY supportive wife! I just recently was hired to shoot a catalog for a clothing company. The gig came to me from a friend, but if my portfolio didn't stand out, I would have not gotten the job. Thats the one thing every photographer must have, a portfolio that can stand up to the likes of the pros in the same field that you are in. My style stands out and isn't for everyone, but I would not use it to try to get a job taking pictures of flowers! Thats just not my thing.

As for the hours.. This post is true.. plan to spend HOURS in front of your computer. HOURS! My day starts at 9am and ends at 3am when I peel myself away from the computer to go to bed so I can start this all over again. Lightroom is my best friend, we spend hours together.. I have listened to everything in my iTunes twice and get excited when a now podcast comes out so I have something new to listen to while I work (My rule NO TV WHILE YOU WORK) sounds like I have no life... I kinda don't but it beats working somewhere you can't stand.
The best advice I can give anyone though.. SHOOT! SHOOT EVERY DAY!! Don't limit yourself to only shooting if you're getting paid or not. I set aside an hour everyday where I sit down and just shoot something in my house or take a walk around the block with my camera. (my dog is my best model)
Wow that was a rant huh? Hope it helped...

Kevin
http://www.theshutterclick.com

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