Chris Stegner
TPF Noob!
- Joined
- Dec 27, 2007
- Messages
- 481
- Reaction score
- 2
- Location
- Ft. Thomas, KY
- Website
- www.bluegrassphotography.net
- Can others edit my Photos
- Photos OK to edit
Ok, so I love to shoot. Great hobby! I shoot some for work, but mainly just something I love to do.
I have made some xtra cash shooting Bluegrass Festivals (many), but I don't even consider that work because I usually get my camping, golf cart, and tickets free. Plus I get to meet all the great Bluegrass artists I love to listen to. So when I get paid for these events it's just a matter of, "That's cool, some xtra cash".
My wife recently decided to do a craft show (quilts, purses, other "Crafty" stuff) and she talked me into printing some of my stuff to sell. I shoot all sorts of stuff but I've developed quite a collection of old barns (Mail Pouch types), old country buildings, old Churches, and covered bridges. Just the type of things I thought would sell at a craft show. I have had some of these images printed out on canvas and stretched them to hang around the house. Again, kind of a "crafty" looking thing.
So, I go about selecting some images (17), had them printed on Canvas, stretched them all out. All said and done I have about $400 invested (take note: this is my first mention of money, and it's important to note that).
Between my wife's first mention of this and the show was 7 days. In that seven days I also decided to do some prints and frame them up. There's another $250 (second mention). I also worked about 60 hours at the office in that time, went to 2 soccer games, out to dinner with the wife, church, a Bengals game, and slept a little. All the while, thinking about wether my stuff would sell and I could make up the $650 I have invested in the upcoming show (there's three times).
Where am I going with this?
I have been shooting for 25 years and with the exception of the US Air Force, I have never been paid or looked to get paid for my photographs. Yeah some stuff here and there at my jobs but nothing overly pressing.
So here I am, attempting to make money by doing something I love very much. And I love it because there's NO STRESS whatsoever. I shoot because I love to shoot!
So why do it? Well, it would be nice to have a little xtra cash to throw around every now and then. I do have 3 more kids to put through school, and a daughter getting married next summer, so the money would be nice.
All said and done...
Am I the only one that has run into this?
I am smart enough to know that I cannot dedicate myself to a full time photography business, and I think the craft show lesson has taught me that I don't want to. So how can I bring in that little something xtra? Team photos? I've been asked by multiple local schools, but I'd rather shoot myself in the foot. Weddings? Did one for a friend in the Air Force and thought I was going to explode from the pressure (film days, and early in my "career"). Events" Yeah, but not with a full time job. Stock? Hum....
What about stock? Can anyone fill me in on stock sites? How do they work? Do they generate income of a measurable amount? Are some better than others? Does the type of photography I shoot apply better to one than the other? Should I find a rep to sell to stock houses?
All good questions that I would love some input on if you guys & girls are up for sharing your knowledge.
But after writing this VERY LONG post I have also come up with the question asked above. That is, have any of you run into this before? This has turned into a philosophical question as well as an informative one so feel free to answer one, both, or just laugh at me because I just posted the longest question ever!
BTW... I sold 4 prints and made up $350 of the investment.
Thanks gang!
WOW.... he's done!
I have made some xtra cash shooting Bluegrass Festivals (many), but I don't even consider that work because I usually get my camping, golf cart, and tickets free. Plus I get to meet all the great Bluegrass artists I love to listen to. So when I get paid for these events it's just a matter of, "That's cool, some xtra cash".
My wife recently decided to do a craft show (quilts, purses, other "Crafty" stuff) and she talked me into printing some of my stuff to sell. I shoot all sorts of stuff but I've developed quite a collection of old barns (Mail Pouch types), old country buildings, old Churches, and covered bridges. Just the type of things I thought would sell at a craft show. I have had some of these images printed out on canvas and stretched them to hang around the house. Again, kind of a "crafty" looking thing.
So, I go about selecting some images (17), had them printed on Canvas, stretched them all out. All said and done I have about $400 invested (take note: this is my first mention of money, and it's important to note that).
Between my wife's first mention of this and the show was 7 days. In that seven days I also decided to do some prints and frame them up. There's another $250 (second mention). I also worked about 60 hours at the office in that time, went to 2 soccer games, out to dinner with the wife, church, a Bengals game, and slept a little. All the while, thinking about wether my stuff would sell and I could make up the $650 I have invested in the upcoming show (there's three times).
Where am I going with this?
I have been shooting for 25 years and with the exception of the US Air Force, I have never been paid or looked to get paid for my photographs. Yeah some stuff here and there at my jobs but nothing overly pressing.
So here I am, attempting to make money by doing something I love very much. And I love it because there's NO STRESS whatsoever. I shoot because I love to shoot!
So why do it? Well, it would be nice to have a little xtra cash to throw around every now and then. I do have 3 more kids to put through school, and a daughter getting married next summer, so the money would be nice.
All said and done...
Am I the only one that has run into this?
I am smart enough to know that I cannot dedicate myself to a full time photography business, and I think the craft show lesson has taught me that I don't want to. So how can I bring in that little something xtra? Team photos? I've been asked by multiple local schools, but I'd rather shoot myself in the foot. Weddings? Did one for a friend in the Air Force and thought I was going to explode from the pressure (film days, and early in my "career"). Events" Yeah, but not with a full time job. Stock? Hum....
What about stock? Can anyone fill me in on stock sites? How do they work? Do they generate income of a measurable amount? Are some better than others? Does the type of photography I shoot apply better to one than the other? Should I find a rep to sell to stock houses?
All good questions that I would love some input on if you guys & girls are up for sharing your knowledge.
But after writing this VERY LONG post I have also come up with the question asked above. That is, have any of you run into this before? This has turned into a philosophical question as well as an informative one so feel free to answer one, both, or just laugh at me because I just posted the longest question ever!
BTW... I sold 4 prints and made up $350 of the investment.
Thanks gang!
WOW.... he's done!