Making money without weddings or portraits?

[dakkon76]

So, I'm sure this gets asked here a ton, but I did a quick search and didn't find much. I don't really enjoy taking portraits, never have. I'm more into nature photography - landscapes, macro, wildlife. I'm also considering purchasing the big bad 70-200 f/2.8L IS USM and I'm wondering how I can justify it.

Is it realistic to think that I'll get some good shots that I can actually sell? How are some ways I would go about that? Every year we have an art festival in our town, where local artists can showcase their work and that seems like a great venue to build up toward, but I'm hoping there's something more simple that I can do to make a few extra bucks.

Also, I've got a friend that does some BMX racing and other sporting events. What about shooting at these events and handing out cards with an address for a site (like an MPIX) site, where people can see pics of their friends and family playing sports and buy them?

Anyway, some ideas here would be greatly appreciated, it's hard for me to justify spending $1500 on a lens, even tho I've got the cash for it right now.

Thanks to all!

/dak

 

[Big Mike]

It seems that it's a lot harder to make money with photography by actually selling photos...than it is to make money by selling your service as a professional photographer. So rather than trying to sell images, sell yourself and have people pay you to take photos.

 

[NateS]

The problem is that these days EVERYBODY is a photographer.

Well, not really, but everybody thinks they are a photographer. This means that a lot of people aren't going to pay you for a shot that they think they can get with their D40 and 55-200 (even though they probably can't).

Best bet to justify that purchase is to start going to local sporting events (from pee-wee all the way up to high school). When you get the hang of it and start getting some good stuff....start handing out business cards to the parents to be able to purchase the prints off your website.

Of course, before you do all this, you might chat up a principal or superintendet and ask them if they mind about handing out business cards for parents to buy photos of their kids playing. It would be better to have them say yes before hand that way if anybody gives you grief about it, you're backed by the "big dogs".

 

[inTempus]

I've been thinking of breaking into the porn industry... there's TONS of money to be made there.

I just have one thing standing in my way... my wife.

 

[benlonghair]

I've been thinking of breaking into the porn industry... there's TONS of money to be made there.

I just have one thing standing in my way... my wife.

Is there really money to be made in porn? I find that very difficult to believe. I don't know anybody that pays for porn.

 

[Chris.]

Besides what has been stated above, there is always stock photography."Stock photos (stock photography) are professional photographs of common places, landmarks, nature, events or people that are bought and sold on a royalty-free basis and can be used and reused for commercial design purposes." In my mind this might be a good solution.

I recommend Stock Photos | Shutterstock: Royalty-Free Subscription Stock Photography & Vector Art.

 

[GeneralBenson]

I've been thinking of breaking into the porn industry... there's TONS of money to be made there.

I just have one thing standing in my way... my wife.

There's also tons of money in selling drugs to kids. Why don't you try that?

 

[inTempus]

I've been thinking of breaking into the porn industry... there's TONS of money to be made there.

I just have one thing standing in my way... my wife.

There's also tons of money in selling drugs to kids. Why don't you try that?

Last time I checked drugs were illegal. Porn isn't.

Talk about a "duhh" moment.

 

[inTempus]

I've been thinking of breaking into the porn industry... there's TONS of money to be made there.

I just have one thing standing in my way... my wife.

Is there really money to be made in porn? I find that very difficult to believe. I don't know anybody that pays for porn.

Really?

Darn it. Oh well. I'll scratch that one off my list. I guess I'll stick to pet insect pictures.

 

[KmH]

So, I'm sure this gets asked here a ton, but I did a quick search and didn't find much. I don't really enjoy taking portraits, never have. I'm more into nature photography - landscapes, macro, wildlife. I'm also considering purchasing the big bad 70-200 f/2.8L IS USM and I'm wondering how I can justify it.

Is it realistic to think that I'll get some good shots that I can actually sell? How are some ways I would go about that? Every year we have an art festival in our town, where local artists can showcase their work and that seems like a great venue to build up toward, but I'm hoping there's something more simple that I can do to make a few extra bucks.

Also, I've got a friend that does some BMX racing and other sporting events. What about shooting at these events and handing out cards with an address for a site (like an MPIX) site, where people can see pics of their friends and family playing sports and buy them?

Anyway, some ideas here would be greatly appreciated, it's hard for me to justify spending $1500 on a lens, even tho I've got the cash for it right now.

Thanks to all!

/dak

The real money is in making images of people.

If your images are good enough you can put them up for stock.

Many advertisers and other commercial users need stock images for brochures, advertisements, power point presentaions, anuual reports, magazines, the list goes on.

Get the paper bound book that comes out yearlynamed "Photographers Market". The book list the contact info, image submission requirements, and pay rates for a wide variety of image users.

Either way, making money from your images takes work and initiative on your part. If you think you can just put some stuff up online and rake in the cash you'll be very disapointed.

Some business sense and/or experience is very helpful, particularly some marketing skill.

 

[Chris.]

I've been thinking of breaking into the porn industry... there's TONS of money to be made there.

I just have one thing standing in my way... my wife.

There's also tons of money in selling drugs to kids. Why don't you try that?

Last time I checked drugs were illegal. Porn isn't.

Talk about a "duhh" moment.

You are right, there is lots of money in the porn industry, its ridiculous. I have a friend who shoots for hustler and he is very well off because of it. I do recommend it... but its not for everyone if you know what i mean.

 

[SrBiscuit]

i dont know much about the business end of it, and competition....
but from what i understand, wildlife is a HARD place to make money because the uprfront cost is so major due to the quality and range of lenses you will need.

and like others have said...everyone and their mom is a photog now, so setting yourself apart from the pack will be key. early.

 

[benlonghair]

but from what i understand, wildlife is a HARD place to make money because the uprfront cost is so major due to the quality and range of lenses you will need.

Heh, I almost swollowed my tongue when I saw the price of the 600mm F/4.

 

[paulk_68]

When I grow up, I want to be just like Giuliano Bekor I'm sure he gets paid plenty.

Wedding photography doesn't have to mean boring formals, take a look at these two wedding photog sites...

http://hofferphotography.com/

Hassas Photography

 

[Baaaark]

I know a guy who is a freelance photographer, who sells his work to different magazines. He did wildlife, so his main buyer was Field and Stream, and the like.

That being said, this is a very difficult line of work to do. But anyone can do it if they try hard enough. But it may take a LOT of hard work and a LOT of time invested to get there.

I will say that even though there is a lot of photographers out there nowadays, there seems to be a lot less really good ones.