Choices...

[barleymalt]

Hey folks. I'm at a bit of a crossroads here and I'm writing this to get some input from the more experienced photog's out there.

I've been wanting to get my feet wet with professional photography for some time and two interesting opportunities have risen. On one hand, I have the opportunity to go live in Cyprus for a while. Living will be cheap and I would have saved up enough cash that I wouldn't have to work for about 6 months. The idea is to travel the island, take lots of photos and sell them as post/greeting cards, calendars, framed prints and such. Either by setting up a small shop in a marketplace or something, or by contacting local shops and try and push my products on them for resale, or a happy combo of both! I would also offer very low priced photo sessions with tourists who want a photo session with their family or whatever at some location.

On the other hand, I have the opportunity to go to Las Vegas and shoot weddings with my sister who arranges low-key wedding tours by chopper to the Grand Canyon. The problem here is I wouldn't be able to work on commission as I'm not allowed to work in the United States. She tells me her photographers make a fair amount of tips, probably enough to keep me afloat while there but nothing more. This option would mostly be for the enjoyment and experience.

I'm not a big fan of weddings and travel photography has always been my holy grail ever since I started shooting. The upside to Cyprus is that I won't be paying taxes on any earnings up to €20,000 which gives me a lot of extra headroom. I do realise that the markup on this type of business is tiny to begin with, but my line of thinking here is how hard could it be to sell enough to net at least €15 per day in a place packed with tourists.

Has anyone here every tried anything like this? Is it realistic to expect to be making some money after say, 4 months? Also, would it be worth getting my own printing setup or am I better off getting them printed professionally?

 

[Stradawhovious]

The problem here is I wouldn't be able to work on commission as I'm not allowed to work in the United States. She tells me her photographers make a fair amount of tips, probably enough to keep me afloat while there but nothing more.

You do realize that even if you aren't getting a "paycheck" tips are a taxable income, and would require you to file taxes in the US.... more than likely putting you in violation of your travel visa, right? Rather than dodging the laws in place, why not apply for the proper paperwork to legally work in the US?

People "working" illegally in the US tends to make the natives restless.

Ask me how I know.