How do you fund the habit?

Argentis · Sep 11, 2007

Hi guys, I'm fairly new here, and getting back into photography, after a little break. I've recently gone digital, and I am loving the freedom of being able to take tons of pictures, and not having to wait or pay someone to see how they turned out. I guess that was my biggest problem with film was the cost of developing afterwards.

I have recently been going through my past work, and it got me thinking. I enjoy taking pictures of landscapes and other outdorrsy stuff (less legal issues this way :mrgreen

, and I have read ad nauseum that it's very tough to make a living as a nature/landscape photographer.

My question is, can you make some money as a nature photographer? I'm mainly looking for a way to fund my photography, and some of my other hobbies. I'll probably try and hit up some of the local coffee shops and such to see if they are interested in some of my favorite images. Has anyone else had any experience with this?

I know that I'm going to be getting out shooting more and more with my new digital rig, but right now, I'd rather not have the pressure of deadlines and others' expectations, so I thought if I'm just offering my favorite images, and make a little cash on the side.

I wasn't sure if this belongs here or in the business section, so if it should be moved, please do.

Thanks,
Argentis

Alex_B · Sep 11, 2007

you may be lucky to sell a couple of prints. but to really earn money in landscape photography you have to build up a reputation. This should be based on images that are really special, not just good or average.

And even if you are good, this needs more than that and takes time to develop into a business as you are talking of fine arts here.

Alex_B · Sep 11, 2007

not trying to discourage anyone here ... just saying that turning this sort of photography into a business is not a piece of cake.

Argentis · Sep 11, 2007

Thanks for the advice Alex. Yeah I don't have any delusions of walking into National Geographic or anything like that. Right now, I guess I'm trying to start small, and make some money on the side in a way that (I think) won't impact my life too much, since I have a day job that I do enjoy.

Mesoam · Sep 11, 2007

i agree that it would be very difficult to make a living off of photography (as i've thought about it myself) but side $ is definitely achievable

Jon, The Elder · Sep 11, 2007

not trying to discourage anyone here ... just saying that turning this sort of photography into a business is not a piece of cake.

So very true.

As to the OP....I developed a niche market and work the hell out of it. Not necessarily my choice of subject matter but it does fund my photo gear+ some decent money. My sig has it all.

abraxas · Sep 11, 2007

Jon said:
... a niche market and work the hell out of it...

:thumbup:

DSLR noob · Sep 11, 2007

I sell chicken at Chick-fil-A for minimum wage. save forever. sell some graphic design, and get good grades upon where I normally get rewarded per semester. all A's this semester means a Macbook Pro for Christmas. All A's again means a 70-200 f/4L for Graduation.

Sweetsomedays · Sep 11, 2007

Right now I just bat my lashes at my husband. I can always play the...you wont be here for our anniversary card (he deploys in Jan for 7 months) My hopes are to build a business within the equine industry photographing horses at shows. Eventualy I wish to build enough of a client base to do private sessions.
Dare I be so bold as to clame Jon, The Elder as my mentor?

:hail:

I have over 20 years of horse experience....since I don't wish to ride professionaly I best do something with it!

craig · Sep 12, 2007

Go for it! Show some prints and get a feeling for the local market. Of course thinking that making money off of landscape photography is just wrong. A better way of looking at it is making money off of YOUR photography. That means understanding your work and it's potential market. There are only a gazillion amazing photographers out there. All you have to do is stand out.

Love & Bass

sabbath999 · Sep 12, 2007

Photography is my hobby. In a former life it was my livelihood.

I doubt this is what the original poster meant when this topic was put up, but I think it fits... because it is how I fund my habit.

I fund my photography habit by a very simple means... I save up the money to buy equipment and pay upfront for it. I live a completely debt free lifestyle, pay for everything I buy (including big ticket items like cars) by saving up for it ahead of time and paying cash... and not having any payments of any kind, a decent (but certainly not spectacular) income, an organized strict budget and good motivation means I don't have to wait long to buy our toys... with both of us shooting, we pretty much have to take the cost of every camera purchase times two

I have no desire at this point in time to get back into the business side of photography (who knows, that may change some day).