D-B-J
Been spending a lot of time on here!
- Joined
- Apr 13, 2010
- Messages
- 9,027
- Reaction score
- 2,175
- Can others edit my Photos
- Photos OK to edit
So, here's the deal. I never began photography to make money. It's a hobby, always has been and always will be. That being said, I've reached the point where all the gear I want is getting expensive. It's hard to justify thousands a year for gear when I don't make money on it, and am a grad student. That being said, I'd like to try and be more proactive about it. I'd like to try and make enough to cover some new gear each year. Here's my thoughts:
-Go to local places and see if they'll hang my work. Coffeeshops. Bakeries. In coastal towns, where I have photos from that town. Offer a percent of profits if I sell, etc. Cost? Print& frame, and the time energy and effort to go to all these places.
-Enter myself in local art fairs, farmer markets, etc. Show up with framed/matted works for sale, etc. Cost? A lot of overhead on this one. Need a mat cutter, mat board, prints, plastic sleeves, entrance/fees, etc. Could get really pricey for little to no return. Big gamble.
-Be more active on my website. Posting blog articles about photo tips. How to's. Behind the scenes. Being more active with content and info, rather than trying to get people to my site with "I have prints for sale!" posts. Cost? Time.
-Piggybacking on the above, sending out monthly email newsletters with info on new images, blog posts, etc. Cost? Time.
-Go to local photo clubs and sell myself. I've given a talk on landscape/long exposures, and would love to further that. Cost? Time. Big benefit here--I'll make money AND establish myself as a landscape photographer, which is my ultimate goal. Also be able to meet/network, and get people to my workshops next year.
-Host workshops. I have an in with a local photo shop--and I've had people interested in post processing workshops, and more photo workshops. Cost? Time and effort. This ones tricky, as I'm so busy with school. However, this is also my favorite way to make money. I love to teach others about what I do and how to do it.
-Edit | Enter photo contests. It's a great way to gain recognition and add credentials to my portfolio. Cost? Depends on the contest.
I know it's a long post, but that's where I'm at. I don't care about being rich from photography. I am currently on a scholarship of sorts for graduate school, and will have a career as an oceanographer. I just want to make enough to support my addiction. Maybe make enough to travel for landscapes.
What insights do YOU have. What have you learned about the above? Do some things work better than others?
Cheers!
Jake
-Go to local places and see if they'll hang my work. Coffeeshops. Bakeries. In coastal towns, where I have photos from that town. Offer a percent of profits if I sell, etc. Cost? Print& frame, and the time energy and effort to go to all these places.
-Enter myself in local art fairs, farmer markets, etc. Show up with framed/matted works for sale, etc. Cost? A lot of overhead on this one. Need a mat cutter, mat board, prints, plastic sleeves, entrance/fees, etc. Could get really pricey for little to no return. Big gamble.
-Be more active on my website. Posting blog articles about photo tips. How to's. Behind the scenes. Being more active with content and info, rather than trying to get people to my site with "I have prints for sale!" posts. Cost? Time.
-Piggybacking on the above, sending out monthly email newsletters with info on new images, blog posts, etc. Cost? Time.
-Go to local photo clubs and sell myself. I've given a talk on landscape/long exposures, and would love to further that. Cost? Time. Big benefit here--I'll make money AND establish myself as a landscape photographer, which is my ultimate goal. Also be able to meet/network, and get people to my workshops next year.
-Host workshops. I have an in with a local photo shop--and I've had people interested in post processing workshops, and more photo workshops. Cost? Time and effort. This ones tricky, as I'm so busy with school. However, this is also my favorite way to make money. I love to teach others about what I do and how to do it.
-Edit | Enter photo contests. It's a great way to gain recognition and add credentials to my portfolio. Cost? Depends on the contest.
I know it's a long post, but that's where I'm at. I don't care about being rich from photography. I am currently on a scholarship of sorts for graduate school, and will have a career as an oceanographer. I just want to make enough to support my addiction. Maybe make enough to travel for landscapes.
What insights do YOU have. What have you learned about the above? Do some things work better than others?
Cheers!
Jake
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