Pro photograpy job for beginners

[sobolik]

Quite a few self identified beginners and or novices state that they want to become a pro photographer.

Well what do the stats say?

US Department of Labor
Bureau of Labor Statistics
Occupational Employment and Wages, May 2009

27-4021 Photographers

Photographers

Beginners are assumed to be not so hot compared to a seasoned pro and thus could expect to make $17,120 per year. That is $8.23 and hour full time job equivalent.

The average person (assumed to be average talent and average results) makes $29,770 or $14.31

The best or top 10% can make $62,340 a year or $29.97 and hour

"Estimates do not include self-employed workers" (which may and often does mean lousy income and bankruptcy)

 

[heyjoe]

I liked these stats better when KmH posted them a long time ago (and several times since then) :thumbup:

 

[sobolik]

I liked these stats better when KmH posted them a long time ago (and several times since then) :thumbup:

Why better then? Did they smell better? Taste better? Or are you just bored with nothing really to offer?

 

[amanda0908]

Quite a few self identified beginners and or novices state that they want to become a pro photographer.

Well what do the stats say?

US Department of Labor
Bureau of Labor Statistics
Occupational Employment and Wages, May 2009

27-4021 Photographers

Photographers

Beginners are assumed to be not so hot compared to a seasoned pro and thus could expect to make $17,120 per year. That is $8.23 and hour full time job equivalent.

The average person (assumed to be average talent and average results) makes $29,770 or $14.31

The best or top 10% can make $62,340 a year or $29.97 and hour

"Estimates do not include self-employed workers" (which may and often does mean lousy income and bankruptcy)

Did it ever cross your mind that EVERY. SINGLE. PROFESSIONAL. photographer was indeed at one time a beginner, a novice, an enthusiast, a hobbyist? Hmm...just something to think about.

 

[Lazy Photographer]

But how many photographers get into it for the money? Like most artistic-related work, it's usually a labour of love. I wonder how many wannabe pros write a vision statement that starts with "I wanna be a rich and famous photographer!" As someone who is both rich and famous, I can tell you it's not all it's cracked up to be.

 

[Jarmo]

Luckily I'm fine with photography just being a hobby for me.

 

[usayit]

Quite a few self identified beginners and or novices state that they want to become a pro photographer.

Well what do the stats say?

US Department of Labor
Bureau of Labor Statistics
Occupational Employment and Wages, May 2009

27-4021 Photographers

Photographers

Beginners are assumed to be not so hot compared to a seasoned pro and thus could expect to make $17,120 per year. That is $8.23 and hour full time job equivalent.

The average person (assumed to be average talent and average results) makes $29,770 or $14.31

The best or top 10% can make $62,340 a year or $29.97 and hour

"Estimates do not include self-employed workers" (which may and often does mean lousy income and bankruptcy)

Did it ever cross your mind that EVERY. SINGLE. PROFESSIONAL. photographer was indeed at one time a beginner, a novice, an enthusiast, a hobbyist? Hmm...just something to think about.

Statement above has zero impact on the stats.... every profession starts out as a beginner and still has better prospects

turn it around, 90% spend their entire career making what most professions are making by mid career level. Independents and self employed still need to fund expensive equipment.

 

[sobolik]

Quite a few self identified beginners and or novices state that they want to become a pro photographer.

Well what do the stats say?

US Department of Labor
Bureau of Labor Statistics
Occupational Employment and Wages, May 2009

27-4021 Photographers

Photographers

Beginners are assumed to be not so hot compared to a seasoned pro and thus could expect to make $17,120 per year. That is $8.23 and hour full time job equivalent.

The average person (assumed to be average talent and average results) makes $29,770 or $14.31

The best or top 10% can make $62,340 a year or $29.97 and hour

"Estimates do not include self-employed workers" (which may and often does mean lousy income and bankruptcy)

Did it ever cross your mind that EVERY. SINGLE. PROFESSIONAL. photographer was indeed at one time a beginner, a novice, an enthusiast, a hobbyist? Hmm...just something to think about.

Actually The truth is as well that many experience photographers have the same idea. But I figure that they have already come across these stats. It is likely the beginners that have not seen them before. Therefore the lead sentence was aimed at beginners. SO DON'T GET ALL TESTY. STRAIGHTEN OUT YOUR UNDIES AND HAVE A GREAT REST OF THE DAY.

 

[flea77]

But how many photographers get into it for the money? Like most artistic-related work, it's usually a labour of love. I wonder how many wannabe pros write a vision statement that starts with "I wanna be a rich and famous photographer!" As someone who is both rich and famous, I can tell you it's not all it's cracked up to be.

Actually, I see far too many who get into it, or think about getting into it, because they think it is easy money. It is easy money if you like starving to death and selling garbage.

Allan

 

[Bitter Jeweler]

Wait. What was the point of this thread?
Isn't the reality of wages vs. experience the same for any career choice?

 

[mrpink]

Yeah, this thread. Again.:er:









p!nK

 

[table1349]

Did it ever cross your mind that EVERY. SINGLE. PROFESSIONAL. photographer was indeed at one time a beginner, a novice, an enthusiast, a hobbyist? Hmm...just something to think about.

Did it cross your mind that back in the day, (film that is) every single professional photographer that I know, didn't buy a camera and consumer lens and immediately think that they could be an instant professional? They learned their craft on the road to becoming first an accomplished photographer while learning the business side. Then they were prepared to 1 offer the client a quality product and 2 understand and survive in business. Just something to think about.

 

[usayit]

just an additional note.....

Goods and services are priced according to market NOT not just according to the work or raw material required to deliver. Low salaries doesn't mean that people don't appreciate your work nor does it mean that high salaries are performed by people of harder work ethics. It simply means that certain services and goods are more marketable.

If your are lucky, your talents are something that can be marketed and a living drawn. If you are not so lucky, you simply need to find something that is good enough to keep a work life balance.

I learned a long time ago that although I could probably scrap by on a photographer's earnings and enjoy my work, it could not would not provide the certain level of financial independence I seek. I certainly refused to subject my family to the consequences of my decisions. So I moved on to other more marketable skills perfectly content shooting for enjoyment only.

For all those that wish to pursue photographic profession... wish you the best of luck but don't deny the fact that the cards are stacked against you. Use it to motivate and drive you (it's hard work) but always have a plan B especially if you have loved ones depending on you.


btw... I bet the top 10% ofnthe quoted statistic are better business people than photographers. something to think about

 

[lyonsroar]

I don't plan on it being a career (I don't think,) but it would be really nice to make an extra $20,000/ year doing something that I love to do...

 

[bigtwinky]

People think that because of the accessibility of digital cameras and how great they feel buying an entry level DSLr over using their P&S, they can easily be pros.

Add to that how most clients view final results for the web and not for the print, makes people's mistakes as beginners not as visible.