How to make money from photography?

ithin · May 20th, 2009, 02:26

I got into serious photography lately. Bought a DSLR 3 yrs ago and studied it pretty well. Think I learned enough to take some good pics.

Now the question is how do I make it a profession and make some money out of it to keep it going? I am moving to India and any information is of great help.

I am in touch with some photo clubs, but not of much help.

Merchant · May 21st, 2009, 03:57

Short answer: there is no money in photography unless you shoot celebrities.

Longer answer: if you create a niche for yourself, focusing on a particular region (not India, say, but Delhi) and a narrow specialization (like health care delivery in urban environments) and then (this is important) become an expert on the subject, you will find ways to leverage your materials into the press and earn commissions from NGOs, government agencies, etc. But this is not a lot of money. You will also have to do more than snap photos -- you will have to write profiles, conduct interviews, create multi-media pieces for online distribution, etc. Your photos will be just one component of the packages you create and (hopefully) sell.

At the end of the day: there is no open market for travel photos or scenics. There are plenty of expert shooters who know exactly what advertising agencies and stock houses want, and there are technical issues beyond just taking the pictures. And these pictures aren't really "travel" photos -- they are glorified advertising shoots that just happen to use foreign countries and cultures as the milieu.

But: if you find a way to tap a niche market for which there is some demand and add real value to what you create, you can sustain yourself financially (maybe, with some hard work and good fortune).

ithin · May 21st, 2009, 04:03

Quote:

Originally Posted by Merchant

Short answer: there is no money in photography unless you shoot celebrities.

Longer answer: if you create a niche for yourself, focusing on a particular region (not India, say, but Delhi) and a narrow specialization (like health care delivery in urban environments) and then (this is important) become an expert on the subject, you will find ways to leverage your materials into the press and earn commissions from NGOs, government agencies, etc. But this is not a lot of money. You will also have to do more than snap photos -- you will have to write profiles, conduct interviews, create multi-media pieces for online distribution, etc. Your photos will be just one component of the packages you create and (hopefully) sell.

At the end of the day: there is no market for travel photos or scenics. There are plenty of expert shooters who know exactly what advertising agencies and stock houses want, and there are technical issues beyond just taking the pictures. And these pictures aren't really "travel" photos -- they are glorified advertising shoots that just happen to use foreign countries and cultures as the milieu.

But: if you find a way to tap a niche market for which there is some demand and add real value to what you create, you can sustain yourself financially (maybe, with some hard work and good fortune).

Thanks Merchant ! I kind of figured almost same myself. During my recent visit to UAE, my friend who is running a branding firm showed me some areas. Again this is sort of celebrity photography too. He was telling me how hard is to get good photographers in his advertising arena.

Real good ones charge 10K$/Hour it seems. The ones who take pictures for Nike,Gap kind of advertising.

Digital revolution literally diluted the serious photography. Every other person is a photographer today.

abracax · May 21st, 2009, 08:01

1. Take photos of people doin' things they shouldn't oughta be doin'.
2.....

Seriously, don't quit your day job.

alan1111 · May 21st, 2009, 09:37

Quote:

Originally Posted by Merchant

Short answer: there is no money in photography unless you shoot celebrities.

Longer answer: if you create a niche for yourself, focusing on a particular region (not India, say, but Delhi) and a narrow specialization (like health care delivery in urban environments) and then (this is important) become an expert on the subject, you will find ways to leverage your materials into the press and earn commissions from NGOs, government agencies, etc. But this is not a lot of money. You will also have to do more than snap photos -- you will have to write profiles, conduct interviews, create multi-media pieces for online distribution, etc. Your photos will be just one component of the packages you create and (hopefully) sell.

At the end of the day: there is no open market for travel photos or scenics. There are plenty of expert shooters who know exactly what advertising agencies and stock houses want, and there are technical issues beyond just taking the pictures. And these pictures aren't really "travel" photos -- they are glorified advertising shoots that just happen to use foreign countries and cultures as the milieu.

But: if you find a way to tap a niche market for which there is some demand and add real value to what you create, you can sustain yourself financially (maybe, with some hard work and good fortune).

Even if someone does not take it up as a full time profession, is there a way to be a freelance photographer for various magazines/newspapers and get paid if photo is selected for publication

Haylo · May 21st, 2009, 10:31

There are many many skilled photographers out there, most of who are going to be more experienced and have a better eye than the average newbie who wants to break into the business, and who are still having to work at their own expense in their own time.

Most people who train as photographers and end up earning their living through their skills aren't fashion photographers earning a fortune, they're scraping a living by doing boring routine work like photographing weddings.

I have a good friend who has a photography degree, he's technically brilliant, artistic, and has good business sense. He nearly starved trying to live off his photography earnings, and because he didn't want to just do weddings and school photos for the rest of his life, he now runs his own landscape gardening company.

chinaphotographer · May 24th, 2009, 19:36

Quote:

Originally Posted by Merchant

Short answer: there is no money in photography unless you shoot celebrities.

Longer answer: if you create a niche for yourself, focusing on a particular region (not India, say, but Delhi) and a narrow specialization (like health care delivery in urban environments) and then (this is important) become an expert on the subject, you will find ways to leverage your materials into the press and earn commissions from NGOs, government agencies, etc. But this is not a lot of money. You will also have to do more than snap photos -- you will have to write profiles, conduct interviews, create multi-media pieces for online distribution, etc. Your photos will be just one component of the packages you create and (hopefully) sell.

At the end of the day: there is no open market for travel photos or scenics. There are plenty of expert shooters who know exactly what advertising agencies and stock houses want, and there are technical issues beyond just taking the pictures. And these pictures aren't really "travel" photos -- they are glorified advertising shoots that just happen to use foreign countries and cultures as the milieu.

But: if you find a way to tap a niche market for which there is some demand and add real value to what you create, you can sustain yourself financially (maybe, with some hard work and good fortune).

Everything Merchant said is right on. The snob photogs at the top have built a fortress around their precious photo agencies and travel publications. It's a dog-eat-dog industry, and those guys are rabid curs.

My personal advice, from experience, is too just keep shooting out of love, not to get paid, and perhaps the gods will eventually notice your sincerity and give you a break. Because the "experts" truly have no love for photography or the subjects they shoot or the places they visit; they only see a dollar sign through their lens. You don't want to become like them, even if it does pay the bills; at least, I don't!

Peace...

Tom
India Travel Photography

mantru · May 24th, 2009, 21:51

nice photos tom...

haal Fakiran da · Aug 2nd, 2009, 06:59

Start small. Apprentice with someone who needs an assistant. Learn to find a niche. Food photography in a metropolis is enough to get you two square meals. b8b photography of a celeb gets you to drink KoolAid

May 20th, 2009, 02:26	#1
ithin Laughter the shortest distance between two people Join Date: May 2009 Location: California, USA Posts: 85	How to make money from photography? I got into serious photography lately. Bought a DSLR 3 yrs ago and studied it pretty well. Think I learned enough to take some good pics. Now the question is how do I make it a profession and make some money out of it to keep it going? I am moving to India and any information is of great help. I am in touch with some photo clubs, but not of much help.

May 21st, 2009, 08:01	#4
abracax Mahaguru Join Date: Sep 2001 Location: Canada Posts: 709	1. Take photos of people doin' things they shouldn't oughta be doin'. 2..... Seriously, don't quit your day job. __________________ tbontbtitq (Shakespeare's password)

May 21st, 2009, 10:31	#6
Haylo Structural Member Join Date: May 2008 Location: Middle East and heading Easter Posts: 5,804	There are many many skilled photographers out there, most of who are going to be more experienced and have a better eye than the average newbie who wants to break into the business, and who are still having to work at their own expense in their own time. Most people who train as photographers and end up earning their living through their skills aren't fashion photographers earning a fortune, they're scraping a living by doing boring routine work like photographing weddings. I have a good friend who has a photography degree, he's technically brilliant, artistic, and has good business sense. He nearly starved trying to live off his photography earnings, and because he didn't want to just do weddings and school photos for the rest of his life, he now runs his own landscape gardening company. __________________ The world is mud-luscious and puddle-wonderful - E.E. Cummings, poet (1894-1962)

May 24th, 2009, 21:51	#8
mantru Senior Member Join Date: Apr 2007 Location: darjeeling--currently in delhi Posts: 441	nice photos tom... __________________ ----------------------------- Mantru http://www.indiamike.com/photopost/m...0489&protype=1 http://mytravelpage.6te.net

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May 21st, 2009, 03:57	#2
Merchant Maha Guru Member Join Date: Oct 2003 Location: New York Posts: 2,212	Short answer: there is no money in photography unless you shoot celebrities. Longer answer: if you create a niche for yourself, focusing on a particular region (not India, say, but Delhi) and a narrow specialization (like health care delivery in urban environments) and then (this is important) become an expert on the subject, you will find ways to leverage your materials into the press and earn commissions from NGOs, government agencies, etc. But this is not a lot of money. You will also have to do more than snap photos -- you will have to write profiles, conduct interviews, create multi-media pieces for online distribution, etc. Your photos will be just one component of the packages you create and (hopefully) sell. At the end of the day: there is no open market for travel photos or scenics. There are plenty of expert shooters who know exactly what advertising agencies and stock houses want, and there are technical issues beyond just taking the pictures. And these pictures aren't really "travel" photos -- they are glorified advertising shoots that just happen to use foreign countries and cultures as the milieu. But: if you find a way to tap a niche market for which there is some demand and add real value to what you create, you can sustain yourself financially (maybe, with some hard work and good fortune).

Aug 2nd, 2009, 06:59	#9
haal Fakiran da Whatmember Join Date: Aug 2009 Location: new jersey, Punta Arenas Posts: 37	Start small. Apprentice with someone who needs an assistant. Learn to find a niche. Food photography in a metropolis is enough to get you two square meals. b8b photography of a celeb gets you to drink KoolAid

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