how do i make money from photography?

Question

i am a keen photographer, and i have just bought a digi slr camera, can anyone tell me some good honest ways of making money from photography?

Answer 1

Try

http://www.iStockPhoto.com

and

http://www.CitizenImage.com

Answer 2

1. You don't need to spend $20-$50k! Bollocks.
Decide which area of photography interests you most before you spend big bucks.

2. Do a course - even a short course, one that covers the areas you are interested in.

3. If you are serious get a decent camera, at least a couple of good lenses, a flash dedicated to that camera and practice like hell .
You don't need a film camera - the better digi cameras like the EOS 5D or 1Ds are good enough for most types of photography unless you're shooting great big high res. posters.
Medium format digi is way too expensive unless you're established and already making $$$$$$

4. Market yourself. - Get a portfolio together. Get it criticised and improved. Get your photos online on a website. Print business cards. Print flyers that show your work. Visit (not just phone) potential clients - they will remember you much more.
5. Get yourself in the business directories.

6. Make sure you're not demanding unrealistic fees - and not underselling yourself either. Research your market

7. Don't become obsessed with image quality. Quality is important but if you have a deadline don't overlook that just to get every shot perfect

Answer 3

The big money in photography (HONEST photography, not the sleazy popiratzi) comes from photos taken on film. It also comes from the people with scads of talent and whom are little more than extensions of their cameras.

If you want to stay in one place and sell photographs, you'll not have much luck.

In any case, if you are serious, you'll probably need about $20-50,000 worth of equipment, then you'll need a studio, a dark room, a professional printing set-up, and a portfolio (start snapping). The big money (if that is what you are looking for) is in Fashion Photography. You will likely have to start with portrait and wedding photography like everyone else.

Otherwise, you'll take thousands of photos and you *may* make money on one lucky shot.

Don't forget, even the best photogs take a minimum of a roll or two of photos for every one that sees print. Or, for the shots that digital is good enough for, they will fill card after card looking for the one shot they want. You then have to go through every single frame you've shot to find the one that will make the money.

Finally...if you haven't already...take courses at the local Community College, or even sign-up for classes offered by the local Department of Recreation. Learn everything you can about taking *good* (or even *GREAT*) photos as opposed to "whatever" photos!!

Answer 4

I've done photography for about 5-6 years now on all sorts of shoots from modeling to working with national geographic photographers, and with all honesty the best way to be able to make money is by
1. investing lots money. photography isn't cheap one photo shoot for a modeling company can cost you up $5,000 and more just for lighting and other equipment. in a year $12,000. just for rentals per year about $40,000. a really good pro camera especially an SLR can cost from $2,000-5,000, but digital or film is your own taste.

2 is building up your portfolio and constantly updating it, never throw away old pictures keep them, if you run out of space in your portfolio get a new one etc... on a typical National Geographic shoot a photographer will go through about 1,000 rolls of film out of that 1,000 maybe only 2 will get published, the rest go into a portfolio. also is you have an eye in one area great but if you have an interest in multiple areas go for it being multi talented is great and highly smiled upon.

3. is having connections. you want to have good networks and good networking skills. the people you meet in the industry are the people that may be working with you and help you get noticed by companies, both private and public. get yourself noticed put out a resume and portfolio to companies you would like to work with or are interested in. let people know who you are and that you have skills. good luck

Answer 5

too many at it now and not all good photography so you wont get far especially with just a digi