how do you make a living being a landscape and architectural photographer?

Answer 1

experience. everyone has to start at the bottom, and because being a photographer is a freelance career you gotta know some people. Study the area you want to work in. buy books, make a portfolio and go to companies. In the photography business you have to be willing to do all the work yourself.

or you could get an agent which costs **** loads of money

Answer 2

First you need to go out and shoot and have the proper equipment to do it. For architectural photography you either need to have PC lenses if working with a DSLR, 35mm or medium format camera. If working 4x5 inch you are fine because you will have the bellows to do that for you. You will also have to really control your lighting for indoor work and outdoor. If you have a real nice house start with yours, a friend or somebody that will let you shoot (you can always offer them copies or something). This also goes for fancy office buildings inside and out and don't forget to shoot at night it gives a different mood.

Find some of the consumer magazines and trade magazines on this subject for more info look at the "2007 Photographers Market" handbook (amazon.com).

You will need a website so people can see your work, sometimes these magazines contact a photographer in the local area to do the shooting than to send one.

As for the landscape photography some of the same info applies. Check the guidebook mentioned above for more info and contact information. You have stock agencies, calendars, posters, post cards. books... etc.

I hope this helps,
Kevin

Answer 3

thru self promotion. Set up a portfolio and approach organizations that are responsible for parks and buildings and see if they are willing to hire you to photograph their buildings/parks for them.

Create your own line of postcards of your chosen subject matter and sell them on your own (be careful, some organizations have sole rights to market certain landmarks).

Open up an account at a stock photo website and post photos that you will let others use for a price.