Can You Make Money as a Photographer?
I’m back by the way! My self imposed hiatus was more of a move back from Seattle to Phoenix so I can get to school for my last year.
If you ever see me, I will never have this much cash on hand. Phoenix, 2017
I am frequently asked how to turn a camera and an addiction for photography into some sort of consistent money. My answer is often; meet lots of people, tell everyone you are a photographer, take the time to be good, and don’t turn down random shoots. Networking and being friendly is the most valuable asset everyone has and it costs nearly nothing. Let’s be real, you’re only going to find money and work if you look for it. Selling prints and booking gigs come from making b2b sales calls, waking into business and putting your self out there, and frankly most people do not want to do any of that. There are plenty of below average photographers and videographers who make comfortable livings because they know how to sell. Never fear, being good always helps, and having a portfolio that speaks of how good your work has been is super important.
Do you need a resume?
I seldom use mine to book actual paying gigs, and I mean 2/10 times, but that is reason enough to have one, so gather up what you consider to be notable work experiences you have and crank one out. If you are just starting to be a photographer, and don’t actually have enough experience to put a resume together, get an internship or gigs purely off of the strength of your portfolio, and build from there. As another side note, some of the higher paying gigs I have ever secured did indeed require a resume.
Money?
If you ever see me, I will never have this much cash on hand. Phoenix, 2017
Well, I am 21 and my LLC exists just fine, so if you are older and thinking of leaving a job there is a path for you to make money, and if you are younger than me DO NOT START A BUSINESS YET. I started nikpictures.com probably far too early and my family and friends like to ask me what if the business fails. It probably will, that isn’t the point, I’ll start another one, and if this one lasts at least a few years it will be a raging success. I am not picky, in finding work, I consider my most serious ventures print selling and individual client shoots, but the endless realm of internet product photography and I are definitely well acquainted. As I said earlier about not denying random shoots, I do not discriminate in how I build my base, and the grind is by no means glamorous.
Long story short, if you started being a photographer for the sole purpose of making money stop right now. The amount of lame one off jobs will bore you to death if your heart isn’t truly in it, and it discourages people who truly love photography all the time. If you are a photography lover and you are addicted to it like I am, there is money to be found if you are willing to roll with the 25 rejections before one yes. I imagine as I get older and better the jobs will grow in size and quality and I feel very excited to be on the track that I am on, I seek new challenges, and love the idea of a shoot so big that I have to rent gear and recruit/hire people into it.
This is an exciting business and I am lucky to be a part of it.