When did you know it was time to move your photography from hobby to a business?

9 years 2 months ago #424401 by Roy Wilson

Jessa Layton wrote: When I started getting multiple job requests, and I was mentally ready and financially ready.  



+1 agree

Canon 5D Mark II, 30D, 40D, 50 1.2L, 16-35 2.8L Mark II, 24-105 4L IS, 24-70 2.8L, 70-200 2.8L IS, 85 1.8, 4 x 580 EX(II)
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9 years 2 months ago #425060 by Joslyn
Thanks again for your advice 


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9 years 2 months ago #425194 by Master Photograffer
When the first buck came in the door, it was time 


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9 years 2 months ago - 9 years 2 months ago #426072 by Kevin W. E.
The quickest way to turn something you love into something you detest is to make it your job.
So my answer is NEVER! And I will never consider it. (Small side jobs are a different story)

It's not about the shooting, it's about all the other aspects that come with running a business that could ruin your love for photography.


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9 years 2 months ago #426084 by RobWood
I do the occasional photography job for pay, when the right opportunity comes along, and it's a subject I have a personal interest in. Over the years, I've gone on assignment for special-interest magazines to cover events that I would have gone to, anyway. The magazines paid my expenses, and paid a modest but sufficient amount for the photos they used, plus an additional amount for writing the article. 

These days, I sell the occasional print for framing, and get paid for shots I take for the web development work my company does. But mostly, I shoot what I want, when I want. It's my art, I suppose you could say. I enjoy my life, and I can talk about the ins and outs of starting and running a legitimate business, vs simply enjoying your creative medium.

I know there are people who start out as hobbiests in a particular field, and then morph into being successful businesspeople, but I'm not one of them. I've allowed myself to "fall" into business via my passions in the past, and they all eventually failed. Why? Because my passions were about creating art - not sitting at a desk running a business.

Unless you are at least as passionate about business as you are about photography, my advice is: stick with what you know and love.


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