Is there money in photography

9 years 5 months ago #414962 by Chris Ly
I'm planning for 2015 and 2016 and trying to decide should I make a serious go at making a living from photography or keep it as a hobby. The company I'm working for right now is downsizing Q1 and Q2 of 2015 and my job isn't exactly nailed to the floor.  So I either need to start putting my resume out there, or see if I can get my camera making some bucks for me.  

Any suggestions would be appreciated.  Thank you


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9 years 5 months ago #414972 by garyrhook
If you do not know enough to answer that question on your own, keep your day job. You have a lot to learn about both photography and running a business.


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9 years 5 months ago #414973 by stuartsbarbie
I am sorry, I cannot help answer your question, but there are a lot of articles on this site on that subject.  I would suggest you read some of them.  It can be scary to jump feet first into a new venture.  I suggest you read up on the subject by people who are positive and want to help, then make that decision. Good luck on whatever you decide.


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9 years 5 months ago #415088 by Moe
Loaded question, it all depends on how good you are and how well you market.  


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9 years 5 months ago #415106 by Screamin Scott
The answer is "it depends".... On your abilities, not only as a photographer but also as a marketer. You need business acumen to be successful as well  photographic skills. A lot also depends on what field you are looking to enter (naturally commercial pays the best but is the most difficult to break into)...

Scott Ditzel Photography

www.flickr.com/photos/screaminscott/

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9 years 5 months ago #415129 by effron
"Is there money in photography?"....Simply.....no.

Why so serious?
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9 years 5 months ago #415131 by icepics
http://asmp.org has info about what's involved in photography as a business, or try PPA. You could look at the Photo District News as well.  http://www.pdnonline.com .

If anything it seems like photographers are challenged in today's market and by much of the apparent underpricing by people listing themselves as photographers on sites like Facebook and Craigslist. You'd probably need to do some research into it to see if it's a realistic possibility as fulltime work.

Sharon
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9 years 5 months ago #415135 by Joves
I would start typing your resume. As Gary said if you have to ask then you need to keep your day job. The best way to start any business is to use your regular job until your business can stand on its own. In the case of photography you can start using week-ends to get it going. I worked construction, and did side jobs which is what my business was for a while when I went full time into it. I gave up mostly because I was working more than I had starting the business, than when I first started. That and finding good employees was a total PITA. After a couple of years I decided that I liked working for somebody else, because then the only stress I had was making it on time, and getting my work done. When you work for yourself you will find that getting enough work is work in itself.
Photography right now is a very rough business to be in. The market is so fluid that it is like running a white water section in a river, very rough, and you could be drowned quickly.


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