What are some ways to make money with taking photos?

What I'm looking for here is something for the rookies, where flawless composition and perfection that is a product of years and years skills isn't needed. Something that will allow me to be behind my camera and build some experience while making a few bucks.

What's out there?

For those requirements, you may find a locally-owned gift shop or restaurant that will display your photos as "decor" and have a "contact card". You would remit a fee or have the shop sell them and keep a commission.
Some places like hospitals, libraries and other venues may offer space but you will have to have a "portfolio" to show that your work is worthy. You will have expenses in matting and framing.
If you are into sports, you could contact youth sports groups about taking team and individual photos and offer prints (you better practice and be pretty good or you won't get "repeat" customers.

These are the best I can offer for rookies. If there is a photo club in your area, join it and possibly get in on a group show.

Offer portraits to friends, coworkers..and only charge them what it would cost to print plus a small markup for $ in your pocket. Or burn the photos to CD and charge $20/CD.

You could always check with Realtor's on photographing their houses they are listing

In a word... Blackmail!

chasrich wrote: In a word... Blackmail!

Is that legal?

Number 7 wrote:

chasrich wrote: In a word... Blackmail!

Is that legal?

If you have to ask then maybe this is not a good career path for you.

Maybe your local police department needs someone to take mug shots...

Number 7 wrote:

chasrich wrote: In a word... Blackmail!

Is that legal?

Cameras are considered contraband in jail.

Want to make some money? Take yourself and your camera with the appropiate lenses to all of the Youth and High School sports activities. Travel to all of the schools etc. Don't miss a game! Take photos of the activity and make sure you get some good action face shots! Photograph both teams the same way. Just when the game is almost over, walk around to each guest watching the game and hand them a card with your website on and explain that they can see the photo's from todays game and that can order prints if they like! It works and you can make some $$$$$.

Well from what I can see, you are new to at least owning DSLR. I have no idea how your photographs are. I'm going to assume fair, because you seem to eager to jump on that wagon to sell your work.

Your work needs to be excellent, professional to sell. To earn enough money for what you assume to think you should be getting.
Or
Your photo can be crap but price it cheap and people will buy.
Such as $10 for an 8x10 frame print. No matter the quality of the photo, if someone likes the subject, they will buy it.

I have my work in cosignment shops and have sold several. You could try that. Please know, with cosignments the owner takes about 50%. So if you want more then $10 per print, you have to mark it up to a decent price. If you mark it up too high, your work will never sell (of course depending how professional the photos are).

If you really want to make some extra $, shoot portraits/seniors, weddings, sports etc.. Overall portrait field brings in the money....compare to the snapshot of a flower.

Good replies John, Johnnie, Crystal..

Charles - good method for big money but it has some serious built-in hazards.. I know - I watch CSI occasionally!

Johnnie wrote: Want to make some money? Take yourself and your camera with the appropiate lenses to all of the Youth and High School sports activities. Travel to all of the schools etc. Don't miss a game! Take photos of the activity and make sure you get some good action face shots! Photograph both teams the same way. Just when the game is almost over, walk around to each guest watching the game and hand them a card with your website on and explain that they can see the photo's from todays game and that can order prints if they like! It works and you can make some $$$$$.

Hey that is a good idea, do you need model release forms on each of the players? What sort of pricing would you charge?

You might also try doctors offices with the card as well. Especially Plastic Surgeons offices. Most of their customers have money to blow. If you have any calm and serene scenes the a Dentists office. Also if you might try Postcards, or greeting cards if you can find a place to place them. Any way you look at it you will have to spend some cash to make it as is always the case.

The Original Daisy wrote:

Johnnie wrote: Want to make some money? Take yourself and your camera with the appropiate lenses to all of the Youth and High School sports activities. Travel to all of the schools etc. Don't miss a game! Take photos of the activity and make sure you get some good action face shots! Photograph both teams the same way. Just when the game is almost over, walk around to each guest watching the game and hand them a card with your website on and explain that they can see the photo's from todays game and that can order prints if they like! It works and you can make some $$$$$.

Hey that is a good idea, do you need model release forms on each of the players? What sort of pricing would you charge?

I'm interested in knowing this also, would model request forms be needed?