Making Money from Photography... How is it done?

[Kielan]

So I thought this would be a good thread to get on here, because I know there are many photographers who make money for what they do, and there are many who are looking to monetize their skill/talent as well.

So... Who wants to start?

[JSanders]

Stock photos.

Take picture, upload it to shutterstock.com or similar, get paid everytime photo is downloaded.

edit: Here's a video explain in detail how it all works. http://submit.shutterstock.com/tutorial/

[Bimmerteck]

I shot and submitted to iStock, shot weddings locally with a friend who's a full timer, was asked to shoot for a few magazines here and there still don't have enough income continuoulsy to make it a job but it supports itself which keeps the wife happy.

[Kielan]

I'm not looking to make a ton of money, just some money on the side, I have a full time job during the summer, so really I wouldn't mind doing something like this on the side, say spend a Saturday shooting.

[Hdrasta]

check out CL under the gigs section. there's usually someone looking for a photographer.

[Aitch]

1. Take photos
2. Post online
3. ???
4. PROFIT!




Seriously - first, figure out what your niche is. What you really love taking photos of. If you don't have one, keep shooting for free at different types of events.

Then you have to figure out how you're going to market yourself to your target audience. If you like shooting car features, keep posting on all your favourite forums. I decided I wanted to focus on weddings, which meant getting a good website together and starting to blog (which I've been slacking on recently), then getting inbound links and playing the SEO game. At the same time working to have friends and past clients recommend me - word of mouth is big, so also don't underestimate social networking.

Really, the type of photography you want to do will drive your approach to getting clients.

[grundle]

Engagement shoots and weddings r where the dollars are jasmin star charges like ten grand a pop tough business to get into tho because every tom dick and harry does it

Build a respectable and diverse portfolio that shows people you can do it all and advertise a ton...if you throw enough shit at the wall something will stick

[LuckyBoyOne3]

Imma buy a nice camera... advertise on CL for girls that want to "build their portfolio in exchange for helping me build mine" shoot nudes of craigslist skanks... pure profitzzz... hj, zj, bj = christmas bonus

[thehillshavestis]

Imma buy a nice camera... advertise on CL for girls that want to "build their portfolio in exchange for helping me build mine" shoot nudes of craigslist skanks... pure profitzzz... hj, zj, bj = christmas bonus

i like your style.

yea i mean put your self out htere. you can also do favors, like offer the shoot for free and say they like the pics, you charge them for the photos they want. it will build your portfolio and gain you experience at the same time with out obligating them to anything. if your pics come out good and they like them, then you start to make money. and from the pics ive seen from you, i dont think youll have much of a problem.

[motocaddy]

porn. there's a ton of it out there, so the money is there somewhere!

[NikoR.]

i can get more info but i know a guy that was Mohegan suns photographer and i know that the casino owed the photos and he gets a cut or something like, he could of made stupid money if he owned the photos he had

[wagonist]

Celebrity crotch shots where the money's at...

[kramerbuccs24]

turning a hobby you're good at into a part-time gig FTMFW. detailing served me very well