nature photography

[Rina Minca]

Hi, I'm just starting, but I'd like to know what types of markets there are out there for nature photography. That's what I like and I'm not really good (yet) at any other type of photography. I'm also a little shy of people so portraiture, although sounds exciting, would be a big leap for me emotionally.
So, any ideas? Any people who are doing anything with nature photography and making money on it?

Thanks for your help.

[capturedbybrooke]

I would like to know this as well! It seems like you have to know someone who knows someone or get lucky somehow that the right people see your photos. My passion is nature & wildlife photography, but I do portraiture so I can fund my photography equipment, etc. I thought I was too shy and not enough of a people person to do portraits, but the more I do it, the more I like it! And I'm going into business for it now (part-time). But if I could get a contract with National Geographic, I would be in heaven!!

[Jim Poor]

I got my start in Nature Photography and still play at it from time to time.

The money in nature work is hard to come by. That's why all the best nature photographers make their money teaching, leading tours or sellilng gadgets to the rest of the wannabe nature photographers.

Publication is one source of income for a nature photographer. Check into the current edition of Photographers' Market for some ideas.

[Rina Minca]

Originally Posted by Jim Poor

I got my start in Nature Photography and still play at it from time to time.

The money in nature work is hard to come by. That's why all the best nature photographers make their money teaching, leading tours or sellilng gadgets to the rest of the wannabe nature photographers.

Publication is one source of income for a nature photographer. Check into the current edition of Photographers' Market for some ideas.

Tanks, how are you making money from photography now?

[Jim Poor]

Originally Posted by Rina Minca

Tanks, how are you making money from photography now?

Pet portraits and dog sports.

I would think it would be pretty hard to make money from landscape/wildlife photography. You might try selling some photos to micro-stock companies, but I wouldn't expect to get rich from it....maybe a $1 or two a day. They take all sorts of crap (as long as it's in focus and low noise), and people buy all sorts of crap.

You can try selling prints locally, but unless they really stand out, you probably won't sell too many of those either. I currently have a few prints in a shop that really stand out (one photo has almost 1,000 Flickr favs), but I haven't sold a single one in the three weeks they've been up. The shop owners even tell me that everyone comments on them when they come in, but nobody buys one.

[LeeR]

I found it interesting that Getty Images has opened an account on flickr inviting amatuers to submit photos for possible publication. Is it just me or does this mean that they are now going to be able to buy images on the cheap from amatuers who are just happy to see the byline? Why would they pay hundreds of dollars to send a pro to do a shoot when they can pay a fraction of the price to an amatuer who just happens to live in the area and just happened to get lucky with a shot? If that is the case, and I am pretty sure it is, then this is a real blow to the profession of photography. It won't eliminate freelance work, but there sure will be a lot fewer people doing it.

[Jim Bryant]

Originally Posted by LeeR

I found it interesting that Getty Images has opened an account on flickr inviting amatuers to submit photos for possible publication. Is it just me or does this mean that they are now going to be able to buy images on the cheap from amatuers who are just happy to see the byline? Why would they pay hundreds of dollars to send a pro to do a shoot when they can pay a fraction of the price to an amatuer who just happens to live in the area and just happened to get lucky with a shot? If that is the case, and I am pretty sure it is, then this is a real blow to the profession of photography. It won't eliminate freelance work, but there sure will be a lot fewer people doing it.

Yup.......that what it mean.

[Gazer]

Originally Posted by LeeR

I found it interesting that Getty Images has opened an account on flickr inviting amatuers to submit photos for possible publication. Is it just me or does this mean that they are now going to be able to buy images on the cheap from amatuers who are just happy to see the byline? Why would they pay hundreds of dollars to send a pro to do a shoot when they can pay a fraction of the price to an amatuer who just happens to live in the area and just happened to get lucky with a shot? If that is the case, and I am pretty sure it is, then this is a real blow to the profession of photography. It won't eliminate freelance work, but there sure will be a lot fewer people doing it.

Inevitable with the advent of photographic technology.

[Rina Minca]

Thanks, everyone!
Just for the record, I've been doing some research. I have not been loooking at constant jobs, but more freelance work. There are a lot of wall decor places, greeting cards, and calendars which take freelance photographers' images. I looked into a bunch and I found that it could be pretty steady work if you have what they are looking for.