Business vs. Photography

[ChrisAdval]

I've heard from many famous photographers say the smallest aspect of their photography business has very little to do with photography itself. And from my own observations many photographers in their photography business may be very good at photography or not... Literally any level of photographer can be running a profitable photography business in many cases. Of course this would depend on your market you're in at the time, your competition, and geographic area.

To those on the forums that are running a photography business, what was the goal for you when you started up your business? Was it the business aspects or photography? How did you know when was the right time to go and start-up a photography for yourself?

Originally Posted by ChrisAdval

I've heard from many famous photographers say the smallest aspect of their photography business has very little to do with photography itself. And from my own observations many photographers in their photography business may be very good at photography or not... Literally any level of photographer can be running a profitable photography business in many cases. Of course this would depend on your market you're in at the time, your competition, and geographic area.

Are you?

To those on the forums that are running a photography business, what was the goal for you when you started up your business? Was it the business aspects or photography? How did you know when was the right time to go and start-up a photography for yourself?

The right time to go was when an editor contacted me and asked me to work for him.

[andyw]

Originally Posted by ChrisAdval

....... Literally any level of photographer can be running a profitable photography business in many cases.

What on earth does that mean??

Literally any ..... in many cases???

If it was literally any then all photography businesses would, according to that be profitable which is patently not the case.

I know many very very talented photographers who could not run a booze up in a brewery let along a business of any description and I know many successful businessmen/women who would struggle with photography or running a photography business.

Running a successful photography business means you must be a skilled photographer as well as a skilled business/marketing person. Well, at least if you are running a one man band or small outfit.

Originally Posted by ChrisAdval

To those on the forums that are running a photography business, what was the goal for you when you started up your business? Was it the business aspects or photography? How did you know when was the right time to go and start-up a photography for yourself?

I had no specific goal except to make enough money to live on at the time.
I started out professionally because I had enough jobs which would earn me enough money to go into it full time.
My goals have only ever been to make enough money to keep me and my family comfortable.