A Living With Photography

[Ishyid]

Just out of curiosity, how hard is it to make a living with photography?

[jatma]

I'm not a "real making a living" photographer.

but as with any business that is selfemployed - it will take lots of hard work, self discipline, probably some missed family events and long work weeks.

[Jim Bryant]

Originally Posted by Ishyid

Just out of curiosity, how hard is it to make a living with photography?

Very hard, unless you know what the hell you are doing. Got to take professional pictures, have the correct camera and lighting equipment, professional looking website with examples of a variety of portraits (not just those only of one or two kids), and really, really need to have a knowledge of photography business and what to charge for you services.

It's not one of these professions where you get a DSLR and two months later want to start making money. You have to know your equipment inside and out, what the various S-stops and shutter speeds can do for you.

Takes years of training and experience to become successful in this business.

[Ishyid]

Originally Posted by Jim Bryant

Very hard, unless you know what the hell you are doing. Got to take professional pictures, have the correct camera and lighting equipment, professional looking website with examples of a variety of portraits (not just those only of one or two kids), and really, really need to have a knowledge of photography business and what to charge for you services.

It's not one of these professions where you get a DSLR and two months later want to start making money. You have to know your equipment inside and out, what the various S-stops and shutter speeds can do for you.

Takes years of training and experience to become successful in this business.

I'm not in any way thinking of trying to make money right now. I was just curious of how hard it actually is to make money.

[m.c.adams]

Oh, boy! The $65,000.00 question. Well, in my own opinion, not to offend anyone, right now I think it probably one of the hardest things in the world to do. With todays digital cameras being so easy and cheap to use (no cost for film or developing), its getting pretty simple to produce nice images. That being said, now everyones brother, mom, neighbor has a camera, and will take shots of your wedding, birthday party, bar mitzvah for $20.00 and a six pack to get their name "out there", whereever out there is. I'm guessing that making a living would be rather tough. Just my opinion though.
Mark

[Melinda]

I think with the economy the way it is right now it may be hard for those starting out...like me. My mentor is getting another job because her business has slowed so much, and she wants health care provided which is costly.

[Jim Poor]

Even in this economy, my business is growing by leaps and bounds. If things stay as they are right now with no growth at all for the rest of 2009, I'll make just over four times what I made last year.

That being said, four times way too little is still probably not enough

The answer to the original question is (as is the case for most questions) "It depends."

Depends on what?
How good you are at the technical side, the creative side, the people side, the business side and a whole lot more.

Originally Posted by Melinda

I think with the economy the way it is right now it may be hard for those starting out...like me. My mentor is getting another job because her business has slowed so much, and she wants health care provided which is costly.

[Melinda]

I agree...I think I have more business then my mentor right now. But I am a bit more creative and modern

[navcom]

My personal opinion is that it is no different than any other business. You need to know how to produce your product or service professionally. It's no different than if you are running a day care, a heating/air conditioning business, or taking photographs. But there is some things that every successful business shares.

The economy is constantly changing, which sooner or later effects every business. This in and of itself is not necessarily an excuse to avoid a business. Some businesses thrive during an economic downturn because they snatch up market share from those who are not competitive/prepared or just doing it for a hobby. Knowing how to carve out your niche can protect you a lot here.

Technology is also constantly changing, which affects every business, not just digital photographers. Just because everyone has a digital camera doesn't mean there isn't a market for the professional. Everyone having access to a digital camera just means there are more ametuer photographers. These don't necessarily translate into more competition for the pro. A pro knows the trade and knows how to use the technology to his/her advantage. This is where knowing your market is important.

And the most important thing every business shares is the ability to successfully "run a business". While a product or service is required to have a business, it's just as important to know how to market it, sell it, pay taxes on it, insure it, etc. Quite honestly, the product or service you offer is only a small part of 'business". You will spend just as much time (or more) "running" a business than producing a product. Knowing how to sell and market your product/service and remain successful doing it is where the meat of it is at. It's why there are some people who can make money in business regardless of what they are selling or providing. They know how to run a business and the product or service is secondary. It's also why many very talented people fail at business. They are really just trying to make money on their hobby and don't focus on running a business.

I personally know a very talented woodworker who failed miserably at business. I also know a very mediocre woodworker who is extremely successful at the same thing. The difference is the mediocre fella focused on running a successful woodworking business while the talented woodworker focused on just woodworking.

[Jim Poor]

It's no different than if you are running a day care, a heating/air conditioning business, or taking photographs . . .

This is the only part of your post I disagree with. The difference is that day care, and heating and cool are necessities where photography, in most cases, is a luxury.

Everything else you said applies doubly so because of that slight difference.