Social and Event Photography

Each of these areas is very competitive but easy to enter. As long as you are a photographer who can deliver high quality images and maintain a great standard you are in with a fighting chance for success. If you are competitive, have a unique style and offer a great service there will always be room for you in the market.

Let’s take a look at some of these areas.

1. Wedding and Event Photography

I have always thought that the person who decides to become a wedding photography should see a shrink. You have to be a unique person who likes working under pressure because you are taking on a couple’s most important day and if you mess up there are no second chances. So, if you can take the pressure it’s the job for you. I remember with my own wedding, the photographer only delivered half the photos because of a problem. Yet, wedding photography can be extremely rewarding if you are a people person and like pressure. If you’re in the right area it can be extremely profitable and once you reputation grows there is an endless supply of work.

Now with event photography, the whole shoot is not as pressured and critical as the once in a lifetime special day. It is important and if you mess up you’ll lose a client but won’t destroy the most important day in a couple’s life. Events can be extremely profitable as it’s basically documenting the occasion. As long as you focus on quality and fulfill the client’s brief you ar away.

2. Portraiture

Gone are the days when you need a studio to take portraits. Situational portrait photography has increased dramatically and people like to be photographed in their own homes or places of work. Basic equipment is necessary such as portable lights, light boxes, flashes and reflectors and most times can be purchased in kit form. If necessary, a studio can be hired by the hour for those people who would like studio shots. But, don’t rely just on artificial lighting. Natural light with a bit of fill in flash with reflectors creates fantastic images and this is the type of lighting I prefer. Key here is to be flexible and to go where the clients are. It’s easier for you to get to a client than for a client to come to you and, it’s often more profitable.

3. Children

If you want to make money fairly easily then focus on children’s photography. If you go to a one hour photo lab and look at the images being printed you will find that a huge percentage are family shots of children. Grandparents, parents and aunts and uncles shoot millions of images a year so cash in on this area. In order to stand out you need to have your own style and experiment in order to find a way to distinguish yourself from other photographers. There is always room for another top quality children’s photographer. The great thing here is that you can freelance while still keeping another job until you can generate sufficient income to go full time.

4. Pet photography

Although this isn’t people photography, people hold pets very dear to there hearts and because of the limited lifespan of animals, people want to remember them. But, animals aren’t humans and most times won’t pose for you so you need to learn the tricks of trade in order to get great shots. It may take a little more time but you will be rewarded. Working with animals is just as interesting as working with people.

The area of social photography can be very rewarding financially because when the wedding calendar slows down you can pick up on your events, portraiture and children. Weddings tend to be held mostly on weekends so during the week you need to find other income sources. The interesting thing about weddings is that if you develop a good relationship with your couple, they will need you to photograph their children, pets and other events and are a great source of referrals. All of these fields interact which is why we term them as social photography. Work hard at networking and you are bound to get a good income.

Here are some tried and tested ways that will guarantee you an income if you are committed, work hard at it and persevere even when things get tough.

1. Sell your framed images

If you are able to shoot really great photos then think about getting a few framed and offering them to local stores. If they are good enough and framed appropriately they will sell. Go have a look at what other images are on sale. Check out the quality of the frame and the composition and see if you can match them. Match them I said, not copy.

2. Cafe art

Ask the owners of local cafe’s to decorate their walls with your images. They get free art to cover empty walls and you get to showcase your images and make a name for yourself locally. It’s a win/win situation and you have nothing to lose. If they don’t sell take them down and replace them with others until you find some that do.

3. Sell your photos on eBay.com

In the same way you sell them on the walls of cafes, sell them on eBay. Set up an eBay store, choose you best images and advertise them at reasonable prices. You can do this framed or unframed. It’s up to you how.

4. Submit to microstock sites

This is a relatively easy way to sell your images electronically if they are of a high quality. Don’t try to sell just anything. There is strong competition and you have to have a quality portfolio. This is a great passive income if you consistently shoot and submit on a regular basis.

5. Enter competitions

In our digital age there are just so many online competitions that are not geographically specific so you can enter from anywhere in the world. Don’t forget about your local competitions. Many offer cash prizes and if they don’t and you win there is always the boost it gives to your reputation.

6. Turn them into wallpaper

All of us at some stage have put quality images on PC desktops. Some of us have even bought images. There is quite a market on the internet for good quality desktop images so test the market and sell on eBay, Craigslist and Gumtree.

7. Open a Flickr account

There is just so much business being done on Flickr. Many photo buyers are leaving the microstock sites and approaching buyers directly on Flickr and paying really good prices for exclusive rights to specific images. So create a Flickr account and start a portfolio.

8. Social photography

Weddings, events, portrait and children’s photography make up social photography. It’s basically people photography and a bit of pets. Start shooting for friends and family and gradually you’ll start getting offered commissions to do specific events.

9. Create a photography book

There are just so many companies offering to publish your images in a great coffee table book. So when you shoot an event like a golden wedding anniversary or a child’s birthday, think about offering the final photos in the form of a professionally printed photo book. They are reasonably priced and a great final product.

10. Product photography

Approach local businesses and offer to shoot for their product catalogues, menus and real estate brochures. Some companies with limited budgets are looking for well priced alternatives to the commercial photographers so there is always a possibility if you can create great product images.

These are just some of the ideas that if you are prepared to spend some time and take some effort you will be able to make cash from your camera. Try one or few together and you might find that you are on your way to making a livelihood from your photos. Happy shooting!

It’s so easy to be so overly focused on your photography that you don’t realise there are possibilities beyond just shooting photos for pleasure. So maybe it’s time that you considered these possibilities and decide whether you could do this as a profession. It’s a hard world out there and the step from amateur pro is a tough one. What used to be a pleasurable experience now becomes your bread and butter and a daily grind if you are not careful. But, if you can answer these six key questions in your photography, then you stand a much better chance of going pro.

1.  Are you selling your images on a frequent basis?

If you are selling your images on a regular basis then you have a foot in the door because you are already making money from your hobby. There are many ways to sell your photos and if you are able to do this consistently, whether at a craft fair, as greeting cards, framed at art shops or for stock agencies, then by focusing on it full-time you’ll sell more.

2. Are you technically competent?

Are you able to create better images by changing depth of field, shutter speed and all the other more technical aspects of photography. If you don’t have to think before setting up your camera for a composition then you are halfway there. Does working out the correct exposure and lighting come naturally and does it result in great images? Then, you probably find that you are ready to test the professional waters. Competence with all the technical parts of photography is essential before making it your livelihood.

3. Can you market yourself and enjoy it at the same time?

A pro friend once said that his business was divided into three areas, 40% debt collecting and admin, 40% marketing and 20% actual photography. Now this may not be totally realistic, but what it does reveal is that marketing yourself is a big component of being a successful photographer. If marketing is a drag then maybe you should reconsider going pro and continuing as a hobbyist making money on the sideline.

4. Do your images have a creative edge?

In order to make a go in the tough world of commercial photography you need to stand out from the rest of the crowd, and, the only way to do this is to have a creative edge to your photos. A unique look, different perspective or freshness will all give you an advantage when vying for business. If you are head and shoulders above your peers then maybe you have something that will give you a competitive advantage, essential to any business venture.

5. Do you receive regular photoshoot requests?

Many photographers start out in the realm of weekend social photography. By this I mean weddings, social events, child and portrait photography and other family related photos. If people are booking you for parties, events and weddings in particular then it’s likely that this will continue if you turned pro. This is a major indicator that you are ready to go professional and make a living from your photography.

6. Are you passionate about photography?

And last but not least, do you have a real passion and excitement when you take photos? If it doesn’t make you heart jump then maybe you need to reconsider. Any creative pursuit needs underlying passion that will maintain you during the dry periods when things are slow. If there is a drive that gets you up in the morning to go out and shoot great images then that could be the final pointer that says you are ready for photography as a professional. I know a children’s photographer whose heart pounds from excitement on every shoot giving her the drive and passion for her work.

In order to make cash from your camera you need to be self-motivated and full of enthusiasm for what you do. You cannot open a business and put your feet up on the counter and expect the clients and money to roll in. It’s a tough process and you need to stick it out until the good times roll in. If you enjoy nothing more than taking photos all day, then you are already halfway along the road to success.

If you have the ability to write good quality articles, you will double your chances of getting images accepted by magazines and other publications. A well written article together with a series of great images illustrating the content will always attract the attention of an editor. Because editors are under pressure with deadlines they are inclined to accept articles with images over articles without images or images without and articles. This cuts down there workload and if you can make an editor happy then half the battle is won.

1. Quality is king

If your writing is not up to scratch then the first impression you are trying to make may not succeed. So make sure it has been proofread by someone else. Although some editors prefer to rewrite articles and are only looking for the content and images. When it comes to your photos there are no second chances. They must stand out head and shoulders above the rest otherwise you aren’t helping the editor. You only get one chance to make a good first impression.

2. Good research is key

Research your subjects well. Know them in detail and write like you know what you are talking about. Choose topics that you are competent with although you may need to do some additional research. Coupled with this is researching the magazines you want to submit to. Get to know the type of article they accept and the writing style of the contributors. Find out what they accept by visiting the websites and if necessary request their guidelines and then stick to them point by point.

3. Shoot your best

Once you know what subject you are going to write about, shoot images specific to that topic, the more specific the better. Focus on clear detailed images that will reflect the key aspects of what you are writing about. Only submit your best images. Rather submit one less image than include a photo not up to scratch. The editor will always request more if the need arises.

4. Knock on the right doors

Make sure that you know which publications accept which type of articles. If it’s a specialist gardening magazine then only articles and photos related to their speciality can be submitted. They will get rejected if they aren’t applicable. You will waste your time and the editor’s by submitting images that aren’t relevant.

5. Submit to only one magazine at a time

If you want to destroy your chances of working in the industry, then have the same article accepted by two magazines. They will never use your work again. Rather follow up on the submission and if it isn’t going to be used then submit to another publication. Ask the editor why it wasn’t accepted then polish it before submitting to another magazine.

Writing and photography combined can be a really lucrative source of income and you will earn you more than just submitting images. Once you establish yourself and create a portfolio/CV you will find that it becomes easier. Still, the bottom line is to never compromise on quality. If you aren’t up to scratch then take time to learn digital photography and its finer points. Happy shooting and writing!

Here are some careers that are not only enjoyable in themselves but will help as stepping stones to get further in the industry. Key to any photographer’s dreams is getting a foothold in the industry and gaining the necessary experience.

1. Photographic assistant

The humble photographer’s assistant is bottom of the food chain unfortunately, but, many of the world’s top photographers started out in this position. Being the general dog’s body for a photographer will see you learning the trade fast from the bottom up. A photography qualification is great but actually doing the job while being mentored by a professional photographer takes the cake in my view. You will gradually learn every aspect of the trade and gain valuable experience. The pay is bad and sometimes nothing but the experience beats all of that. If you are able to work for next to nothing then this one is for you.

2. Scientific photographer

This field is often coupled with research and educational institutions. Documenting the process of a study or research project or even the stages of an archaeological dig can be fascinating if you are that way inclined. There is not much scope for creativity because you are basically just recording a process that needs to be documented as accurately as possible. Your creativity is very limited and scope for your own personal style virtually zero. It is however a job in photography and will open other doors as well. Learn your trade well and it will prepare you for better things.

3. Forensic photography

This can be quite rewarding financially because there are many people willing to photograph the gruesome and gross of dead bodies and crime scenes. It takes a tough person to do this as you standby at a post mortem. Many times an allowance is paid just because it can be so disgusting. I know a photographer who makes a lot of money doing this but I personally couldn’t do it. I have another friend who moved from forensic photography into art photography based on his eye for detail and the ability to capture the reality of the situation. So this is a another good stepping stone.

4. Staff photographers

Many big businesses employ staff photographers these days especially those with large internet sites that need regular content. It becomes expensive to outsource this work so they resort to an inhouse photographer. This type of work can be quite broad from shooting products to documenting processes to events and company occasions. Often you would need to be part of the communications team and contribute to in house magazines, newsletters and some advertising campaigns.

You would need to be quite a generalists in order to meet all the requirements a company may need.

5. Cruise ship photographer

This is one that is always in demand and one that pays well. Basically your salary is for you to spend or save because all your needs are catered for. You are provided with accommodation, food and other basics onboard the cruise ship. You do tend to work long hours but the rewards are good. Besides your personal needs and a few luxuries you are able to save and work towards financing a business or photographic equipment. It is demanding and the work is quite repetitive and there isn’t a lot of scope for creativity. The big bonus is that you are able to shoot lots of personal images at great locations. If you shoot for stock then this one is for you as you will build a fantastic portfolio.

These are just a few of the many career paths you can take in the world of photography. As I have said, although you may not want remain one of these photographers, they do open doors and give you valuable experience which can be used as a stepping stone to further your career. What I would highly recommend is that you learn digital photography and fill in any gaps you might have.

1. Guerrilla marketing

Guerrilla marketing is key to any new small business. The lack of big advertising budgets prevents any small business from using traditional advertising methods. So guerrilla tactics it has to be. I would strongly recommend that you buy Jay Conrad Levinson’s book ‘Guerrilla Marketing”. It focuses on the use of business cards, trade exchanges, flyers, mail drops, radio, newspaper and magazine interviews and other free or low cost guerrilla methods. Place ads on mall bulletin boards, in free advertising newspapers and on websites like Gumtree, Craig’s list and similar local online classifieds. You can use low cost paid adverts in school newspapers and community publications but keep within a budget. Don’t spend more than you can afford until you find something that really works for you and is worth the cost.

2. Social media marketing

With the dawning of Facebook, MySpace and Twitter the increase in possibilities just through friends, family and acquaintances can be quite dramatic depending on the size of your network. Use your email address lists to spread the news through personalised mailing list systems such as MailChimp.com. Send out an email telling your friends and acquaintances about your new venture requesting them to tell others or refer people to you. Make it low key and not a hard sell advert. Look for affordable paid ads on these services.

3. Paid advertising

With the small budgets of a new business look for paid advertising opportunities that would suit your photography business. This needs to be carefully done as many of the advertising magazines and circulars need you to advertise to make them successful without great returns to you. Make sure that you know the distribution patterns and reader numbers and ask for hard evidence of this when considering the placement of an advert. Search for the ads of other well established photography businesses. If they are paying for these adverts then it is probably working for them and may work for you.

4. Offering your services for free

This is the last thing you may think of that would help market your business, but it does. By offering your services to a local charity or NGO you increase your visibility. Offer them to a school as a fundraising prize and exchange you get visibility in their literature and a perhaps a poster on their notice board. The same can be done for local magazines, newspapers and community radio stations. If you have free hours the marketing costs you nothing.

5. Billboard yourself

Place clear signage firstly at your business. People must see your business, understand what you do and find its location easily. Use your car as a mobile billboard with clear signage. Find locations where you can place mini boards at traffic intersections and on notice boards at malls and shopping centres. Then there are electronic signboards at centres and malls that are reasonably priced. The key here is to use as many locations as possible at the lowest possible cost to promote your business.

Marketing is the lifeblood of your business so take a fixed percentage of whatever your income is and use it to market. Don’t use the excuse of having to live off all your income. If a farmer eats his seed instead of sowing it his future is bleak. That same analogy goes for marketing budgets and your business.

Make marketing a habit. Always have a business card, brochure or flyer with you at all times and don’t be afraid to hand them out. Marketing your business or yourself should become a lifestyle, live it!

All of us who are photographers would love to make a regular income from the hobby or profession we love. None of us want to be told that it is difficult, it takes time and not many people make it. These dubious dealers give the impression that anyone can make money from their photos. Rubbish! If you take a look at the stock sites and see the quality of images for sale, you’ll realise that unless you are really talented you will never produce the quality that the buyers are looking for. Do yourself a favour. Do a search on the name of the ebook author who makes all of these claims using Google and then go to the major stock sites and do the same. Where are these authors making their money? From you! If it was so easy why don’t they have thousands of images on the stock sites? I rest my case.

Take a look at the guidelines for submission on the stock sites. Every last one of them requires a camera that takes a high resolution image. Some even state that they’ll only accept images taken on certain mid-range to high-end digital slrs. Don’t even think that you will be able to compete with your compact camera. You stand no chance. Your images are just not big enough.

I have been on seminars given by successful stock photographers from the microstock sites and all them state that it is tough, demands long hours of work and takes a long time to make a reasonable income. Some never make it despite quality, dedication and a lot of effort. It is not a part-time money making machine as claimed by the ebook authors.

If you don’t believe me go take a look at the forums dedicated to stock photography and you will see the discouragement and difficulties of would be stock photographers. All of them asking the same questions. Where did I go wrong? They went wrong by believing the promises of the ebook authors of the cash from your camera books.

So what does it really take to make money from your camera, if it is at all possible for the amateur? You have to make a decision to dedicate yourself to your photography even if it is part-time. Carefully consider the following points:

1. Dedication to the art of photography

If you are not a dedicated photographer striving for excellence in your art there is no real money to be made. Sorry that’s the bottom line. There are so many talented artists producing high quality images that you do not stand a chance if you cannot compete in this field. You need to up your standards and create images that are very high quality.

2. Dedication to detail

Every detail in your image needs to be perfect. This is what the buyer is looking for. He doesn’t come along and say, “now which poor point-and-shooter can I help make money today”? When a buyer is planning to put a photo on a billboard every detail must be perfect. Examine your images and ask yourself, “Would I see this image in a magazine?”

3. Dedication to quality

99.9% of snapshots won’t make it past the stock site evaluators. Their standards are very high. Sharpness, great colours and perfect composition are just some of the factors you must take into consideration when planning to sell your images. You have to be a photographer, either a pro or dedicated amateur regularly looking at the quality of your images and pushing the limits. Look at the books and magazines and compare your photos. Do they compete? If the answer is yes then you are getting close. The ebooks say that there are millions of people looking for photos for the school and class assignments or projects who will buy your images. Get real! If they have the opportunity to buy an ordinary snapshot or a high quality image shot by a top photographer both selling for a dollar, which would they choose?

4. Dedication to discipline

Discipline is key to any hobby or vocation and especially so with photography. You need to be discplined in your learning and improving your skills constantly. You need to be disciplined in your shooting and editing your images. And, you need to be disciplined in your submission of quality images to the stock libraries and photo sites. It’s a numbers game. The more quality content you have out in the market the more chance you have of buyers selecting your images. You cannot do it on a whim or when you feel motivated to do it. It is essential to have a commitment to the task and a disciplined overall process.

5. Dedicated to achieving results

If at first you don’t succeed try and try again. If at first you don’t get the results you desire don’t give up or try something else. Keep at it until you see results. It’s like the little green shoot popping its head above the soil or the tip of the iceberg. You are building the roots that will support the later growth of your business. If you don’t have a results driven motivation to see it to the end you will not achieve the success you set out to attain.

The formula the top stock photographers who are working at this full-time say they earn between $1 and $2 per image in their total portfolio per annum, i.e. if they have 10 000 images with a site they’ll earn on average $10 000 to $20 000 per year. Not the $6000 to $10000 per month the cash from your camera ebooks claim.

It’s a hard uphill road to success with photography. The photo world is competitive and saturated with good quality images. If you are to succeed you must break through the barrier from great to outstanding. You must stand head and shoulders above the rest in your quality and excellence. Your images must shout out to the buyer and catch his attention. If they don’t you will be relegated to page 700 and something on the stock website and there you will remain with all the other ordinary images never to be seen again. It is achievable, not as the cheap cash from your camera aurhors say it is, but as a result of hard work and excellence in your photography.