Wham blam dammit, why can't photography pay more?

[Deja Q]

I've literally had 50 people tell me I should become a professional photographer.

But there's no money in it.

*snort* whine, tantrum, grumble, *pee*.

Oh well. Back to certification studying, for an industry that everybody knows practices age discrimination.

/cynicalgenXmode

[billyskank]

1. Nothing worthwhile pays any more.

Some people tell me I should become an artist. Like hell I will. I need to eat. Not that programming makes one wealthy - it doesn't. No productive jobs pay well.

[CGowen]

2. The days of Bunny Yeager are probably over. n/t

[Tyler Durden]

3. Took me over 35 years to finally get a good paying job.

And even at that I'll never get enough put aside to make it above social security.

Don't feel too bad.

[gmoney]

4. Yeah, me too...

It seems unless you want to do weddings, family portraits or other pornography, it's a super longshot if you can make money at it.

Sort of like trying to make a living as a musician.

I've also noticed that most of the people who tell me that have NOT even bought a copy of my book or a print or ever offered to hire me.

[Deja Q]

5. It IS a way to improve social skills...

But some personality types get drained over too much "extroverting time".

Yeah, there are plenty of things people can do to make money - in theory - but the argument is as much for those with limited capabilities as it is pursuing one's dreams.

Kinda hard to be free and brave, living on lint with the hope of eating grade A steaks with 0 return...

[gmoney]

6. There's also the argument that it would take the fun out of it

Turning a beloved hobby into one's "day job" creates a huge risk that you'll grow to dislike it as much as any other job.

I like shooting, and I'm building up a body of work, and hopefully, I can find a way to start marketing the work and have IT earn income, rather than me having to hustle and collect fees and charge by the hour for retouching and wondering how much one can ethically mark up prints.

[graywarrior]

7. Well, you should become a contestant on The Shot

Then you could win $250,000 and a photog career.

The Shot is my favorite show right now.

[datasuspect]

8. photography CAN pay

set up shop in a gentrified urban area. the yuppies will pay a premium for you to take pictures of their children and dogs.

porn is a good gig too.

[Bennyboy]

9. It can BUT,

You gotta want to do "types" of photography. I have made money with Horses. Show horses, jumping horses, cutting horses etc. The owners pay HUGE money for shots of their horses. (150+ for 8X10's).

Auto racing too.

Food is another way. Commerical photography is great for buckage.

But I am sure you mean to be a photographer and sell your work without any "type". You can do that also. From April to Dec there are street fairs,art festivals all over your area where you can sell your work. Frame it up yourself, by buying frames at a wholesale framer (you actually will make more on the frames)and assembling, matting etc yourself. Do postcards and notecards of your ten best shots, this will pay for your space at every festival you attend.

Be sure to have at least three sizes of your work availble all fully framed, matted or photo with backing. Use photo bags for storage.

Use an easy-up, with walls and one of the art work display wall systems. Do not try to build your own, they never tuurn out as nice and cheapen your work. Use nice lighting. Have bins for unframed work and cover the walls with framed pieces.

Always have some frames avaiable to build on site (the black metal frames are good for this).