Photography Career Advice

[kiwi]

Hi Zeke, where diod you get those stats ? Im interested

[Dan Cripps]

Hi Zeke, where diod you get those stats ? Im interested

A well connected photographer friend who conducts photography business seminars across the world has accessed the research fairly recently. I would have to have a chat to him to get the official source documentation, but what he has told me matches every anecdotal instance I have come across both here in my market and across the rest of the country.

Basically, when done right the rewards are there but the vast majority of operators never seem to make ends meet.

[kiwi]

i guess im interested to know if the research is talking about ft photographers

[JzB]

Im no pro, however I do an advocate anyone that wants to follow their wishes, because nothing is impossible, well maybe becoming an astronaught... sorry where was I?

One piece of advice which I havent seen dispensed yet (amongst a lot of great comments) is that you need to work on your strengths. I hear you ask "what do you mean?" Well take a look at your trade and many years of experience in that industry. You must have a lot of contacts... now think how you can integrate that into you choice for the future

Industrial Photography? Maybe consider offering some of your many contacts some marketing material (start of cheap or free?)

I am continually amazed at industrial companies who use photos which they have snapped away themselves in their brochures, websites, proposals... the list goes on.

Sometimes all it takes is a sample to help them understand how much better they can look with a half decent picture (and eventually many great images). Remember the old saying, "A picture is worth a 1000 words".

So in a nutshell... draw on your strengths, consider what you have beyond the majority (there is always something) and use that to propell yourself beyond the competition.

Good Luck!

[Steve Axford]

It all depends on what sort of remuneration you seek in response to your full time endeavor.

Of all the thousands of professional photographers in Australia, only about 5% are taking home the current average Australian salary. That means only 1 in 20 professional photographers are even hitting an average income.

In context, it means that 95 out of every 100 professional photographers don't make an average wage.

The truly remarkable aspect to those somewhat scary statistics is that the quality of work produced doesn't generally equate to those who earn well and those who don't.

It's business first and foremost.

That certainly fits with my perception of things. I once looked at becoming a professional photographer, but soon came to the realisation that I could make more money doing other things. For me to continue taking the photos I liked taking I was best to not worry about the money. If I happened to like a field of photography that did make money occasionally - great. But I have learnt not to rely on it, nor to rate photos on how much money they make.

I think I'd change your last statement from "It's business first and foremost" to "It's all and only business". I can't see that anyone(except the rarest of the rare) relying on photography to pay the bills can really worry about anything except what the customer wants. Most of us here are lucky because we don't rely on photography for anything. We can focus on skills and artistic stuff that is only of value to the pro when it produces more in sales.

[Jorge Arguello]

Hello Dave:

I am sorry about your injuries, specially that they stop you from your main support activity.

I consider your question very sensitive. I don’t have a big advise (the above ones are really good!) than share my point of view that applies to any professional area:

The easiest and cheapest way to start any business is when you already have one client. It helps you to drive in the initial path, and the recommendation for the next client.

I wish you all the best on any activity you chose, especially if it is photography related.

[Redgum]

I think I'd change your last statement from "It's business first and foremost" to "It's all and only business". I can't see that anyone(except the rarest of the rare) relying on photography to pay the bills can really worry about anything except what the customer wants. Most of us here are lucky because we don't rely on photography for anything. We can focus on skills and artistic stuff that is only of value to the pro when it produces more in sales.

Steve (and Zeke) you're both spot on. You need a good handle on business and you can buy the talent if necessary (tog).
It's interesting to read through this thread and see how narrow most are with their perception of photography as a profession. Weddings, studio, prints, sport etc., are generally areas that suffer the greatest failure rates but there are more lucrative gigs. Doing photos for mags and newspapers can easily turnover $3k a week, often a lot more. Corporate and government work (low end) can achieve $5k to $7k per week and as you get experience with your business model you can move up the ranks and treble that income with high end publishers etc. If you turn over $1million per year, which is not hard if you do your homework, your take home is going to be around $200k per annum. It only took me about five years to get there and photography is my second string to filmmaking.
Like Rick said, the skill is in the planning and getting your tail in the air and actually doing something.
All the ideas you've seen so far are useful but in the end you have to do the yards and decide how to tackle the issue. What you do as a profession is not important, the same rules apply for any endeavour.

[Duane Pipe]

Thanks for all the replies guys , at the moment I haven't got time to go through them. I will check back later. cheers Dave...

[Duane Pipe]

Gooday. As for the for the income from photography, It would be great to make the wages that you speak of Redgum, but for now anything above Centre link payments would be a good start for me. Fantasyphoto, yeah your dam right" You can't even take pics of your own kids at school concerts now days. Flexi renting new camera gear might not be a bad idea as it is 100% tax deductable, and I would say courses also. The advice and information you guys have given is fantastic and encouraging. I have looked at some tafe cources,they have a basic marketing course that gets you started, A very basic camera course, But I have no doubt that I would learn more here.. Thank you all again Cheers Dave...

[RaoulIsidro]

Sorry to hear about your injuries, Dave.
Photography as a business or profession may also be physicaly demanding, and you should also consider this aspect.
A wedding may take the whole day and into the night. Equipment IS heavy, even with an assistant on tow.
A wedding photographer mate of mine retired prematurely because of a troubled back injury due to lugging gear. He switched to studio and product photography.
Another mate had his 1Ds gear fail and was forced to use the 5D back up. Unfortunately, the 5D backup didn't have the battery grip and he was forced to take about 300 images with his right hand above the head. The next day, his right shoulder was aching like hell. And he was a pro!
There is a physical demand on certain types of professional photography. Being diagnosed with injuries may limit the amount of service one could provide for some types of photography.
But just like the old radio DJ said: "Keep that dream alive."

[Redgum]

A wedding may take the whole day and into the night. Equipment IS heavy, even with an assistant on tow.

Another mate had his 1Ds gear fail and was forced to use the 5D back up. Unfortunately, the 5D backup didn't have the battery grip and he was forced to take about 300 images with his right hand above the head. The next day, his right shoulder was aching like hell. And he was a pro!

Gosh! My wife carries more in her handbag than a wedding tog.
Yeah! and isn't that typical of Canon?

[Duane Pipe]

I know what you mean Raoul. My job network provider specialise in getting people with injuries back into the workforce and they haven't provided me with a solution as yet.The majority of the work here is either profissional, trade, retail or labour. We have a small industrial area but thats mostly trade related and heavy work, Driving full time is out because of neck and shoulders. that dont leave much for a bloke that is not well educated, so thats why im thinking photography. Thanks Mate...

[kiwi]

Here's the thing, doing photography professionally is quite physical...,lots of gear and very heavy pro grade cameras and lenses around your neck. Lots of crouching, kneeling etc

For event work I strap 4kg on one shoulder and 8kg on another shoulder

It may not be the physically soft job option unfortunately

You also will need to be damn good at business and artistically gifted also

Good luck

[RaoulIsidro]

and isn't that typical of Canon?

Hands down. No contest.

[Steve Axford]

Steve (and Zeke) you're both spot on. You need a good handle on business and you can buy the talent if necessary (tog).
It's interesting to read through this thread and see how narrow most are with their perception of photography as a profession. Weddings, studio, prints, sport etc., are generally areas that suffer the greatest failure rates but there are more lucrative gigs. Doing photos for mags and newspapers can easily turnover $3k a week, often a lot more. Corporate and government work (low end) can achieve $5k to $7k per week and as you get experience with your business model you can move up the ranks and treble that income with high end publishers etc. If you turn over $1million per year, which is not hard if you do your homework, your take home is going to be around $200k per annum. It only took me about five years to get there and photography is my second string to filmmaking.
Like Rick said, the skill is in the planning and getting your tail in the air and actually doing something.
All the ideas you've seen so far are useful but in the end you have to do the yards and decide how to tackle the issue. What you do as a profession is not important, the same rules apply for any endeavour.

I think the key is, as you say, to be good at business first. Then you search for something you can sell. It may be photography or involve photography, but the key is starting as a business. Learning photographic skills is probably way down the list of things you need to do and, as you again say, you can always hire those skills - and probably at a very reasonable price.

[farmmax]

If you are interested in trying to generate some income from photography, reach out and go for it.

Not so much for all the reasons given by everyone else, but simply because being on even a part disability pension and dealing with Centrelink is soul destroying. Even seeking the dream of being a full or part time photographer will probably have enormous mental benefits.

Wring every bit of support out of Centrelink you can - courses in particular.

Good luck, and many good wishes.

[Steve Axford]

If you are interested in trying to generate some income from photography, reach out and go for it.

Not so much for all the reasons given by everyone else, but simply because being on even a part disability pension and dealing with Centrelink is soul destroying. Even seeking the dream of being a full or part time photographer will probably have enormous mental benefits.

Wring every bit of support out of Centrelink you can - courses in particular.

Good luck, and many good wishes.

I agree. Maybe it will just be a fill in, but it's good to do something while you looking. And, who knows, you may find a market for the photographs.

[Longshots]

Dave - in all honesty, there's little point in people talking about what can be achieved in relation to how much someone can potentially earn. This is a little bit like putting money on the horse and cart race, before anyone's seen the horse. What would be far more helpful for you - prior to discussing heading off into an industry with great ambitions on earning potentials and the like - is to show some examples of your photography first.

[bigdazzler]

Im no FT professional but I can tell you that on the rare occasion I shoot a wedding I feel like I could sleep for three days after, and need a good foot massage. It can be very physically demanding.

[Gremlin]

Along with what Raoul said above I can totally relate, I have a pillar fractured C6 in my neck and nerve damage in shoulders, and cannot hold a camera without a vertical grip on it my arm above cam for 5-10mins gives me hell, if I want to go take pics for a few hours I have to ensure Im suitably "pain killered up" before hand. I know Ill never be able to be reliable due to weekly migraines and the car accident (not my fault!!) a month ago stuffed me even further. Not trying to tread on toes here, but just keep that in mind with your injuries that I can TOTALLY sympathise with, so going for paid work, keep in mind the reliability factor, one fallen thru job can stuff your reputation. Id love to be able to do studio work one day but my plan is not for at least 24more mths, well thats if the insurance company stop screwing me around getting me treated for a w/cover related injury sighhhhh So ive given up on the idea of tog as a career path. Just a obsessive hobby that maybe one day I can if my levels improve properly I could make a few bucks on but only if I get that good So Im still partially at my day job, but I wont give up just yet, theres a mad scientist surgeon out there somewhere for me!!
Best of luck to you, I wish you well and just remember to enjoy your photography too!
Gremlin...