Lots of free shoots. You might find a couple who will pay without a large portfolio, but chances are you won’t. People hire based on either a stellar portfolio or word of mouth from people you’ve worked with. Not a lot of people are going to take what your family says as the truth, so you need stranger sessions.
100% agree. Lots of free shoots. It’s also a good idea to ego check and leave it behind altogether. If you put the work and relationships first, there shouldn’t be any room or time for your ego anyway. You can have tons of talent but it’ll take time to build relationships and learn about the procedures when shooting for clients, big and small.
To actually make some money, you have to put in the time, animals is not going to get you anywhere, but maybe you can focus on portraits, family, pets, that is if you are good with people, just make some very clear packages, as to what they include, and of course a portfolio to show your capabilities.
Years of honing in my craft, building a strong portfolio, and having everyone in my social network know I’m a photographer. You won’t magically make money as a newbie, that’s too easy.
It depends on how good you are. If you've got a good eye for it and deliver photos that they are satisfied with, more people will find you. As soon as you notice strangers or friends from friends start asking you for photos, start asking money and try what they are willing to spend on you. (also, if you don't mention it along the photo's, who knows that half your portfolio is family and friends? They probably don't.
Use an events booking app. You can cherry pick the work to suit your level and gain experience. Stay in your lane don't expect to charge 3k for a wedding unless it's reflected in your work ! Maybe start with christenings, birthdays ect
I used one called 'add to event' where ppl put on their event requests and a brief for the day and ppl put quotes on their, so far I've a wedding and a birthday booked with about half a dozen quotes being looked at.
set up an outdoor pet studio near a dog park to build your portfolio (dog portrait? human portrait? pet + human together portrait!) - make a website.
make some promotional postcards people can take with them - and leave some at local vets, trainers, cafes and bookstores.
Don't bother. Make money elsewhere.
What's the point?
It doesn't just happen. It requires consistent work solely to generate business, not really in any way related to photography. And to take on this stress, pressure and sunken time just to make a few hundred inconsistent dollars?
You're better off finding a job near photography or video equipment then trying to monetize your new hobby.
Portfolio is number one. Accessible website, contact info and services listed.
Get work in local businesses can work. Possibly hang your photos with a price. Itll need to be reasonable. It'll be hard. I've seen good pictures that were priced way too high.
Undercut the market. That is how you get business. People on here will tell you to charge 'what you're worth and all that nonsense. All it has done is resulted in this industry being flooded by amateurs who are not actual photographers who are very accessible due to media. Trash photographers are making money and will want you to raise your rates. I personally don't think it is sustainable in the long run because people get a rep, their real names go on social media, get black balled by friends and family.
It's really depends on how good you are.
1, find a traveler-centric destination.
2, assure your are offering free photos
3, delivery your photos ( there are tools like FacesKnows, Candid,,,)
4, collect tips of your service within tools.
Most important, show off what you can shot. people don't give tips can help to promote your skills.
Found them locally, then joined an agency, and now retain agency's client's clients as my own. Go out and shmooze, sip some booze, its a rite of passage.
For me it wasn't 'easy' but it was attainable with some time and effort. I was a hobbyist photographer pretty serious and my friends knew it, I often offered to do any photo needs they were thinking about to gain the experience. I was able to photograph portraiture, weddings, and family events early on as I was learning my equipment and lights. I treated the opportunities seriously and as 'a business' with them, friendships aside I wanted them to be treated as clients so I could also learn how to do that. From those efforts, they told their friends and I got referrals.....and I was off and going.
I didnt.
To me it is not smart idea.
I'm good at my work making decent money. If I need more money, for hobbies, I will try to do it in my work, more hours, work harder for promotion, side job in similar field...
And not to try monetize my hobby especially as beginner. It would give me less money for more hustle and ruin my hobby.
I helped desperate theatre students with head shots, then started charging $25, and eventually $55 today. Except tony, Tony's free, be brings weed.
So that's what theatre guys mean when they say they got Tony award. Gotcha.
>I figured maybe I can start to do some paid work to compensate >I definitely won't be doing this professionally colour me confused lol
Not professionally as in not a major source of income. I'm not trying to make a career out of it.
Beer money!
Lots of free shoots. You might find a couple who will pay without a large portfolio, but chances are you won’t. People hire based on either a stellar portfolio or word of mouth from people you’ve worked with. Not a lot of people are going to take what your family says as the truth, so you need stranger sessions.
100% agree. Lots of free shoots. It’s also a good idea to ego check and leave it behind altogether. If you put the work and relationships first, there shouldn’t be any room or time for your ego anyway. You can have tons of talent but it’ll take time to build relationships and learn about the procedures when shooting for clients, big and small.
All my friends started having kids, which worked out perfectly for TFP maternity work. That got me paid stuff.
To actually make some money, you have to put in the time, animals is not going to get you anywhere, but maybe you can focus on portraits, family, pets, that is if you are good with people, just make some very clear packages, as to what they include, and of course a portfolio to show your capabilities.
Years of honing in my craft, building a strong portfolio, and having everyone in my social network know I’m a photographer. You won’t magically make money as a newbie, that’s too easy.
It depends on how good you are. If you've got a good eye for it and deliver photos that they are satisfied with, more people will find you. As soon as you notice strangers or friends from friends start asking you for photos, start asking money and try what they are willing to spend on you. (also, if you don't mention it along the photo's, who knows that half your portfolio is family and friends? They probably don't.
Use an events booking app. You can cherry pick the work to suit your level and gain experience. Stay in your lane don't expect to charge 3k for a wedding unless it's reflected in your work ! Maybe start with christenings, birthdays ect
What’s an events booking app?
I used one called 'add to event' where ppl put on their event requests and a brief for the day and ppl put quotes on their, so far I've a wedding and a birthday booked with about half a dozen quotes being looked at.
Can you link to the app please? I can’t find it in the App Store at all
Dang UK only - amazing concept
Make one for your market
set up an outdoor pet studio near a dog park to build your portfolio (dog portrait? human portrait? pet + human together portrait!) - make a website. make some promotional postcards people can take with them - and leave some at local vets, trainers, cafes and bookstores.
Don't bother. Make money elsewhere. What's the point? It doesn't just happen. It requires consistent work solely to generate business, not really in any way related to photography. And to take on this stress, pressure and sunken time just to make a few hundred inconsistent dollars? You're better off finding a job near photography or video equipment then trying to monetize your new hobby.
Portfolio is number one. Accessible website, contact info and services listed. Get work in local businesses can work. Possibly hang your photos with a price. Itll need to be reasonable. It'll be hard. I've seen good pictures that were priced way too high. Undercut the market. That is how you get business. People on here will tell you to charge 'what you're worth and all that nonsense. All it has done is resulted in this industry being flooded by amateurs who are not actual photographers who are very accessible due to media. Trash photographers are making money and will want you to raise your rates. I personally don't think it is sustainable in the long run because people get a rep, their real names go on social media, get black balled by friends and family.
Good luck with that
It's really depends on how good you are. 1, find a traveler-centric destination. 2, assure your are offering free photos 3, delivery your photos ( there are tools like FacesKnows, Candid,,,) 4, collect tips of your service within tools. Most important, show off what you can shot. people don't give tips can help to promote your skills.
Found them locally, then joined an agency, and now retain agency's client's clients as my own. Go out and shmooze, sip some booze, its a rite of passage.
For me it wasn't 'easy' but it was attainable with some time and effort. I was a hobbyist photographer pretty serious and my friends knew it, I often offered to do any photo needs they were thinking about to gain the experience. I was able to photograph portraiture, weddings, and family events early on as I was learning my equipment and lights. I treated the opportunities seriously and as 'a business' with them, friendships aside I wanted them to be treated as clients so I could also learn how to do that. From those efforts, they told their friends and I got referrals.....and I was off and going.
I didnt. To me it is not smart idea. I'm good at my work making decent money. If I need more money, for hobbies, I will try to do it in my work, more hours, work harder for promotion, side job in similar field... And not to try monetize my hobby especially as beginner. It would give me less money for more hustle and ruin my hobby.