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12/27/2005 05:34:24 AM · #1 |
I'm throwing around the idea of a career change and starting a photography business.
I live in a tourist town with a permanent population of about 24000.
Any advice would be appreciated.
(I'm heading off to bed now, so won't be able to reply immediately)
Thanks very much.
Tony |
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12/27/2005 05:43:41 AM · #2 |
There are about a million ways to go that may or may not work for you where you could still call yourself a photographer. If you are seriously thinking about this then I would imagine that you have some idea of what direction you would like to go.
To do this you need not only be a proficient photographer, but you must also be good at self promotion and business. Try to narrow down what type of photography you enjoy the most and what you are best at. If you are good people will ring your phone off the hook.
Good luck.
Message edited by author 2005-12-27 05:44:24.
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12/27/2005 09:32:03 AM · #3 |
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12/27/2005 11:38:55 AM · #4 |
What kind of photography do you like to do? Can you sell that? Can you sell enough of it to make a living?
With few exceptions, photography is seasonal - weddings in teh summer, football in teh fall, etc and tourists especially so.
After deciding that, then you need to do two things - figure out what equipment/studio/etc you need to perform the work, and make a list of that equipment, costs, etc and a years rent/utilties, etc AND a year's minimum income for you - you need this in cash to start (say you need $5,000 in equipment (lenses, strobes, BGs, computer or 2, cash register, photo printer, etc) and a year at a studio (rent, phone, insurance, advertising, internet, samples framed and huung, etc) and you need $30,000 to pay you rother bills (home, car, food, etc) - lets say that adds to $60,000 - if you don't ahve 60k, then you will likely not succeed. If you can't apy your bills during the slow times, you go out of business. If you have to be the starving artist then you will not be happy and that will show in your work and attituede and you will not last.
All this is called a business plan.
I am working at this as i need to, working from home (no studio costs) and adding equipment as needed for the jobs, and taking what jobs i can get (holiday pet photography was not exaclty my ideal aspect of photgography, but it makes money and can be fun too!). I want to do weddings - no paid gigs yet. Did some HS seniors too - i like it. This is just to show you that you may plan, but have to be flexible.
Oh yeah - it took me 8 months from deciding to make money to actually turning $1. I doubt i'll make much income now till may...that is a lont time with bills and no income.
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12/28/2005 03:49:56 AM · #5 |
Originally posted by Prof_Fate:
What kind of photography do you like to do? Can you sell that? Can you sell enough of it to make a living?
With few exceptions, photography is seasonal - weddings in teh summer, football in teh fall, etc and tourists especially so.
After deciding that, then you need to do two things - figure out what equipment/studio/etc you need to perform the work, and make a list of that equipment, costs, etc and a years rent/utilties, etc AND a year's minimum income for you - you need this in cash to start (say you need $5,000 in equipment (lenses, strobes, BGs, computer or 2, cash register, photo printer, etc) and a year at a studio (rent, phone, insurance, advertising, internet, samples framed and huung, etc) and you need $30,000 to pay you rother bills (home, car, food, etc) - lets say that adds to $60,000 - if you don't ahve 60k, then you will likely not succeed. If you can't apy your bills during the slow times, you go out of business. If you have to be the starving artist then you will not be happy and that will show in your work and attituede and you will not last.
All this is called a business plan.
I am working at this as i need to, working from home (no studio costs) and adding equipment as needed for the jobs, and taking what jobs i can get (holiday pet photography was not exaclty my ideal aspect of photgography, but it makes money and can be fun too!). I want to do weddings - no paid gigs yet. Did some HS seniors too - i like it. This is just to show you that you may plan, but have to be flexible.
Oh yeah - it took me 8 months from deciding to make money to actually turning $1. I doubt i'll make much income now till may...that is a lont time with bills and no income. |
Thank you for the advice.
I'm still trying to find out what field I would like to do, but it seems like I will have to go where the business and money is.
My plans are to work from home and possibly build a cheap unit with living quarters and a studio on my property. (Better to put money into my own pocket then a lease on someone elses building.
I can cover my expenses and mortgage for a year, as I will get a small payout from my current employment.
One of my Brothers also runs a successful studio in Canada. He has offered to take me on for a couple of months and teach me the in's and out's of this type of business. Its just a long way from Taupo New Zealand!
McMasters Studio
I'm still going through the post from Mavrik. Its very informative and helpful.
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