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02/10/2005 07:26:25 PM · #1 |
Originally posted by Bankrate.com:
From hobby to business sounds like a dream come true: Do what you love and get paid for it. The recreational skier becomes an instructor. The quilt maker quits her day job to sell hand-stitched coverlets. The gourmet turns food caterer.
But that dream can become a nightmare if you're not careful. Before you quit your day job, check out these six steps to help turn your hobby into a career: |
Full article here...
-Terry
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02/10/2005 07:30:10 PM · #2 |
| I actually had someone contact me yesterday to ask about buying a photo they saw in my DPCPrints portfolio to use in print materials for a hospital fundraiser. Of course, I donated the image, but it was still cool. Can't make a successful business by donating my work, can I? ;-) |
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02/10/2005 07:31:14 PM · #3 |
Originally posted by scalvert:
I actually had someone contact me yesterday to ask about buying a photo they saw in my DPCPrints portfolio to use in print materials for a hospital fundraiser. Of course, I donated the image, but it was still cool. Can't make a successful business by donating my work, can I? ;-) |
Donating your work in return for acknowledgement/photo credit can be useful for getting your name out.
-Terry
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02/10/2005 07:41:32 PM · #4 |
Originally posted by ClubJuggle:
Donating your work in return for acknowledgement/photo credit can be useful for getting your name out. |
Yup:
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02/10/2005 09:25:14 PM · #5 |
On a whim I sent this image to a few media outlets and galleries in Newfoundland and Labrador. The Newfoundland Newfoundland Herald just published my picture, albeit in a small format. Also I am currently working on a consignment deal with The Downhomer Magazine shop and gallery. Both magazines have province wide circulation.
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02/12/2005 12:02:40 PM · #6 |
I just bought my dSLR on 10/04 and took portraits of my friend for fun, people at work liked it and asked me to photograph them or their pets. Now I've got two shoots for dogs and a pee wee football team shoot lined up as well. I'm charging $50 for a shoot and a CD ROM that they can use to make prints or $100 for a shoot and manipulating the pictures on Photoshop for them. I then burn it on a CD ROM and have them make their own prints. I bring my laptop and have them tell me which pics they like and how they want to adjust the photos and they really seem to like it. It's just a hobby that pays a few dollars right now so I can buy more equipment.
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02/12/2005 01:16:07 PM · #7 |
Originally posted by yido:
I just bought my dSLR on 10/04 and took portraits of my friend for fun, people at work liked it and asked me to photograph them or their pets. Now I've got two shoots for dogs and a pee wee football team shoot lined up as well. I'm charging $50 for a shoot and a CD ROM that they can use to make prints or $100 for a shoot and manipulating the pictures on Photoshop for them. I then burn it on a CD ROM and have them make their own prints. I bring my laptop and have them tell me which pics they like and how they want to adjust the photos and they really seem to like it. It's just a hobby that pays a few dollars right now so I can buy more equipment. |
Interesting biz plan.
However, you should always make the prints and never give up a file thta can be used to make prints - all you need is someone to take your file, screw it up in Elements or try and use their new photoprinter with bad results and they will blame you and your pics.
Check out JCPenney, Sears Walmart portrait studios, etc. You can charge more cause you come to them and make money on the prints. When you havce what they need they call you - when you give htem the CDs then they never have to call you again.
The peewee team is a good example - what are you doing - a group shot? individual shots, both? Design a 'package' - a 8x10 team shot and a 5x7 of each kid, in a matted bifold 'frame' for $10 or $15, maybe toss in some wallets (you can fit a 5x7 and 2 wallets on an 8x10 sheet of photopaper). Light impressions has the mattes, or try mpix.com for compete packages.
As for editing - you should do that without them looking over your shoulder. Again, the portrait studios have overlays and other standard type edits - put them on your laptop and show them those types of choices.
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02/12/2005 03:52:31 PM · #8 |
Those are very good ideas if you are going to be a real pro. However, this is something I'm just doing for fun, nothing more. They are paying me because I don't know them. For my friends and co-worker, I do it for fun only. I know real professionals make the money in the prints and if I did do this for a living, I'd keep the images and only would sell the prints as you recommend.
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02/12/2005 06:31:42 PM · #9 |
The problem with what you are doing is that when it comes to the time when you want to sell the prints, instead of how you are doing it now, is alot of people already expect to get ALL the pictures. You are probably getting good referrals now because it is getting around that you will do all the work for $100 (do you know if the football team parents haven't all gotten together, pitched in $5 each and ONE person buy it?) You should never GIVE away printable sized files. Yoiu will never get repeat business.
I know you said it is for fun, but....
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