I want to Jump - DPChallenge Forums

Nikon AF Nikkor 50mm f/1.8D

02/15/2008 12:37:50 PM · #1

So I'm sitting here in my 10th floor window office (stroke of luck that I got it) and I find my self desperatly pinning to be out away from here doing what I love (taking pictures)... I have a small bussiness going and I'm starting to get a pretty good client list for weddings (half the summer book already) and portraits... but of course this isn't enough to pay the bills.

My questions are these:

a) those who have made the jump from their jobs to a photography business, how did you do it, and when and how did you deside the time was right.

b) what kind of condiderations should I be thinking when thinking of switiching from part-time to full-time that I may not have though have thought about

c) to those who are thinking of making the jump like myself. what are you doing to make it a reality? and what things stop you from making the jump.

thanks all for your input.

PS complicating factor is I'm hoping do to all this without getting a loan... if possible.

Message edited by author 2008-02-15 12:45:04.

_eug

Nikon D50

02/15/2008 12:43:19 PM · #2

Nikon AF-S Nikkor 28-300mm f3.5-5.6G ED VR

02/15/2008 12:59:30 PM · #3

no one? maybe I'm the only one here thinking this way?

timfythetoo

Apple iPhone 16 Pro Max

02/15/2008 01:05:07 PM · #4

We are slowly making a transition into the world of paid photography. Though I am in a fortunate position of my wife having a corporate career and me being a stay at home dad. Our goal is to turn photography into enough of a business that when my second kid starts school I don't have to get a real job. I dont need to support a family on it - I just need to bring in enough money to help save for retirement and college. This year will entail getting a proper website and filing the proper paperwork to be a legal small business. There are a bunch of smaller things we need to do to, but in the long run we are taking it easy as we go.

I too am interested in seeing how people have gone about it though. Even though it will most likely never be my primary source of income.

NikonJeb

Nikon D850

02/15/2008 01:09:28 PM · #5

It's ultimately up to you, but I'd be hesitant to leave the day job unless you're sure you can support yourself.

Having had my own business for 17 years, lived my dream, and then watched it die, (Not Photography!) you have to be able to live.

I had another income, my wife, and did take a small loan to get rolling even though I had a small customer base already built up from years of being in the same field.

The one thing that you must be careful of is that when it turns into a vocation, that you not lose your love for it when it becomes the daily grind.

All that said, for 12 of those 17 years, it was a free lunch........people paid me to do what I loved most in lfe.

And it really doesn't get any better than that!!!!!

02/15/2008 01:10:03 PM · #6

Originally posted by timfythetoo:

well good to know I'm not alone in this then... :)

what areas of photography are you planing on concentrating on.

I've got my start in Weddings and have moved into portraits... but I'm hoping that trying to get into schools might be the way to even out the income flow enough to make the switch.

Message edited by author 2008-02-15 13:10:23.

Nikon AF-S Nikkor 28-300mm f3.5-5.6G ED VR

02/15/2008 01:12:18 PM · #7

Originally posted by NikonJeb:

this is one of the main reasons I havn't quite my day job... yet... but as you can see I'm sitting here at my job spending most of my time here... money aside, this is not my ideal situation at all.

NikonJeb

Nikon D850

02/15/2008 01:14:00 PM · #8

Originally posted by timfythetoo:

Eyesup, the same goes for you......it doesn't matter when or if you make the transition to full time, even as a side job, you should do all the paperwork to have a small business in place.

Then you really can say you're a professional! LOL!!!

ETA: Outside of being here at my job as a John Deere Service Clerk, I am the proprietor of Whiskey Spring Studios!

Message edited by author 2008-02-15 13:15:39.

Nikon AF-S Nikkor 28-300mm f3.5-5.6G ED VR

02/15/2008 01:15:18 PM · #9

Originally posted by NikonJeb:

Originally posted by timfythetoo:
We are slowly making a transition into the world of paid photography. Though I am in a fortunate position of my wife having a corporate career and me being a stay at home dad. Our goal is to turn photography into enough of a business that when my second kid starts school I don't have to get a real job. I dont need to support a family on it - I just need to bring in enough money to help save for retirement and college. This year will entail getting a proper website and filing the proper paperwork to be a legal small business. There are a bunch of smaller things we need to do to, but in the long run we are taking it easy as we go.

I too am interested in seeing how people have gone about it though. Even though it will most likely never be my primary source of income.

FWIW, Tim, go ahead and get the paperwork done with the necessary departments/organizations.....aty most 'til you're set up, you'll have to file small tax returns and whatnot, but the sooner you have it all in place, the easier the transition will be.

And Eyesup, the same goes for you......it doesn't matter when or if you make the transition to full time, even as a side job, you should do all the paperwork to have a small business in place.

Then you really can say you're a professional! LOL!!!

paperworks long done... encorperated back in July :) figured jsut like you said, no reason not to do that :)

Message edited by author 2008-02-15 13:15:54.

NikonJeb

Nikon D850

02/15/2008 01:19:05 PM · #10

Originally posted by timfythetoo:

Originally posted by NikonJeb:

FWIW, Tim, go ahead and get the paperwork done with the necessary departments/organizations.....aty most 'til you're set up, you'll have to file small tax returns and whatnot, but the sooner you have it all in place, the easier the transition will be.

And Eyesup, the same goes for you......it doesn't matter when or if you make the transition to full time, even as a side job, you should do all the paperwork to have a small business in place.

Then you really can say you're a professional! LOL!!!

Originally posted by Eyesup:

paperworks long done... encorperated back in July :) figured jsut like you said, no reason not to do that :)

Cool! Then you already is a Per-fessional!!! LOL!!!

Best of luck, and remember not to ever fall out of love with photography.

02/15/2008 02:51:14 PM · #11

...

Message edited by author 2008-02-15 16:03:07.

02/15/2008 03:11:23 PM · #12

...

Message edited by author 2008-02-15 16:03:24.

Canon EF 17-40mm f/4.0L USM

02/15/2008 04:03:52 PM · #13

I know you business people are out there... still looking for input of any sort

littlegett

Canon EOS-20D

02/15/2008 04:22:53 PM · #14

There are several key factors that make it work, Who you know, how well you can speak and confidence in yourself are the main elements that will help you to succeed.

Taking the next step is a factor of elements only you can equate. You have to do the research about how many jobs it will take to make ends meet? Will doing 15 weddings and 300 portraits during the course of the year earn you enough income? If they will, can you get that many jobs over the course of the year? What is the market like? Competition? Trends? Fads? Area? Economy not only Nationwide but local? Research, Research, Research.

However, don't do so much research you kick yourself in the butt for not making a choice.

So my advice, is to figure out what you will have to do to make it work, create a financial spreadsheet for the next five years. Set a short-term goal to reach before you transition, and if you meet/exceed your goal then make your plans for transition and a long-term goal to reach.

My book on success will come out Fall of '08' 6-;

Canon EF 24-70mm f/2.8L USM

02/15/2008 04:28:45 PM · #15

Originally posted by littlegett:

Thanks... I've been doing a fair bit of looking and researching and all of that... I'm in the middle of writing a full business plan (apearantly it's not good enough just in my head :)) I've figured if I can get 52 jobs worth $1000 after expenses (or some combinations of jobs equaling the same) we'll be good... what I'm waffling on is if i CAN do that... I think I can, but jumping ship and then not is what scares me the most.

hanneke

Canon EOS-5D Mark II

02/15/2008 04:30:34 PM · #16

At the moment I'm searching for all kinds of stuff (workshops, sessions, exhibitions, etc) to see if it might work out..

So basically I'm in the same boat as you are.

The one thing I miss is the GUTS to take the jump. And I'm not really a gut-girl... But I hope to have reached some of my pro-photo-goals this summer.

Will read this topic with lots of interest, good luck to you Michael!!

SteveJ

Canon EOS-7D

Canon EF-S 18-135mm f/3.5-5.6 IS STM

02/15/2008 04:31:47 PM · #17

Woah! You scared me then, the title of your thread, and then the first few words...

I am sitting in my office on the tenth floor!!

Glad I read the rest. I have no experience so can't advise best way to go forward. But, if you want it that bad, go for it. You know what you need to make to live, you know how many bookings can fulfil the needed funds. Do you really want it? Remember, you only have one life and old age is full of regrets.

Don't let chances slip by, the water might be cold, but you will soon get used to it. Good Luck for the future.:)

Canon EF 24-70mm f/2.8L USM

02/15/2008 04:34:06 PM · #18

Originally posted by biteme:

hmmm... guts... can I purchase that at a store somewhere??? lol

hanneke

Canon EOS-5D Mark II

02/15/2008 04:37:29 PM · #19

Originally posted by Eyesup:

Originally posted by biteme:
At the moment I'm searching for all kinds of stuff (workshops, sessions, exhibitions, etc) to see if it might work out..

So basically I'm in the same boat as you are.

The one thing I miss is the GUTS to take the jump. And I'm not really a gut-girl... But I hope to have reached some of my pro-photo-goals this summer.

Will read this topic with lots of interest, good luck to you Michael!!

hmmm... guts... can I purchase that at a store somewhere??? lol

If you find it, send me some, I haven't found enough yet ;)

Skip

Canon EOS-1D X

Canon EF 300mm f/2.8L IS USM

02/15/2008 04:40:32 PM · #20

most of what i have to say is in here, but there's a buncha stuff here and some more stuff here. someday i'll get around to summarizing it all into a nice little book ;-)

littlegett

Canon EOS-20D

Canon EF 17-40mm f/4.0L USM

02/15/2008 04:58:32 PM · #21

Originally posted by Eyesup:

I think I can,

Once you 'KNOW' you can, then you are ready.

Canon EF 17-40mm f/4.0L USM

02/16/2008 10:31:25 PM · #22

Originally posted by littlegett:

Originally posted by Eyesup:
I think I can,

Once you 'KNOW' you can, then you are ready.

Is there really a "KNOW" point? we'll I guess we'll find out

for those who are interested, I'm going to keep posting to this thread to chronicle my journey from Day job with a photography side business to Full-time photography... I'm sure it's not going to be easy... and likely it'll verge on being moved to the rant section on occasion... but seeing as I know there are others who are thinking the same lines as myself, I figure no harm in shareing my experiances in the process.

For those who have made the jump... I'm always looking for input and encouragement... in fact if there's anyone out there who's interested in taking me up as a mentor, I would be happy to learn from anyone wiser.

For those who are thinking of making the jump like I am... post here and lets chat... share our experiances, and help eachother to make the jump...

anyone with me??? (he said waiting for the sound of crickets to fill his ears)

littlegett

Canon EOS-20D

02/16/2008 11:13:04 PM · #23

There should be a point where you are confident enough in your own abilities that you 'Know' you are ready. Otherwise one might second guess themselves. However, if you never get to the point of 'knowing' you should just cover your eyes and jump with both feet.

If you have been doing your research and have figured out expenses and can estimate enough work to turn a profit, the only real thing holding you back right now is you. Granted, it scary, you don't know what will happen, there are millions of 'what if' yet, if you let them stop you then ask yourself how you get out of bed in the morning?

Take the chance, see what happens.

I look forward to reading your exploits.