I wonder how many folks here are fulltime photographers (only income is from photography) and how many are parttime? I'm fulltime and it pays the bills but there seem to be quite a few folks in our area not doing so well.
I'm a Canon user but would never argue that one brand of camera is better than the other.
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Current equipment:
Part time for now... still earning pension time for a couple more years. Then I'm pulling the pin and 'retiring' to a life of full time photography. We are planning to open a studio around the middle of 2010, at which time I will be jumping in with both feet. In the meantime, I'm starting the promotional push and getting known in the community for what I do. Each year has shown steady growth with little to no advertising, so when we start the big push in 09, I'm sure we'll launch into something much bigger.
It's an exciting journey, and a scary one at times, and I have a ton of respect for those that can actually make a living doing this! It's not as easy as people think it is!
My wife just got her business license a few days ago, she'll be full-time once her Maternity leave is over in Feb. I'm still a full-time desk-humper ...for now.
Part-Time for now. I make about 65% of my income with bands and artists, but I want to get off the ground completely and doing weddings and everything full-time by 2010. I'm doing the promo push beginning in January, my new website will be up this week, and my staff's ready to run with me.
I was a full time professional for 20 years before quitting, going back to school and getting a second degree and going into IT as a second career.
There's a world of difference between being a weekender making mad money and putting food on the table for your family.
For all you part timers contemplating chunking your boring job for the exciting world of photography, remember there's probably four guys/gals on your block with the same dream. It will only get worse with more layoffs. Out of work hobbyists will turn to their hobby for income.
Run the numbers. There are only so many wedding opportunities in a year. If you shot 50 weddings/year (I never did) and you charge $500 per wedding, that's $25k. Can your family live on $25k? Let's say you average $3k (!) a wedding. After expenses, you're still probably looking at a salary around $50k.
Weddings were gravy to me. My bread and butter was commercial/architectural. To be successful in that field, you need training, skills and talent well beyond the reach of the average hobbyist.
dmacmillan wrote:
Weddings were gravy to me. My bread and butter was commercial/architectural. To be successful in that field, you need training, skills and talent well beyond the reach of the average hobbyist.
Doug
You mean your local hobbyists don't know how to work the movements on a Sinar?
Great words of advice Doug! I've been in IT for over 30 years. It's been a great, rewarding and often challenging career and I'm glad that I was so closely involved with the changes I've seen first hand over that time. At least in my case, I'll have some guaranteed earnings that will keep my family alive and under a roof no matter what happens with the Photography, and I'll have 5 solid years of growth under my belt before making the move to full-time.
The major part of making the move is to make sure you have a Business Plan - a solid plan that will ensure growth and profit - and that you work to that plan. You can't just go out and start taking pictures and hope to make a business of it.
njw wrote:
It's an exciting journey, and a scary one at times, and I have a ton of respect for those that can actually make a living doing this! It's not as easy as people think it is!
njw
+98948935
I used to sell cameras long long ago and you wouldn't believe how many people buy a low level SLR as their first camera "because they want to shoot weddings and become a wedding photographer". I always hated selling to that crowd because I knew in a week they would be returning the camera cause they don't know how to use it.
Evan Baines wrote:
You mean your local hobbyists don't know how to work the movements on a Sinar?
-E
Funny! I have a Sinar F sitting in my closet gathering dust. It's all tricked out with two sets of regular bellows and two sets of bag bellows, plus lens shade, Polaroid back, etc. It's fun just take it out and fiddle with it! I should have sold it years ago. I guess if I listed it two people would be happy.
Very nice gear list and thought provoking question, esp in this economic roller coaster.
Doug,
Tremendous response. It is so very true that paying the mortgage and putting food on the table w/ photography income is much, much different from the weekender shooters. Nothing wrong w/ weekend warriors; I was one before I went full-time into photography. It is not always easy, and at times, very tough, however, I like the roller coaster and hope to do what it takes to continue.
part-time. would love to be full-time by 2011, along with Deb.
my other time is at hallmark - the great card company.
(i'm definitely a person drawn to emotion.)
I wonder how many full-timers have a spouse or significant other with the "day-job" and benefits?
I'm the sole income for our family, so for the time being, photography is the second job. For a day job, I work in IT. I don't have visions of becoming a full-time photographer, mostly because in my market there aren't enough weekends in the year. I DO, however, believe I could be solely self employed by 2010 doing photography, and some limited IT consulting, so does that count?
full time - 35 weddings a year plus 5-10 portraits a week plus graphic design work an I also have a full time day job that I wont let go because it is too easy and pays way to much money
...for now.
