p.2 #1 · Approx what do portrait photographers make...?
When I lived in SoCal, I had no advertising besides word of mouth. My lab had a portrait studio, but didn't do any work outside that studio, and sent me a lot of referrals, based on my work and my personality. And that was key - I brought a lot of fun and energy to every job, and stayed cool under pressure. I sold a fun experience of good (but not spectacular) photos.
With digital, it takes far less skill to take passable images. Personality and salesmanship are a big part of a successful business. Decide if you have that first.
p.2 #2 · Approx what do portrait photographers make...?
If you are a PPA member, you can check out the latest survey from 2014. Has interesting data from a number of studios (both home and retail). One of the key takeaways for me is the gross profit and retained earnings is generally between 30% and 40%. This will vary on the the type of photography you do and you business model. I use the PPA data as a reasonable basis for simple evaluations.
I cite the income data to put it in perspective with the profit percentage from the PPA. Blending the two, to make the average per capita income as as home studio and making 35% (gross profit and retained earnings) for example, you need to gross $ 88,902.
That being stated, how many of you are satisfied with $ 31K per year?
p.2 #3 · Approx what do portrait photographers make...?
Panorascal wrote:
Less and less every day.
Can't get a decent paying gig to save my life these days.
Just signed a lease for new studio space. Nothing too fancy or large; however, I am finding enough business to invest and grow.
I am a headshot and corporate event photographer living in Fall City. My current studio is in Bellevue; however cannot find a new space in Bellevue that works so moving studio to Kirkland.
I'm making a living, not as much as when I sold for corporate America; however, it is work, a lot like a job .
p.2 #4 · Approx what do portrait photographers make...?
jessedstarr wrote:
I’ve been doing weddings and commercial work for a while. I recently opened a portrait studio focusing mainly on family portraits about 3 months ago. I’m averaging about 6k per session
That's way up the food chain. Possibly even triple what Peter Hurley charges for session. Did you use some of Hurley's market techniques to reach that $6000 benchmark?
Sounds like a niche in New York's more affluent neighborhoods.
p.2 #5 · Approx what do portrait photographers make...?
I’m near Vail colorado. My market is a mix of affluent tourists (high income) and middle class locals (80-120k a year income).
I do not use Hurleys marketing techniques. I focus on printed product, not digital. There’s a serious limit to what people will spend on digital photos. You have to offer products that are worth investing in and focus your entire business around giving people products that celebrate what they love about their families.
I sell GraphiStudio wall art and matted prints in Global portrait boxes mostly.
The middle class clients typically spend around 2k and the affluent clients spend 7 or 8k.
mdvaden wrote:
That's way up the food chain. Possibly even triple what Peter Hurley charges for session. Did you use some of Hurley's market techniques to reach that $6000 benchmark?
Sounds like a niche in New York's more affluent neighborhoods.
p.2 #6 · Approx what do portrait photographers make...?
jessedstarr wrote:
I’ve been doing weddings and commercial work for a while. I recently opened a portrait studio focusing mainly on family portraits about 3 months ago. I’m averaging about 6k per session in sales and have had 10k plus sales. The reality is, there is plenty of money to be made if you are offering an experience that enhances your clients lives and offers them the opportunity to invest in artwork that celebrates who they are and what they value....
This business model has been successful for decades. I know several local photographers doing well by offering a great experience and products priced for profit (I know heresy). A good friend has a session fee of $400 and a product minimum of $1000 both paid in advance, so $1400 to book her.
Remember Charles Lewis? He's still promoting his education which is a bit (or a lot) old school; however, not that much different from Sarah Petty. Sue Bryce uses a similar method; however, with different product and pre-printed image revel.
Another friend is planning on having 20 clients in 2020. She has sales averages high enough that she and her husband only need 20 customers to make a good living.
p.2 #7 · Approx what do portrait photographers make...?
Can't forget Ken Whitmire as a teacher, always reminding us of the value of photography. There are several photographers in our area (Greater Seattle) who have learned from him. He died in 2016.
p.2 #8 · Approx what do portrait photographers make...?
Not many people are going to give you a direct answer to your question. There is always room for someone with talent but it takes so much more than talent to be successful. The hard way to go about it is to strike out on your own from the start. The smart way is to assist an established pro that will demonstrate how he or she does it. It is crucial to see the business side along with the photography and dealing with clients.
Too many times I've seen new photographers that don't treat like a business, they neglect licensing and just give it away. How can you make a living if you undermine the market and lowball projects? You can decide for yourself what works and doesn't work and make it your own. Respect the profession, your clients and other photographers.
Once you have experience on set and in the business side, you'll build your own body of work and start to make a little money. If you pursue your own clients, you better be able to deliver images and I don't mean ordinary images. It takes time to develop your style, your way of doing business and consistent flow of work.
p.2 #9 · Approx what do portrait photographers make...?
MNPNW wrote:
Can't forget Ken Whitmire as a teacher, always reminding us of the value of photography. There are several photographers in our area (Greater Seattle) who have learned from him. He died in 2016.
p.2 #11 · Approx what do portrait photographers make...?
mshi wrote:
Sell your camera gear. Use that money to buy yourself a lawnmower, which is far cheaper than your camera gear. You will make more money cutting grass for others. If you're a woman and only want to work inside. No problem. Get some house cleaning tools, and you'll make more money cleaning other people's homes.
Have you priced a commercial grade lawnmower? Very easy to get into good used car price territory.
That said, I see plenty of landscapers with fairly new trucks and trailers, which doesn't necessarily translate into profit.
p.2 #12 · Approx what do portrait photographers make...?
I make approximately 150-200k a year doing primarily commercial projects, portraits and corporate headshots (95% of which are not being paid by the subject).
If you want to make a sustainable income from portrait photography with private clients, you have to have your business model nailed down and have a unique business proposition and/or style.
Jan 27, 2020 at 03:34 PM
mshi Offline • • • • [X]
p.2 #13 · Approx what do portrait photographers make...?
danski0224 wrote:
Have you priced a commercial grade lawnmower? Very easy to get into good used car price territory.
That said, I see plenty of landscapers with fairly new trucks and trailers, which doesn't necessarily translate into profit.
And yes on cleaning service.
Dog walkers, too.
Back in the 90s, one of my cousin's twins went to a trade school for aircraft mechanic training right after high school, while the other didn't bother with more schooling and started to cut grass for neighbors right away.
Fast Forward to today, the first works for a major airline and makes about $240K a year plus very good benefits, and the latter owns a very large lawn maintenance company with multiple locations in multiple states across the Sun Belt. Both are successful, though each in his own way.
p.2 #14 · Approx what do portrait photographers make...?
Highly recommend that you join the PPA as their members have access to information and support and training by successful photographers. They are by far the best source of information about the business side of photography. Many studio owners have more than doubled their income by following the advice of PPA advisors and this should not be surprising as most small business owners have little or no training in marketing or finance or other key aspects of running a business.
PPA certification is also a great way to differentiate yourself from people who bought a camera and printed a few business cards and are out in the market. Portrait photographers need a higher skill level to produce work a high level that will sell for more money.
Lastly, if I wanted to get into the portrait business I would first look for someone who is retiring and selling their portrait business. I would include in the purchase agreement provisions for them staying on for a year and helping me come up to speed and transitioning their customers over to me.
A successful studio will have shoots for seniors, engaged couples, wedding formals, parents with infants, and young children, so it has in a way an installed base of customers that come in again and again over the years.
p.2 #15 · Approx what do portrait photographers make...?
Seems to me that the technical aspects of headshot photography are fairly straightforward - you have full control over the lighting and environment, so it is a matter of serious practice with friends or family members. I suspect that good headshot photographers are also good people persons who easily relate to others and can put them at ease. Without that no amount of marketing will help you.
Full disclosure: I suck at shooting people and am terrible at putting people at ease :-)
p.2 #16 · Approx what do portrait photographers make...?
Studio photography is above all a business that happens to involve providing a service that requires technical proficiency. Knowing how to light and photography a person or persons is 10% of the business if that.
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