5 answers
emma
Student
Elk River, Minnesota
5
Questions
Asked
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is it possible to make a living by traveling around and taking photos? if so, what are the details?
#travel #photography
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5 answers
angie azur
Writer | Artist | Death Doula | Yoga | Meditation | Psychology | Philosophy
78
Answers
Weaverville, NC
Updated
angie’s Answer
Hello, Emma,
Yes, it is possible to make a good living by traveling and taking photographs. But there is much needed upfront in terms of cash, ideas, voice, knowledge and understanding of business.
First, you will need saved money for gas, food, a vehicle, places to stay, and a really good camera.
You should also have taken some classes on photography to understand lighting, and your camera and the best way to shoot a topic. Like when should you take photos of mushrooms? Day? Evening? Damp or dry weather?
You also have to think of your safety. Where are you driving to? Who is with you? Is it safe and do you have the supplies you need to be out on a shoot all day? Like…water, food, good shoes, a cell phone, and good connection, bear spray, a whistle…warm layers.
Next, where will you be offering these photos for sale? Magazines? Online? Books? And what type of payment are you expecting? Are you in line with other photographers?
The best way to really get to know if this is the right career for you is to speak to a photographer in your town. Artists are usually pretty kind and open with their help and advice. Best to go with a parent or guardian in any case, but meet a photographer and ask her questions. Find out how much she put into her business before she started making money back. Up front costs are going to be the initial shock, I suspect. Then getting your work accepted will be the next difficulty. Do your homework. Research your favorite photographers and how they got the shot.
You can make a good living as a photographer, but it does take time and dedication on your part and a maturity level of patience for the shot.
Good Luck!
Yes, it is possible to make a good living by traveling and taking photographs. But there is much needed upfront in terms of cash, ideas, voice, knowledge and understanding of business.
First, you will need saved money for gas, food, a vehicle, places to stay, and a really good camera.
You should also have taken some classes on photography to understand lighting, and your camera and the best way to shoot a topic. Like when should you take photos of mushrooms? Day? Evening? Damp or dry weather?
You also have to think of your safety. Where are you driving to? Who is with you? Is it safe and do you have the supplies you need to be out on a shoot all day? Like…water, food, good shoes, a cell phone, and good connection, bear spray, a whistle…warm layers.
Next, where will you be offering these photos for sale? Magazines? Online? Books? And what type of payment are you expecting? Are you in line with other photographers?
The best way to really get to know if this is the right career for you is to speak to a photographer in your town. Artists are usually pretty kind and open with their help and advice. Best to go with a parent or guardian in any case, but meet a photographer and ask her questions. Find out how much she put into her business before she started making money back. Up front costs are going to be the initial shock, I suspect. Then getting your work accepted will be the next difficulty. Do your homework. Research your favorite photographers and how they got the shot.
You can make a good living as a photographer, but it does take time and dedication on your part and a maturity level of patience for the shot.
Good Luck!
thank you for all the information!
emma
May Yu
Engineer
2
Answers
Xiamen, Fujian, China
Updated
May’s Answer
Hi Emma,
It's quite possible, especially if you are good at taking stunning photos.
We are living in a world, people connected via internet. We have so many social media Apps to share information. Like Tik Tok, Twitter, Facebook.
If you can share interesting spots and nice photos, which can earn lots of attention from all over the world, then you will be popular, kind of like an influencer. Business will come to you follow by, make a living would not be a problem.
Good luck! Seize the opportunity.
It's quite possible, especially if you are good at taking stunning photos.
We are living in a world, people connected via internet. We have so many social media Apps to share information. Like Tik Tok, Twitter, Facebook.
If you can share interesting spots and nice photos, which can earn lots of attention from all over the world, then you will be popular, kind of like an influencer. Business will come to you follow by, make a living would not be a problem.
Good luck! Seize the opportunity.
David Wuerth
Freelance Photojournalist/ Sports Photographer
105
Answers
Nampa, Idaho
Updated
David’s Answer
Hello Emma,
The simple answer to your question; yes you can. However, you will need to consistently produce very good photographs. You will also need a website to show future clients what you are capable of producing with a camera. Then, you need to decide how to market yourself; as a freelancer looking for assignments, a stock photo photographer, or both.
If you're a freelancer, you can seek magazine work where the client hires you to travel to a location and produce photographs that illustrate a story the magazine is working on. National Geographic is the best example of this type of work.
If you choose to shoot stock photography and sell your images through a stock agency you produce images, place them with a stock agency and wait for them to sell. To make money as a stock shooter, you will have to put a lot of very good images into the marketplace.
Either way, you will need to have a job to support yourself as you establish yourself as a professional photographer.
Good luck!
The simple answer to your question; yes you can. However, you will need to consistently produce very good photographs. You will also need a website to show future clients what you are capable of producing with a camera. Then, you need to decide how to market yourself; as a freelancer looking for assignments, a stock photo photographer, or both.
If you're a freelancer, you can seek magazine work where the client hires you to travel to a location and produce photographs that illustrate a story the magazine is working on. National Geographic is the best example of this type of work.
If you choose to shoot stock photography and sell your images through a stock agency you produce images, place them with a stock agency and wait for them to sell. To make money as a stock shooter, you will have to put a lot of very good images into the marketplace.
Either way, you will need to have a job to support yourself as you establish yourself as a professional photographer.
Good luck!
John Kriegel
Write and test software
27
Answers
Troy, Michigan
Updated
John’s Answer
I am not a professional photographer, but can say this there is a lot of skill and practice that needs to be done. If you enjoy it then it makes the work easier. And I suggest that you also hone your skills and interests in a variety of topics and subjects. Photography is like many other professions - it does not exist in a vacuum. You take pictures of things, and of people that are in many areas and those areas must be mastered also.
Haolong Jia
Journalism Video Editor
18
Answers
Miami, Florida
Updated
Haolong’s Answer
Yes, It is possible. All you can do it right now is prove your photography skills. You should post your photos to the social media after took photos and edit photo. If someone found your pictures or some company found your pictures sample, they may buy your photos or hire you to take photos for them.
Good luck. Hope this can help you.
Good luck. Hope this can help you.