4 answers
gabby
Student
Grundy Center, Iowa
3
Questions
Updated
558 views
Is photography a good industry to go into
would this be a good-paying job and how hard would it be to get into
#photography
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4 answers
Dexter Arver
Senior Manager, Web Applications
232
Answers
San Jose, California
Updated
Dexter’s Answer
Hi Gabby,
I'm not a pro photographer though I've done my share of events and wedding photography. I hope someone who did photography as their sole source of income answers you, but until then, I hope I can shed a bit of light.
I would say that photography is a difficult industry to make money in, though if you're talented, you'll do fine. Most real photographers that I know (not the internet-famous -super-stars, but local photographers) are those that like being a photographer as they enjoy the freedom of owning their own business and working the hours that they want to put in. They mostly do headshots, weddings, events, and family photos. However, most have other sources of income, as photography isn't enough for them to sustain their lifestyle. I have noticed that they struggle to book clients on a regular basis (especially due to COVID) even though they advertise on all the social media channels that they have access to.
I know of a staff photographer in a silicon valley company, and even though he's salaried, he always seems either over or under worked. He also seems to worry a lot about layoffs (as he's not critical to business), but that might just be his personality. These gigs are difficult to find though, as the company has to be big enough for there to be enough work to do.
Well, I hope that was helpful, and I wish you the best of luck. Feel free to ask me any follow up questions and I'll do my best to answer.
--
Dexter
I'm not a pro photographer though I've done my share of events and wedding photography. I hope someone who did photography as their sole source of income answers you, but until then, I hope I can shed a bit of light.
I would say that photography is a difficult industry to make money in, though if you're talented, you'll do fine. Most real photographers that I know (not the internet-famous -super-stars, but local photographers) are those that like being a photographer as they enjoy the freedom of owning their own business and working the hours that they want to put in. They mostly do headshots, weddings, events, and family photos. However, most have other sources of income, as photography isn't enough for them to sustain their lifestyle. I have noticed that they struggle to book clients on a regular basis (especially due to COVID) even though they advertise on all the social media channels that they have access to.
I know of a staff photographer in a silicon valley company, and even though he's salaried, he always seems either over or under worked. He also seems to worry a lot about layoffs (as he's not critical to business), but that might just be his personality. These gigs are difficult to find though, as the company has to be big enough for there to be enough work to do.
Well, I hope that was helpful, and I wish you the best of luck. Feel free to ask me any follow up questions and I'll do my best to answer.
--
Dexter
Jonathan Reid
Colorist
1
Answer
Los Angeles, California
Updated
Jonathan’s Answer
Go for it.
Learning a creative craft can be more rewarding than chasing money driven careers or trying to climb the corporate ladder. There are many subcategories in the world of photography; fashion, events, fine art.. just to name a few. See if you like it and if people respond to your talent, there is nothing better than doing something you like and getting paid for it. With all arts, experience and practice have a huge impact on success, although success isn't guaranteed.
Learning a creative craft can be more rewarding than chasing money driven careers or trying to climb the corporate ladder. There are many subcategories in the world of photography; fashion, events, fine art.. just to name a few. See if you like it and if people respond to your talent, there is nothing better than doing something you like and getting paid for it. With all arts, experience and practice have a huge impact on success, although success isn't guaranteed.
HI Johnathan, pursuing your passion is always solid advice! Can you shed any light on the other half of the student's question? They also wanted to know if it was difficult field to get into/if it was well paying.
Gurpreet Lally, Admin
Michelle Park Senyard
Social Media Manager
2
Answers
San Francisco, California
Updated
Michelle’s Answer
Hi Gabby,
I studied photography as my college degree and received a Degree in Fine Arts in order to pursue photography. I then became an independent photographer for many years before deciding to leave that path and start a career in marketing. I now only do photography for my personal enjoyment and do paid photoshoots maybe once or twice a year. My full-time job in marketing is now how I support myself.
In my experience, it took a lot of hard work, my own money, and a lot of time (think years) to start making a profit with my photography. I do not believe there is a particular salary you can expect to make as a photographer, however, you can anticipate that at the beginning it will not pay very much. Once you have a very strong portfolio that fits the need of a client, then you can start to increase your price, and ideally, people will be willing to pay that and spread the word about you. If you want to work as a photographer for a company, this may also require a few years of doing shoots at a low price. The benefit for you in all that is that you can build your portfolio and gain valuable experience.
All that said, if you love photography you should definitely pursue it. I am so glad that I was a freelance photographer for the years that I was. I'm very proud of my work and was able to travel the world. Just be aware that it isn't a career that can be considered "a good-paying job" and it really takes a lot of time and determination to make enough money to support yourself. Photography as a career, for most people, is more about passion than a paycheck and a lot of people may have another job while being a photographer until they have enough experience and clientele to make photography their main job.
My advice to you is that if you really want to be a photographer, you don't necessarily have to think about all of that now. Just test the waters and experiment with free photoshoots to start. See if you enjoy the experience of working with a client. Think about what kind of photography you want to focus on, and what kind of style you would like people to know you for.
Good luck!
Think about what kind of photography you would like to spend most of your time on
Offer a free photoshoot to 1-2 clients
Talk to other professional photographers about how they started to price themselves
I studied photography as my college degree and received a Degree in Fine Arts in order to pursue photography. I then became an independent photographer for many years before deciding to leave that path and start a career in marketing. I now only do photography for my personal enjoyment and do paid photoshoots maybe once or twice a year. My full-time job in marketing is now how I support myself.
In my experience, it took a lot of hard work, my own money, and a lot of time (think years) to start making a profit with my photography. I do not believe there is a particular salary you can expect to make as a photographer, however, you can anticipate that at the beginning it will not pay very much. Once you have a very strong portfolio that fits the need of a client, then you can start to increase your price, and ideally, people will be willing to pay that and spread the word about you. If you want to work as a photographer for a company, this may also require a few years of doing shoots at a low price. The benefit for you in all that is that you can build your portfolio and gain valuable experience.
All that said, if you love photography you should definitely pursue it. I am so glad that I was a freelance photographer for the years that I was. I'm very proud of my work and was able to travel the world. Just be aware that it isn't a career that can be considered "a good-paying job" and it really takes a lot of time and determination to make enough money to support yourself. Photography as a career, for most people, is more about passion than a paycheck and a lot of people may have another job while being a photographer until they have enough experience and clientele to make photography their main job.
My advice to you is that if you really want to be a photographer, you don't necessarily have to think about all of that now. Just test the waters and experiment with free photoshoots to start. See if you enjoy the experience of working with a client. Think about what kind of photography you want to focus on, and what kind of style you would like people to know you for.
Good luck!
Michelle recommends the following next steps:
Dennis Cox
President at Photo Explorer Productions, Dennis Cox LLC
44
Answers
Ann Arbor, Michigan
Updated
Dennis’s Answer
Hello Gabby:
Dexter answered this well, so let me add to his observation.
I was a professional editorial photographer doing magazine assignments, stock photos, and books primarily, for four decades. It took at least one decade of struggling to have a decent income, a couple more that were highly lucrative (mainly because I started and owned a successful photo tour company and a boutique stock photo agency) and a final decade of watching my income slide as the financially viable photo industry dried up when everyone could easily becoming "a photographer" with digital.
I now do publishing of my own books and custom travel posters (unprofitably) with my stock images shot in over 100 countries since they no longer make any decent sales for outside publications. I have a closet with twenty cameras in it, but now only shoot with one of them, and it's just for fun. While I do know a few pros still working, they are well known enough to get a few of the editorial and corporate publication jobs still being assigned. I can't imagine how anyone could get started in this business now.
Please do learn and practice photography as a creative exercise, but if you want to earn a reasonable income, try another field. Thankfully my sons and daughter do well in medicine and architecture.
Dexter answered this well, so let me add to his observation.
I was a professional editorial photographer doing magazine assignments, stock photos, and books primarily, for four decades. It took at least one decade of struggling to have a decent income, a couple more that were highly lucrative (mainly because I started and owned a successful photo tour company and a boutique stock photo agency) and a final decade of watching my income slide as the financially viable photo industry dried up when everyone could easily becoming "a photographer" with digital.
I now do publishing of my own books and custom travel posters (unprofitably) with my stock images shot in over 100 countries since they no longer make any decent sales for outside publications. I have a closet with twenty cameras in it, but now only shoot with one of them, and it's just for fun. While I do know a few pros still working, they are well known enough to get a few of the editorial and corporate publication jobs still being assigned. I can't imagine how anyone could get started in this business now.
Please do learn and practice photography as a creative exercise, but if you want to earn a reasonable income, try another field. Thankfully my sons and daughter do well in medicine and architecture.