What kind of photography business do you have?
- Thread starter jdeg
- Start date
JoeLewisPhotography
Senior Member
For me it's Lifestyle. Families, kids, engagement's, senior's etc. Its a relitively new, growing business for me right now. I still work a full time job....But hope to have this grow into a full time gig soon.
Mine is families and pets. Like JoeLewis above, it's relatively new and I'm still working on getting my name out but it's coming along. I decided to do what I am comfortable with, as I was going to include weddings but I've never done a wedding, so don't want to take more than I can chew. maybe one day but not the moment.
Essence of Imagery
New member
A suggestion, Kayte:
If you ever want to get into weddings, spend a couple of seasons (I spent three) shooting as a second photographer for a seasoned professional. Shadow them and learn all you can from them - and see if you STILL want to go into the wedding photography business.
If you ever want to get into weddings, spend a couple of seasons (I spent three) shooting as a second photographer for a seasoned professional. Shadow them and learn all you can from them - and see if you STILL want to go into the wedding photography business.
Carolina Photo Guy
Senior Member
I'm not sure how to classify what I do. I shoot whatever interests me, be it flora, fauna or architecture. I have 2 storefronts on Zazzle (Lighthouses of North Carolina and New England: Home: Zazzle.com Store & iPad Covers ONLY: Home: Zazzle.com Store) where I have my images on a myriad of products.
I LOVE craft fairs and am planning to start back in them. Trust me, a heart attack takes a LOT out of you!
I started in, for lack of a better term, merchant photography back in January of 2003 when there was a large snowfall on the Outer Banks. I collected a lot of shots and had the best of the best put on coffee mugs. I bought the mugs for a buck fifty each and sold them for ten dollars each. I sold out five cases of thirty six mugs each in six weeks. That pushed me into the nightlights. I bought the large plastic light from Wally World for a buck each on closeout, replaced their ugly picture with my beautiful shots and sold out 200 in 3 craft shows. Those went for my usual ten dollars each.
I sell prints, cups, postcards, ipad covers, ect on Zazzle without having to do a thing. I don't make much, but its found money. Below is a shot of my first products that I saved for posterity.
I have no business model other than make it cheap and sell for a small profit. I have also found that people seem to like what I shoot.
So, am I Donald Trump successful? Hell no! Am I pauper poor? Again, Hell no!
I am enjoying myself. I get to travel and I get to meet some fantastic people and a few ass*oles. All in all, a pretty good life.
Pete
I LOVE craft fairs and am planning to start back in them. Trust me, a heart attack takes a LOT out of you!
I started in, for lack of a better term, merchant photography back in January of 2003 when there was a large snowfall on the Outer Banks. I collected a lot of shots and had the best of the best put on coffee mugs. I bought the mugs for a buck fifty each and sold them for ten dollars each. I sold out five cases of thirty six mugs each in six weeks. That pushed me into the nightlights. I bought the large plastic light from Wally World for a buck each on closeout, replaced their ugly picture with my beautiful shots and sold out 200 in 3 craft shows. Those went for my usual ten dollars each.
I sell prints, cups, postcards, ipad covers, ect on Zazzle without having to do a thing. I don't make much, but its found money. Below is a shot of my first products that I saved for posterity.
I have no business model other than make it cheap and sell for a small profit. I have also found that people seem to like what I shoot.
So, am I Donald Trump successful? Hell no! Am I pauper poor? Again, Hell no!
I am enjoying myself. I get to travel and I get to meet some fantastic people and a few ass*oles. All in all, a pretty good life.
Pete
Browncoat
Senior Member
I dabble in a few different genres: sports (event photographer for an MMA fight promoter), product photography, modeling shoots, real estate, and fine art when I can. I don't do traditional portrait sessions or weddings because, well...I just don't want to. I combine my photography services with web and graphic design. So far it has been a good combo for me.
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Although I am a not for profit photographer (well I don't get paid! LOL) I take photos that are used by the local newpapers website for the local festivals, seeing as my wife runs it for them I don't really have a choice 
The pro's of this are that I get to take lots of good photos watching something I love which is live music. We are doing well, possibly beacuse we come free but more and more requests keep coming in for us to attend more festivals and gigs. We are now on 3 festival commitees, we will never be rich and spending 3 days at a 5, 6, 7 stage festival trying to get photos of every local act, the headliners and as many Social images as we can is exhausting, but I wouldn't change it for anything, I might have to in years to come as if I keep sticking my head in PA systems to get a good angle on a singer or guitarist will eventually lead to madness LOL. We get involved, muck in and help out as we go at these events, the appreciation from bands and organisers make it all worthwhile. If you can make money shooting what you love I take my hat off to you and wish you all the luck in the world. Now if I can only find a way to start charging.......hmmmm
The pro's of this are that I get to take lots of good photos watching something I love which is live music. We are doing well, possibly beacuse we come free but more and more requests keep coming in for us to attend more festivals and gigs. We are now on 3 festival commitees, we will never be rich and spending 3 days at a 5, 6, 7 stage festival trying to get photos of every local act, the headliners and as many Social images as we can is exhausting, but I wouldn't change it for anything, I might have to in years to come as if I keep sticking my head in PA systems to get a good angle on a singer or guitarist will eventually lead to madness LOL. We get involved, muck in and help out as we go at these events, the appreciation from bands and organisers make it all worthwhile. If you can make money shooting what you love I take my hat off to you and wish you all the luck in the world. Now if I can only find a way to start charging.......hmmmm
Browncoat
Senior Member
ohkphoto
Snow White
I do weddings, which can wear you out very quickly (am teaming up with Bill (Yibel)) to do local weddings.) I have a studio where I "play" mostly and have my large epson printer set up, as well as a large backdrop and studio lights for anyone who wants that kind of portrait. I do a much better job than Sears and Walmart! Most of my "portrait" sessions end up being either at the client's home or another location. I also shoot events. Online sales of prints and other products. I just recently started posting some of my fine art prints for print sales and commercial licensing with Photoshelter.
Much like Pete, I shoot what interests me at any given moment. I don't do this for profit of any kind, other than the satisfaction it gives me when/if someone likes my pictures. This summer, I have a small hippie style wedding to do and I'll be paid for it ($400) LOL. It's the first and last one I'll do, too, as I'm just not into that kind of stuff. Too much like work. When I leave the house, I usually have the camera with me, just in case I come across an interesting shot. But for all intents and purposes, I do what I do because I just love to take pictures. Pretty lame, eh?
When I leave the house, I usually have the camera with me, just in case I come across an interesting shot. But for all intents and purposes, I do what I do because I just love to take pictures. Pretty lame, eh? You are making me homesick!!!!
Scottgilbert
New member
I now only shoot weddings, as this keeps me busy all year, I still like to shoot small personal projects when i get time. I also have a small studio that rarely gets used, mainly used for family portraits.
Fotojo
Senior Member
I have shoot just about all catagories, one time or another. But shoot Wedding, Portrait, Model for their Portfolio, some Event. Am currently looking at building to lease or purchase for Studio. I want to also set-up a rental program for the Studio foe other Photographers to use to help off-set some of the cost.