making money from your hobby

[ngater]

This must be asked all the time, but I've not seen it asked on here. How did those who are photographers for a living start off??

I enjoy photography as a hobby & would like to try and develop myself further to a point where it may be an option to start to make some money from the photos I take.

Any advice welcomed!!!

[tonymidd]

The number one question, in what field would you want to work?
Before making any moves have a look in yellow pages under photographers, it may put the start up problem into perspective. What can you offer that that lot can't?
If it's weddings, and it usually is, try to get some time assisting with an established photographer.

[ngater]

Tony ... thanks for the advice, realise that is a very fair point.

At the moment thats a step further than I can really financially afford to take (Got to keep my little boy in nappies!!). What I was thinking more in the short term was that I enjoy taking landscapes & some more abstract shots. If I was able to market some of these and make some money from them then it may be able to fund me to buy some better equipment & potentially to get more experience / training.

What I am struggling with is how to go about it. At present I've identified a few local "coffee shop" type places that display & sell local photos / local artists + I have started to build up a portfolio of local shots that I am happy with. Really I am open for advice from anyone that has tried a similar venture.....

[Stemmy]

I know somebody quite local who does great training courses. ???????:D :D :D

[tonymidd]

What I am struggling with is how to go about it. At present I've identified a few local "coffee shop" type places that display & sell local photos / local artists + I have started to build up a portfolio of local shots that I am happy with. Really I am open for advice from anyone that has tried a similar venture..... I've tried this with limited sucess, unless you've got a lot of really spectacular images you'll not make a fortune. Don't forget this sort of outlet will want a cut, as much as 10/15% so price accordingly.
You are going to have a reasonable outlay before you make a penny, good quality archival prints and good framing are essential. For your portfolio you can get away with unmounted prints in your display folder, another £25/30 but you must have at least two framed prints to show. It's then a case of knocking on doors. Different people have different sale approaches but for this sort of excersise I'd not advise telephoning for an appointment. My method was to send a flyer; A4 folded twice, giving details of subject matter, some images including one of the finished framed item, retail prices and a nonspecific taster for outlet deals. I suppose this could now be a CD or DVD such as Martin uses tho that may be a bit high tec for this market. This was followed up by a personal visit about 10 days latter. A 20% conversion rates not bad going. As for retail pricing I sold an A4 Fujicrystal print in a good frame for £35/45; canvas bonded prints were £80/90; which allowed for a 10% cut to the shop. Don't forget art shops, the framer and maybe the local library could be interested. Actually most of my sales came from the framer and the coffee shop in the local heritage centre.
Local views sell best, keep it choc boxy as joe soap loves this. Moody mono also sell well.
Good luck