Hobby to Jobby
Discussion
Hi everyone,
Hope everyone is having a lovely wednesday morning
Photography has been my hobby for a few years now but I would like to make it more of a job then just a hobby. Im not the greatest photographer in the world but I think I could make a small living out of it. How and where can I make that step?? I didnt do photography at college which I regret alot now (did bloody graphic design
). Im only 21 so not to old to go back and do a photography course. I was wondering has anyone of here made the leap from photography just being a hobby to it being a job?
Nik
Hope everyone is having a lovely wednesday morning
Photography has been my hobby for a few years now but I would like to make it more of a job then just a hobby. Im not the greatest photographer in the world but I think I could make a small living out of it. How and where can I make that step?? I didnt do photography at college which I regret alot now (did bloody graphic design
). Im only 21 so not to old to go back and do a photography course. I was wondering has anyone of here made the leap from photography just being a hobby to it being a job? Nik
Dare I say it 
but why not start by submitting your existing shots to alamy, or microstock sites like Shutterstock or fotolia. Ive made over 100 quid in the last 2 weeks. Many photogs get involved in different aspects, ie wedding, sports, microstock too, commercial etc. When one goes quiet, the others help to suppliment your income.
The best way to take "the step" you mention, might be to start now, today, part time. Microstock can be done in your spare time, weddings and sports stuff (local clubs etc) over the weekend, you need not quit your day job. You will be in a far better position to decide and move forwards when you've been doing it for a while and have some more experience under your belt.
but why not start by submitting your existing shots to alamy, or microstock sites like Shutterstock or fotolia. Ive made over 100 quid in the last 2 weeks. Many photogs get involved in different aspects, ie wedding, sports, microstock too, commercial etc. When one goes quiet, the others help to suppliment your income. The best way to take "the step" you mention, might be to start now, today, part time. Microstock can be done in your spare time, weddings and sports stuff (local clubs etc) over the weekend, you need not quit your day job. You will be in a far better position to decide and move forwards when you've been doing it for a while and have some more experience under your belt.
Hi
I'm not a professional photographer so can't offer any experiences however it might be helpful to try and get a position as an assistant to a professional. That way you'd gain some experience of how a professional photographer operates, a bit about the business side, and hopefully an opportunity to improve your technique. I've read several articles about high profile professionals and a lot of them got started in this way.
I would suggest that some sort of course in photography and/or business may help as well - maybe a part time course?
good luck
Colin
I'm not a professional photographer so can't offer any experiences however it might be helpful to try and get a position as an assistant to a professional. That way you'd gain some experience of how a professional photographer operates, a bit about the business side, and hopefully an opportunity to improve your technique. I've read several articles about high profile professionals and a lot of them got started in this way.
I would suggest that some sort of course in photography and/or business may help as well - maybe a part time course?
good luck
Colin
My brothers partner just took pictures and entered some competitions, won a few, had some pics put in local calendars, one on the calendar weather too 
Now she's printed some off, and is selling them framed at sales, and has a few now in good picture shops, some selling for ~ £250 (inc shops take but forgotten % under 40% anyway)... think she has probably made £1000 in the last year all in... mind you through the summer she was up at day break for the sunrise, and back out for sunset, and lots in-between to catch those all important one in a year shots which seem to get sellers at shops buying some of your stock...
Lots of hard work but if it's your hobby thats the main thing, making money from something you enjoy doing isn't really work is it
Dave
Now she's printed some off, and is selling them framed at sales, and has a few now in good picture shops, some selling for ~ £250 (inc shops take but forgotten % under 40% anyway)... think she has probably made £1000 in the last year all in... mind you through the summer she was up at day break for the sunrise, and back out for sunset, and lots in-between to catch those all important one in a year shots which seem to get sellers at shops buying some of your stock...
Lots of hard work but if it's your hobby thats the main thing, making money from something you enjoy doing isn't really work is it
Dave
Mr Whippy said:
Lots of hard work but if it's your hobby thats the main thing, making money from something you enjoy doing isn't really work is it
Dave
Nope Dave
Id be interested to try calenders out, I should have 12 decent food shots by next year sometime, which might be suitable for as calenders for those in the catering or hospitality industry, any idea where to get started on that front?
Not sure, she just seems naturally very good and her grandfather was a keen photographer so has passed on the eye for a good shot.
Calendars, just entered a local competition, sent four pics, got three in there, including the front page one! Then she managed to get some pics in another one somehow, but don't think she made any significant money from them.
It's those one in a million pictures, of something with a strong image, like a local landmark seen in a light that no one ever see's them in that appear to be doing quite well in the affluent local area... I guess in another area of the country where it's not appreciated then it's just another nice picture rather than a familiar sight with an interesting twist!
My very limited advice, but I admire her ability to have gone from hobby to making significant money within 2 years, with what appears to be just enjoyment for the subject matter rather than some kind of steely determination and artistic frustration...
Personally I think courses in general are naff. If you enjoy photography already, just like anything else, you don't need a course to make you "better", you will naturally get better and learn more as you go.
Who taught the first photographer, or first artist, or first anything? I always feel learning through trial and error with advice where you need it, makes you appreciate where you end up more than just being told where to end up... but thats just my way of learning, and thats half the fun too!
Dave
Calendars, just entered a local competition, sent four pics, got three in there, including the front page one! Then she managed to get some pics in another one somehow, but don't think she made any significant money from them.
It's those one in a million pictures, of something with a strong image, like a local landmark seen in a light that no one ever see's them in that appear to be doing quite well in the affluent local area... I guess in another area of the country where it's not appreciated then it's just another nice picture rather than a familiar sight with an interesting twist!
My very limited advice, but I admire her ability to have gone from hobby to making significant money within 2 years, with what appears to be just enjoyment for the subject matter rather than some kind of steely determination and artistic frustration...
Personally I think courses in general are naff. If you enjoy photography already, just like anything else, you don't need a course to make you "better", you will naturally get better and learn more as you go.
Who taught the first photographer, or first artist, or first anything? I always feel learning through trial and error with advice where you need it, makes you appreciate where you end up more than just being told where to end up... but thats just my way of learning, and thats half the fun too!
Dave
Edited by Mr Whippy on Wednesday 15th November 17:18
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