(by 14 people)
Taking pictures is fun. Are you good at it? Then why not make some money!
In the age of digital cameras it is very easy to take pictures and sell your work without having to invest in lots of bulky equipment and messy chemicals. Today everything is digital, all you need is creativity.
Establishing yourself as a professional.
Step 1 -Decide what you want to photograph. Have a nitch. Landscapes, people, architecture, wildlife, portraits, sporting events, weddings, parties and nature are just a few ideas.
Step 2 - Get a digital camera. Digital cameras these days are not that expensive. Plan to spend about $199 to $399 on a good one. You need to get one with at least 5 mega pixels, but 7 or over is better.
Step 3 - Oraganize your business. Get business cards. Decide who will be your printer. Organize contacts. Start a portfolio. Above everything else, be professional. A good presentation means more repeat business.
Step 4 - Advertise. Hand out business cards VistaPrint offers free basic business cards, enter contests, display your work, get your friends and family to prompte you, start a website and online portfolio and put the web address on your business card. Get a MySpace page www.myspace.com to promote your business.
Step 5 - Track income and expenses for tax purposes. You can use a program like Quicken www.quicken.com
Step 6 - Have fun and don't give up. Starting a business is hard work but the payoff is profit, a sense of accomplishment and fun.
Below are some great resources for getting started.
Useful Websites
- A History of Photography
- A History of Photography from its beginnings till the 1920s by Dr. Robert Leggat MA M.Ed Ph.D. FRPS FRSA
- The American Museum of Photography
- The American Museum of Photography
- Lightning Photography
- The History of Photography: Lightning Photography
- Megapixel.net
- The digital camera review web magazine.
- PhotographyTips.com
- PhotographyTips.com is for everyone with an interest in photography. It is intended to help beginners get started in photography, and become so good at it that they turn into advanced amateurs. But, accomplished photographers will also find useful tips and hints here. Our primary objective is to help people like you to take better photographs.
- Shutterbug
- Shutterbug - Tools, Techniques, Creativity
- SmugMug
- The ultimate in photo sharing. Easily create online photo albums. Share, store, organize and print.
- SportsShooter.com
- SportsShooter.com - Provides an online community and resource for sports photographers and other working photojournalists.
- Wedding Photojournalist Association
- The Wedding Photojournalist Association (WPJA) is a professional organization composed of photojournalists and wedding photographers from around the world. What sets our members apart in the industry is their candid, documentary approach - a distinctly artistic vision toward wedding photography.
- Zazzle 101 ... How to make a profit on Zazzle
- Zazzle is one of the Print-on-demand compaines out there that allows people to design & sell their own creations. I love Zazzle's ease of use, friendly staff, and the fact that I can make money on my art. Here are my Top 8 Tips to have a profitable Zazzle Gallery.
Photography Books
Complete Digital Photography, Third Edition (Digital Photography Series)
Amazon Price: $29.16 (as of 10/12/2008)
The Digital Photography Book
Amazon Price: $13.59 (as of 10/12/2008)
Digital Wedding Photography: Capturing Beautiful Memories
Amazon Price: $19.79 (as of 10/12/2008)
Digital Portrait Photography and Lighting: Take Memorable Shots Every Time
Amazon Price: $19.79 (as of 10/12/2008)
Understanding Exposure: How to Shoot Great Photographs with a Film or Digital Camera (Updated Edition)
Amazon Price: $16.47 (as of 10/12/2008)
Photography Magazines
Digital Photo Pro
Amazon Price: $24.97 (as of 10/12/2008)
PCPhoto
Amazon Price: $11.97 (as of 10/12/2008)
Popular Photography & Imaging
Amazon Price: $14.00 (as of 10/12/2008)
Outdoor Photographer
Amazon Price: $14.97 (as of 10/12/2008)
Shutterbug
Amazon Price: $12.00 (as of 10/12/2008)
Reader Feedback
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LaraineRose
Thank you for building this lens. I found out more about Zazzle. Sort of like CafePress. Will is making money with "Imagekind" also. I appreciate the extra information you have given us. 5 stars, favorite, lensroll to my Staycation and already a fan. Posted May 21, 2008 |
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Soulshine_Expressions
Lots of good information and advice in this lens. Good job! Posted May 20, 2008 |
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mulberry
Sounds easy, nice tips! Posted April 20, 2008 |
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rwoman
Just visiting some of the Renaissance Groups member lenses! Great job! Posted March 22, 2008 |
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Roving_Band
What a great lens! I'm happy to be in The Everything Photography Group with you! Posted March 07, 2008 |
