How many of you are working pros?

VeddieEdder · 09-07-2006, 00:22

Just curious. All of you make such incredible images. Id also be curious to know how long those who are working pros have been at it, and how they got their "break". This isn't intended for chest-thumping, or to separate hobbyists from pros. I just wondered. I myself work a full time job that sucks, and work part-time for a friend/studio owner doing mostly sports action, and am slowly recieving training in T&I and studio work. I will soon be learning printing, as our studio is trying to move to 100% in house work. When that happens, hoping the workload stays the same or improves, I can possibly start working full time in the photo business. I love shooting action, plus I get up close action at some very big local games. My father was a professional photographer, worked in NYC as a freelancer/bartender (go figure, starving artist and all) and he also worked at a local paper here in my hometown before he passed away. I guess he's the reason I got interested, and Id also guess he gave me his "eye" so to speak.

**stepheno** · 09-07-2006, 08:34

Well, you can count me out. I'm just a rank amateur who enjoys taking photographs. It must be good to get pid for your "hobby" so to speak. Wish you well and I hope you get where you want to go.

Gary Bagshawe · 09-07-2006, 12:52

Hi there VE, I make most of my money from photography so I spose people would call me pro, I don't consider myself pro as Im just doing what I enjoy and happen to make some money out of it. On this and other forums there are so called amateurs that make me look very second rate. and then there are some amateurs (not on here or the other forum I post on regulary) that are so

retentive that I get really p##### off with them.
I got into photography by nicking my dads camera when I was about 10 yrs old. At high School I discovered a black and white darkroom that hadn't been used for years, I then went on to do a city and guilds in scientific and technical photography, but at the end of the 2nd year I started as an assisstant getting paid bugger all but what I learned there was priceless, by the age of 18 I was going on calender shoots and getting my pictures in most of the national newspapers in this country, I guess I have been fairly lucky really but that said I have always loved taking photographs and im the kind of dumb ass that does what I want, even if that means not eating, (not come to that yet) I have a very understanding partner who is very encouraging of my work and my passion. Well thats my bit.

***Dave*** · 09-07-2006, 13:26

One thing to note is that hobbies are enjoyable because we choose when & where we participate in them. When it becomes a job, then that luxury goes. You have to produce the goods on time, to the spec of the customer.

Great to see people like Gary still getting the kick from it

Sounds like you (VE) will have the same passion if you follow that route

VeddieEdder · 09-07-2006, 14:34

I fully agree. I get paid but I'd do it for free too. I agree that becoming "paid" adds pressures, but Id say that its worth it. How many people are there who truly LOVE what they do for a living out there? Not alot. And you guys are right. There are TONS of "amateurs" out there who blow the doors off some "pros" work. I certainly don't consider myself one by any stretch, more like a paid amateur. Im not a "gear guy" either. Im of the "I dont need to know how a car works in order to drive" school.

As I said, this wasn't intended as a "toot your own horn" thread. Please dont think that. Between this and several other forums I frequent, I see some truly AMAZING images, and often think, man, if these guys arent getting paid to shoot, they should be!

***Steve*** · 10-07-2006, 08:03

Quote:

Originally Posted by VeddieEdder

I see some truly AMAZING images, and often think, man, if these guys arent getting paid to shoot, they should be!

Thats the ting that I constantly notice as well, some of the 'pros' work that you see sell for silly money is often nowhere near as good as many works shown on forums like this by so called amateurs. I guess it all comes down to getting your work known or reputation.

Gary Bagshawe · 10-07-2006, 09:20

It's also a matter of perceived value, If somebody saw a print for sale in a shop at £75.00 they may well think that it has been produced by an amateur, stick a £250.00+ label on it and they will sell, Trust me I know this from experience. People think that they are getting better value for money the more it costs.

VeddieEdder · 10-07-2006, 12:04

Quote:

Originally Posted by Gary Bagshawe

It's also a matter of perceived value, If somebody saw a print for sale in a shop at £75.00 they may well think that it has been produced by an amateur, stick a £250.00+ label on it and they will sell, Trust me I know this from experience. People think that they are getting better value for money the more it costs.

An item is worth whatever someone is willing to pay.

stevec · 10-07-2006, 16:27

ME strickly amature would not want or ever likely to be paid for any pics I may take I have nothing againsed being paid my job covers that I take photos for me
if someone else likes them they can have one with pleasure

VikingPhotography · 11-07-2006, 00:55

I earn all of my income from photography and believe me - if I'd known just how tough that was going to be (and how much I'd be shelling out for kit to do it), I'd probably not have bothered getting into it

I'm one of the new breed of "young-upstart-whippersnapper" photographers that never went to college to earn a photo qualification, didn't bother apprenticing or assisting an existing pro and pretty much jumped in at the deep end with both feet. I enjoy what I do and make money from it though, so I must be doing something right, eh?

I kinda cut my teeth at age 15 with a film camera, if you can call it that... a Canon Sureshot ACE compact with a 28mm wide angle lens

Abused it for years until I went digital back in 2000 (Konica 2MP compact), traded up to prosumer kit in 2004 (Sony F828) and went the whole hog in mid 2005 (£12K of Nikon kit)

This year I dipped my toe into wedding photography and found that I enjoyed it and - miracle of miracles - the couples I was shooting liked the results. I'm planning an assault on the wedding fair circuit in my area this autumn/winter and no doubt will put a few noses out of joint regarding the more established studios and photographers around here but hey... if they want their products and packages to be stuck in the 20th Century, who am I to complain

But yeah - it's all good. 2007 looks set to be a great year and I can't think of a better way to earn my living than grinning like an idiot from behind a camera...

Gary Bagshawe · 11-07-2006, 01:18

Quote:

Originally Posted by VikingPhotography

I earn all of my income from photography and believe me - if I'd known just how tough that was going to be (and how much I'd be shelling out for kit to do it), I'd probably not have bothered getting into it

I'm one of the new breed of "young-upstart-whippersnapper" photographers that never went to college to earn a photo qualification, didn't bother apprenticing or assisting an existing pro and pretty much jumped in at the deep end with both feet. I enjoy what I do and make money from it though, so I must be doing something right, eh?

I kinda cut my teeth at age 15 with a film camera, if you can call it that... a Canon Sureshot ACE compact with a 28mm wide angle lens

Abused it for years until I went digital back in 2000 (Konica 2MP compact), traded up to prosumer kit in 2004 (Sony F828) and went the whole hog in mid 2005 (£12K of Nikon kit)

This year I dipped my toe into wedding photography and found that I enjoyed it and - miracle of miracles - the couples I was shooting liked the results. I'm planning an assault on the wedding fair circuit in my area this autumn/winter and no doubt will put a few noses out of joint regarding the more established studios and photographers around here but hey... if they want their products and packages to be stuck in the 20th Century, who am I to complain

But yeah - it's all good. 2007 looks set to be a great year and I can't think of a better way to earn my living than grinning like an idiot from behind a camera...

Good for you, top man, May I wish you all the best. Go for it dude and never look back.

***Steve*** · 11-07-2006, 10:51

Absolutely!!! There are no rules to say that you can't have a slice of the Wedding photography business. By the sounds of it you are looking at modern type shoots rather than the classical and traditional albums that the 'old school' are content with producing. I have some experience in this area and can tell you that if you attain high standards in the post production of the shots then the wedding arm to your photography business will become VERY successful. Like Gary I wish you all the best in 2007 and look forward to seeing some of your work posted

dod · 12-07-2006, 11:58

I sell enough to buy a cup of coffee or two at events, self financing then

daveyuk · 13-07-2006, 13:00

Me, I'm very much a self funding amature, my photography is my escape from that thing called the rat race. Having said that I've sold a few of my images to some friends and got a kick out of doing so. Last year I managed to get some of my Biggin Hill airshow photographs selected for the History channels web site which sent my ego through the roof. I'd love to get an image or two in a magazine (who wouldn't) at some point just for the kudos of doing so. If I manage that or sell a few more photo's then that's bonus time as far as I'm conserned.

09-07-2006, 00:22	#1 (permalink)
VeddieEdder Been here a while Join Date: Apr 2006 Location: Eastern Pennsylvania Posts: 274	How many of you are working pros? Just curious. All of you make such incredible images. Id also be curious to know how long those who are working pros have been at it, and how they got their "break". This isn't intended for chest-thumping, or to separate hobbyists from pros. I just wondered. I myself work a full time job that sucks, and work part-time for a friend/studio owner doing mostly sports action, and am slowly recieving training in T&I and studio work. I will soon be learning printing, as our studio is trying to move to 100% in house work. When that happens, hoping the workload stays the same or improves, I can possibly start working full time in the photo business. I love shooting action, plus I get up close action at some very big local games. My father was a professional photographer, worked in NYC as a freelancer/bartender (go figure, starving artist and all) and he also worked at a local paper here in my hometown before he passed away. I guess he's the reason I got interested, and Id also guess he gave me his "eye" so to speak. __________________ Insert witty phrase here <-----

09-07-2006, 08:34	#2 (permalink)
stepheno Pixalo Crew Join Date: Jul 2005 Posts: 6,637	Re: How many of you are working pros? Well, you can count me out. I'm just a rank amateur who enjoys taking photographs. It must be good to get pid for your "hobby" so to speak. Wish you well and I hope you get where you want to go.

09-07-2006, 12:52	#3 (permalink)
Gary Bagshawe Rep Point Winner 07 Join Date: Apr 2005 Location: Sheffield UK Posts: 2,232	Re: How many of you are working pros? Hi there VE, I make most of my money from photography so I spose people would call me pro, I don't consider myself pro as Im just doing what I enjoy and happen to make some money out of it. On this and other forums there are so called amateurs that make me look very second rate. and then there are some amateurs (not on here or the other forum I post on regulary) that are so retentive that I get really p##### off with them. I got into photography by nicking my dads camera when I was about 10 yrs old. At high School I discovered a black and white darkroom that hadn't been used for years, I then went on to do a city and guilds in scientific and technical photography, but at the end of the 2nd year I started as an assisstant getting paid bugger all but what I learned there was priceless, by the age of 18 I was going on calender shoots and getting my pictures in most of the national newspapers in this country, I guess I have been fairly lucky really but that said I have always loved taking photographs and im the kind of dumb ass that does what I want, even if that means not eating, (not come to that yet) I have a very understanding partner who is very encouraging of my work and my passion. Well thats my bit. __________________

09-07-2006, 13:26	#4 (permalink)
*Dave* Pixalo Crew Join Date: Jul 2005 Posts: 14,909	Re: How many of you are working pros? One thing to note is that hobbies are enjoyable because we choose when & where we participate in them. When it becomes a job, then that luxury goes. You have to produce the goods on time, to the spec of the customer. Great to see people like Gary still getting the kick from it Sounds like you (VE) will have the same passion if you follow that route

09-07-2006, 14:34	#5 (permalink)
VeddieEdder Been here a while Join Date: Apr 2006 Location: Eastern Pennsylvania Posts: 274	Re: How many of you are working pros? I fully agree. I get paid but I'd do it for free too. I agree that becoming "paid" adds pressures, but Id say that its worth it. How many people are there who truly LOVE what they do for a living out there? Not alot. And you guys are right. There are TONS of "amateurs" out there who blow the doors off some "pros" work. I certainly don't consider myself one by any stretch, more like a paid amateur. Im not a "gear guy" either. Im of the "I dont need to know how a car works in order to drive" school. As I said, this wasn't intended as a "toot your own horn" thread. Please dont think that. Between this and several other forums I frequent, I see some truly AMAZING images, and often think, man, if these guys arent getting paid to shoot, they should be!

10-07-2006, 09:20	#7 (permalink)
Gary Bagshawe Rep Point Winner 07 Join Date: Apr 2005 Location: Sheffield UK Posts: 2,232	Re: How many of you are working pros? It's also a matter of perceived value, If somebody saw a print for sale in a shop at £75.00 they may well think that it has been produced by an amateur, stick a £250.00+ label on it and they will sell, Trust me I know this from experience. People think that they are getting better value for money the more it costs.

10-07-2006, 16:27	#9 (permalink)
stevec Getting Comfy Join Date: Jan 2006 Location: bradford west yorkshire Posts: 242	Re: How many of you are working pros? ME strickly amature would not want or ever likely to be paid for any pics I may take I have nothing againsed being paid my job covers that I take photos for me if someone else likes them they can have one with pleasure

11-07-2006, 00:55	#10 (permalink)
VikingPhotography Forum Regular Join Date: Jul 2006 Location: Just south of Glasgow, Scotland Posts: 788	Chalk one up here too I earn all of my income from photography and believe me - if I'd known just how tough that was going to be (and how much I'd be shelling out for kit to do it), I'd probably not have bothered getting into it I'm one of the new breed of "young-upstart-whippersnapper" photographers that never went to college to earn a photo qualification, didn't bother apprenticing or assisting an existing pro and pretty much jumped in at the deep end with both feet. I enjoy what I do and make money from it though, so I must be doing something right, eh? I kinda cut my teeth at age 15 with a film camera, if you can call it that... a Canon Sureshot ACE compact with a 28mm wide angle lens Abused it for years until I went digital back in 2000 (Konica 2MP compact), traded up to prosumer kit in 2004 (Sony F828) and went the whole hog in mid 2005 (£12K of Nikon kit) This year I dipped my toe into wedding photography and found that I enjoyed it and - miracle of miracles - the couples I was shooting liked the results. I'm planning an assault on the wedding fair circuit in my area this autumn/winter and no doubt will put a few noses out of joint regarding the more established studios and photographers around here but hey... if they want their products and packages to be stuck in the 20th Century, who am I to complain But yeah - it's all good. 2007 looks set to be a great year and I can't think of a better way to earn my living than grinning like an idiot from behind a camera...

11-07-2006, 10:51	#12 (permalink)
*Steve* Pixalo Crew Join Date: Jan 2005 Location: An Englishman living in Germany Posts: 16,158	Re: How many of you are working pros? Absolutely!!! There are no rules to say that you can't have a slice of the Wedding photography business. By the sounds of it you are looking at modern type shoots rather than the classical and traditional albums that the 'old school' are content with producing. I have some experience in this area and can tell you that if you attain high standards in the post production of the shots then the wedding arm to your photography business will become VERY successful. Like Gary I wish you all the best in 2007 and look forward to seeing some of your work posted

12-07-2006, 11:58	#13 (permalink)
dod Feet under the table Join Date: Feb 2005 Location: Nairn Posts: 1,911	Re: How many of you are working pros? I sell enough to buy a cup of coffee or two at events, self financing then

13-07-2006, 13:00	#14 (permalink)
daveyuk Forum Regular Join Date: Jul 2005 Location: Berkshire Posts: 1,150	Re: How many of you are working pros? Me, I'm very much a self funding amature, my photography is my escape from that thing called the rat race. Having said that I've sold a few of my images to some friends and got a kick out of doing so. Last year I managed to get some of my Biggin Hill airshow photographs selected for the History channels web site which sent my ego through the roof. I'd love to get an image or two in a magazine (who wouldn't) at some point just for the kudos of doing so. If I manage that or sell a few more photo's then that's bonus time as far as I'm conserned. __________________ http://www.pbase.com/davey_uk http://www.thehistorychannel.co.uk/s..._hill_2005.php

18-07-2006, 15:32	#15 (permalink)
dazzajl Been here a while