how many of you finance their hobby with sellling pictures?

[Michael I.]

Is there a way to cover photography costs by selling stock,prints, shooting weddings etc?

Share your moneymaking ideas with the group, help us shoot more!


Thanks
Mike

 

[egpj]

This is one of my dreams. To finance everything with photography. You'd think I could do something with some of the photos I have taken but I only have beauty in my eye. Right now it looks like I may have found another position in South America. Hopefully I can find some truely interesting images down there to sell. O'jala!

 

[Michael I.]

I dont dare to wish to be a full time photogrpher - I only want photography to finance itself

 

[oftheherd]

This is one of my dreams. To finance everything with photography. You'd think I could do something with some of the photos I have taken but I only have beauty in my eye. Right now it looks like I may have found another position in South America. Hopefully I can find some truely interesting images down there to sell. O'jala!

I used to have that dream. I guess we all do or have had. Some day, who knows?

Btw, I think you are only the second person (including myself) I ever ran across who used that expression. Ojala!

 

[FrankS]

I do paid work only to finance photography gear: weddings and portraits. From these assignments I make further money by printing B+W enlargements.

Even 3 or 4 jobs like this per year goes a long way towards gear, and is not too demanding of my free time. I've found a nice balance for myself.

 

[peterc]

Is there a way to cover photography costs by selling stock,prints, shooting weddings etc?

I know people who do this, but they've generally found that their hobby is no longer a hobby but a job. Rather than just going out and shooting for fun, they find themselves always looking for a shot that can sell. Also, the wedding assignments etc. often end up taking their free time they'd normally spend enjoying their hobby.

Peter

 

[einolu]

My photography is only starting to reach the point where I am satisfied with it. It's still mostly about the experience of taking pictures for me. I would also need to figure out the logistics of it all. I'm moving down to New York soon, so maybe I can sit out on the streets of Soho with some photos and see if I can sell something (it would still be mostly about seeing if others enjoy my photography instead of financial gains).

 

[Pherdinand]

I guess i will have to pull down my pants if i want to sell pictures, so far i had no interest even in free giveaways (and pants up).

 

[kbg32]

I do stock, sell prints through galleries, and freelance. This amounts to 1/3 of my yearly income. The other 2/3s come from my work as a photo editor.

 

[varjag]

Photography has paid out for most of my gear, but I don't have a strict goal to self-finance the hobby. That's what daily job is for 🙂

 

[ErnestoJL]

My main activity was in electronics since past June 30. From there on, I was doing a lot of other things just to keep me active and on the road. I should keep this way until photography becomes profitable enough to be my only activity.
I´m starting to make photography pay for itself, but not taking pictures or selling them yet. I do some repair and restoring of old cameras, and some other things to make my living.
Meanwhile I take pictures of everything I find to be interesting or just "says" something one way or another. Some day... maybe!


Ernesto

 

[mpt600]

I contribute to Alamy Images, www.alamy.com with limited success. My problem is that I send them the pictures that I want to take, which aren't necessarily the pictures they want to sell. They send a detailed "wants" list out regularly, so if you took it seriously you could go out with this in mind.

 

[fgianni]

If you find someone mad enough to pay for my pictures please let me know.

 

[Chuck A]

I do paid work only to finance photography gear: weddings and portraits. From these assignments I make further money by printing B+W enlargements.

Even 3 or 4 jobs like this per year goes a long way towards gear, and is not too demanding of my free time. I've found a nice balance for myself.

Franks got the idea. This is what I do as well. Selling some prints and doing the occasional assignment really helps toward new gear. I have worked as a pro in the past and didn't like it as much as I thought I would. It kinda killed my love of phtotgraphy at the time.

 

[Flyfisher Tom]

I have considered selling my organs. How much is a kidney worth nowadays?

 

[pesphoto]

I havent sold much, but just recently sold 3 prints form my website. When I do it goes towards buying film or chemicals. Otherwise whatever meager $$ is left over from my paycheck after bills, I use that to play with. Its not nearly enough.

 

[J. Borger]

The moment i start thinking money ... it is the end of a wonderful hobby.
No desire or need for a 2nd career.
I sold a couple of pictures to an advertising agency who stumbled across them on the internet, and do portraits and events once in a while for good friends for free (which is something i do not enjoy at all!!).
Otherwise i shoot only for my own pleasure .. no consessions!

 

[FrankS]

I have considered selling my organs. How much is a kidney worth nowadays?

Not as much as a heart. 🙂

 

[Michael I.]

I've seen russian ads of desperate people offering a kidney for 30-45KEuro.
That could pay for a nicey nice leica custom mp kit with the spunkiest lenses if it wouldnt be so sad and desperate.

 

[FrankS]

Does that price include shipping? 🙂