 Jeff |
Making money without a good camera? Goodday! I am very interested in starting a career in photography but have little money and a cheap digital camera. Is it possible to start making money in photography with just what I have? If so, where could I start? Or do I need to just get a nice camera?
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Brendan Knell |
Well, for starters, what do you have? I would say that with a cheap camera, that you could probably make a little money. But it also depends on what kind of photography you want to do.
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Christopher A. Vedros |
The first question is not "what kind of camera do you have?", the first question is "do you have any skills as a photographer?". Is there anything special about the pictures you take that makes you think someone would pay you money for them? If you want someone to pay you money, you need to provide them a product or a service that they can't do themselves.
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Susan L. Vasquez |
My husband is always going on about me "selling" my work. I just don't think that is an realistic option. Personally I think I do very nice work, but the digital world is putting many fine professional photographers out of business, so why would they buy my shots? Everyone has really gotten the bug and enjoys taking that photograph themselves! My walls are covered here at home :) I am not about to spend $300-$400 on senior portraits for my daughter when I can go out and do it for less than $50. I am content to share my photography as gifts...they make great presents and people love them. That is my greatest joy.
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Jeff |
The camera I have is a Fujifilm Digital FinePix A303. And yes, I do believe I have a nack for capturing beauty. What type of product or service would you recommend me starting out with?
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Justin G. |
The misconception a lot of people have (no disrespect or anything) is that the second someone gets a digital camera, they assume it's easy to just go out and start making money. My recommendation on what to start out with would be some classes and personal instruction with a local photgrapher around you. Fine tooning your skills will give you the skills needed to suceed in this career and pretty soon before you know it, without even trying your work will market itself if it's worthy. Learn the art, consume a passion for it and just love photography as it is before you market yourself. When you start putting your large print work in exhibitions and competitions and galleries (like the state fair or an art & wine convention) then people will notice your ability and look for you. Stick with the desire to learn and passion to capture the perfect moment and you'll be on your way.
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Christopher A. Vedros |
Justin gives some good advice, but I think you will quickly find that you will be severely limited by your camera. Most photographers will agree that buying a better camera does not automatically make someone a better photographer. But there are some basic minimums to consider as a starting point. You have a 3 MegaPixel snapshot camera with no manual controls. There's only so much you can expect to do with that. I know this may sound harsh. Believe me, I'm not trying to belittle you or your skills as a photographer. I've never seen any photos you've taken - you could be a great photographer and I wouldn't know it. But that doesn't necessarily mean that anyone will pay you money for your pictures.
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Kerry L. Walker |
I agree with both Justin and Chris here. (How are things in the Big Easy now, Chris?) You need both a better camera and skills. You don't necessarily need the most expensive camera available to hone your skills, just something you can control rather than having the camera take control. Buy the best camera you can afford but don't buy more than you can afford. After all, the lens is the most important part of the equation, not the camera body. If you buy a cheap SLR body (whether it is film as Justin and I prefer or digital as Chris prefers) now with a good lens, you can transfer that lens to a better body latter (whether the new body is film of digital, the lens will work on it). Look at photography as a fun hobby, not as a profession. If you enjoy it, learn it and get really good at it, you will become good enough to make money at it and away you go - making money at something you do for fun.
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Jeff |
Thanks for all the fantastic advice. I know for sure that I would like to stick with digital. That being said, can you recommend a cheap SLR body and a good lense that I could start with? Also, what is the minumum megapixel I should start with? I know I cant just get rich quick with photography. I'm just seeing if I can make ANY money with photography. I'm 35 years old and have had non creative careers so far and that's just not what I'm about. I need to pursue something creative. I love photography and I'm just trying to find out how hard it is to get a career going with it. Perhaps it was only meant to be a hobby for me. I guess we will find out! Thanks again for your replies. jeff
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Justin G. |
And Jeff I didn't mean any of my comments directly towards you directly, just in a generality. Just for the record it IS possible to make money in photgraphy even at an amateur level. As Chris said we don't know how good of a photographer you are, you could be outstanding, a pure natural. Some people just have a nack for things. Don't let our advice deture (sp?) you but let them motivate you. This won't be an easy path (the making money part) but a very rewarding one. I only know about my Canon equipment so I am gonna recommend a Digital Rebel (selling around $700 I believe for a kit) this is 6.3MP. 6.3MP is a great starter range and can produce wonderful images with sharp lenses. Also if you can maybe get a 50mm f/1.8. Very inexpensive but great bang for the buck. As for Nikon they have a D50 model which I think goes for about the same a Digital Rebel. Hopefully some other people will chime in about their Sigma's and Minolta's and give you their testimonies. Just work hard and trust me if you do, it is truly rewarding to have your wife (oh so picky about decorating) hanging your stuff up around the house as "art" and people come in and say "who shot that?" (at least for me it's very rewarding!) Good luck Jeff and we're always here for you.
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Jennifer W |
I just had a perspective on the making money thing that I wanted to share... I LOVE taking photos of pets. It just so happens that there are people who are willing to pay me to take photos of their pets. So, what a nice bonus for me! That's how I look at it at my amateur level; I'm no expert, but I'm better than a lot of point-and-shooters out there. So I'll get some people to finance my hobby, get better at it, and *maybe* someday I'll have a career. Maybe it will always be a hobby. Or maybe something in between. A side-business. And, Susan, it's surprising to me, since I love it so much, how few people actually have 'gotten the bug' or how many have bought too much camera for themselves and still don't know the basics of composition (something you can learn on a point-and-shoot) let alone lighting and such. I have a digital Rebel, and while having this camera has allowed me to take better pictures than with my husband's Powershot, he doesn't take any better pictures on the Rebel than on his, 'cause he's not "into" photography. I hope this makes sense. :)
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Jeff |
Justin, I know you arent directing anything at me. I just giving you guys a little history. :) Ok, so is the $700 canon a 'cheaper' digital camera or is that more mid ranged for something I should start with? It really looks like a great camera. I had a film eos before and loved it. I looked into the 50mm f/1.8 and it is rather inexpensive. Looks like a good deal. Would it be better if I ask the product questions on the digital photography catagory forum? Jennifer, thanks for sharing the 'taking pictures of pets' story. I love animals so I have ideas bouncing around my head now.
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Justin G. |
It really doesn't matter where you put the question anymore. Like myself, I'm sure 95% of the users here just click "all new questions" showing any category. It's not a "cheaper" camera being it an SLR. The cheaper ones are the point&shoot cameras, A models and Powershots. The Digital Rebel is an entry DSLR camera, but a tad above midrange if you take in account the simplest P&S and the highest DSLR. It shall be a great camera for you to learn on in your price range. If you used an EOS before the learning curve to this would probably be a day or two. EOS's are made so similiar it's a walk in the park to figure out another model. If you have the money and are set on getting one, go for it!
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