 Matthew J. Kirsch |
Photography Income by Segment I am not sure if this question has been posed before but I have not seen it out there. My question is how much percentage income do you get from each segment of selling your work and working with photography (e.g. how much from stock sales, direct segment sales, teaching photography, corporate jobs, etc.) I understand that this will be different for each professional that replies, but I would like to get some ideas so I can use it for business planning. Thanks in advance.
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Mark Feldstein |
Well, I don't know how accurate a picture you're going to get with this question because there are lots and lots of variables. I'd say to a greater extent, it depends on your level of training and experience, where you live, what your focus has been on, which equipment you know how to use, format you shoot in, how you market yourself and to whom and where, whether you travel for work, how you handle sales and rights of usage, and the size of the jobs/assignments you take on. Having said that, my income breaks down to about 50% photojournalism, 30 per cent commercial work for advertising clients and about 20% stock and stock residuals/usage fees first and second North American rights. Checks for my stock photos go directly into the college fund account for my kids. Over the years I've paid for 1.5 college educations. Got two years before I can start using the remainder for green fees.
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Matthew J. Kirsch |
How did I know that Mark would be the first to respond? I do you like you candid and tell it how it is responses. My focus has been on fine art, macro and landscape, but I am branching out and trying new approaches to things. I would like to try the art fair circuit stock photography and commercial if possible. I live within the Milwaukee metro area so there is at least a population to market to. I am still in the process of learning the rights and usage end. My format is solely 35mm (now converting to digital). I have dabbed in photography for 16 years now and have sold via coffee shops in the past and have had some private clients via word of mouth. One thing that I do have going for me is that I do have a degree in business and understand the importance of a business plan, research and marketing...and of course a good CPA and lawyer. I asked the question kind of vaguely just to see where the majority of the income is coming from for other photographers. Thanks again
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Mark Feldstein |
I suppose depending on how large your prints are, where you're selling them and how good the shots are makes a huge difference toward turning a profit in the fine art market. Not to be discouraging, but I don't know many who have made it big in the festival / art fair or farmers market arena. That seems to be a lot of work, entry fees and mounting and wrapping for not much dough. But otoh, it seems you're going about it in a business-oriented fashion and that's really important. Keep at it, use your background and enjoy what you're doing and let us know how you're doing. I'd also recommend a book or two by Maria Piscopo. Meantime, I'll keep my paws crossed for ya. And you're quite welcome !
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John H. Siskin |
Hi Mathew, I make virtually all my income from commercial clients. Generally direct, but some comes through agencies and designers. Oh, and teaching here at BP. There are other sources, magazine articles and print sales, but I sure couldn’t send a kid to college on that, good thing I don’t have kids. I sell to businesses because they have the money and the need. People want photos of their weddings, but they don’t need them to make sales.
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Matthew J. Kirsch |
Thanks again Mark. I will consider your take. Part of my feasibility analysis is asking those already in the field. By the way, what doesn't require a lot of work in photography? John, thanks for you input as well. I do know if you do want to make a decent income, commercial is the way to go.
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Mark Feldstein |
". . .what doesn't require a lot of work in photography?" Hmmmmmmm, interesting question Matt. IMO, anything you shoot that's a labor of love. While the effort to photograph those things we love to photograph can certainly be considerable, the times seems to pass more quickly when I do that. In addition, when I'm shooting things I love to shoot, since I don't have to deal with editors, art directors, illustrators or other clients, the work seems effortless. John might be inclined to agree. (BTW, want two kids?> Now go shoot some lake-scapes, lighthouses, skylines, make some more photos of Megan and above all, enjoy the weekend. :>))
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John H. Siskin |
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