Hello all,

I have been on this site off and on for a few years now.  With the current economy and my husband changing jobs we have found ourselves in a serious money crunch...Right now we are making the bills but in the next month we won't be making minimums.  We have been trying to find ways to make extra income and the only profitable thing that I may have is my photography.  I have decent equipment (see my signature) however, I don't know if I am talented enough.  If you were in my situation what would you do?

 

Post some of your work up for critique, and give it a go if you have the skill and determination! 

It's tough to build a business in a month. It's also tough to make money without spending money. This applies no matter how talented you are or are not. I don't know the type of response you've gotten from your work or how many really good connections you have, so it's hard to say what I'd do in your position. I'm trying to build my own business up, and my suggestion would be to drink a lot of caffeine (during the day to stay awake), drink a glass of wine every night (to combat the stress), and plan on watching the sun come up every morning. That's been my life for a while now.

aglimpse:

Post some of your work up for critique, and give it a go if you have the skill and determination! 

I've posted before and had good comments...its just taking that leap that scares me.

neophyte:

Hello all,

I have been on this site off and on for a few years now.  With the current economy and my husband changing jobs we have found ourselves in a serious money crunch...Right now we are making the bills but in the next month we won't be making minimums.  We have been trying to find ways to make extra income and the only profitable thing that I may have is my photography.  I have decent equipment (see my signature) however, I don't know if I am talented enough.  If you were in my situation what would you do?

Beans and Rice (no meals out, cheap meals all the time at home, brown bag lunch)

No Fun (no movies,no music, no DVDs, no Netflix,  no books, no Starbucks ... or any other cash spending activities) Doesn't mean you can't go to the park, go for a long walk, go fishing, go to the library and borrow books and DVDs.

Cut everything that can be cut (cut cable bill to min, or drop it entirely, drop cell phone extras, drop plans if there are no extra charges to do that, no services, no nails, no hair coloring at the salon, no car washes, no...)

Deliver pizzas temporarily

Big ass yard sale

Bring up the photo business as soon as possible.

Talk to creditors about options and programs they have

Dave

ETA: sorry you're going through this. Keep in mind, this too shall pass!

 What type of shooting have you been doing?

Honestly, I think that as long as you lack the confidence to ask for payment without apology or hesitation, you'll have a hard go of it.  You have to feel as though the product/service that you're offering is worth every penny you're charging.  Otherwise, that nagging self-doubt will kill your sales and undermine all your efforts to start a business.

If you've done any wedding work, I'd think that the easiest way to start making some money would be to find second shooting gigs.  That way you don't have to do all the marketing and administrative stuff...  You let the studio do that.  You just show up and shoot for the day, turn over the files, and collect a paycheck.  You wouldn't be able to retire on it, but it would help make ends meet.  Growing your own business will take a lot more time and money...  :o(

Although you can't build a business in a month, you can be working every day on building your portfolio with anyone willing to pose as a model for you. Gather and recruit friends to help with portfolio building and let them know you're wanting to try this out. Don't spend any extra money and utilize what you have. At this point, what do you have to lose? More experience will help you gain more confidence. Look within yourself, exude confidence, and just go for it.

First, don't quit your day job just yet.  Without intending to be sarcastic, let me get this straight:  You want to start a business at the height of a recession and hope to be reaping financial rewards from it by next month?  If I were you, I'd initially try and cut back your monthly expenses wherever even remotely possible. Refinance your credit card debt if any, ask for lower interest rates, refi the house depending on your loan or whether you own it, go to the bank and try to lower car payments.  In the meantime, if you don't know how, learn to draft a flexible business plan together with an even more flexible marketing plan and budget.  Find out the rules that apply to your business.

As for talent...I'll offer you this based on my 35 years in this business.  These days, talent abounds.  Knowing how to sell it, to whom and where and how to develop profitable business relationships is unique.  When I started even before I got a degree, I was shooting for local newspapers in high school. Fortunately, I met and worked with editors who were kind enough to see my abilities and persistence together with willingness to learn.  They mentored me.  Now there aren't enough editors or even other photographers for that matter willing to mentor which is sad but reality, I guess, but true.  There are a lot of untalented people making money in this, among other businesses however.  So, sadly talent these days isn't all that important.

Your equipment essentially consists of one camera and a couple of lenses.  You apparently don't have a flash.  Sorry to say but you're somewhat outgunned at this point.  It's easy for a commercial photographer to invest $60,000 or more on equipment from lights to cameras and lenses, accessories and studio equipment.  You can lease or rent equipment as you need it but you have to know how to use it.  If you want to be in this business, I suggest you get a mitt and get in the game using careful planning, considering budgets, learn how to market yourself, put together portfolios of your different and absolute best works, decide what area of the business you want to be in and then concentrate on getting there.  Without being negative, it takes years to build this type of business, not unlike any other and according to the SBA (small biz assoc.) most start-ups fail within the first year or two because of undercapitalization and poor planning.  Threre's a lesson in that too.

My advice to you is focus on your current skills and improving them.  Take classes in photography and business, marketing, and even bookeeping or accounting. Learn how to sell yourself in the portion of the profession you pick, join a pro association and find work as an assistant with groups like ASMP, PPofA WPA, etc.  Meet people in the biz and talk to them. Subscribe to professional publications (not Shutterbug or Pop-Photo) but pro business publications like Rangefinder and Photo District News.  But I have to say, and again, I don't intend to be harsh, but looking to be able to turn a profit in a month or so, particularly in this business is probably impossible.  You'd be better off buying lottery tickets.  And if somewhere in the back of your imagination you envision yourself going off to trott around the globe with a bunch of Nikons or Leicas slung around your neck photographing fashion on exotic beaches, these days, the  calls for that kind gig are few and very far between.   Meanwhile, stick around here and good luck !!!. 

Thanks everyone for your words of advice.  To give more info on my situation...all expenses that could be cut out have been cut out no nails, hair, phone extras, cable, eating out, etc.  The mortgage is already at a super low APR (less than 5%) and credit cards are not willing to negotiate lower apr.  My husband has found a new job but it will be a while before a paycheck comes in...  I know that there is no way to build a business over night.  We are just racking our brains to get a little extra income...no matter how small an amount that is...Since I'm a teacher and off for the summer I could get a job flipping burgers but then I have the issue childcare.  For the amount that I could make at a regular side job I would pay it all back in childcare.  Therefore, I need something that can be done with the children or in short sperts while hubby is home in the mornings or evenings.  I have contacted local photogs about being a second shooter and have been turned down since I have no experience (I've only shot my family).  I asked local photogs to mentor me and most either say that they are not going to train their competition or they would do it for a fee.  I know my equipment is lacking but I've learned from mpix not to purchase more equipment until my photography can pay for it...  I guess what I am saying is I know that I am not in a good situation but I am willing to jump in and work my rear off if it will save may family...what I need from you is confirmation that I am good enough to charge $ or that I am not good enough. Just a few pics (SOOC) what do you think?

 

As I said earlier, talent isn't the issue.  When you narrow down your question, it seems to be whether you can earn extra income with the type of equipment you have based on your current level of ability.  While you may be willing to work your ass off for someone, certainly a good quality, perhaps you don't understand this, but a big part of doing this type of work for a living is having both the knowledge and equipment to solve various problems as they arise from shoot-to-shoot. That's particularly true if you don't have a studio and have to work on locations.  Your rebar shot is ok, but IMO it lacks depth of field. The kids are ok, but the lighting IMO is flat.  The photo of the gal, it seems to me is nice but it could perhaps tell a story.  You have to think creatively on your feet and in your particular situation, you need to be able to solve the issues that arise within the parameters of the equipment you've got and I think that in itself, is going to be a bit tight right now.

Lastly for now, I'd go to the library and use the summer to study up on things like how to start a photo biz, the collateral issues of the work, technique, equipment and check into local chapters of those associations I mentioned.  Could be that cold-calling local pros without more is a problem in your neighborhood.  Meeting them through association meetings might be more photog. friendly there. 

 

I'm just going to throw this out there...

When I am portfolio building, I offer a free session (that's a $200 value with me) and sometimes a small print credit (like enough for just a 5x7 or maybe an 8x10). Nine times out of ten, they purchase more prints, and it pays for more of my costs and time. This may be a good chance for you to work on trying new skills, building up your portfolio with non-family, and maybe putting a few $$ into your pocket.

sandykphoto:

I'm just going to throw this out there...

When I am portfolio building, I offer a free session (that's a $200 value with me) and sometimes a small print credit (like enough for just a 5x7 or maybe an 8x10). Nine times out of ten, they purchase more prints, and it pays for more of my costs and time. This may be a good chance for you to work on trying new skills, building up your portfolio with non-family, and maybe putting a few $$ into your pocket.

Okay this is an idea that I can live with...can you elaborate a little more on how I could get this started.

The above suggestions and advice are good, but it totally irks me when folks are tunnel-visioned and the only thing they think about is Portraiture and Weddings etc.

If you can swing it, then may I suggest you open a full account at www.cafepress.com . This option is going to cost you $50 a year. Tell 'em Koa sent you.

And/or, open an account at:  PhotoThrow™, Inc.|Realize Your Dreams Selling Personalized Items
Photothrow will set you back $250.00. but this is a lifetime membership and includes samples of the products AND a free website.

What do you do with these companies?

Go around your neck of the woods and start making images. Scenics, historical, horeses, cats, cows, bridges... anything and everything,

Then, start designing your ceramic coffee mugs, t-shirts, mouse pads, ceramic tiles, books and so forth.

Both companies do pretty much the same thing except for a few different items. Photothrow, as an example, will take any image and ingrain it (not print it) into a huge throw blanket. These cost about $65 and sell for about $175. Market your images on those. Show your huge throw blankets with pictures of you and your kids to friends and family and watch them drool for one of their own.

Starting a portrait business? Yeah, good luck. As mentioned by others, that will take time.

But ideas as I described above are within reach. All it takes is a bit of skill, imagination and salesmanship to get off the ground quickly.

And if you contact Photothrow, tell Andy that Koa from Puerto Rico sent you.

Boriken Warrior:

The above suggestions and advice are good, but it totally irks me when folks are tunnel-visioned and the only thing they think about is Portraiture and Weddings etc.

 

You could also check into using Art.com to sell stuff the way Patrick advised me to.

http://community.mpix.com/forums/p/100014/923405.aspx#923405

Even better, you're a teacher. Do tutoring, on the side. You can start that now with what you know.

Dave

 

 Me thinks Dave W listens to Dave R (Ramsey). 

 OP, I can't comment on the business side of Photography, still trying to figure all that stuff out myself.  Just keep your chin up and be positive.  Somehow it will all work out in the long run.  I wasn't sure how things were going to work out myself around December 07 with being changed from a Salary with small commission structure to barebones salary and mostly commission structure.  After looking at my sales for the past few years I was scared ****less, but somehow I managed to make it thru last year in nice shape and so far not to shabby this year with a product that isn't always need but more of a want.

 You've been given some good advice regarding the business and photography related stuff.  I just wanted to say that if working a job outside the home doesn't make sense right now, then look for children you can watch in your home while you stay home with your kids.  I did it off and on for years when The Youngest wasn't in school and I was in the beginning stages of my business.  At one point I was bringing in $900/mo. just watching 2 kids.

Again thanks to all the new comments...Tutoring is a good option; however, I'm a science teacher and it is summer time people really only want a science tutor when the state testing is looming at the end of April.  The art.com, etc idea is great too...what types of pictures would you suggest?  The babysitting job sound good too and I thought of this last week except that I could only watch kiddos for a month and a half when I have to go back to work at my teaching position...just the same I'll be putting out feelers around the neighborhood, church etc.  Funny someone mentioned Dave Ramsey...I have an appointment tomorrow with one of his financial councelors.  I'll be working on a photography business plan tonight starting with a plan to beef up my portfolio and looking into the art.com stuff.  Any help in writing a business plan taking into account my skill level and monetary restraints would be appreciated.  Once again thanks for all the help!!

 +1 to all the Dave Ramsey related advice. Do you have cable? Cut it out. A too new car with too high payments? Sell it and get one you can afford the payments on. Etc. Not great at following it all yet, but I love me some Dave Ramsey.

I know you said those pictures are just sooc....but I wouldn't be charging anyone for photos just yet if that's what you're shooting.   I'm not trying to be mean, I promise. But you need to be able to confidently produce consistent, high quality results no matter the situation before you really start charging people. Your camera body is fine, but my experience is that those lenses just do not put out the greatest quality. You would be much better off I think to take the time to really hone your skills, THEN launch when you are putting out incredible work. That way you can start at a higher price point, with high quality clients. I know that plan doesn't really help your situation right now...but just my .02.

 

 I'd say if you want to do baby sitting, maybe you should market that to other teachers. I'm thnking they need babysitters the same as you.

A friend of mine had a day care that was only for teachers. Off during the summer, and on while they taught. 

Dave