Economics of photography

[Busted Knuckles]

Or the different paths to being a "professional photographer."

I think there is a decent understanding of the traditional approach - weddings, specific product images, specific events, and perhaps some understanding of paparazzi.

What I don't have any understanding of, and have some curiosity of, the taking pics for the "Stock Image" trade - no particular purpose, just a bunch o pics that then get "dealt" to the likes of Getty etc.

Could/would anyone care to opine or provide insight?

Thanks

Mike

[Kayaker72]

Hi Mike,

Between friends and new aggregators, I've seen a number of articles go by on the topic. I was able to dig up two that I recently liked:

http://www.travelandleisure.com/trav...-travel-photos

https://petapixel.com/2017/07/05/wan...ajor-services/

In looking for the first two I found these:

http://www.lifehack.org/articles/fea...ur-photos.html

https://petapixel.com/2015/04/20/how...apher-in-2015/

I went looking for, but couldn't find, another article that I was sent that talked about making money selling pics at fairs and festivals. It was about someone that was semi retired that took ~$3k investment to build an inventory and had built that into a sustainable income just by having a booth at different fairs and festivals selling his pictures.

In looking for that story, I found this link:

http://jwallacephoto.com/tutorials/s...art-festivals/

So, I do not do stock photos, but I am thinking of trying. It seems like with some effort and a reasonable portfolio of good images you might be able to have a supplemental income source.

[Busted Knuckles]

Brant you and I have the same vague thoughts, not to detract from full time efforts and those who truly do this full time, but if this can be a lead in to my semi retirement it is worth a bit of study.

[Kayaker72]

Ha...yeah, I have a few pseudo retirement plans that include photography. But, for now and the foreseeable future, I'll keep the day job.

[Sean Setters]

Brant you and I have the same vague thoughts, not to detract from full time efforts and those who truly do this full time, but if this can be a lead in to my semi retirement it is worth a bit of study.

You'll never retire. That would mean having to pay for your own lunch while traveling.

:-)

[Busted Knuckles]

Lol.