professional photographer

cena

Do pro photographers make much money from what they. Like can you make a good living out of it.

Paulw

There is no set answer.

Some do, some don't. It depends on what they do, how they market themselves, etc.

There are some members here on boards that are full-time professional photographers. They work very hard to make a living from it.

I'm sure many wouldn't claim to make a good living from it, but they manage.

the_doctor199

Very open ended question, but yes it's possible. Some earn low amounts, some earn huge amounts, as with most things. On average, commercial and wedding photographers probably earn the most but there are exceptions outside of that who will earn huge amounts in other types.

BlastedGlute

Never get into it to make money.

Hugh_C

cena wrote: »

Do pro photographers make much money from what they. Like can you make a good living out of it.

No you. Might be. Able if.

oshead

BlastedGlute wrote: »

Never get into it to make money.

Huh? Is that not the only reason to become a Pro?

kfish2oo2

oshead wrote: »

Huh? Is that not the only reason to become a Pro?

I think he's referring to the fact that photography is an art form, and one that requires dedication beyond simply the desire to earn money. At least, thats how I feel about it anyway :rolleyes:

Eirebear

kfish2oo2 wrote: »

I think he's referring to the fact that photography is an art form, and one that requires dedication beyond simply the desire to earn money. At least, thats how I feel about it anyway :rolleyes:

Which in itself is an idealistic statement.

I've yet to meet an artist of any discipline who doesnt dream of selling their work for large amounts of money....

Wether your photography is artistic, or commercial (Normally a "Pro" will do a mixture of both) you still need to pay the bills.

oshead

kfish2oo2 wrote: »

I think he's referring to the fact that photography is an art form, and one that requires dedication beyond simply the desire to earn money. At least, thats how I feel about it anyway :rolleyes:

That's a narrow and very amateurish concept. One that I too held (in the beginning) regarding my own photography. Later the desire for food, a roof over my head and the need to put petrol in my car helped me change my POV.

dazftw

oshead wrote: »

Huh? Is that not the only reason to become a Pro?

There's a difference between making money and making a living I suppose. I honestly couldn't care less how much I was making.. as long as I could make a living.

I'd make a bet most photographers who go pro because they have been into photography most of their life and not just lost their job and decide to try it to make a quick euro, feel the same.

Carrigman

For a professional's perspective on the business see this from Cork based photographer Roger Overall:

http://www.rogeroverall.net/blog/business/professional-photography-dead-part-1-setting-scene/

The bottom line is that trying to make a living from professional photography is extremely difficult.

kfish2oo2

oshead wrote: »

That's a narrow and very amateurish concept. One that I too held (in the beginning) regarding my own photography. Later the desire for food, a roof over my head and the need to put petrol in my car helped me change my POV.

Its idealistic, maybe, but I don't think its narrow or amateurish. I never said you couldn't make money at it. Just that talent (through practice or whatever) and a real love for what you do is what it takes to make it beyond merely making ends meet.

humberklog

kfish2oo2 wrote: »

Its idealistic, maybe, but I don't think its narrow or amateurish. I never said you couldn't make money at it. Just that talent (through practice or whatever) and a real love for what you do is what it takes to make it beyond merely making ends meet.

Ah, not really. There are a lot of very mediocre pro photographers out there getting work because they're excellent at self promotion. Coca-cola's not the best cola on the market but it is the most successful. For an awful lot of professional contracts artistry's really not required. The bit in bold is called acquired skill. Which is useful.

Anyway...the OP's question is very vague.

unreggd

kfish2oo2 wrote: »

Its idealistic, maybe, but I don't think its narrow or amateurish. I never said you couldn't make money at it. Just that talent (through practice or whatever) and a real love for what you do is what it takes to make it beyond merely making ends meet.

And then theres good ol nepotism!

I always say that any opportunity is fair game. So if a brutal photographer can convince someone to pay them for their work, then its all well and good

ThOnda

Do you realise that your nickname means price or cost in Czech?

the_syco

The pro's that I know of became pro's when their current non-photo job ended, they looked around, and saw that they could make money from their hobby. This is probably where most pro's started, I'd imagine, as opposed to someone looking for a job, becomes a camera gear junkie who thinks if they have the right lenses they'll make money.

IMO, the former already has the skills and the gear, the latter has the gear but no skills. So to answer the OPs question: if you are the latter, no it's not, but if you're the former, then maybe.

The Snipe

Its depends how you market yourself!