“How can I make money with my photography?” The #4 question I’m asked, moving up from #9 in the last qtr (the things I keep track of). The quick answer is yes but it’s just not that simple. In fact, when our son Jake (on the lift with Casey shooting Super Corsairs here) decided to follow his parents path of careers, to say we were concerned is an understatement. The one giant advantage Jake has over most though is he has seen and heard for most of his life the trials, tribulations, successes and rewards his parents have had in this industry. Time is one of the essential ingredients in making it in this biz! The question on the table though is, “How can I make money with my photography?”
I don’t have all the answers, I’ve not even worked in 1% of the photo industry. I only know those things that have worked for us. To me it’s real simple, you wanna succeed long term then you’ve gotta first succeed in the editorial market. I’m constantly hearing from photographers how tough that is (because it was so easy 30yrs ago). I use to curse that, it being so tough but now I welcome it for so many reasons. The main being is I think it’s supposed to be tough so only those shooters with a passion for photography and not the drive for just money “make it” (and I don’t know what that is yet). What I’ve said from the beginning still holds true today. Without the photograph, you have nothing to sell, print, put on the wall or page or in the the show! That means real simply, you wanna make money, you have to shoot, shoot, shoot, shoot, shoot, and then shoot some more!
Many who I’ve told that too just look me in the eye and say one way or the other, “sure!” Typically with that I reply with a question, “You ever seen a photograph in a magazine that really sucked?” Most of the time folks say yeah. I then ask, “You have better then that in your files?” And quite often the answer comes back, yeap! That leads me to one of my favorite sayings. The photographs you see in print are not from the best photographers, but from the best business men. And those who have the best photographs and are the best businessmen are the ones who last decades. And how do you acquire both of those skills, the photograph and the biz? The editorial market place IMHO.
A year ago, Sharon & I were pretty concerned with Jake’s decision to follow us. This are changing times. The photography biz is not a 40hrs job, it’s a 365 24/7 passion and is all consuming and most are simply not cut out for the ups and downs and the constant push to create content. Moving the clock forward a year, while we still have that basic parental concern for Jake, as for his biz, we have lots of confidence now. Yesterday is a good example of why. He was at his bank yesterday morning dealing with accepting int’l payments for articles he’s had published in Germany and in the afternoon at the new airport terminal in Bozeman where a permanent display of his prints is getting ready to be hung. Other then taking him out shooting, we had nothing to do with those successes. He earned these rewards all on his own by shooting a lot and working the biz. This doesn’t include the covers, dbl trucks and articles he’s had published in the last six months. This is a 23yr old showing that some old fashion business practices with solid photographs still does work!
Many ask, and I’m sure this piece will open the door to more questions, just how do you break into the editorial market place, how do you make money? We use to teach a 4 day workshop in our office to answer that one question. That means that not in this blog posting, an email or G+ response can I answer that question for you. It’s a bloody long answer to that one question. If I could sum it up I would say this. EVERY one of you can make it (but probably won’t) if you have the passion and time. With those two ingredients you will have the photographs and with the photographs, you can learn the biz (face it, if I can, anybody can). If you want it, I mean really want it because you wanna tell your story visually and are willing to make the scarifies for your passion, then the sky is the limit. And here’s the key, the biz, it’s all about the photograph!
It’s no secret I think McNally walks on water. He don’t, I know he’s all wet but that doesn’t stop me from being his biggest fan. For many years, past, present and I hope the future, I’ve seen him work his magic over and over and over again. What’s magic is he let me watch because what he does is an art, skill and passion with light that as far as I’m concerned, no book will ever contain. Joe though is a very passionate teacher and so wants other to enjoy the fun, frustration and experience of bringing light to your photography passion. You’ll want a copy of Sketching Light on your night stand, desk, camera bag and car seat. You won’t be able to put it down!
Another HUGE plus in my partnership with B&H is the use of their blog space. What’s the Best f/stop? is something I’ve wanted to share my thoughts on for a long, long, long time! B&H has provided me unlimited space for my mental wonderings so I thought I would start by answering the #2 email question I receive. There will be a new posting every month, exclusive wonderings on the B&H site. Next month, Just What is Sharp? I hope these thoughts B&H is providing space for me to expand on help you move your photography further down the road!
Back in the day when I shot film, I called Jay at B&H who shipped it to me wherever I was, whenever I needed it. It was service I depended on for a long time. Well after a bit of time wondering, I’m back at B&H. A good friend brought us together and I’m very glad he did! Some have noticed the change in some of my blog postings where I list the gear I shot with. They are linked to the gear on the B&H site. Some have noticed the banner in the lower right corner. These are the big things B&H & I have in the works!
The relationship we’re and building is one that benefits you! Soon, we’ll be announcing a specific Moose 800 Hotline at B&H. This will put you in touch with a handful of specific sales persons who I’ve consulted with so they can answer your question just like you were talking with me. And if they don’t have the answer (which I doubt), they will have a hotline to contact me directly so they do have the answer. And this is just the tip of the iceberg. I posted on Google + / Facebook a couple of days ago presentations I did at the B&H Event Space. These events sponsored by Lexar are free to you as are the videos produced from those presentations. Here they are:
And we have still more coming in 2012. Here’s how this relationship works though, it takes your involvement. You can support this and help me help it grow by watching the videos, telling your friends to watch them. It’s also a business and to encourage B&H to expand their support in photography and photographers, I ask you click on the links when you can to make your purchase. I am very excited about this old relationship renewed and the commitment B&H has made in helping me help you with your photography. There is more to come and as it’s ready for prime time, I’ll be sure to make you aware of it. I want to publicly thank B&H and YOU for your support!
Yeap, the D4 is no longer rumor, it’s here! Many of you knew about the announcement before I did, learning about it from text coming across my iPhone as I worked in a hangar. With each text and email came the essential question, “Are you buying a D4?” Cutting to the chase, I have no doubt I’ll end up with them. My name is Moose, I’m addicted to new camera gear! But the question has to be. Why?
My first pro body introduction was the F3 so I’ve done this soul searching thing a few times. I’ve written about this many times before but for those who are new to the site, here it is in a nutshell. What problems will the $6k investment solve making that investment viable? Now if you just want it because it’s new, this discussion is mute because you have the perfect reason to buy the D4. I have two needs I foresee in just two projects in 2012. I need faster writing buffer in my still captures and 1080p high ISO video recording. Now will solving those two needs bring in the income justifying the expense of the D4? And that’s how I look at it, simple money out, money in proposition. Now the money out is a given when you buy the new piece of gear, the money in isn’t. And that’s how the photography biz goes.
As of the writing of this, I have not seen or shot with a D4. I have read the specs, thought through what the D4 has versus what the D3x & D3s have. You can’t argue with the numbers, the D4 on paper is a better machine then the D3s. You can’t argue with the videos Corey Rich & Bill Frakes have created, they are gorgeous! But the one question I’ve been flooded with all week I simply can’t answer for folks. Should you buy a D4?
My fear is pretty simple, being on those two projects without buying the D4 and then needing its unique attributes that I know are available and not having them and missing the photo! So, I will have a D4 and will be selling my D3s. When I have images I can share, I will ASAP. In the meantime, many of you who already know you want and/or need the D4, you can Preorder your D4 right here. Whatever you do, keep your photography fun and you can never go wrong with what you own!
