I know there are many stock photo options out there. Is anyone having any success with nature photos ?
Posted by Dan Borzynski on March 17, 2010 at 9:01 PM
I've gotten this question several times and the answer is yes, no, and maybe.
There are a few superstars out there who can and are doing it, especially when combined with other activities and are making a lot of money at it.
For most people can are fortunate enough to shoot full-time, stock is an additional revenue source and not the only revenue source.
For most people, you will be lucky to cover your expenses, including travel and especially time. Don't underestimate the value of your time. In a lot of cases, you're better off financially working at Walmart - hourly rate is better and it doesn't cost you money to work there.
My last trip to the Smokies ran about 500-600 dollars for a campsite, food and gas. I was shooting or otherwise working photographically about 90 - 100 hours over the 10 days I was there. If I billed myself at $20 per hour ($40,000 per year if at a day job), that is another $2,000 dollars. So immediately, without selling, editting or even submitting one image, I am $2,500 in the red. Remember, this is money I would have earned or not spent had I spent the week in the cube. All on the gamble that I can sell the images.
Usually, when this question is asked, there is a second question that lies unasked - Can I make a living at a nature photography? In theory, yes, especially if stock is not your only or even primary income source. In practice, no one can answer that question. The only way you are going to find out is to try.
The market currently is hyper-saturated with first rate nature photography. Photographic skills are no longer the deciding factor since too many people have them, the gear and the money to get images from almost any location on the planet. You have to compete against that, especially if they are not trying to pay the rent with their sales.
If you are going to go the stock route, or any photographic trade, marketing and business skills is how you will succeed. That and an immense amount of hard work. Just having a portfolio of a few thousand excellent images isn't going to pay the mortgage. It is being able to market those images and the drive and dedication to produce tens of thousands of images over years, of as many subject as you can even in a specialized area, that means success.
It might be better to rephrase your question in terms of what qualifies as success. What do you want out of your marketing efforts? Pay for gear and trips? Have extra cash to lay away for retirement that you are now spending on photography? Quit your day job? Fame, fortune and and the farm?
Posted by Mark Windom on March 18, 2010 at 3:07 PM
If you are considering going that route you are about 15 years too late.
Dan offered some excellent advice and I second what he says. I used to make a "decent" wage at nature stock but it has dropped significantly over the past few years to the point now that it barely pays for my local travel expenses.
The key to making a go at nature photography is to diversify.....stock, prints, workshops, etc. Of course you need top quality images and plenty of them, preferably of a subject that is not overdone (i.e. find your own unique niche, something to set you apart from everyone else) and the savy to market both yourself and your images.
I don't know anyone who is making a living doing nothing but nature stock but I do know several who are doing so by diversifying.
Thanks for your great insight. I see lots of stock photo options out there and in fact, I joined one to see what would happen. Lots of available photos but who can tell what is selling. I have interest in selling just to make a few dollars towards trips and new equipment. Thankfully I have a good retirement. Most of the pros do all the things stock, workshops, etc etc to cover everything. I admire them.
Discussion
3 repliesThere are a few superstars out there who can and are doing it, especially when combined with other activities and are making a lot of money at it.
For most people can are fortunate enough to shoot full-time, stock is an additional revenue source and not the only revenue source.
For most people, you will be lucky to cover your expenses, including travel and especially time. Don't underestimate the value of your time. In a lot of cases, you're better off financially working at Walmart - hourly rate is better and it doesn't cost you money to work there.
My last trip to the Smokies ran about 500-600 dollars for a campsite, food and gas. I was shooting or otherwise working photographically about 90 - 100 hours over the 10 days I was there. If I billed myself at $20 per hour ($40,000 per year if at a day job), that is another $2,000 dollars. So immediately, without selling, editting or even submitting one image, I am $2,500 in the red. Remember, this is money I would have earned or not spent had I spent the week in the cube. All on the gamble that I can sell the images.
Usually, when this question is asked, there is a second question that lies unasked - Can I make a living at a nature photography? In theory, yes, especially if stock is not your only or even primary income source. In practice, no one can answer that question. The only way you are going to find out is to try.
The market currently is hyper-saturated with first rate nature photography. Photographic skills are no longer the deciding factor since too many people have them, the gear and the money to get images from almost any location on the planet. You have to compete against that, especially if they are not trying to pay the rent with their sales.
If you are going to go the stock route, or any photographic trade, marketing and business skills is how you will succeed. That and an immense amount of hard work. Just having a portfolio of a few thousand excellent images isn't going to pay the mortgage. It is being able to market those images and the drive and dedication to produce tens of thousands of images over years, of as many subject as you can even in a specialized area, that means success.
It might be better to rephrase your question in terms of what qualifies as success. What do you want out of your marketing efforts? Pay for gear and trips? Have extra cash to lay away for retirement that you are now spending on photography? Quit your day job? Fame, fortune and and the farm?
Dan offered some excellent advice and I second what he says. I used to make a "decent" wage at nature stock but it has dropped significantly over the past few years to the point now that it barely pays for my local travel expenses.
The key to making a go at nature photography is to diversify.....stock, prints, workshops, etc. Of course you need top quality images and plenty of them, preferably of a subject that is not overdone (i.e. find your own unique niche, something to set you apart from everyone else) and the savy to market both yourself and your images.
I don't know anyone who is making a living doing nothing but nature stock but I do know several who are doing so by diversifying.
Thanks for your great insight. I see lots of stock photo options out there and in fact, I joined one to see what would happen. Lots of available photos but who can tell what is selling. I have interest in selling just to make a few dollars towards trips and new equipment. Thankfully I have a good retirement. Most of the pros do all the things stock, workshops, etc etc to cover everything. I admire them.
I appreciate you taking the time to answer.