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Author Topic: Questions for all-Just wanting to get to know you all  (Read 45222 times)

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« on: November 15, 2006, 08:16 »
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How many of you do this full time or part time?  If part time, what else do you do?
How long have you been submitting?
If doing this part time, is your goal to go full time?

Not being nosey. I just like learning about other people.  I'm Southern (Tennessee, US) I can't help myself  ;D

I have just started submitting.  I do this part time. My bill paying job is in sales, forklift parts and service.  On the road a lot.  I started my submissions in Sept.  My goal is to do this full time, if the money is right or continue part time but find other work in photography.


« Reply #1 on: November 15, 2006, 09:02 »
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Well, I just started doing the microstock thing in June of this year and things are going very slowly for me now.  But I work full time at an FBO (private airplanes) 3rd shift, and I'm taking college courses to finish my assoc. degree (finally!).  My plan is to learn as much as possible from as many of the great photographers that use this forum, soak up as much knowledge from my photography classes that start in January as possible.  I will continue to upload when I can, but I won't be able to get a really large portfolio going until next year.

I hope to make enough money to get at least one payment from one microstock agency a month in order to suppliment my income and be able to afford some more equipment.  Once I get to that point, I'll set new goals for myself.  But I know that this is what I want after many years at dead-end jobs and no college degree to get me anywhere.  I know I can do this, I just gotta bust my butt to get there  ;D

Shannon

« Reply #2 on: November 15, 2006, 09:16 »
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i work as a full time photographer doing portraits, weddings and such, and fill in the spare time with stock.  I worked with stock full time for a few months at the beginning of this year.  I enjoy stock a lot, and wish i had a little more time for it right now.

« Reply #3 on: November 15, 2006, 09:21 »
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What a woman!  You are beeezzzzzy.  I admire you.  Go for your dreams!  I just turned 43 and now I know what I want to be when I grow up!  Why do you think parents ask their kids what they want to be when they grow up....to get ideas :D

« Reply #4 on: November 15, 2006, 09:25 »
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Leaf,How long have you been doing portraits and weddings? Thought about doing that myself. I have taken weddings for friends and family. Don't know if I want to deal with people I don't know, although; I know that's where the money is. Like a friend of mine says, "If it talks back, I don't shoot it." He is a commercial photographer for a frozen vegetable plant. Cauliflower is his game. Do you get a lot of hassle from you portrait and wedding shoots? Tell us a good story!
« Last Edit: November 15, 2006, 09:27 by snapshot »

« Reply #5 on: November 15, 2006, 09:30 »
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Right now, it's part time for me and only since summer of this year. By day I'm a management training director (teach business mgt).  I've been shooting pix for 45 years. My wife is also a photog as are all of my 3 grown kids and and two of their mates. As a family we are now building that  talent and experience into a business that I can enjoy into retirement.
   I am happy to say that just this week I received my first magazine photo shoot. A photo essay for a 'town & country living' magazine. This came about by the editor of the magazine seeing my work in the microstocks.
   sooooooooo.... keep at it, you never know where it is going to take you.
right now, it's all fun for me.  I hope it stays that way!!   LOL        -tom
« Last Edit: November 15, 2006, 09:35 by TGT »

« Reply #6 on: November 15, 2006, 09:53 »
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Oh Tom, how cool is that!!!!!!!!!!!!  Congratulations!!!!!  Do you have your e-mail available to view?  How did they know how to contact you?  What are you going to be shooting.  I am so excited for you and your family!

Greg Boiarsky

« Reply #7 on: November 15, 2006, 11:39 »
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Something for the wedding photographer to be in all of us:
http://forums.dpreview.com/forums/read.asp?forum=1014&message=20847608

Leaf,How long have you been doing portraits and weddings?  Thought about doing that myself.  I have taken weddings for friends and family.  Don't know if I want to deal with people I don't know, although; I know that's where the money is.  Like a friend of mine says, "If it talks back, I don't shoot it."  He is a commercial photographer for a frozen vegetable plant.  Cauliflower is his game.  Do you get a lot of hassle from you portrait and wedding shoots?  Tell us a good story!

« Reply #8 on: November 15, 2006, 13:03 »
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:)  Yeah there is a reason why people charge more to take photos at weddings

« Reply #9 on: November 15, 2006, 13:23 »
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Yellow Dog, the attached thread described my feelings exactly.  Couldn't have said it better myself.  That's why I tell people that I don't do weddings, except for very close friends and family. I don't want that kind of responsibility!  This is their and your one time shot.  If you screw it up, you can't go back to the couple and oh yeah, the mothers-in-law, and say,"Hey, can we redo the wedding, I don't know, say next Saturday?"  Portraits, maybe I could do, a little more relaxed atmosphere I would think.  I would need to build a portfolio first.  Family members, yeah, that's it.

« Reply #10 on: November 15, 2006, 14:56 »
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Leaf,How long have you been doing portraits and weddings?  Thought about doing that myself.  I have taken weddings for friends and family.  Don't know if I want to deal with people I don't know, although; I know that's where the money is.  Like a friend of mine says, "If it talks back, I don't shoot it."  He is a commercial photographer for a frozen vegetable plant.  Cauliflower is his game.  Do you get a lot of hassle from you portrait and wedding shoots?  Tell us a good story!

I worked part time as a photographer for a year, while working in a cafe and doing stock photography as well.  Just over a year ago I set out sale, as self employed and have been working full time as a photographer since then.

« Reply #11 on: November 15, 2006, 16:38 »
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Part time for me.

I think to be full time on this you would want to sleep with your camera!!

For me,like others I suspect, it's an interest and also a way of staying with photography.

« Reply #12 on: November 16, 2006, 03:17 »
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I am happy to say that just this week I received my first magazine photo shoot. A photo essay for a 'town & country living' magazine. This came about by the editor of the magazine seeing my work in the microstocks.
sooooooooo.... keep at it, you never know where it is going to take you.

Tom, that's so awesome! Congrats!

What a woman! You are beeezzzzzy. I admire you. Go for your dreams! I just turned 43 and now I know what I want to be when I grow up! Why do you think parents ask their kids what they want to be when they grow up....to get ideas :D

Yup, I am pretty busy, but I get lazy too. When I have some free time, I need to have my camera in hand instead of sitting in front of the TV bored out of my mind! LOL, but we all get that way. As for the parent thing, I agree. Too bad when my parents asked me what I wanted to be, it changed every five seconds ;D LOL, still does. Photography is the only constant.

« Reply #13 on: November 16, 2006, 03:36 »
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What a woman! You are beeezzzzzy. I admire you. Go for your dreams! I just turned 43 and now I know what I want to be when I grow up! Why do you think parents ask their kids what they want to be when they grow up....to get ideas :D

Hey Snapshot...I know exactly where you're coming from! I just decided what I wanted to do a few years ago, too...at the tender age of 40. But even though it takes time to get where I want to be, I know I did the right thing. Five minutes of time spent doing photography (which I adore) is worth more to me than the 20 years I spent as a legal secretary (which I didn't realize how much I disliked until I got away from it). Unforturnately, my husband is not entirely supportive of my decision, but for my own sanity, I'm sticking with it. It's too enticing to wake up every day knowing I get to spend it doing something I love for a change!

« Reply #14 on: November 16, 2006, 05:44 »
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What a woman! You are beeezzzzzy. I admire you. Go for your dreams! I just turned 43 and now I know what I want to be when I grow up! Why do you think parents ask their kids what they want to be when they grow up....to get ideas :D

Hey Snapshot...I know exactly where you're coming from! I just decided what I wanted to do a few years ago, too...at the tender age of 40. But even though it takes time to get where I want to be, I know I did the right thing. Five minutes of time spent doing photography (which I adore) is worth more to me than the 20 years I spent as a legal secretary (which I didn't realize how much I disliked until I got away from it). Unforturnately, my husband is not entirely supportive of my decision, but for my own sanity, I'm sticking with it. It's too enticing to wake up every day knowing I get to spend it doing something I love for a change!

I look at it this way, if you do what you enjoy and that's what makes you happy then your husband & family will also benefit.  My husband enjoys his motorcycle and for years I wouldn't "let" him have one.  I gave in.  Now he is happy and in turn I benefit as well.  Makes sense?  Whenever I mention something that I would like to have for my camera equipment, my husband will sneak behind my back and get it for me.  It's nice to have support. 

« Reply #15 on: November 16, 2006, 10:50 »
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I would say its a full time hobby for me, I just hope the extended licences and sales at Alamy (I have 1000 images there as of yesterday) pick up otherwise I will have to get a proper job again.

I would say stock photography would be a great part time job if you had another job that was paying your travel expenses unless you love studio work and have lots of friends who are not camera shy.

« Reply #16 on: November 16, 2006, 16:53 »
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the thing i really like about stock photography is that there are no customers to please.  Wether it is a day shooting in the studio or out on the town, at the end of the day, it is only me I have to deal with. 

« Reply #17 on: November 16, 2006, 19:40 »
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Part time for me.  I work full-time for a school district in the maintenance and operations branch.  I love taking pictures and get a great deal of satisfaction every time someone downloads one of my pictures!  I've been doing this since June of this year and have been lucky enough to receive a payout from at least one site each month.  Love having a bit of extra spending cash (and a wonderful tax write off).
I also totally agree with Leaf.  I love the satisfaction I get from stock photography and the fact I don't have to answer to or please anyone else.

« Reply #18 on: November 16, 2006, 20:00 »
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Part time for me. I work full-time for a school district in the maintenance and operations branch. I love taking pictures and get a great deal of satisfaction every time someone downloads one of my pictures! I've been doing this since June of this year and have been lucky enough to receive a payout from at least one site each month. Love having a bit of extra spending cash (and a wonderful tax write off).
I also totally agree with Leaf. I love the satisfaction I get from stock photography and the fact I don't have to answer to or please anyone else.

You know what, I'm going to have to agree with you and Leaf.  I am in Sales and I am always having to put out fires, deal with people day in and day out.  It is nice to have an outlet.  To enjoy what I do and if the photo fits their application, then great, if not, then I will keep on shooting to find one that does.  I just love it.

ianhlnd

  • tough men are pussys
« Reply #19 on: November 16, 2006, 20:19 »
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I'm more or less retired, did the international corporate thing in 29 countries for 30 years until I said enough of this. Looking through my storage, I found thousands of photographs from around the world, mostly slides stuck to those plastic pages we used to use, and wondered what I could do with these?

I got hooked on stock and rights managed.

I now sail up and down the eastern pacific coast, on my 55 ft sailboat,  south in winter, north in summer, taking pics which are starting to pay for my lifestyle. Next year, I'm off to Mexico, down to Costa Rica, and then...??? should provide a goodly amount of shots to fill my portfolio.

Ian
« Last Edit: November 16, 2006, 20:22 by ianhlnd »

« Reply #20 on: November 17, 2006, 02:08 »
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I now sail up and down the eastern pacific coast, on my 55 ft sailboat,  south in winter, north in summer, taking pics which are starting to pay for my lifestyle.  Next year, I'm off to Mexico, down to Costa Rica, and then...??? should provide a goodly amount of shots to fill my portfolio.

Ian

Sheeeeesh! ... Lucky guy. What a great lifestyle. Congratulations on achieving it.

I spent 20 years working in Africa and amassed thousands upon thousands of colour trannies as I was a keen photographer and, for part of that time, I worked in a game park. When I got back to Europe I never knew what to do with my pictures except enter them for the occasional competition ... and look at them every now and again to get nostalgic  :'( (I miss Africa)

Then I discovered these sites, started scanning the slides and submitting.

Then I got myself a digital camera and started shooting. Wow! Digital was a revelation after film. Got seriously hooked on that and I'm so busy shooting digital and processing them for submission that the scanning of the slides is on hold.

Now I do this about half-time. The rest of the time I'm a freelance writer/editor. But I'm hoping to build up the photo sales so that I can make it full-time. I really love photography ... and sailing ... and Africa.


« Reply #21 on: November 17, 2006, 04:30 »
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I'm more or less retired, did the international corporate thing in 29 countries for 30 years until I said enough of this.  Looking through my storage, I found thousands of photographs from around the world, mostly slides stuck to those plastic pages we used to use, and wondered what I could do with these?

I got hooked on stock and rights managed. 

I now sail up and down the eastern pacific coast, on my 55 ft sailboat,  south in winter, north in summer, taking pics which are starting to pay for my lifestyle.  Next year, I'm off to Mexico, down to Costa Rica, and then...??? should provide a goodly amount of shots to fill my portfolio.

Ian

heeeey.... that is EXACTLY what I wanted to do :)
Sail around in a large sail boat and live on stock earnings and take more shots for more sales.... sounds nice, how do you like it?  How do you get internet connection?  Just wifi in the harbors, or do you have some sort of satelite thing?

« Reply #22 on: November 17, 2006, 04:38 »
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I now sail up and down the eastern pacific coast, on my 55 ft sailboat, south in winter, north in summer, taking pics which are starting to pay for my lifestyle. Next year, I'm off to Mexico, down to Costa Rica, and then...??? should provide a goodly amount of shots to fill my portfolio.

Ian

Sheeeeesh! ... Lucky guy. What a great lifestyle. Congratulations on achieving it.

I spent 20 years working in Africa and amassed thousands upon thousands of colour trannies as I was a keen photographer and, for part of that time, I worked in a game park. When I got back to Europe I never knew what to do with my pictures except enter them for the occasional competition ... and look at them every now and again to get nostalgic :'( (I miss Africa)

Then I discovered these sites, started scanning the slides and submitting.

Then I got myself a digital camera and started shooting. Wow! Digital was a revelation after film. Got seriously hooked on that and I'm so busy shooting digital and processing them for submission that the scanning of the slides is on hold.

Now I do this about half-time. The rest of the time I'm a freelance writer/editor. But I'm hoping to build up the photo sales so that I can make it full-time. I really love photography ... and sailing ... and Africa.



It's so great that you are doing what you love to do.  You inspire me.  I used to get jealous of people when they achieved something great.  Of course, that has all changed. Age. Now it motivates me.

ianhlnd

  • tough men are pussys
« Reply #23 on: November 17, 2006, 05:16 »
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Thanks for the compliments.  It's something I've always wanted to do since I started sailing as a kid.

To start, I have three computers on board.  Two laptops, one hooked to the navigation system, and a spare, and a desktop built in to the port bulkhead, two printers, canon and lexmar, and a HP fax machine. 

Right now, I'm in my home harbor, Channel Islands, CA, but things keep getting more expensive that regular guys are being priced out of the marinas.  I'm waiting a bit for personal reasons, and for the hurricane season to settle down, and then I'll be out again.

Internet connection isn't as bad as it used to be. I tried satellite, but $$$$ was a bit much.  WiFi is an option someplaces although not a lot of coverage south of the boarder, and where it is available, there's a premium on the service for the duration of the connection.

Most harbors, even little villages that have any tourist traffic, have some type of internet cafe which cater to the cruiser.  It's generally cheap - well,  compared to satellite- and they're relatively high speed and a good meeting place with other sailors.  I'm surprised at how many people have opted for this lifestyle, I keep running into people I've met, some years before, and for the most part, they're friendly people.  Some young, some old.  I wish I had been able to do this 20 years ago, and am happy these 30 somethings, are able to do what they want, they home school their kids . . . . hey, I'm rambling, got to make a note to not do that ;D

Ian

« Reply #24 on: November 17, 2006, 05:27 »
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i was enjoying your ramblings :)

« Reply #25 on: November 17, 2006, 05:52 »
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ianhlnd,

Well if the bottom falls out of the micro stock market sounds like you could be running a floating photography school.

I hope I'm not giving anyone living a life of quiet desperation any ideas to sell the house and buy a yacht and start taking rich amateur photographers on week long cruises among the photographic jewels of the west coast, though I am sure there are worse ways of making a living.
 ;D


« Reply #26 on: November 17, 2006, 10:24 »
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ianhlnd:

Any worries of pirates?  Have you heard of anyone having such problems?


ianhlnd

  • tough men are pussys
« Reply #27 on: November 17, 2006, 21:34 »
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I think I may be hijacking snapshots thread, and I didn't want to do that.  To answer a couple of questions and then we should get back on subject:

PIRATES?  Yeah, lots of them, mostly found at marinas, boatyards, and boating supply stores. They rob you blind. and you don't even get a kiss.

Fintastique, a floating photo school ;D  Have to figure out who the instructor would be.  I had planned on hiring out, I have kayaks, diving gear, and am a pretty good cook - French Provincial crossed with Asian cuisine, but chartering out would mean I'd have to put up with charterers.  Somewhere on some forum, I had offered a week trip to 4 of the channel islands ending with San Miguel, the supposed site of Juan Cabrillos burial (he explored the west coast), no takers, I went anyway, 2 weeks and had a great time.  I'm trying to figure out the best way to do underwater photography without all the gear and money associated with it.  Was able to get some really good pics in clear, cold, pristine waters, but could not upres them enough to put them into stock, so I made greeting cards out of them.

Most of my sailing these days is solo, after being widowed 5 years ago.  I've started looking for a 1st mate, but without much practice, I'm a bit clumsy at it.  But am getting better. 

OK, how about back to topic,  sorry snapshot

Ian

« Reply #28 on: November 18, 2006, 04:08 »
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where do you get the snapshots thread thing from.

This is the 'get to know you' thread, so what you are writing seems to be quite on topic, and interesting for a jealous fellow like me :)

« Reply #29 on: November 18, 2006, 05:00 »
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Well, I don't live on a boat, and I'm part time, so not as interesting... :-).

My full time job is as a manager for the local council, in the IT / IS area.   I'm a geek, which in most circles these days isn't much of an impediment...

My photography is part time, I shoot sports and some event work for a local paper, and do portraits, and a few team sports photos..  Stock is a part-part time thing for me.  In a really busy stock month I'll upload 20 images.

Photography wise I got my LPSNZ (Licentiateship of the Photography Society of New Zealand) last year, and I'm the secretary of our local camera club.  I'd love to do photography full time but I need to get rid of some of our Mortgage first!  I don't have a preference for types of photography, I like expansive landscapes, and intimate portraits, detailed studies and riveting sports action shots.

I have delusions of being a writer, but havn't even put my blog onto my website yet, although I've written two articles for it.  I worry that I procrastinate far to much, and fail to grasp on oppertunities.

I've run three, or maybe four, part time businesses, of which I'm in the process of closing down the last one at the moment.  For a wee while there I was the largest manufacturer of Elevon mixers for R/C aircraft in the world, which isn't saying much, but it kept my email full of odd requests for information from every corner of the planet.  I've run a web hosting business, a computer service business, an online consumables shop, done electronic design consultancy, and almost ran a radio station.

And that's pretty much a snapshot, or a small part of, me. :)

« Reply #30 on: November 18, 2006, 05:10 »
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where do you get the snapshots thread thing from.

This is the 'get to know you' thread, so what you are writing seems to be quite on topic, and interesting for a jealous fellow like me :)

Snapshot here. Leaf is right.  This is exactly what I wanted!  So don't apologize.  I'm enjoying it, as well as others.

« Reply #31 on: November 18, 2006, 05:27 »
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Wow, Chellyar! Busy,busy,busy man.  If you have delusions of wanting to write, then why don't you tell a story with your photography?  Pick a topic that you know well, take the shots and write the words.  I know sounds simple, right?  I couldn't do it.  But I don't want to write either.  Wouldn't know where to start. 

Saw my cousin yesterday who has the cutest kids. I have none, though I have (3)cats and (1) big dog.  I told her that if she would let me take portraits of her children for her to keep in exchange of signing a model release.  She was all over it.  She is a single mother.  I am thinking about going into portrait photography.  But I want to use family members first, just to see if that's the way I want to go and to also start a portfolio.  I am really trying to find something with a twist. 

« Reply #32 on: November 18, 2006, 06:31 »
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Hey Ian!  Bought a book yesterday called "2007 Photographer's Market", 30th Annual Edition, Published by: Writter's Digest Books, Editor: Donna Poehner.  This book is full of businesses  that uses photographs that you can submit to. I saw one, and I just started looking at this book, that you may be interested in.  It's called  "Cruising World" (magazine).  You may have heard of it, since you sail.  Their web site is: www.cruisingworld.com. Check it out, might get some sales there.

This book is so cool!  It tells you who the companies are, their contacts, addresses, web sites, what their needs are, how to send in your submissions, specs, Approx. how much they are will to pay.  Gives Consumer Publications, Newspapers, Trade Publications, Book Publishers, Stock Photo Agencies, Advertising Agencies, Galleries, Art Fairs, etc.


 

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