Want to make money as a part time photographer?
If you're here, you know you're here, and that's good enough for me.
If you have a few hours a week, access to a camera, and a hint of gumption, it's my goal to help you make money as a part time photographer.
Perhaps:
- You have an unfulfilling day job and want to stretch your legs as a professional photographer
- You have a good day job that doesn't pay enough, and you want some extra money to pay down debts, save up, or play with as fun money
- You're a stay-at-home mom or dad and would like to earn some money working part-time with a set-your-own flexible schedule
Whatever drives your desire to explore the world of part-time professional or ProAm (professional-amateur) photography, it's my own desire to help you be successful.
There are metric tons of information online about starting your own business and becoming a better photographer. Where I saw a need was while surfing photography forums and seeing so many men and women asking best-guess questions about how to get started. You don't know what you don't know, right?
In the same threads, I saw a lot of full time professional photographers give half-hearted advice and plenty of negative feedback.
"It's not as easy as it looks."
"Your photos are horrible; perhaps you should find another job."
"The market is saturated with amateurs like you killing the industry."
"If you're not doing it full time, and you don't have my expenses, and you don't charge what I do, you're not a real professional and you're taking food out of the mouths of my babies."
To which I indelicately respond, "BS."
Anyone who has studied business will tell you there are many, many markets and demographics for any given product range. Professional photography is no different from car sales or widget sales or interior decorating.
From "budget" to "luxury," there's a lengthy scale of customers seeking different levels of service at different prices.
Everybody has to start somewhere, every journey begins with the first step, and it's my goal through PartTimePhoto.com to help you transition and grow into the ProAm or Part Time Professional Photography business. I want to help you make money with photography.
I have no love for overcomplication, hidden agendas, withholding information, snobbery, and bait and switch games. I like simple instructions, "do this this way" clarity, and obvious next steps. Reading this blog and learning to make money with your photography shouldn't be an exercise in existential thinking.
On a daily basis, you'll find within these pixelated walls my best advice in developing your artistic and business skills to make good money for your time. I'll give you concrete examples, walkthroughs, visual examples, step-by-step tutorials, equipment buying advice, marketing pieces and projects, a hell of a lot of encouragement, and a holistic approach to doing good business that serves your own life as much as your customers.
Who am I to give such advice? Tune in tomorrow for my self-indulgent bio, but all you really need to know is that my name is James Taylor, I own Outlaw Photography in the rural town of Bandera, Texas, and I've enjoyed the life benefits of part time professional photography for over 10 years now.
Next Steps
You'll find that I am very big on clear, specific Next Steps. David Allen's system of Getting Things Done is a brilliant one, and one of the biggest things I got out of his book was the practice of establishing Next Steps.
I think the two biggest things missing from most instructional-type web sites are real world examples and well-defined Next Steps, so you'll find plenty of both here on PartTimePhoto.com. At the end of every article, I'll provide one or several Next Steps to give you an exact idea of what you can do at that point to better your part time photography business.
Here are today's Next Steps:
- Take a deep breath and let go of any preconceived fears or doubts you have about becoming a part time professional photographer. Shake them haters off.
- Get a sticky note or piece of paper and tape - write down the three biggest ways being a successful part time photographer would improve your life. Put this piece of paper on your monitor or somewhere you will look at it on a daily basis.
- Grab a piece of paper or open up your computer's note pad and brainstorm - this will be a Next Step for nearly every article I post to PartTimePhoto.com. I cannot overemphasize the value of a good brain dump, pouring your ideas out on paper or to a text file. Today's topic: Envision how your life would be different if you could earn some money through part time photography. No idea is too stupid or simple - write everything down. Spend several minutes on this. Try to build off every item you write down. Don't do it any specific order, just get it out on the page. Grab a folder for your paper or create folder on your desktop in which to place these brainstorm sessions.
- If this all sounds like a good thing for your life, please feel free to click on the "Subscribe" link at the top of any page on this site.
- What experiences have you had in your search for information and inspiration in becoming a part time photographer? Leave a comment below, e-mail me, or call or text me at 830-688-1564.
Congratulations - you have taken the first steps toward enjoying the lifestyle of a part time photographer!
