$500 a Day From Photography | How I Got Here

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Today we are talking about my journey to making 500$ a day with photography.
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How To Independently Create and Sell a Photo Book- • Video

[@RanftEvan]

Hope this gives you a more realistic understanding of how to build a career with pictures. I wish it was a over night quick thing, and it may be for some people. But this is how it worked out for me.

[@fishbarbeque8540]

Thank you so much!!!!

[@Lorenzoq56]

super helpful, evan!

[@Mystervee]

hey @@claudianreyn4529 I hope I find you well. as a person who ponders this very same question. I Believe so ! there is always a story to be told as you are the writer of the photograph. its never too late. as the masses will find you. as you grow your story telling grows with it. bring in your expertise of other fields. you may even create your own genre. I think you got what it takes! cheers -v

[@TCan7219]

Really appreciate the overall honesty. I'm tired of the "get rich quick" stuff. If it was easy, everyone would do it. Great video man!

[@MattyDCCollins]

respect on putting this out buddy, I appreciate the insight!

[@kjkreates]

Always appreciate your honesty and transparency on your videos. 🙌🏽

[@RanftEvan]

Always!

[@Yulfi]

This is great. Thanks for sharing your story and giving us this type of insight. I’ve been a photographer since 2010, but the first 8-9 years were dedicated to shooting retail portraits of locals and their families/events. I pivoted to commercial photography in 2019 before I knew a pandemic was around the corner. Thankfully, I was able to spend time educating myself a bit further and building up somewhat of an editorial portfolio for this new journey that I’ve decided to embark on. I’ve also paid for creative coaching, marketing and branding classes, and creative workshops. It has been a tricky thing to get a grasp on, but it’s all coming together for me now. I hope to one day be able sit and tell my story like you are doing here. Thanks again, Evan 🙏🏽

[@Adrian-ih3mh]

How are you doing now?

[@jeffbergenstock]

Every time I watch one of these videos from you it really keeps me motivated. I appreciate you sharing your experiences and knowledge; it's super valuable to a person like myself that is in a place you used to be. Thank you!

[@PeterB_California]

Great story! Persistence and determination pays off in a notoriously difficult business. You don’t have to apologize for working with sponsors. Kudos to you for the creativity.

[@xanfrancisco]

Super interesting to hear your perspective, Evan! I found your channel way back in 2018 and very much considered you a fully-fledged youtuber even then. Yours is the only channel I follow religiously and so it's been fun going on this ride with you.

[@thibaultgras5854]

This is amazing, good reminder that it takes time. I've had a few small contracts after a year of photography, and it feels like it's going to take forever, but no, it just takes time. Thanks Evan

[@halliebirds]

it takes 10 years to be an overnight success! bless u for such a detailed and down to earth video about all the nitty gritty work that really goes into success

[@jackstringfellow1254]

Thanks for the content. Really inspired me and my photography is so much better because if you. Just straight to the point. thanks!

[@RanftEvan]

Thanks for watching!

[@americanpenguinz3897]

Saw one of your shorts at the Varsity. I’m also from Atlanta and recently bought my first camera. Looking forward to seeing more of your work!

[@leftoverpizza01]

This video is great inspiration to me. I’m in the first phase of your story. I’m a student at GSU doing. I started doing street photography and now doing photos for friends and friends of friends.

[@nateflip]

Thanks so much for this video - it’s a very realistic reminder that these endeavours takes time and dedication. I’ve come to a crossroads in life myself and have been feeling a bit lost/conflicted and this video helped me realize that with some consistency and patience, I can achieve my goals similar to the way you have.

[@michellew2172]

I'm just getting started. I need all the ideas I can get. Thanks for sharing.

[@paulmitchellphoto]

Thank you man. I've been at photography for about 10 years and became disabled so I'm looking for some ways to make extra money with my photography and you gave me some great ideas.

[@patrickbako]

Thanks for the transparency, bro! Love hearing about the come up. Cheers from Canada!

[@upcomingvillain]

This is really inspiring Evan! I’m from ATL and got my Nikon D3100 that I bought as well 10 years ago (still here with me). The channel that made me buy it was Kai from DigitalREV also! I didn’t take it seriously like you at the time but I’m getting back into it and about to purchase an R5! Thank you for these awesome BTS business side of photography videos!

[@BattGoods]

Amazing video brother 🎃 love the long form conversation style. If you were going to do another, i would be interested in how you came up with your style of shooting. Like mentally what draws you to your style of street photography. Or maybe a work ethic conversation talking about things most creatives deal with like, anxiety, imposter syndrome, and how you can overcome that to push harder and always give your 100% regardless, the long conversations are a treat, not a trick, happy Halloween!

[@ikechadmedia3116]

Thank you for sharing. This is both inspirational and educational. Continued success to you

[@RonaldDuverge]

Dude very well deserved 👏 🙌 it's easy to give criticism but is not easy to follow a good example, and appreciated success of others, my respect to you because I know that thanks to people like you many artists can change their lives and create a better life. And you are giving us in such short time what takes you all those years to learn. Thank you so much.

[@thelostvisuals]

This was so insightful; feel like I have taken a lot of great information on board. Also so refreshing to sit and take something in via long form, great pace to follow your journey. Thanks dude 🙏

[@haydeneastburn4383]

very important information to be open and honest! Thank you for this video

[@Stratton218]

9:56 really hit the nail on the head here. If there was one thing someone should take from this video it's that point right there

[@_SYDNA_]

Thanks for sharing what it takes. Appreciate the honesty. Totally agree on "always learning." Met a sports journalist who said he had learned all there was to know about 5 years in. I asked him if he used Photo Mechanic in some of his photo organization projects. He had never heard of Photo Mechanic. I've heard it said that "If you find a way to create value, good things will generally come your way." Works for me.

[@RANDassociatesinc]

Great video! Great thoughts! Thank you!

[@WhirlOmar]

I love the soft and pleasant look of this video.

[@IliasKoureas]

As a college student with a small but amazing following on youtube i find this video really helpful and inspiring.

[@silvestersze9968]

I think I’m going to start taking notes 📝.

[@droneinspectionimaging]

Outstanding!

[@DannyLes]

awesome vid. love this format

[@Ravenwoodring]

Thanks brotha !!!

[@roycerichardsphoto]

Awesome video Evan! I really appreciate the info!

[@higoralvesdefreitas7716]

Hey dude, great video. These long-form videos where you pull back the curtain and really talk through your thought process are insanely insightful, and show the human day to day struggle that can sometimes disappear behind the catchy video titles and thumbnails. I'd love to hear your thoughts on that side of it, I completely get why you and others on KZbin do it as it's just the way KZbin works - do you think there's a false incentive to make videos clickbaity, and how would you fix that in the same way you fixed what was wrong with preset packs?

[@chrisfragiskatosphotography]

One of your best videos, well done.

[@onlyevanromo]

Thank you for the time you took to make this Evan! My only note… would you mind raising the volume of your videos please? 🤧 I had the tv blasted to hear your video and when an ad came up it scared the crap outta me 🤯

[@french__laura]

Amazing to get to know more about the whole story, and this more “podcast” format is really nice

[@6462797220]

Love this, thank you for the break down and great details, truly valuable.

[@fishbarbeque8540]

I love these longer videos!!! thnk you so much!

[@danienelphoto]

Hey dude, been a pro freelancer for 22 years, and you have some valuable info. From my early days (print media, transparency, film, media format cameras - stock agencies where you submitted FILM!) to now is completely different. The industry is completely new, so there is a lot of value an old dog like me can still get from your story.

[@NathanielRolland]

Good stuff, Evan. Love hearing that the process and consistency pays off. Keep up the great work!

[@travelwithlenses]

Thanks for sharing your story, path and experiences!

[@tbwriter1]

Thank you, this was amazing.

[@sittymaha3741]

This is very inspiring to me. I love the way you turning problems into the solution that solving for future clients. I’d like to see next content about how you develop your photography skill through your work. What is the biggest mistake or how you solving the problems? How you finding your style of your photography? Cheers!

[@giallodreams]

Dope breakdown, thank you

[@silvestersze9968]

This’s a good and very educational video. Thx so much for your efforts! 😊

[@Naiim98]

I’ve been enjoying your content for a while now I’ve been inspired to start my own KZbin channel too ❤thank you

[@jesselouie4985]

Way back in 2015(?) we connected and worked together at MTN DEW's NBA 3X Tour in Atlanta after I saw your old website and IG hahah. So dope to see how far you've come, Evan!

[@jd3330]

It's nice hearing and seeing some of your journey bro. Been a subscriber for a while now and I bought my Fujifilm in college after watching a lot of your earlier videos. I never really took my photography into a business due to school (now doing my PhD) but you continue to inspire me to what's possible. Currently, I am transitioning into film and maybe making it a business is the more economical solution lol

[@beau__]

Really appreciate this! Watched while on the treadmill. Two birds with one stone! 🔥💪

[@roderickfranco]

Great video & very informative, had this on while I was editing

[@ashfilmstories]

+1 subscriber. I'm already on my 2year and half freelance journey. I'm still 19 Years old and Hopefully one day I could make this as my living. I really found myself more by doing photography and videos.

[@mylegsasleep1934]

Yo I just checked how long this video will be… nearly an hour? Dude, hell yeah. Looking forward to getting into this one.

[@RanftEvan]

Appreciate it! Tried something new!

[@stephenblakeman625]

This was encouraging to hear how to "play the long game" for building a photography business. I'm turning 63 this year and l love learning from the experience of "the young guys." Maybe you should describe yourself as a "photogrepreneur". 🤔

[@ehjd09]

Sincere appreciation for your time and effort in sharing your story with so many interesting details regarding your struggle to reach your goal to become a successful photographer. Wish you continuing success. I have subscribed to your channel, and I will be looking forward to hearing more from you about business strategies for photographers.

[@Mystervee]

Super helpful, thank you for making this!

[@ShantalRhodes]

Hello. Thank you so much for this video. Really insightful and gave me some things to think about. You popped up on my explore page yesterday, subscribed and now I’m binging some videos 😊. Have a good one.

[@michaldziekonski3162]

Great advice! Thank you for sharing 🙏

[@DoseofYorch]

Can you do more lifestyle car camping, exploring self portraits and car landscape photography

[@damiendee4900]

Thank you

[@jlgbaby229]

I saw the title and then 49 minute’s, ooh wee! 🔥 🔥

[@wazlght5884]

great story, took notes. thank you

[@hari1111]

Gosh Evan you are the reason I bought my XT3. I saw your xpro 2 videos and craved a fuji camera. Eventually in 2019 I was finally able to afford it and here I am now doing weddings on the side 😂

[@TeenyWeeny]

before watching this I thought I was dipping my toes into too many areas with my camera lol... now watched this I am thinking I am in not enough areas lol.

[@jeffreyzie]

Just came on here to comment on the thumbnail. Thing is superb 🔥

[@Splashphotoshoots]

Thank you for this video :)

[@Q_ski]

Thanks

[@RanftEvan]

🙏🙏🙏

[@ds_capture]

Thanks for your story. Thats very inspiring for others. I prepare right now to be an independent photographer and I´m preparing for my 1st Artgalery next year. We´ll see how it goes. i also starting a KZbin channel for behind the scenes.

[@doctornebula]

Very interesting and inspiring.

[@tittoscreation]

THANKSS🙏🙏

[@Fidel_Cashflow00]

Dope. I’m at the gym I’ll let this play.

[@tonytaneja29]

Your video is very much inspiring for everyone watching your KZbin. I am new in photography. It’s been 3 yrs. I still struggling, how to make money from photography but if you can advise more abt photography.

[@silvestersze9968]

Can’t agree more at 13:50 🎉

[@shalimali2983]

Big fan .,.❤️❤️

[@RanftEvan]

Appreciate it!

[@ericmorales1934]

Evan, I had a question, been doing my search but haven’t found a review about the Leica D-Lux 7

[@davehandelman2832]

I REALLY MISS going out with you for a shoot....

[@silvestersze9968]

What is the name of the book? Are they still available for sale?

[@silvestersze9968]

Nice! May I look at your website?…

[@judeemclaughlin7394]

Dang. Wish I had time to watch this but my covered bridge project awaits.

[@RanftEvan]

That’s cool! Thanks for stopping by 💯

[@judeemclaughlin7394]

@@RanftEvan Now that I can sit and watch....you were just getting started when I was considering quitting. My skills had plateaued and everyone I was meeting in the photo community was an a-hole. Another photographer's work (not KZbin) remined me it is should be fun. A friend who helped me through a vary hard time asked for a copy of a pic so I just gave it to her. When she was recently going through a hard time she told me that pic always lifts her spirits. That convinced me to pick my camera back up and just have fun. I still attract a lot of toxic people with my photography, but I don't care anymore. I will never make money. But I wont quit again in the chance that someone else gets a smile out of my work. And before someone says "give it time".... I picked up my first camera in 1987.

[@fromdonwithlove]

Do you have a video that talks about how to license your work?

[@claudianreyn4529]

Ppl say I should concentrate on one thing or one type of photography. F"%k that, I will do everything I can, all types in the same time until something grows. I can't bet everything on one card.

[@RanftEvan]

You always get the best result from doing the thing that comes the easiest to you. Work is work but it’s better when you have a natural inclination/curiosity about the subject

[@doctorstrobe]

Even artists such as Mozart had sponsors. No shame in it, that's the game.

[@samkgvids]

Don’t felt weird about talking money. It’s more helpful to see that it’s possible for someone starting out and to have the transparency!

[@wadecoffie7255]

Do you Leica Leica? I know I am being a smarty pants, just had to ask.

[@bankyankerdude]

It’s funny because I’ve got a Sony a7 4 in my Amazon cart and still undecided if I want to do payments or just keep my camera now and invest in glass 🤯

[@uateva]

Man, I checked your portfolio on your website and it’s either badly outdated or doesn’t represent the width and quality of your work. Either way, it doesn’t say “this is a photographer making $500-1,000 a day with his work”. I watched the video and still don’t understand it. Sorry but there must be stuff you’re not telling us.

[@isaakharms2656]

Idk If it's been updated since, but I does reflect currently. Plus, aren't you here trying to learn from him? Yet you're trying to say you know what value his work holds?

[@Dcurucci]

I found that too. I don't think it's the same ranft. Website is from 2013. My last name is carucci, not very common. And I've found two other photographers with same last name and a website. So it's very possible you're not looking at his site

[@uateva]

@@Dcurucci I don’t know. I just checked the website linked in the video description and I still have the same opinion. I suppose I’ve grown quite skeptic about all these people (not just photographers) telling me what they make like I’m stupid or something for not making as much. Truth is most of these guys have large social media followings and make most of their income from selling courses and monetising their social media accounts, not from their supposedly actual line of work. Maybe Evan is not one of these cases and I’m being unfair, in which case, I apologise.

[@matielo4429]

NICE OG

[@AlrosAvellana]

If you lost everything and had to start all over again from scratch, knowing all that you know already. What would you do? I'm asking for myself. I have a fulltime job but it would be amazing to leave and do photography/videos fulltime.

[@AlrosAvellana]

should've watched the whole video first lol signed up for your course. Thank you for sharing your experience!

[@viszlaymark]

working days or eveyday average?

[@modusprime]

your video has no audio?

[@gfuzil]

This videos are always great, don't get me wrong... but it feels like the channel is missing the raw photography experience that you used to deliver. Now what i feel is that it's like a photography talk and money making than actually taking photography with a camera. Still like this videos, no hate at all

[@silvestersze9968]

How do I get into that course?…

[@RanftEvan]

Go leave your email on the homepage. We are re opening the course in April with new material and updated modules + updated workbook

[@silvestersze9968]

@@RanftEvan I see. Thank you for your reply Evan. I’ll go do exact that! :)

[@andilesomifilms8036]

i am not even makin a cent right now, hope this video helps me😪

[@tcartist_studio]

Question: what I do wrong, I need help tips Aka Artist + photography I engaged with good looking ppl They aren't models, but I tell them. 20 years I do free work, I am tired, what I do wrong? How to tell them If they need portfolio etc business card reach me out?! Or.. They think is free I must do that to make them famous and portfolio pictures. How to stop this nonsense and how to make $. I am learning to shut my mouth not to tell them how beautiful are they, lol. Ur help is important. Thx

[@heliophobix]

Very nice story! But what am I supposed to do it literally nobody gives a damn f about my work? I'm doing automotive photography for three years now and I never had someone asking me for photos :/ I'm actually pretty close to quitting now.

[@fcurcic]

you got there by living in a country rich enough where normal people are willing to pay that money for photography

[@Sophiesimss]

You make that sound like a bad thing🥴

[@jonathanvdk55]

Really interesting that you can make any money from such generic photos!

[@owenatkinson2058]

I don't know why I read this as $500k a day

[@MrBcast99]

pls for god's sake use some timestamps...

[@TeenyWeeny]

damn you're young

[@Willopo100]

500$ is great. just depends on your bookings. If you are doing that 20 times a month. Then great. However your not. Probably more like 5-10 days a month.

[@_SYDNA_]

Woah. Epitome got looted and it was enough to destroy them? Sad. You can still find their photos and they look pretty solid. Was that part of the BLM riots? 2020 was a rough year for a lot of folks. Thanks for sharing what it takes to hustle and adapt.