Why 99% of PHOTOGRAPHERS Can’t Make MONEY (and how to fix it)

[@RanftEvan]

Thank you for watching! Drop a comment if this video helped you in any way. It makes all the writing that goes into these videos worth it!

[@classic.cameras]

As a photographer of near 25 years (man I'm old) I have never did jobs that make me feel uncomfortable. Lots do Weddings. Me, nope. Its like, don't be afraid to step out of your comfort zone from here or there but never do a job that you know will make you very uncomfortable. So I do portraits, arch, landscapes and 5 seconds of street.

[@MrTripleOalien]

I read this as I edit this wedding video. I hate doing wedding videos. This has not been enjoyable.

[@aftereight8341]

Can you explain this "and 5 seconds of street"?

[@rayvphoto]

Started doing photography at 27 (going be 30 this year) and done a variety of projects including weddings. Weddings can be a challenge and I still get nervous but just gotta take the leap. It can be a stressful but when the day slows down you’ll realize how awesome it is to capture such a special day.

[@aperturefilm]

@@rayvphoto we started at the same time and we have the same age lol 1994 babies

[@jordanosman]

Life keeps throwing me curveballs and photography has always been there. It’s the one skill I have that I’m confident in. I just fail to understand how to market myself effectively. So thank you for this video. Such great timing for me.

[@RanftEvan]

Glad to hear this one could help you! Keep your head up and push forward 🙏

[@umareta]

The value exchange explanation is spot on! Understanding the market is the no. 1 key where we as creatives have to think critically. From “how does my photographs make me feel”, to “if others see my photographs, how would they feel”? If there’s any kind of synergy, there is a potential commerce in our works. This way, we know we’re doing what we do best and not forced to do something we don’t care about for the sake of 💰.

[@Augnos]

Probably one of my favorite videos you've made since I subscribed. Thank you for sharing these!

[@Malick333]

This is great …. “Value pricing” is a critical topic in the creative industry so Evan does a great job proving this well and I recommend everyone to go down that rabbit hole and do some reading! He hit it over and over about “perceived value”. Part of this is how you “package” yourself ... I never show up in one of my hoodies to meet a new client since my clients don’t wear hoodies. 😉

[@5th_of_me]

Thank you soo much for the value given to us in this video! At my age (20yo) knowing this information will definitely help me avoid missing around to much. I'm very fond of certain lifestyles and types of photography, so I'll try to make something clear out of it. Only by expressing my artistic preferences thorough my work, I believe I'll be able to do it from passion and enthusiasm.

[@brainz406]

This video truly came to me at the right time just when i needed advice that why my photography business is not taking off properly. I’ve been 2 years in Wedding Photography industry and after watching your video, turns out i was wrong the whole time. I tried to change and dictate the behavior of the market and educate them at the same time (which have totally different behavior and market condition in my city) which turns out to be wrong and wasted my time at the same time. So that’s why 😂. Thank you, Evan! For me, these priceless information are going to make me better than ever before.

[@AnnkurKumar]

13:59, what's your process of uploading images on Instagram?? How do you safeguard your photos from stealing? How do you do it?? How do you get eyeballs on prints?

[@GingerOMG]

On Instagram, the quality will be really bad, and not worth stealing. If you want to show examples to someone / on your website, only upload low resolution photos.

[@judeemclaughlin7394]

I think it's great that you don't sugar coat the downside. Too many people give vague statements that really just gloss over the fact that it is difficult . I gave up thinking I could make money with my photography maybe 20 years ago. Keep in mind that it was your website, Facebook or Myspace to be seen on line at that time. The only way to get seen was to have the contacts willing to promote you. Only help I got was everyone telling me to switch to portraits or weddings.

[@RanftEvan]

It’s very difficult and something I didn’t even touch on (to not complicate the video) is do you actually want to turn something you enjoy into a money making endeavor. I’ve had times where I absolutely hated my camera and got very little enjoyment out of photography. Even though it was paying me. In recent years I’ve found a better balance of my creative outlet and business but it’s not for everyone. To your comment though i think these days it is a little easier to get things off the ground. Social media has really changed a lot. I got lucky starting all this when social media became bigger. But if only had Facebook and MySpace it could have discouraged me enough to lot try. Back in those days you’re right weddings and portrait was really the route you had to go

[@focusonbusinesspodcast]

I absolutely love the value exchange explanation! I haven't heard it explained that way before! So good! Saving this to my playlists :)

[@fr33water]

Some solid reminders in here Evan. Awesome video, love to see clips from your throw back sneaker 👟 days. Been watching since then, still watchin’ and learning today.

[@FotoBurlacu]

I'm a very new photographer. 1-2 months now. I am 34 y old soon. I am starting to learn more about my camera and at the same time some businesses ideas from youtube videos, networking with a couple other photographers and trying to get better at editing too. Right now I use an easier software to edit photos and it works decently. I hope to get more courage to approach people on the street to ask if I can take them a photo or to their pet. :-) Wish me luck and any tip is welcome!

[@shotby_wilk]

This video came across my feed at the exact right time. I was literally just talking about this very thing with my peers yesterday. I’m determined to make a career out of this thing this year. Thanks man.

[@Arzidaz]

Another video I needed to watch today. Bless you more!

[@benraffertycreative]

Thank you so much Evan. I needed to hear this, its finally pushed me to start making it a business again after a long break haha

[@SebastianKrahforst]

This is such a valuable video! Well explained and more then worth a try for my own business!

[@kimduboisphotographeanimaliere]

Thank you for the inspiration and the knowledge!

[@KIKZCustoms]

Its true. I do side hustle with painting sneakers and i didn't know i would begin to fall in love with photography. At the same time you should enjoy what you do even if you just put some amount of money. Im just a beginner though

[@worldadventuretravel]

I went to GSU too. It took me years to fall in love with Atlanta, but the late 90s and early 00s there were epic. I'd love a video on how to sell your own artwork as a photographer. I mostly do street, candid portraiture, documentary and travel photography and have absolutely no desire to spend my life shooting weddings or food. Is that even a market or have cell phones and IG filters ruined the demand for printed artwork?

[@diegojustraveled1118]

You’ve helped me make an income with these kinda videos thank you 🙏!

[@RanftEvan]

Love to hear it! That’s the goal 🙏

[@palomarAI]

Great content Evan, thanks for sharing the GEMS!

[@professionalamateur7900]

yo we literally went to the same college at the same time lol I graduated from the design program at GSU in 2014. Crazy it's been a decade, wonder if I ever ran into you around campus! Go Panthers🤙

[@legomd4696]

As a photographer that lives in a smaller town in Montana, selling stuff in general is frustrating. Been trying to sell for a year or so and with no success. 2400 followers on insta (I really gave up on there due to getting nowhere), really no followers on facebook, some followers on threads. Living in a small town sucks sometimes because I can’t get traction like people in larger cities. I’ve tried everything and nothing seems to work 🤷🏻

[@brainz406]

It happened to me to, except i’m in Asia. It frustrated me also that i’ve been selling my photography with values that i thought is going to be the best against competition, but sometimes the traction in small city is not that much compared to big cities

[@marcanthonyskidmore4131]

I am in Thailand and have already given up. 124 followers in 2 years and no money in at all. I did many free shoots and gained many photo passes during that time.@@brainz406

[@tesshu2000]

very insightful and based on your own experience in the industry. Thanx for sharing.

[@XavierBaker]

This information is really helpful i seriously cannot believe your giving this away without some paid course... Thank you so much evan!

[@josephbarberphotography]

Incredible advice, wish i could have heard this advice 10 years ago!

[@nick_mophotos]

Thanks for posting this video! It answered a lot of questions that were roaming around in my head. Keep up the great work!

[@lucidphts709]

you just described me 😂.. in college, exercise science major, wanting to do cardiac rehab, but have a dream of living off photography

[@marcanthonyskidmore4131]

The biggest factor for some people is location. As the law states in Thailand that you cannot actually work without a work permit. The fact is that photography studios in Thailand do not hire foreigners as it takes a ton of paperwork and a minimum salary per month. Also the fact that the pay is so low that one can barely afford a new lens or body every six months. I have attended many events and gained many media passes over the two years but I am still on 124 followers in IG. Also been in a legal battle with a local photography company because they reported me doing a free shoot without a permit. Its totally ruined my prospects here now as nobody will interact with me. I think if you are a foreigner here in SEA just don't bother to try. The rules are against you and the currency is very low.

[@TheMortzCanberra]

Great video One thing I find is that social media marketing is a breeze however website SEO stuff is so difficult. Converting leads to sales via social can sometimes be tricky

[@stephenroberts7828]

Love it thnx Evan

[@AnabolicFrkzz1433]

So much value in this brother thank you

[@imago_terra]

Dude this is so helpful wow, thank you :)

[@stargazeruwu5985]

Definitely saving this video thank you!!!

[@andreaspretali]

Very helpful and inspiring video. Thank you!

[@ezrasealy2116]

Thanks for sharing. Here in Barbados loving your stuff!

[@RanftEvan]

Thank you for watching!

[@im.gregbeg]

Wow, it was really interesting, AND informative! Thank you!!!

[@WalfredoCirne]

Great video! Thanks!!

[@reyvinre]

Very helpful video, thanks man 🤙🏼

[@WhosJmcGames]

I have a question regarding prints. Do you have your own special printer or did you use a company? I used a company before but they watermark the back and it looks less professional on my end.

[@TheTomaszB]

Hey! Great vid as usual! PS. What watch are you wearing? It looks sick!

[@rafeakspvd]

Truly top tier knowledge. Always appreciated 🙌🏼

[@grantrobertdavies]

Great Video Mate, good way to start the day!!! :) Thank You :)

[@RanftEvan]

Thank you so much!

[@grantrobertdavies]

I'm taking the steps to completely separate my personal brand and my professional brand this year and this is really going to help this process out!!! Thanks again...

[@jonathanbaumler]

The Evan5ps days! Whoa! I remember those. 🙌

[@goldbrick2563]

Congrats on your journey to success and creating the life and career you want. I love your channel. Do you consult with new photographers? I bet learners out here would pay for a personal zoom session with you. Just thinking about other streams of revenue

[@goldbrick2563]

Also can u do that review on the polar pro iPhone 15 pro lenses. Would be interested to hear your thoughts on their products

[@RanftEvan]

Hey there, yes I do. Haha I actually just got off a call. It’s linked in the description but I’m closing coaching for a little while after February. The polar pro lens filters are stellar! I use them on my cameras all the time so I image they work well with the iPhone also

[@goldbrick2563]

@@RanftEvan nice, haha i need to pay closer attention.

[@brianmalvoisin]

What kind of paper did you use for the prints or trusted site?

[@JasonPierceOfficial]

Appreciate the knowledge ❤️📸👍

[@eternalnjem]

Your story is similar to mine. 22 literally going through the same thing

[@markrussell4682]

I'm a photographer, a former US Navy Photographers Mate, and I make money hand over fist, raising worms and selling their castings. I still do photography, when I want to.

[@tudorciobanu3895]

Thank you

[@aurorincorporated]

...now i feel utterly discouraged to even try and sell, because i lack the volume of works and quality in any of the desired main fields. *sighs* The more i know the less i wish i knew. 😅 And yeah, then there's the point of not wanting to be noticed as the artist... i just wish i could sell while remaining in the shadows. Thanks for the informative video.

[@ivorlyall7697]

Excellent video

[@flamesintheattic]

Passion means "to endure, suffer". You can't have "A passion" as that is meaningless. You bring passion to the work you are already doing. It is whatever suffering you are willing to endure while working.

[@sonwabisedzidzi]

I don't understand the hate. This was a good video. Thanks man.

[@Cole-jg6pd]

@RanftEvan Thanks for the video, this is great stuff as always. I have a photography business related question I've been struggling to find an answer to and thought I'd see if you or any others leaving comments had some direction: As a photographer, are you allowed to post pictures to your website that contain copyrighted products or logos/trademarks? Are there any legal implications with this that we should be aware of? Appreciate any input you have!

[@RanftEvan]

Shoot me a DM on Instagram, I’ll help you out 👍

[@scottsimnz]

That long hair throwback footage 🔥

[@MidtownShoota]

This isn’t creepy. But I thought I remembered you. I was an exercise science major at gsu. I think I had anatomy with Appleberry with you. Small freaking world.

[@andrewjonathans]

insightful,

[@amitgami2994]

Legend!

[@GiggityGooQ]

Id love for you to critique some of my work. This video is so helpful!

[@derekrosshall]

the richest photographers shoot video as their day job 🤪 I’m kidding but as tv and film industry vet I’ve noticed a trend

[@NTigran1993]

Good video to start the day with! Good luck everyone

[@RanftEvan]

Thanks for the good vibes!

[@stkuj]

Hippie Hair! LOL

[@johncarlan]

Why is the like button broken? wont let me like this video

[@istvann.huszar420]

Surely you can talk a lot. The only reason why 99% of photographers don’t get paid is that there is virtually no demand for stills outside businesses in the age of the iPhone 15, TikTok, Instagram, and AI stock photos... Can we do a little market research here? Hands up everyone who has ever purchased a print from a photographer. 🖐️

[@trishd2025]

I have bought prints, generally of places visited so they were tourist shots I wouldn’t have been able to take myself. Have bought art prints mostly black and white.

[@coastalartistlivingonislan8395]

I spent way too much on buying zines this year. No prints, but I love zines.

[@Sososobeit]

it took you 30 seconds to explain the title, thats maybe 30 seconds i wont get back

[@catnipmossy]

tfym 99%

[@DrJLad]

Grow the hair back bro

[@v_stands_for_value124]

If I lived in a big US city I'd be a millionaire, it's not that easy in Europe