How to build a SUCCESSFUL photography business.

[@michaelrobinsonphotography6552]

Something I appreciate about your videos is that you don't seem to filter and you put your heart into your message. Keep up the good work!

[@davidmcculloch8490]

I'm retired and do photography part time, principally as an interest but have sold images on stock for publication. Anyone doing stock photography will understand the law of diminishing returns. I have no trouble in getting out, as I work around the weather and choose convenient days. Making a picture in the landscape is an immersive experience and brings pure joy. I'm always prepared to go back to a scene. Finding that on the second or third shoot there is something different, with the added benefit of experience of the environment, along with different conditions.

[@johnpollock6996]

Adam, I really feel a kinship with you. Your years as a police officer must have laid some bricks in your foundation of honesty and being genuine; I know my 20 years of being in the military in the US has had a lasting effect on me. I left the service 27 years ago, but it is still with me today, just as I see in you. As with several other commenters, I am fully retired and do photography as a hobby. Your videos have served as inspiration (aka a good swift kick in the pants) to get off my couch and get into the woods. Thanks for all and best wishes for this incredibly important year.

[@Firstmanphotography]

Thanks John, appreciate your comment very much. Certainly that time allowed me develop a philosophy that I now try to live by, after seeing the absolute worst and best that humanity has to offer. It has also left me with a dark sense of humour.🤣

[@JohnHPettigrewFujishooter67]

Great video Adam, one of the best on the subject and trust me I have seen a few, there is nothing I would like more than to make a living from photography,but I have been saying it for years, maybe this is the year, thanks for sharing.

[@Firstmanphotography]

Thanks John. Glad you enjoyed it.

[@pure.panic.productions33]

I love that you brought the printer outside for this! Lol

[@dougmckillop9352]

Very much enjoy the sincerity and honesty of your videos Adam. As a 66 year old amateur photographer enjoying retirement I occasionally think I should try and make a penny or two from the hobby. Your video helps me to conclude that I am better just enjoying my hobby! All the best for your endeavours in 2024. 😄👏

[@timrosenburgh8597]

A very interesting video Adam. I can only imagine how hard it is for a professional photographer to make a living out of it and and especially the way things are at the moment in this country. I wish you all the success in 2024 and wish you and your family a very Happy New Year. Look forward to the next one.

[@MaliDaviesPhotography]

Perfect timing for me, my last video is about my leap into going full time. I feel the same about print and calendars, books are great, your achievement of making your book is a fav of mine! Positivity is a huge one, focus on what you’re doing and doing it well. Finding it hard to disagree with you and not sound like a bum chum lol. I have a few other thoughts you’ve not mentioned. Thanks for the video and your insight 👍

[@mattcampbell5359]

You are the only PRO that helps others understand the difficulties you face when running a photography business in this ever changing world, your open and honest & humble keep up the good work buddy 👌

[@paulcooper9187]

Great insight, and makes me wonder about my approach now I have retired

[@gary9771]

Timely video for me. I’m retired now and am trying to figure out what I want to do with my photography, and it’s not just landscape photography (some macro, general outdoor, maybe cityscapes). I don’t need to make a minimum amount of money, that’s covered. Additionally, my gear purchases are mostly complete. I want to do more than just take pictures, process them and look at them every once in a while. On the other hand, I’m not so interested in another full time job. I think this is the crux. I’ve spent a lot of years working my butt off and I’m not interested in doing something that resembles that life. I want to enjoy it, maybe pull in extra money, but I want it to be meaningful for someone else. Hope this makes sense. Any constructive feedback would be greatly appreciated.

[@davidburchettephotography6513]

Absolutely

[@Chris-NZ]

Hi, I can definitely relate to pretty much all of that having retired 5 years ago. Most of my life on top of photography I also made 8mm movies and later videos mainly I would have to say around family and friends activities. These days video is so much cheaper and of course easier to edit. You might find a creative outlet on youtube by posting interesting focused topics about the area you live in . I’ve been going down that path for three years. I’m never going to make money out of it that wasn’t my plan but I do really enjoy the process , it gives me an excuse to get out of the house, I find the regular contact with people from all over the world my channel has given me very satisfying and the whole activity from the creative side to the technical keeps the brain cells busy. 😀

[@davidburchettephotography6513]

@@Chris-NZ Well you have a new subscriber. I really, really want to make it down there sometime. Such a beautiful country. I’ll be watching your vids to get a feel for the north island from your point of view 😉.

[@Chris-NZ]

@@davidburchettephotography6513 Thanks David, appreciate the sub and the interest in this part of the world 😀

[@gordonbaird1949]

I really enjoy your honesty Adam. I worked as a wedding photographer for many years until covid stopped me right in my tracks.. It really affected my mental health.. I decided to take my photography in another direction and turned to wildlife. I don't make a great deal of money, but being out in nature and in the landscape has helped me no end. I now get over half a million visits to my social media page a month, all looking at my images of Scottish Red Squirrels.. And I find it very rewarding that so many people are interested.. Anyway Adam keep up the great videos.. I look forward to what you have to bring to us this coming year.

[@huwalban]

I completely agree with your sentiment on the fact that you should be paid for your time, whether that time was in the past making an image or in the future on a commission. However, it can be a struggle. Even back in 2006 when I was photographing Formula One motorsport there were outlets expecting my images for free, and unfortunately there were other photographers out there that were quite happy to have their images in a magazine for the cost of having their name underneath.

[@Firstmanphotography]

Yeah it's brutal. The struggle is real.

[@RickCarroll-Canada]

Hey Adam... Thanks again from Canada. We're about to get about 6 or more inches of snow here tonight so tomorrow should be a winter wonderland. All the best.

[@bobtaylor364]

Great points Adam, look forward to seeing more in 2024. Thank you.

[@Firstmanphotography]

Thanks Bob. More to come!

[@richdoak9349]

Great video and some brilliant advice Adam. Especially to someone like myself trying to break into the more professional style.. so tonight I’m going to look at a website vid Square space, got to be a good starting point.

[@Firstmanphotography]

Thanks mate. Building a website does help focus the mind on what you actually wanna do, present, say and/or sell etc.

[@saarin0tsorry]

Your perspective on digital theft and AI being a burden to remove by ignoring it is so refreshing! I remember when Tony & Chelsea did a video of what it took to sue a company for theft and that their conclusion after winning the case was that it wasn’t worth the effort and time. It is totally unfair and awful to experience, but it sucks energy out of us. I had to fight after a company used my images without telling me. But I already had a relationship where it was worth it and in the end got paid. So many excellent points made here and your positivity and outlook helped me a lot! Cheers!

[@rf2720]

Enjoyed your piece. I m retired and outdoor images reflect my personality. It's an expensive and humbling hobby. Thx again.

[@andybaden9276]

Happy New Year, Great video again Adam, looking forward to the info on workshops

[@terrymartin4489]

Thanks for your inspiration. I have been getting very discouraged lately as a photographer who wanted to turn my hobby into a career. I am not needing to make a fortune at it and just wanted to share my passion with others. I purchased a printer and tried that route and it seemed to be the best way to try getting out there and now I am thinking of doing the video thing. Thanks for the information and inspiration during this nasty economy.

[@RinJERKS]

Very interesting video today! While I have no aspirations of going pro full time, I found this very helpful. I've been contemplating various ideas in my head to take a camcorder out and making videos on weekends and other free time to get started. I'm thinking of a "Photography on a Budget" theme using rather basic (and mostly old) gear and mostly keeping it fairly local to my home town here in Pennsylvania. I'm not great with the speaking but I've noticed that the majority of photography videos I watch are by photographers who speak from the heart, so maybe I'll go that way. We'll see how it goes. Anyway, thanks for the inspiration! -Rick W

[@G0FUW]

Happy new year Adam. Great to see you in such a positive and upbeat mood. Thankfully, I have zero business interest in photography, but I enjoyed the insight into 'your world'. That you are still going suggests you are meeting your burn rate, and good on you for doing that. It cannot be easy, and anyone who thinks it is an easy game is deluded. Not sure I will be able to afford a workshop with you, but if it is possible, I think I would enjoy spending some time in your company. My 2024 'project' is to gather enough images from my local area (Mendip Hills) to put forward an ARPS panel, or maybe a photobook. It will get me out (hopefully) and even if the panel doesn't happen, I will have had some fun, learned something and got some exercise. I started today with a water based image; with the rain we have had, what else would it be? If you ever fancy a day down south, you would be very welcome to join me. Thanks for sharing and hope you have a prosperous 2024.

[@herbertbrandle348]

Hi David, thanks for sharing your Inputs / ideal for 2024. And yes, you made some nice landscape pictures. Well Done, Gratulation. Fotoingenieur / HCB.

[@AmorLucisPhotography]

There are all sorts of reasons why I will never make a living as a photographer, and you've covered a few of them is this excellent video. None of it has to do with the quality of my images, as far as I can tell. I even manage to sell a few prints here or there without really trying. The real reward I get from selling an image comes just from knowing that someone will get pleasure from regularly looking at it on their wall. I am an amateur in the original meaning of the word - what I create I do for the love of it and I loathe the idea of doing anything (just) for the money. Photography for me is creative self-expression, and I feel sure that pursuing photography commercially would at the very least detract from the joy I find in it. Ars gratia artis.

[@simeonbennettphotography]

Excellent video Adam 👏very well explained 👍

[@mikegarthwaite8925]

I watch and learn from your videos. I wait for the new ones so keep up the great work as a "KZbin Photographer" lol I'll take it. Thanks Adam

[@garycope5332]

Thanks for another thought provoking and well delivered video, Adam. I have considered monetizing my photography on many occasions and have been offered opportunities to sell some photographs in the past. I have resisted because I have been concerned my enjoyment of photography may be diminished by making it "employment". I am in the final months of my working life now with my retirement announced, and your video has made me think that offering some of my photos for sale through a website may be an appropriate compromise, as I don't have a minimum I need to earn. I doubt I will ever take the plunge into KZbin however, as I have a head for radio as they say. Keep up your excellent work and I look forward to your next presentation.

[@BikerBloke600]

Thanks Adam I really enjoy your content, you are so inspiring. I struggle with PTSD and lack the motivation to get out the door and your words are so encouraging. Keep up the great work. Mike, Northern Ireland 👌🍻

[@JPJPhotography159]

Thanks Adam. I work many hours in the NHS and always make the excuse that, it would be selfish to spend some more time away from the family, taking pictures. I'm just about to speak with the wife. Loved the lesson. JP

Thanks for this very good video. I'm curious: what percentage of your work time is actually about making photos (going out, taking pictures, process them and print it)?

[@supedigilady2132]

What printer do you have?

[@themisterchristie]

The KZbin photographer thing opens a lot more up for a photographer. There's 191k people who might not have heard of you if it weren't for the KZbin channel. That's more potential customers for the photographer.

[@AnnkurKumar]

2:37, calendars, hmmm!! How?

[@hughwolfe1176]

Adam this is great advice, I’ve thought about selling prints for years, but as you said and I’ve observed the market is difficult at best. Unfortunately in today’s world everyone is a photographer as they’re all carrying a phone… Thank you for sharing

[@mikeysteam]

... everyone is a photographer, everyone has a phone, ....and now ai. All pictures already exist, in that all you need to do is type in a few words. The value of photography now is purely the experience of capture, not charging for prints or services. Sadly.

[@paulwillmott8931]

You tube or pro your pictures are as good as any professional. I enjoy watching your videos. Pros are only jealous, I say.

[@Firstmanphotography]

Thanks Paul.

[@jasonw6640]

Enjoy the videos. I was gonna buy your book, but they're all sold out. 😟

[@Brock_in_the_North]

Tell you what is missing recently. Paul G Johnson. He's gone very quiet hope he's well. On this topic, for 2024 I have no interest in being a photography business. It's been said before it's easier to work a regular job and keep it as a hobby....pays better as well. I understand why people do it or want to do it but for me it's weekend trip away and the prints end up either in my A1 folder or on my wall and that for me is enough.

[@Firstmanphotography]

I miss Paul too. You’re right, I’m not in it for the money but I went back to work after new year and this was my office. That’s the trade off.

[@scotty4418]

Loved that final image Adam and found your tips very informative and interesting. In terms of your comment about KZbin, can’t see why that wouldn’t be a good thing these days considering the reach and popularity of the platform. Great news about the workshops and even though there are economic challenges out there I think there is still a market for them especially with someone like who is a natural educator. Partner in crime will definitely have people guessing who it is and a certain talented individual from over St Helen’s way with a penchant for trees was talking recently about going full time so I’m wondering if this may be such a partner 🤫

[@mikeysteam]

As a parent i would not advise persuing photography as an income to support living. There is some money for the very few who happened to hit KZbin at the right time (a few years ago), talking about photography or limited 1:1s but not actually making enough money from actual photography itself. First 'phones' devaluated photography as a service, now ai is the death blow for photography as an aspirantional living.