Archive for the ‘Viewpoint’ Category
Monday, June 20th, 2011
I see many times people posting interest in taking their hobby of nature photographer to the pro level. Myself and I’m sure other pros have people that contact them asking for advice on what it takes to make a living in this field. My response is that from my experience it’s a seven day work week and can be tough on your family life. I work about forty weekends a year so any family birthdays, holidays, christenings, father and mothers days, sports, concerts, etc, are many times missed. This is much like the entertainment world, pro athletes, traveling salesman, or any other profession that requires you to be on the road many days a year.
Nature photography is one of the toughest fields of photography to make a living in. I’ve found that for me being diversified is the key to making it. Having multiple streams of income keeps the money flowing. Those streams all take a lot of time to keep them flowing.
Marketing is number one, nobody knows you’re alive and in business unless you tell them. Shameless self promotion is something you have to get used to and you need to be the type of person that doesn’t mind this type of marketing as some would consider this bragging about yourself, but it’s just getting the word out that you’re in business and having some success at what you’re doing. I spend a lot of my time marketing, I write a daily blog post, moderate on two photography sites including my own “Macro Nature Forum”, post images, post on Facebook and Twitter, and reply to photographers sending me emails with questions.
I display my images in about twenty art shows a year. This takes up twenty of my weekends, many away from home. The shows start in May and run until October and consume almost every weekend for those months. Some of the shows I’m gone on Friday and return on Monday, leaving me Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday, to print, package, and pack for the next weekend. During the winter months I’m going though the process of applying to these shows, which is filling out applications, sending images for the jury process, writing out checks for show fees, etc, keeping it all organized so I have a show every weekend. Taking time to keep track of materials and doing all the ordering and always trying to find the best prices. During the winter when I apply to these shows the jury fees and booth fees run about seven thousand dollars, which I won’t see again for months.
During the art shows off season I’m presenting my workshops. I do about twenty workshops which are on weekends. This take time promoting the workshops, adding them to my website and blog, sending out emails and post cards, posting them on nature photography websites, posting on Facebook, etc. Working with the hotels on setting up rooms for the workshop all across the country. Planning the workshops and how they will run. Shooting images for examples in what I’m teaching in the workshops, and constantly updating the material presented at the workshops. Many days each year are spent on the road driving to and back from the workshops and art shows.
Wow, I’m already tired and I haven’t scratched the surface on what I do. While all this craziness is going on with the art shows and workshops,
I have to maintain my moderator duties online.
I work with art consultants that buy images for their design projects, print the images, package, ship, and invoice them.
I contact companies that would be willing to sponsor me, work with them when they need images for ads, photo conventions, sometimes even go to photo convention for them. I send them promos for my workshops that they can list on their websites.
I do online workshops, which takes time again promoting, critiquing the participants shooting assignments.
I have a how to macro book that took time to write and have printed, I have to maintain stock at Amazon, maintain on my store front sales, packaging and shipping to customers.
I have five e-books completed and am working on more. Again more promotion, sales and sending the e-books online. I also make them into CDs to sell at the workshops and art shows.
I’m working on how-to macro videos for You tube.
I travel and present programs for camera clubs, photo conventions, garden clubs for flower photography, have done some at REI stores.
Send submission to magazine with article ideas, and once accepted working with the mag to set-up the article and images. Invoice them.
Send out information introducing myself to new art consultants, interior designers, calendar companies. etc. reply to their emails as they contact me asking questions about pricing, printing, etc.
I maintain a blog which I write and post as frequently as possible and I write when possible for Tamron’s blog. Post on facebook any updates on workshops, art shows, and any other happenings.
Maintain a website, posting new images updating art shows and workshop schedules.
I will visit and sell through art galleries, so time is spend traveling to the galleries maintaining stock.
I have companies that contact me for stock images, negotiate, send files, and invoice them.
I get to beta test new products for companies, and they always wait till the last minute to send you the product and need a response NOW! Take time to work with the product, Email back and forth with response.
I have charities that call and ask for print donations which I always do. Deal with emails, set-up time to make contact with prints.
Take care of all the accounting, sales, taxes, keeping track of cost of running the business.
Working toward setting up webinars for live how-to macro workshops online.
Wow, all this work is making me tired, I need a nap.
Now are you starting to wonder why I haven’t mention anything about shooting. As you can see there is not much time left to shoot. It can be frustrating and hard to schedule time to shoot, as you have probably heard most pros say that the business takes up ninety percent of their time. I do make time to shoot but it has to be scheduled at the peak times which for me are the spring and fall. The summer I almost never get out to shoot as the art shows consume so much time.
I have to say I’m pretty sure there are a few more thing I do, but I think you’re getting the point. If I tried to make it on any one of these streams alone it would be tough, but with a little income coming from all these streams I do very well, but I sacrifice a lot of time and family life to maintain this business.
I have to say even with all the work I do I can’t wait to wake up in the morning at five o’clock and get to work! I wouldn’t trade what I do with anything else. I always tell people where else can you work where people are complimenting you while handing you money!
Good luck if you give it a shot.
You can visit Mike's blog and learn about his workshops here: Tiny Landscapes
Mike's eBooks are available in the OPG store here: Mike Moats
Tags: Mike Moats, Nature Photography, photography business
Posted in Articles, Commentary, Macro, Viewpoint | No Comments »
Thursday, June 9th, 2011
Until last year I had never enjoyed the thrill of making my own photographic prints. When I needed a print, I’d send off a file (or slide) to whatever lab I was using at the time and they’d ship the print directly to me or my client. With only a few exceptions my image viewing experience consisted of staring at a photo on a computer monitor.
Then, I bought an Epson Stylus Photo R2880 printer and everything changed. If that sounds like a dramatic statement – it is. It’s also quite true. I started making my own prints. Whenever I wanted. On whatever paper I wanted. It didn’t take long and I was addicted to the smell of fresh ink on photographic paper as a new print rolled off the printer, landing ever so gently in the catch tray. Is there a difference between viewing an image on a computer monitor and holding an actual print, that you made, in your hands? You’d better believe it.
As an artist I like to have complete control over my work from start to finish. While it is true that you maintain a degree of control when you do all the post-processing on your photos before sending them off to a lab, you’re really not closing the loop. The ultimate control comes when you conclude the image making process by crafting your own print. Today’s inkjet printers are capable of producing professional quality archival prints that rival and, in my opinion, exceed those made using more traditional methods like Cibachromes. They’re sharper, more detailed, just as colorful and can be made using a diversity of papers.
While difficult to quantify, there is a certain pleasure and satisfaction in handling an honest to God hand-crafted print. It is a tactile experience. You feel the weight of the paper, the texture. Unseen details emerge. Perhaps you feel pride in the knowledge that the print you are holding was born of your own creativity, and that without your vision and skills it would cease to exist. I get none of this from viewing an image on a computer monitor.
I’ve also noticed that people react differently when viewing my photographs in print. On the computer (or iPad), they quickly flick through the images. When I hand over my portfolio book I’ve noticed that they linger on each image. They don’t madly flip from one page to the next. Do people, even non-photographers, appreciate a fine art print more than they do an image on a screen? It would seem so.
What is your experience with pixels vs. prints?
Learn more about Bret, view his images, scout his workshops and read his blog here.
Tags: Art, Bret Edge, photography, printmaking
Posted in Articles, Commentary, Viewpoint | 1 Comment »
Monday, May 23rd, 2011
When I started in the art show business five years ago it was my first experience at selling nature photography, I thought that the art shows were a place where people came to find contemporary abstract art, so I loaded up my booth with abstracts and soft focus images. It didn’t take long to figure out that the people that attended these shows were not interested in the abstract images. What they were buying was the images that is called realism. Everything in focus images of subjects that people could identify and relate to. Images of reality.
After about five or six shows, I pulled out most all of the abstracts and replaced them with realism. My sales shot up dramatically.
So why do people like realism over abstract? Not everyone likes realism, there are the people that like abstracts, but they are in the minority. I’m in the minority because I tend to prefer the soft focus abstracts, or images with patterns, shapes, soft blurred colors.
One thing that I have learned from talking with the people who buy my images at the shows is that they usually have a connection to the subjects in the image.
Take this Lily of the Valley flower in the image above. One lady buying this image told me that her grandmother had a patch of Lily of the Valley flowers in her yard, and every time she sees this flower she thinks of her grandmother.
Many women who bought it told me that they carried Lily of the Valley flowers down the aisle on their wedding day. So they were buying the image based on that connection of a happy day in their lives.
Another lady told me that her favorite perfume is made from the Lily of the Valley, so she was buying the image based on that connection
I would have never believed that my best selling image every week would be of a frog in duckweed. I had this image for two years before I decided to take it to one of my shows. It outsells every image, every week.
Why does it sell so well, because amazingly I’ve been told several times by buyers that they have huge collections of frogs at home.
I hadn’t taken this frog image to the shows because I thought, who would buy a frog to hang in their home, boy was I wrong!
I stopped taking most of my images of wildflowers because very few were being sold. I started to realize that most people are just not familiar or knowledgeable on wildflowers. If they don’t know what kind of flower it is, then they are not interested in hanging it on their walls. Again, people need a connection to the subject. They like Calla Lilies, Sunflowers, flowers that they can easily identify.
My wife has attended many of my art shows and knows some of the European photographers that show landscapes and scenes from Europe. She had never expressed any interest in any of their images until she went to Europe. After her trip she bought four images from one of these photographers because they were images of places she had been. A connection now caused her to purchase those images.
With abstract, we can’t connect these images with anything in our lives. Unless we have some artistic tendencies we will not be able to connect to these subjects in the photographs or paintings.
The connection to reality is strong. One lady was buying an image of a Trillium that she thought was a Calla Lily, and when I told her it wasn’t a Calla Lily, she no longer had any interest in buying it. It’s still a great image of a beautiful flower, what difference does it make that it’s not a Calla Lily, but it did make a difference to her.
Photography of landscapes are shot with everything in focus and would not be considered abstract, so these are images of realism and reality. That’s why landscape photographers will get good response to their images. But as macro photographers, we tend to be more artistic in what were can do with our subjects, so many of the macro photographers get disappointed when friends and family don’t get the abstracts.
It was mentioned on my facebook page that abstracts tend to appeal more to the younger generation, and I totally agree that younger people tend to be more open minded to this kind of art. The few abstracts I did sell were to the younger generation. The problem is for those of us trying to sell, the art shows are filled with the older baby boomer generation who have the finances to purchase art.
Young people have families and very little money that can be spent on collecting wall art. If they need art for their homes they can buy it much cheaper in the prices they can afford at Ikea, Kirland, Walmart.
Most of the buyers are the older people that have more disposable income because their kids have left the nest, and they have more money to spend on themselves and their homes.
So if you would like to see a more positive response to your macro photography, shoot everything in focus of reality in nature. Hey it’s good stuff, I have lots of great images of reality that do very well in selling, photo contests, and impressing friends and family members.
Find subjects to shoot that people can connect with.
You can visit Mike's blog and learn about his workshops here: Tiny Landscapes
Mike's eBooks are available in the OPG store here: Mike Moats
Tags: art shows, Macro, Mike Moats, reality
Posted in Articles, Commentary, Macro, Viewpoint | 1 Comment »
Wednesday, April 27th, 2011
Self Portrait - Hudson Valley
I recently received the following question from a reader, and thought I would share my answers here – hopefully they offer some insights to help those of you with similar questions.
“…I can’t capture an outstanding mountain or river view…I know a big part of that is that my camera is a pocket camera, and I don’t have real editing software, but I’m curious if you could give suggestions or tips on how to really catch a remarkable view.”
I have written here many times about the role of technology in photography, and as many of you know I am definitely of the opinion that it doesn’t really matter. Yes it certainly helps in technical aspects such as resolution, sharpness, clarity, and over all image quality. But in my opinion, the single most important aspect of any photograph is it’s ability to convey a story, and create an emotional response in the viewer.
I will let you decide whether you think the gear plays a bigger role in this regard than the composition, but I repeatedly tell students I have never been asked a technical question by a print buyer – from the 8×12 to the 36 x 90. My my work is based on my love and passion for nature, and the desire to share it with others, and it all starts there – without that, the best camera in the world means nothing.
The short answer is that it takes time – a long time to develop the instincts for seeing light. Landscape and nature photography is ALL about patience. There is a saying – “the best investment you can make in your outdoor photography is in the investment of time”. Sure you can get lucky (we ALL do) and make a few great images, but a consistent body of work is something that comes from practice, dedication, and failure.
Quoddy Head, Maine
Many want to take the shortcut and use technology, computers, etc to make nice images,but ultimately there remains a missing ingredient that keeps a viewer interested over the long run. Learning how to do this involves practice, study, and time. Here are a few suggestions:
- Read as much as possible – photography books, magazines, manuals, etc.
- Looks at as much photography as you can – I used to spend hours at the library and Barnes & Noble looking at every single photo book – I also bought a whole lot.
- Read this blog and other blogs about photography and try to learn from the concepts expressed and written about. Leave feedback, ask questions, and find photographers that are willing to share and help – this is key.
- Take lots of pictures and fail often – then you start to learn from the mistakes you are making. Go out again and make new mistakes – repeat until you start to get better, sometimes faster, other times slow – or as I say two steps forward, one step back.
- One last tip – become completely (and I mean COMPLETELY) familiar with your subject, whether that’s a specific location, or light in general. I often think about a potential image in my imagination in the middle of the night, and how I might arrange all of the elements to create the strongest composition – camera angle and height, sun height and direction, foreground and background elements, etc. This is particularly helpful with a specific area or location – ie. see Ansel’s work of Yosemite.
Most important – this should all be fun and exciting, not frustrating and disappointing, Remember my first point – passion should drive you, not the pursuit of the best image – this is what keeps you going for the long run and makes it an adventure. Hope this offers some direction and doesn’t discourage you, but rather clarifies the challenges and rewards of a truly worthwhile pursuit. Would love your questions and feedback as always!
Check out Robert's website for images, workshops, webinars and more! LINK
Tags: books, Craft, Hudson Valley, maine, Reading, robert rodriguez jr
Posted in Commentary, Contests, Viewpoint, Vision | 1 Comment »
Monday, April 18th, 2011
I spent a while chatting it up with this charming guy with the help of an interpreter.
If there’s one thing I was reminded of while in Africa it was my need to “connect in order to create.” That connection may be as simple as an exchange of smiles between me and a young man stacking charcoal or as intricate as an interpreter explaining my every word. As a photographer, my curious nature places me in situations that can be hard to navigate and at times difficult to explain. I found throughout the years that being sincere, respectful and giving a big smile are key ingredients to successfully navigating language barriers.
Here are a few guidelines to try to follow when traveling abroad:
1. Be polite and respectful. Don’t be the ugly tourist with camera.
2. Consider a local guide when traveling abroad. S/he can really help break down the communication barrier.
3. Spend some time getting to know your subject before getting the camera out.
4. If you’re in a town for a few days consider going for a walk without your camera. Scouting an area and connecting with people/shopkeepers can pay dividends when you come back with your camera in tow.
5. Telling a story — Try to tell a story with your images. I avoid shots that simply portray poverty. Taking a keen interest in what a person does for a living or how he or she supports their family is what I’m interested in photographing.
6. Lastly, remember safety is key. I love street photography but it’s very easy to get caught up in a “moment.” Having a travel partner that can watch your back is just common sense.
Selling charcoal in Nairobi
Loading the buckets for sale
Local flavors--grilling meat for sale
At the end of the day, it’s all about following the “Golden Rule” and using common sense. I believe when I make a sincere attempt to connect with people they look beyond the camera and see me for what I am: a harmless, curious guy with a camera 
Learn more about John, view his images and check out his blog here.
Tags: John Batdorff, portraits, travel, Travel Photography
Posted in Articles, Commentary, Viewpoint | No Comments »
Tuesday, December 7th, 2010
As we enter into the first phase of winter here in the northern regions of the US, we find less and less to shoot outdoors. The colors have all disappeared and the plant life has wilted and faded away until next spring. Once the first week of December arrives, I look forward to heading to the local creeks and shooting ice abstract. These images that you see are produced in the very first stages of freeze at the edges of the creeks. In this newly formed ice you will find interesting patterns and unique natural designs. With each winter day the cold adds new layers of ice causing the ice to turn white and erasing these creative designs, so being out there at the first ice is your best chance to shoot these cool abstracts.
A long focal length macro lens (150mm to 200mm) works best as you will be shooting from the bank of the creek and need that longer range to reach the subjects and fill the frame.
You will be shooting at low angles and to increase my depth of field to bring the whole design into sharp focus I use the higher f/stop numbers in the f/22 to f/32 ranges.
Look for designs that have a lot of interesting swirling lines
Sometimes you will come across ice with cool colors. The colors may reflect from the blue in the sky or from brown leaves under the ice, or yellows from low angle early morning sunlight.
As you can see there are some very interesting artwork created by mother nature, so dress warm and don’t let the cold stop you from shooting!
You can visit Mike's blog and learn about his workshops here: Tiny Landscapes
Mike's eBooks are available in the OPG store here: Mike Moats
       
Tags: Ice, ice abstracts, Macro, Mike Moats, winter
Posted in Articles, Macro, Viewpoint, Vision | No Comments »
Wednesday, November 24th, 2010
When was the last time you went to a magic show? For some, it may have been last weekend. Others, it may have been a bit longer. Besides the rabbit coming out of the hat, the most identifying of items used by a magician is his wand.
So let me ask you… do you think the quality of the magic show is based on the manufacturer and model of the wand?
Me neither.
This is not a new argument. Nevertheless, it is one that needs to surface from time-to-time, as we seem to lose sight of what’s important.
Go to any photography forum, club, or group and I bet one of the most popular (if not the most popular) topics is "what is the best camera".
Yes, we all are very excited about our cameras (some even border on fanatical). There are times we are amazed our camera will allow us to make photographs in certain conditions. We all want to share our experiences. I get that.
Yet still, it simply does not change the fact that the camera does not make the photograph. You do. Your camera may be sweet in low light. It may snap an exceptional number of frames per second. It may do HD video. You, the photographer, still push the button to make it all happen.
What makes a good magician a great magician is the attention to the artistry and execution of the act. Same is true for photographers. A novice photographer becomes a good photographer by attending workshops, going to expos, and carefully studying the work of others. Notice I did not once mention the wand, or the camera? I’m sneaky like that…
Michael Jordan did not become great based on his shoes (much to Nike’s chagrin), Shakespeare did not become a literary icon because of the quills he wrote with, and Jimmy Hendricks did not ascend to rock legend status because of the brand or model of guitar he used (especially with his propensity to set them on fire). The same can be said for Ansel Adams.
Just like the magician, we become better photographers by striving to learn more about our craft and honing our skills. The camera is nothing more than tools to help you (yes you) make the photograph.
Just remember… without the magician, you have no show. Without the wand, the magician still pulls the rabbit out of the hat.
Go and chase the light.
Check out Ted's work on his website, and follow him on Twitter.
Tags: camera gear, Ted Stark, Vision
Posted in Articles, Blog, Commentary, Viewpoint | No Comments »
Friday, November 19th, 2010
Golden & Rusted, Highway 11
As I was going through my own results last month to start cataloging, I came again to a series I photographed involving an old truck along Highway 11. I’ve driven along this road many times and never recall taking note of this old relic before. This trip, I certainly wasn’t expecting to find something like this where I found it. Why did I see it? Mainly because I was keeping an eye out for patches of good fall color, and there were some small trees with golden foliage in nice light, right behind the rusting hulk. By themselves, the trees would not have been worth stopping for. They were too small and isolated in an otherwise drab corner of a large, empty field. However the contrast of the fall foliage and old truck seemed much more interesting, so I marked the location and returned to it when coming back down the road the other way.
When mentioning the truck to someone else who knew the road quite well, it was also not a spot that he had really seen or photographed before. What was different the day I went by?
I think part of the fun and challenge of being a photographer is to really see a scene — to strip away the obvious, which may or may not seem that photo worthy — and then visually interpret something interesting from among the layers that are revealed. But like anyone else, photographers can fall prey to that which is familiar and expected. When I’m familiar with something, I see what I expect to see in it. My perception of interesting photographic opportunities may become dulled by my own preconception that I know what’s there, and it’s not interesting.
I love photographing old abandoned relics, and can spend hours with a single one. But somehow I had never taken note of this one before. It took active looking for something else — fall color — for me to realize I’d been driving right on by something interesting for the last few years. So the lesson I take out of this is not just to expect the unexpected, but to also unexpect the expected — try to look at what is really there and then engage my interest and imagination to see the photographic possibilities in it. Good photographs can be found all over the place… as long as I’m not expecting that there’s nothing to see.
Learn more about Royce, his images and his workshops at Vivid Aspect Photography.
       
Tags: B&W, fall, inspiration, making opportunities, Royce Howland, seeing
Posted in Articles, Blog, Commentary, Creativity, Viewpoint, Vision | No Comments »
Thursday, November 11th, 2010
Sunrise at Dorr Point in Maine's Acadia National Park.
October 1st marked nine years since I quit working on Maggie’s Farm. In my case, “Maggie’s Farm” was a cubicle at a large insurance company that was just the last of several identical cubicles I worked in over the course of eleven years as a software engineer. I never liked this job, though it made me a decent income and the stress was relatively low. I realize that software engineer wouldn’t make many lists detailing the crappiest jobs in the world – in fact, most would consider it a pretty cushy gig – but I was never satisfied. I yearned to spend more time outside, and I felt there must be a way to channel my creative energy for something more important and beneficial to my mental health and the world in general. I spent the last five years of this “career” begging for as much time off as possible to get out and make pictures, and I’m fortunate to have had managers and colleagues who supported my crazy photo obsession. After 9/11, and with a new baby at home, it became obvious to me that it was time to quit the job that made me good money, but left me unhappy, and I took the plunge as a freelance photographer.
If you’re one of those people who feels stuck in a job, but you have loftier aspirations, all I can say is “Go For It!” It will change your life. Don’t just take my word for it either. I was inspired to write this post after reading “Five Ways Photography Changed My Life” by Moab, Utah based adventure and nature photographer Bret Edge. All of what Bret says in his post is applicable to me, and probably most other photographers as well. I really encourage you to read it.
Though I’ll admit to occasionally missing that steady paycheck, I can honestly say I have never once regretted my decision. Of course my life is more fun as I get to spend 100 days or so a year out shooting in beautiful places. This is what I expected and dreamed of often (usually as I dozed off, head down on my keyboard in the cubicle,) but it is the unexpected consequences of my decision that have really improved the quality of my life.
So following Bret’s lead, here are five unintended benefits of quitting the farm and striking out on my own:
1) Effecting change. All along, I had planned to offer my imagery to conservation organizations to use in their publicity, fund-raising, etc., but I had no idea when I started out that photography had such power to inspire others to change their lives or help change the world. I have been blessed to work on over 100 commissioned conservation photo projects in the last ten years. All but three of those projects have resulted in the successful conservation of open space here in New England, and my clients tell me that quality photos do make a difference when it comes to inspiring government officials and the general public to protect these places. As a software engineer, I may have dreamed of the freedom of a photo career, but I never realized how much positive influence the photos I make would have.
2) Becoming More Comfortable Around People. I wasn’t exactly a hermit before becoming a photographer, but I do have a quiet personality. This of course played into my wanting to be a nature photographer, where I could enjoy long days alone, or with my wife, out in wilderness just creating art. What I discovered though is that to be a successful photographer means spending a fair amount of time around people, giving slide shows, showing portfolios, networking, attending gallery openings. As I started shooting more adventure imagery, I even started just approaching strangers on the trail, in coffee shops, bike shops, etc., and asking if I could photograph them. This might sound painful to the shy, aspiring nature photographer, but it has become one of the parts of the job I actually look forward to. Some of my most memorable experiences as a photographer have come from the reactions I get at presentations or the conversations I have with complete strangers on the trail. Some of these people have even become life long friends.
3) Mountain Biking and Sea Kayaking. O.K., chances are good I would have gotten into these sports even if I had never picked up a camera, but the truth is I only started doing both of these activities after Marcy and I were asked to write “Discover Acadia National Park” back in 1998. We were avid hikers and backpackers, loved Acadia, and proposed a photo guide of the park to AMC Books in 1997. They didn’t bite on that book idea, but later proposed we write the Discover book, which is a multi-sport guide (hiking, biking, and paddling.) I honestly don’t remember if we let on that we only participated in one of the three sports the guide would cover (probably not,) but this opportunity out of the blue really inspired us to explore wilderness in different ways. This was pure serendipity. These days, I can’t imagine a summer going by without a dozen days or so spent dipping my paddles into the cold waters of the Gulf of Maine.
4) Teaching. Workshop leader was not on my radar either when I started my photo career. I had never trained as a teacher nor did I think it would be something I’d enjoy, but serendipity struck again when the Appalachian Mountain Club asked me to fill in for an instructor that had to cancel one of his workshops in the White Mountains in 2002. I was nervous beyond belief, but soon realized I had some clue what I was talking about and that people actually seemed to understand what I was teaching. Now I find myself truly looking forward to the five or six workshops I lead every year. It is deeply satisfying to watch my students practice what I teach, and I get almost giddy when I see one of them have one of those “ah ha” moments when it all starts to click for him/her. I have even been asked to teach photography at my kids’ school, but teaching 17 8 year-olds is way scarier than 8 or 10 adults!
5) My kids think I’m cool. O.K., they’re only seven and nine, so maybe this opinion will be different five years from now (or maybe five months from now in the case of my nine-year old, who yesterday uttered, “Daddy, don’t talk to me in that tone of voice.”) But you know what, my kids do appreciate the work I do. They take pride in the fact that I work to protect the environment, and it really bolsters their own self-esteem when I have them come along to work on a project with me – they are already astute at holding a reflector and finding little critters worth photographing. I feel like my photography career is a major and positive influence in my relationship with them, and our experiences in the field are the building blocks for their own interesting and successful lives. And that is worth its weight in gold and something I could not have purchased no matter how many hours I billed for cranking out computer code.
These are just a few of the reasons that my life changed for the better because of photography. I can’t imagine a career that feels more “right” than being out shooting in the natural world. I realize how lucky I am to have realized that this is the right job for me, let alone having been fortunate enough to make it a reality, but I really believe that anyone who is given the time to explore his or her passion will find success in one way or another.
Until next time..
Find out more about Jerry at his website, and follow him on Twitter at @jerrymonkman
Tags: inspiration, jerry monkman, Nature Photography, photography, photography business
Posted in Articles, Blog, Commentary, Viewpoint | No Comments »
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So You Want To Be A Pro Nature Photographer
Monday, June 20th, 2011I see many times people posting interest in taking their hobby of nature photographer to the pro level. Myself and I’m sure other pros have people that contact them asking for advice on what it takes to make a living in this field. My response is that from my experience it’s a seven day work week and can be tough on your family life. I work about forty weekends a year so any family birthdays, holidays, christenings, father and mothers days, sports, concerts, etc, are many times missed. This is much like the entertainment world, pro athletes, traveling salesman, or any other profession that requires you to be on the road many days a year.
Nature photography is one of the toughest fields of photography to make a living in. I’ve found that for me being diversified is the key to making it. Having multiple streams of income keeps the money flowing. Those streams all take a lot of time to keep them flowing.
Marketing is number one, nobody knows you’re alive and in business unless you tell them. Shameless self promotion is something you have to get used to and you need to be the type of person that doesn’t mind this type of marketing as some would consider this bragging about yourself, but it’s just getting the word out that you’re in business and having some success at what you’re doing. I spend a lot of my time marketing, I write a daily blog post, moderate on two photography sites including my own “Macro Nature Forum”, post images, post on Facebook and Twitter, and reply to photographers sending me emails with questions.
I display my images in about twenty art shows a year. This takes up twenty of my weekends, many away from home. The shows start in May and run until October and consume almost every weekend for those months. Some of the shows I’m gone on Friday and return on Monday, leaving me Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday, to print, package, and pack for the next weekend. During the winter months I’m going though the process of applying to these shows, which is filling out applications, sending images for the jury process, writing out checks for show fees, etc, keeping it all organized so I have a show every weekend. Taking time to keep track of materials and doing all the ordering and always trying to find the best prices. During the winter when I apply to these shows the jury fees and booth fees run about seven thousand dollars, which I won’t see again for months.
During the art shows off season I’m presenting my workshops. I do about twenty workshops which are on weekends. This take time promoting the workshops, adding them to my website and blog, sending out emails and post cards, posting them on nature photography websites, posting on Facebook, etc. Working with the hotels on setting up rooms for the workshop all across the country. Planning the workshops and how they will run. Shooting images for examples in what I’m teaching in the workshops, and constantly updating the material presented at the workshops. Many days each year are spent on the road driving to and back from the workshops and art shows.
Wow, I’m already tired and I haven’t scratched the surface on what I do. While all this craziness is going on with the art shows and workshops,
I have to maintain my moderator duties online.
I work with art consultants that buy images for their design projects, print the images, package, ship, and invoice them.
I contact companies that would be willing to sponsor me, work with them when they need images for ads, photo conventions, sometimes even go to photo convention for them. I send them promos for my workshops that they can list on their websites.
I do online workshops, which takes time again promoting, critiquing the participants shooting assignments.
I have a how to macro book that took time to write and have printed, I have to maintain stock at Amazon, maintain on my store front sales, packaging and shipping to customers.
I have five e-books completed and am working on more. Again more promotion, sales and sending the e-books online. I also make them into CDs to sell at the workshops and art shows.
I’m working on how-to macro videos for You tube.
I travel and present programs for camera clubs, photo conventions, garden clubs for flower photography, have done some at REI stores.
Send submission to magazine with article ideas, and once accepted working with the mag to set-up the article and images. Invoice them.
Send out information introducing myself to new art consultants, interior designers, calendar companies. etc. reply to their emails as they contact me asking questions about pricing, printing, etc.
I maintain a blog which I write and post as frequently as possible and I write when possible for Tamron’s blog. Post on facebook any updates on workshops, art shows, and any other happenings.
Maintain a website, posting new images updating art shows and workshop schedules.
I will visit and sell through art galleries, so time is spend traveling to the galleries maintaining stock.
I have companies that contact me for stock images, negotiate, send files, and invoice them.
I get to beta test new products for companies, and they always wait till the last minute to send you the product and need a response NOW! Take time to work with the product, Email back and forth with response.
I have charities that call and ask for print donations which I always do. Deal with emails, set-up time to make contact with prints.
Take care of all the accounting, sales, taxes, keeping track of cost of running the business.
Working toward setting up webinars for live how-to macro workshops online.
Wow, all this work is making me tired, I need a nap.
Now are you starting to wonder why I haven’t mention anything about shooting. As you can see there is not much time left to shoot. It can be frustrating and hard to schedule time to shoot, as you have probably heard most pros say that the business takes up ninety percent of their time. I do make time to shoot but it has to be scheduled at the peak times which for me are the spring and fall. The summer I almost never get out to shoot as the art shows consume so much time.
I have to say I’m pretty sure there are a few more thing I do, but I think you’re getting the point. If I tried to make it on any one of these streams alone it would be tough, but with a little income coming from all these streams I do very well, but I sacrifice a lot of time and family life to maintain this business.
I have to say even with all the work I do I can’t wait to wake up in the morning at five o’clock and get to work! I wouldn’t trade what I do with anything else. I always tell people where else can you work where people are complimenting you while handing you money!
Good luck if you give it a shot.
You can visit Mike's blog and learn about his workshops here: Tiny Landscapes
Mike's eBooks are available in the OPG store here: Mike Moats
Tags: Mike Moats, Nature Photography, photography business
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