Return on investment...

[jra]

I'm not a bird photographer but I really enjoy stopping in this forum just to have a look every once and a while. My wife has a recent interest in photographing birds at our feeder and it got me thinking...is there any money to be made in this aspect of photography? I see some of the absolutely stunning images on here and I can't help but think that some bird lover somewhere would pay for these images. Not to mention the money it takes to buy the seriously long lenses...is that an investment (meaning that you hope to recover the cost and make money) or is it just paying the dues to a love of photographing birds?
Now don't read this wrong...I'm not personally trying to make any money from shooting birds...it's just not my thing (I think I've maybe photographed 2 birds in my life ;) )...I was just curious.

[jra]

Wow...my first post in this forum and you guys kick me to the second page without a whisper....tough crowd ;) I guess I'll bump this up once and try again....to put it simply, are you guys/gals making money shooting birds?

[blonde]

to be honest with you, my answer with be no. there are already so many bird photographers out there that in order to make money, you will have to be either extremely good or have great connections. even if you go to naturescapes.com which in my own opinion has the best bird photographers in the world posting there, you will see that only a select few actually makes money.

i think that for the rest of us, just being out there and watching these amazing creatures is the reward.

[canonloader]

Wow...my first post in this forum and you guys kick me to the second page without a whisper....tough crowd
Well, you posted at 11pm on a Saturday night for me. I was already in bed. LOL

For me, it's a hobby that I would love to make money at. But it's a hobby first. Birds are not the only thing a long lens is good for either. Reading through the wedding forum a few times shows that some use the 200 and 300mm f/2.8 lenses for the candid shots, and they work very well for that.

[dangles]

It's a serious hobby for me. I have a few images on a stock agency but definately not making any money on them. If an image sells, OK, if not that's OK too. I just love photographing the birds and putting the image on sites like this one for your enjoyment and mine. I have over $21,000 invested in my hobby, and it's worth every penny I have spent. The challenge to get close enough to birds for a full frame image even with a long lens is very satisfying.

[jra]

Thanks for the responses :) I didn't really think there was much money to be made by photographing birds but wasn't sure.

[memorex88]

It's totally a hobby for me and a way to get some good exercise and fresh air.

[bromm]

It's totally a hobby for me and a way to get some good exercise and fresh air.

And meet some really kewl people on this forum while getting C&C to help improve. :D

[BradM]

There just isn't much of a market for a beautiful shot of something eating something, many people for some reason just won't hang a shot like this in their dining room or even the family room.

http://i7.photobucket.com/albums/y259/Bradklr/egretvole10.jpg


The only way to make any real money at this hobby is to get enough of a name and then hold seminars and shoots. Even some of the big names like Art Morris or Moose Peterson don't really make money, a lot of money from their work compared to one with a decent job but do when they hold a seminar on a weekend $700 to 1,200 a head for a dozen or more photogs. A lot of money in training for folks that want to improve their wildlife photography skill sets.