Getting paid for work?

[kaitlyn2004]

I am by no means a self-professed photographer but I am building on my skills and learning new techniques every single day.

At the moment, the only way I have made any money is through microstock photography.

Can anyone recommend any other ways I might be able to get a little more out of it?

I've been told weddings are "the gold mine", but I don't want to get into that just yet. I'm not yet confident in myself to be able to charge for what is the biggest day in many people's lives.

Looking forward to any suggestions you guys might have! If you can throw out any ballpark $$$ figures it would be a nice addition, since I know nothing about charging :)

[Pheonix1]

Look for wanted adds in the Craig's List for your city, Photographer wanted.

Place your own Hire Me add in Craig's List.

Take out a Add with local radio or newspaper or phone book to get more work.

Taking photos by appointment in peoples homes of their children is the new thing for break out photographers.
You usually only need to make a few photos for large framed prints to make some cash for the afternoon of work.
Get those people to recommend you to everyone at their church or their kids school.

Take a portable printer to a location like outside the zoo or the park and set up a make shift booth form a park bench or your car and offer to take photos of couples or people with kids and print them on the spot for a quick 5 - 10 bucks per print or a set of them for $20.

[Karl Johnston]

Could try second-shooting with a wedding photog. Usually make a lil money doing that, that would be your entry into wedding.

If you have an artsy side perhaps you could develop a body of work and submit your CV to galleries for representation.

[reddyroc007]

i'm in the process of setting up a small studio in my basement so that i can practice doing portraits for friends and family. I have a few family portraits i'm going to do for some friends of the family and will also be shooting some engagement photos for a work friend who hadnt planned on engagement photos. I figure whilst building up my skills and portfolio through these types of shoots i will be able to hopefully get some referrals this way as well. Also, as much as i hate facebook, its a really good way of showing off your stuff and getting referrals. best of luck!

[simplefoto]

I am by no means a self-professed photographer but I am building on my skills and learning new techniques every single day.

At the moment, the only way I have made any money is through microstock photography.

Can anyone recommend any other ways I might be able to get a little more out of it?

I've been told weddings are "the gold mine", but I don't want to get into that just yet. I'm not yet confident in myself to be able to charge for what is the biggest day in many people's lives.

Looking forward to any suggestions you guys might have! If you can throw out any ballpark $$$ figures it would be a nice addition, since I know nothing about charging :)

I have actually found microstock to be more profitable than weddings. The 'best' solution is of course different for everyone, but wedding are a lot of work for the pay, and A LOT of stress. you CAN'T screw up. Micro is relaxed and fun. Another good thing about micro is you earn money, even on your days off.

[mgdaviso]

set yourself up a simple website. Get some business cards printed. give them out to everyone. Don't be afraid to pimp your wares.

word of mouth and handing out my cards to all and sundry is where I am getting the majority of my work these days.....

[tgara]

Get a gig on a cruise ship. Went on a cruise over New Year's and there were photogs everywhere. Of course, they post the photos in the lobby of the ship for purchase. Some of the photogs were quite intrusive at times, but that's another story.

[elysium]

I am by no means a self-professed photographer but I am building on my skills and learning new techniques every single day.

At the moment, the only way I have made any money is through microstock photography.

Can anyone recommend any other ways I might be able to get a little more out of it?

I've been told weddings are "the gold mine", but I don't want to get into that just yet. I'm not yet confident in myself to be able to charge for what is the biggest day in many people's lives.

Looking forward to any suggestions you guys might have! If you can throw out any ballpark $$$ figures it would be a nice addition, since I know nothing about charging :)
If you have a external flash, a wide angle zoom. Even a 18-55 kit lens will do and a DSLR and can stomach late nights, I would recommend night club photography.

Can shoot jpeg, dont need to edit and depending on your area and club, can between between $30-$100+ a night.

[elysium]

Get a gig on a cruise ship. Went on a cruise over New Year's and there were photogs everywhere. Of course, they post the photos in the lobby of the ship for purchase. Some of the photogs were quite intrusive at times, but that's another story.
Saying that, some of the recruitment drives for them in the UK require you to BUY your gear from them and ALL of it is Nikon based.

I tried to explain to them I have my own gear and even if it was Nikon, made no sense to buy it all again. :lol:

[kaitlyn2004]

If you have a external flash, a wide angle zoom. Even a 18-55 kit lens will do and a DSLR and can stomach late nights, I would recommend night club photography.

Can shoot jpeg, dont need to edit and depending on your area and club, can between between $30-$100+ a night.

I actually thought about night club.. and I think it might be something fun to do.

How does it normally work though? Paid per used photo? Just paid to shoot the fun during the night..? Do you have free reign? Would like to hear more info about the night club opportunity...

[elysium]

I actually thought about night club.. and I think it might be something fun to do.

How does it normally work though? Paid per used photo? Just paid to shoot the fun during the night..? Do you have free reign? Would like to hear more info about the night club opportunity...
Depending on the venue but I used to charge per night. Usually 3/4 hours work, about £70-£100.

I made them fork out for a 4GB CF card and shot JPG Mediums and then handed them over at the end of the night. They upload, put their tags on etc and left it as that. Next time I come back to that venue, they hand me SD card and I shoot some more for them.

9 times out of 10, if you are friendly and the organisers have mentioned you or given you a press band or any sort of ID, bouncers never really bother me.

Usually the shots they want is people or groups posing etc. Can mix it in with club/bar shots.

Maybe throw in some single shots
http://photos-f.ak.fbcdn.net/photos-ak-snc1/v1011/42/99/506975265/n506975265_2147618_6947.jpg

Or some spur of the moment (excuse my stupid pose)
http://photos-a.ak.fbcdn.net/photos-ak-snc1/v1011/42/99/506975265/n506975265_2147636_3036.jpg

Maybe even some of the place or drinks?
http://photos-e.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-snc1/hs022.snc1/4252_101513905265_506975265_2995612_67601_n.jpg

Make your style and then just go out and shoot. What I did was shoot bars/clubs when I was out with friends and then when I had enough proof, I just emailed round some organisers of events and offered my services.

There are dedicated companies like in the UK there is a company called Dontstayin but they have a habit of either wanting a certain amount of images before you get ppaid so maybe research around.

Have a look on this topic - http://photography-on-the.net/forum/showthread.php?t=415099&highlight=night+club+photos

Get some ideas on shooting style etc and put it into motion.