davechristiansenphotography asked: Do you do anything to make money besides photography? I'm starting out as a photographer and I am worried about making enough money to scrape by.
This is an excellent opportunity to point out that my career path, windy and staccato as it is, should not be the model for anyone. I have discovered that I lack ambition, that I want only to do what I love as often as possible and everything else as little as possible, but that I have no real drive to make that happen more than it does right now.
I also work as a medic, I’ve driven an ambulance, saved me some lives, sped down Sunset Blvd. the wrong way at high speeds, siren blaring.
Most of the time, these days, I just sit on my rump at events, waiting for something to go wrong.
I don’t really go looking for work, when it comes my way I take it, but, again, no ambition. Whatever recognition I’ve achieved here on the internet I have basically stumbled into. I like the internet, interacting with it is a kick.
AND SO, I’m not really the guy to ask about career moves as a photographer. I can tell you how to make the internet your BFF and use that to get you some work/fans/money, but beyond that, it’s a smack on the ass and a “go be somebody!” from me.
I can tell you that I’ve several friends trying to Make It as photographers, that it’s a 24hr a day job, that it takes several years, at best, to get that train-a-running. Get yourself a day job, maybe something associated w/photography. Try to assist for folks as often as possible. Learn to market yourself. Shoot as much as possible. Hone your shots into a strong and recognizable style. Read A Photo Editor. Learn as much as you can about the Business of photography. Pray to whatever gods you believe in.
Okay, so maybe I do have some things to say on it.
