How to Do Photography on the Side

Photography may be considered the evolutionary successor of painting. While painting takes a long time to complete, photography is instant. Paintings sell only once, but photography can sell a thousand copies. It is not particularly difficult to learn photography; and if you are good at it, you can make a lot of money on the side with photography. You wlll need to understand aperture and get your head around shutter speed. After that you'll want to explore ISO speed and exposure. But the most important thing in photography or painting is lighting, and the adage light is everything holds true. Always remember to take good care of your camera and all its parts, and store them safely.

Reality Check

A lot of people wonder if they are ready for such an endeavor. They wonder, Can I become famous as a photographer? or Can I make a substantial amount of money shooting photography? The answer to those questions depends on your current skill level. Compare the sales revenue of your work with that of artists selling at exhibitions in order to get an idea of the reality of the situation. Some people are naturally talented and car create photos that speak, but others need practice to succeed in the field of photography. Don't be too harsh on yourself; and even if you don't see yourself as a full-time photographer, don't give up. Doing photography on the side is a good way to improve your skills and learn to capture images. Part-time casual creations photography may mean that you invest less time and your progress may be slower, but that's okay because what matters is that you are working toward a secured source of income. If you don't see yourself earning enough with photography, simply hold photography as a side gig.

Shoot Legally

Be sure to follow the right tax codes because if you are making an income, you owe the government tax money after all. If you are serious about photography you will also want to consider purchasing liability insurance. Even if you are working by the book, you will want to be well-insured and fully-covered. As you build your business, an accountant can further help you keep your books and financial records for your photography business. The legal aspect isn't quite as romantic as shooting pictures, but it is the right thing to do.

Be Smart About Costs

Full-time photographers often invest up to $5,000 or more to get a good camera and lights. Since they use the equipment every day, it's time saving and easier; but it is a lot of money to invest. So is the money worth it for a part-time photographer? Well, it's always best to get the best equipment that you are able to afford to work with; but if you can't afford the professional gear, practice with the best you have. Then start saving up to buy better gear. In a way, not rushing to buy the most expensive equipment can be a good thing. Technology can leave behind the expensive equipment quickly making the investment not worthwhile if you haven't built up your business and made enough revenue from the equipment. Other than the camera body, there is also the cost of the lens as well as the cost of renting a studio. These are relevant costs especially if you work with people. A part-time photography business can consume as much money as a professional set up; however, those with vision can produce a high-quality product and still work inexpensively.

Time Management

For a part-timer, 2 to 4 hours a day is generally enough since it is challenging to productively put in more hours and still hold a 9 to 5 job. Your body and mind could succomb to all the stress; and eventually, your full-time job could suffer as your creativity also takes a hit due to exhaustion. Part-time photography requires time management, so give yourself a block of uninterrupted time that you spend on photography. The time slot should not cause conflict with sleep time since a sound 8 hours of sleep is important for keeping a fresh perspective and for the creative juices to flow. Look for opportunities to capture moments; and if your work does not allow you to carry around your camera, just use your phone. You will have the entire weekend to make lovely art with the aid of your camera; so do your chores early, then head out and shoot.

Act Professionally

Even if you are not working full time, act like a professional photographer. Customers tend to be less comfortble buying from amateurs, so keep the presentation of your photography professional. You don't have to put all your photography up for sale; rather, be discerning, and only showcase your best work for sale. Make sure you price your work according to the market forces, and be clear about the rates. If an interested buyer wants to negotiate however, engage in a respectful manner and be prepared to offer a discount based on the situation. Lower the price for referrals, shares, or offer an exchange for reviews and comments. Personal and unique attention to each customer is the way to go, so don't act robotic or cold while negotiating. Be warm and build relationships with your customers—they will eventually be your advocates.

Shuffle Existing Networks

You probably know a lot of people that you have in your social networks, and everyone is a potential buyer of your photography. You will find that, in the beginning, most of all your sales will probably come from your existing networks. Eventually, you will be able to expand your social network through existing friends, and friends of friends will expand your network leading to more potential buyers. As a photographer, you will need to learn social networking, sales, and marketing; so don't sound robotic, but rather cater to each customer with unique attention. Always strive to build relationships; and whatever you do, do not spam your customer base or networks with unsolicited sales calls. Your school, college, university, and work friends are excellent portals to expand your network. Your family member's networks lead to a lot of new friends too.

Part-time photography is viable and can come with decent pay. However, as an initial investment required for professional photography, you will likely need to invest in equipment which might set you back financially. Make sure that you are legally covered, conduct yourself professionally and cater to individual needs and inquiries. Also, time management is key in juggling full-time work and photography. If you are passionate and have talent, you are in a prime position to make a lot of money by trying out photography as an occupation.