Income from fine art street/docu photo

Hi all,

I have been taking street and documentary fine art photography. Some of what I do is a bit conceptual too.

I wonder, how do such photographers make money? Since it is not about one shot but rather a series/project.

For example, how do street photographers eventually create income? (other than teaching)

 

Thanks

Maybe the best bet for making money with street photography would be to write a book called How to Make Money with Street Photography.

Phil, I like your approach!

 

Maybe the best bet for making money with street photography would be to write a book called How to Make Money with Street Photography.

 

Hmm... I already wrote the

book:

CHAPTER 1

"Take lots of pictures."

CHAPTER 2

"Sell 'em."

http://bayouline.com/o2.gif

I wonder, how do such photographers make money?

Many, probably most, don't.

it is not about one shot but rather a series/project.

That's the case with a lot of different sorts of photography and photographers. Likely, your work will benefit from being seen in blog format, where you can present photos in a more narrative way. A book is good for this as well.

documentary fine art photography

Not sure what this is. My sense is that documentary photography is documentary photography. If it becomes fine art, that's because of viewers, critics, and curators. I don't know that anyone actually shoots documentary fine art photography.

 

If you're interested in making money as a documentary photographer, that might have some potential, though it's still difficult. You'd likely have a better chance with video. Maybe see if you can apprentice with a professional documentary team as a start.

It surprises me how many of my photographic role models have been editorial portrait photographers to make money, including HCB, and recently I learned Duane Michals was in that number, also. If HCB couldn't make a living at street during the heyday of journalism and print, maybe no one should expect to.

Having money may not make you good in itself but it can certainly give one the time and opportunity to pursue things one wants to do instead of what you are simply required to dl to pay the bills. Didn't Ansel Adams come from money as well? I think more than a few of the great journalist or editorial photographers had to watch funds closely.

 

Rick H.

I grew up in a community of artists with an artist father, brother, and nephew and many artist friends and acquaintances. I am the black sheep in the family (I became a critic/art theorist).

 

Most artists I know have "day jobs" -- if they are lucky, that is teaching art at a university or school. Others drive taxis or whatever.

 

A few have married well.

 

It's really not too different from minor-league or amateur sport, one of those cases in which

Many Are Called, But Few Are Chosen

The market for documentary photography is primarily magazines, of which there are not many. The market for street photography could be collectors, etc. But collectors tend to go with people who have already made a name for themselves. I do OK selling prints but it's taken many, many years. I also do journalism from time to time, which pays, teach English as a second language, or take temp jobs. If I were starting over I'd get my MFA and teach.

Yeah, an MFA and a (if you need it) a teaching credential. That is a damn good way to make a living as a "Photographer".

 

Ansel Adams never would have "made it" as a Photographer if it were not for his wife.

Really, until he met and hired a manager, he did not make much money. He was 70 Years old before his prints and his name were marketed and he then started to make Tens and Hundreds of Thousands of dollars a year.

 

You want to make a living in The World Of Photography...???

Learn how to PRINT. You can still be a "Photographer".....but learn how to PRINT...!!

Fae it... photographers are an F'ing Dime A Dozen.

Ask yourself.....how many photographers do you know.?

.......and how many printers do you know.?........There you go.

For every talented printer, there are Two Thousand talented photographers.

Learn how to PRINT. You can still be a "Photographer".....but learn how to PRINT...!!

 

Right, Denny. I bought a printer, and then a colorimeter, and then paper... and inks... and...

Learn how to PRINT. You can still be a "Photographer".....but learn how to PRINT...!!

 

Right, Denny. I bought a printer, and then a colorimeter, and then paper... and inks... and...

How do you put it all on Instaram?