Equine Photography Job?

[HOWEN]

I am sat at my desk at working looking out the window thinking…. there must be more to life than spending 40hrs a week sat here in a job that brings tears to my eyes due do boredom! I have been here for 3 years now and the challenge and drive has completely gone. Yes I know due to the current climate I am lucky to actually have a job, but I certainly have itchy feet and have for a long time.
At college I studied photography and my aim was to do that when I left. Unfortunately due to my previous relationship break up I had to find a job ASAP and took the first job that came along. It was suppose to be a stop gap but here I am 3 years later. I have now become a wage slave haha. In the back of my mind I do have ambition that niggles away to set up a business in photography mainly equestrian. I have all the equipment I need to start off and my portfolio is looking great. Luckily our household doesn’t depend so much on my wage, so we could absorb the loss of earning for a while. I just need the push or nudge or kick up the bum into throwing myself into it. So do you or anyone you know have they own business in photography? Do they make any ok living? Or more to the point has anyone left a safe secure job to venture out in the big bad world to follow a dream?

 

[Happy Horse]

My husband and I are wedding photographers. I'll be honest that since the recession started the photography market in general has been swamped with people who have lost their jobs and turned to photography as an 'easy' way to make a living. I would say it very much depends on what standard you are producing - there will always be work for really good photographers but at the lower end of the market, it is so cheap people are pretty much giving their work away.

I left a job as a Management PA to do the photography full time so it can be done. Feel free to PM me if you have any questions.

 

[Kat]

Why not set the business up now while you are still employed and have a safety net? You will be able to do the photography at the weekend around your job and can do the computer based work and general admin etc in the evenings after work.

My husband did this and ran his art business alongside a full time job for years, then he cut his hours before taking the risk of chucking his job all together.

 

[muddygreymare]

I have an Equine Photography business, and I'm a full time college student as well. Basically, no it's not really enough to live off, and especially in winter trade decreases massively because of the weather and lack of events. Plus there are so many people out there now, so you have to try and stand out and be a bit different from everyone else to get people to book with you.

I hope eventually to have my business as my full time job but it will take a long time to get to that stage. I'd say yes start up a little business, but stay with your current job too so you have regular monthly income as well, and then if it takes off and is successful enough to do full time, then think about quitting your other job. I think its just too risky to pack in your other job altogether first, and I'd recommend you start, see how it goes then decide.


If you want any advice or anything, feel free to PM me, i'd be happy to help

 

[HOWEN]

Thank you I have PM you

 

[Kaylum]

Equine photography well have you seen some of the rubbish photos people buy at shows. The photographers have no idea about exposure or setting up a shot or even whats in the background.

The best advice I can give you is go on a course and understand how to digitially dark room as well as how to set up shots.

When you know about photography you see how bad these people actually are at taking photos and are just out for the money.

Best advice is get a professional to look at your portfolio and tell you what they think.

 

[noodle_]

My husband and I are wedding photographers. I'll be honest that since the recession started the photography market in general has been swamped with people who have lost their jobs and turned to photography as an 'easy' way to make a living. I would say it very much depends on what standard you are producing - there will always be work for really good photographers but at the lower end of the market, it is so cheap people are pretty much giving their work away.

I left a job as a Management PA to do the photography full time so it can be done. Feel free to PM me if you have any questions.

this.......



i stopped doing my photography business due to photo stealers and tbh its not a regular wage!!



people are happy to pay for crap nowadays so i gave up!....i wasoffering good quality photos and a good service - but they were happy to have their mates phone photo over mine!


right now - as boring as it may be - keep your full time job and photography at weekends?#

 

[Toffee_monster]

I am an equine photographer and started up at weekends whilst I was still at work. I started off by freelancing but wanted to make a go of it and quit my job to concentrate on my own business

It's great during the spring and summer although this time of year is damn tough, I've had 2 events cancelled for February so far leaving me a little tight

 

[spidge]

Being a full time equine tog can be very fulfilling, occasionally lucrative and also very unpredictable. There is a vast amount of competition as everyone is a photographer now. Without knowing your circumstances I would suggest building your experience, clientele and knowledge part time before making the leap.

Are you really sure you want to do it? Every photography related post I read on here recently seems to be either slating the professionals for their arrogance and the event photographers for being greedy or crap. Several equine photographers I know have packed up recently,no doubt others will spring up to take their place. The official photographers are being squeezed on all sides, by every show organiser asking for prizes, sponsorship etc, by their suppliers with increased material costs, by higher fuel costs etc. The pandemic of image theft continues to feed Facebook demand. Then there are the weekend amateurs. Regardless of whether these guys are good/bad/indifferent, very often these guys pretend to be doing it for fun or the experience yet often have Photobox galleries where you can buy their prints. As a full time equine photographer who covers 200+ shows a year, all I ask for is a level playing field. But I don't imagine that will happen anytime soon!

 

[dollymix]

Being a full time equine tog can be very fulfilling, occasionally lucrative and also very unpredictable. There is a vast amount of competition as everyone is a photographer now. Without knowing your circumstances I would suggest building your experience, clientele and knowledge part time before making the leap.

Are you really sure you want to do it? Every photography related post I read on here recently seems to be either slating the professionals for their arrogance and the event photographers for being greedy or crap. Several equine photographers I know have packed up recently,no doubt others will spring up to take their place. The official photographers are being squeezed on all sides, by every show organiser asking for prizes, sponsorship etc, by their suppliers with increased material costs, by higher fuel costs etc. The pandemic of image theft continues to feed Facebook demand. Then there are the weekend amateurs. Regardless of whether these guys are good/bad/indifferent, very often these guys pretend to be doing it for fun or the experience yet often have Photobox galleries where you can buy their prints. As a full time equine photographer who covers 200+ shows a year, all I ask for is a level playing field. But I don't imagine that will happen anytime soon!

Without getting too diplomatic or starting a war - I agree with much of this. And i don't even take photos full time!

I work as an assistant to a 'real' photographer at BE Events and he works damn hard for very little return. He is often asked to 'sponsor' fences, as well as taking their promo photos for free. You wouldn't get this anywhere else in the marketing world!

It's a great dream however and if you are really serious, try and contact some local professionals to see what advice they can offer. On the whole, I have found loads of help and advice.

 

[dollymix]

P.S Toffee-monster - I LOVE the avatar...the chesnut horse close up. It is really very beautiful!

 

[Toffee_monster]

P.S Toffee-monster - I LOVE the avatar...the chesnut horse close up. It is really very beautiful!

Why thank you eyes are a passion of mine, and Harry's are rather sweet
https://www.facebook.com/media/set/?set=a.10150604766958566.408892.113600818565

 

[xBumblebeex]

I graduated with a BA (Hons) in Photography, and unfortunately most of the people I studied with (including myself) have been unable to break into the photography business.
A photo is just an added luxury, and people are feeling the pinch and don't want to pay. Most people just settle for a snap shot a family member has taken. It is photography in general. I know photographers earn a lot less now than what they would have done 10 years ago!
Having said that, if it is your passion and you can find a gap in the market, go for it! Just don't give up your main job until you've establish yourself.