I heard that photographers have a low salary. How can they increase the amount of salary that they make?

Hi Eddie,

That's a great question. I've been a professional photographer for over 20 years, so I have a pretty good overview of the industry.

I should explain that the kind of photography I do is advertising, so it's pictures that go in print ads in magazines, on company websites, etc. I don't do art photography or weddings - I'm very specialized.

But that's the point - if you want to support a family and a comfortable lifestyle with photography, you have to offer something few others offer - which is basically your visual interpretation of the world. You have to have a visual style of your own that is unique (because you are unique!), so get in touch with how you "see" life and try to crystallize that vision. That may put you in the art world or the commercial world or editorial, etc, but if you're very good, you can write your own check in life. Find your passion and harness it. I have developed a visual style that lends itself to establishing a company's brand (www.davidshopper.com).

That being said, if you want to make money in photography, some amazing photographers have gone amazingly bankrupt. Be a good business person. Learn to communicate effectively, learn about psychology and human history so you can understand the wider implications of your photographs and how they affect people. Learn to organize and run a business, accounting, balancing your checkbook. Learn to work in a team environment. These are things that will set you apart.

Good luck!

Hi Eddie,

Interesting question...I'm not a photographer myself, but wanted to share my thoughts on this.

First, like all professions, income ranges will vary based on a number of factors...so assuming that photographers have a low salary may not be accurate in all instances...something to consider.

As an example, I got married almost two years ago and I can tell you that the photographer we used for our wedding was not cheap...and she was booked solid throughout most of the year...so doing the quick math you can imagine that she does pretty well. She also works out of her apartment, creates her own hours and helps people capture memories from the happiest day of their life (pretty nice gig if you ask me).

Can't speak for 'art' photographers, those who take photographs in hopes of selling them in galleries, etc...imagine that's a bit harder to make a steady living with, but I think there are many opportunities to earn a great living as a photographer.

Lastly, another point to consider...a benefit beyond money...I assume that if you want to be a photographer then you really love photography...think about how great it will be to do something you really love everyday!

Even if you were to make less money than you could elsewhere (doing something you're not wild about perhaps), waking up every morning to 'work' in photography would be worth a whole lot in my opinion : )

Hope that helps...good luck to you!

Thanks,

Geoff