I know that there are many of us around who may not yet have the confidence to say, "Hey, I should be getting paid for this, because I'm awesome!" Jay P. Morgan from the Slanted Lens gives you the kick up the backside that you need and provides you with 8 ways to get yourself ready to start making money in photography... Now.
One great point from Morgan is that you need to begin shooting constantly at entry level for the people around you so that you can build an extensive body of work, then work your way up.
Rant incoming:
Just the other day I made a comment on a photo forum that F-Stoppers was one of the last good sites left. The growing trend seems to be sites that read far too many "how to draw in visitors" guides and post nothing but top 10 lists: 10 Reasons Not to Date a Photographer, 10 Awesome Ways to Do X, 10 Things Blah Blah Blah. It's all crap. It's filler content that no one gains anything from, and no one wants to read.
This Slanted Lens site looks like some guy with a fake name (Jay P Morgan...really?) who's trying to sell me his stuff on how to make it big in photography. I don't believe a word of it, I won't buy it, and F-Stoppers lost a little bit of credibility with me for even posting it. I don't care what goes on over there.
I realize this is a business. You have to monetize. I'm launching my own site, and I get it. I'm not sure if this is some affiliate deal, or why this was even posted. But the truth is, you guys are better than this. Your readers are smarter than this. Stick to producing your own original content, because it's what you do best. It's what keeps us coming back here, because believe me, you're some of the last of a dying breed: a good photography site.
I'm sorry if we have offended you in any way by posting the video. Our reader's skill levels range anywhere from just starting out to being on top of the industry, so we do our best to cater to everyone, even though we know it's literally impossible to please everyone.
With that being said, no one forced you to click on the post, play the video, or believe a word the guy says at all. You could have just ignored the post like some of us, myself included. I simply appreciate the time that Danielle spent in scouting the video and writing a post about it. I can guarantee you that we are in no way associated with Jay P Morgan. Be that as it may, I don't think it's nice to say anything bad about the content he put out. You're launching your own site, you should know that it's hurtful to see anyone talk smack about the content you produce.
The bottom line is: if you like something we post, enjoy the free content; if you don't like anything we post, move on. No need to be all butthurt about it. I feel like good commenters are also a dying breed nowadays.
Let me say this as a some what jaded journalist with some 20yrs experience and someone who was in charge of 8 news websites for Lee Enterprises Fstoppers is walking a fine and tough line to bring quality stories and information. I see how Anthony Hereld made his assumption about this video.
Fstoppers for the most part is very good at not letting advertising interfering editorial content and integrity. This video is an informercial, with some useful and some questionable advice (see my earlier post).
I know this was a video that was not produced by fstoppers or in anyway a paid advertisement. I might suggest some sort of a disclaimer for these videos just to make clear this is not a part financially tied to fstoppers. I would not take Anthony's post as hurtful but as passionate about Fstoppers. Basically Anthony really cares about this site.
Of course this is just an opinion of a Jaded Photojournalist.
I am not offended. It takes a lot more than something like this to offend me. I am disappointed. As I said in my original comment, I have come to hold F-Stoppers to a higher standard, and this post is well below the bar. You're wrong about a number of things in your reply, but first and foremost, you are wrong about the assumption that you have to cater to everyone. When you do that, you cater to the lowest common denominator. You owe it to yourself and your readers to aim higher than that.
I don't pull punches. Not ever. If I receive great service, I will be the first to sing praises, and sing it loudly. But I will also call a duck a duck. I'm not here to stroke your ego and pat you on the back when it isn't deserved. If you put out lousy content, as a consumer of that content, I would be doing you an even bigger disservice by not letting you know that it was lousy. If all you're looking for are atta-boys, then you're in the wrong business.
I didn't read the comment as someone who was offended by the video. Clearly he cares about the integrity of the site and the validity of the information posted on it. There are some promotional things blended in here and there and most people know Fstoppers has to pay the bills because this site isn't cheap to run. This video does have some good points but some of them are in direct conflict with most of the information and advice posted on the site. A YouTube infomercial encouraging everyone with a DSLR to go pro doesn't seem to match the brand of the site.
You're the perfect representative of today's Internet users. Everything has to be free, yet we demand ever higher quality without being willing to pay for quality content.
Looking forward to your own site, Anthony. Right, you can live on love, admiration and dedication alone...
Here you go:
http://www.the.me/the-internet-killer-of-creativity/
I think there is some solid advice here but, there is some Questionable advice too. I think part of the issue here is this is an informercial to sign up for a Jay P Morgan's biz workshops that clouds the advice.
One of the big things I do dislike about this is the concept you have a camera and a lens now you are a pro. I lost count of clients who were burned with shooters that had a camera, lens and no experience especially after the recession of 2009, when people who lost their jobs tried this. The concept of learning at the expense of the customer is something that always rubs me wrong.
I dislike the advice promising something can't deliver then calling a mentor and hoping he can bail you out.
One should have the basic skills down first then become a pro. Just because I have wrench does not make me a mechanic. I would personally never do a paying shoot with just one camera and lens, because of simple malfunctions. The mentor bit is good but I think building a group of friends and colleagues is better than a single mentor.
I agree with confidence and building business part and helping clients grow. I also agree with taking work to pay the bills. If your confident in yourself then the client will have good expectations. If you lack confidence the client will be looking for failure.
The content of the video seems more like "8 Photography Business Tips" (and they're mostly good) than "8 Ways to Know You're Ready to Make Money in Photography".
It's so beneficial and directly to the point. I love when he said all you need is a camera and a lens, this will absolutely give a huge amount of confidence for everyone who wants to start in this field. Thank you Danielle for sharing this with us :)
Personaly, I find there is, yes, some good advice..
What I don't understand tho is how people think about photography..
Photography shouldn't be a "job". Where is the art in being a photographer? No, now people buy a camera, make some pics and try to earn money with it.. Who cares about art, let's rip off some people.
I never earned a penny, or it was once for a friends wedding : 150bucks to shoot everything that day from 11am til 3am the day after. They received all the pics and personaly I wasn't happy about the pics, because there was no art in it. I didn't had any experience. Lucky for me they were very happy.
Am I good enough for it? I don't know, I think I do. Here is my website http://yannickdesmet.com
I would love to earn money with it yes, I guess it's a bit normal, cause I also work for it. The shoot for me is the fun part. What's comes next to it is the work.
But honestly, saying that you need a camera and a lens and a laptop or a pc (how obvious), isn't why people should earn money. The big problem about that is that now, there is no art, you can ask everyone even a 6years old to take pics at a wedding. Will they be good? I guess not, will they pay?
No or only very very less money, so that makes it all the people who really are something make less money. If you're not famous, it's not a good life to be a photographer. I know much of them who are amazing. They only live in a shithole, they need to work on sundays to pay te rent.
Lucky for the photography business there is commercial work.
Your good enough.
Thanks a lot Ralph!
I'm afraid I'll have to agree with Ralph. That is some solid content!
Thankyou very much! Well, as it's my passion, I'll do everything for a good pic..
And I think that even when I would earn money with it, I would make sure I make it my way!
This is exactly what I was thinking. Of course career photographers want to make money. Everybody has to eat. However, there seems to be this push for a mentality of "Is this photo marketable?" If it isn't, then it's not a good photo. I don't get it. People's best work is usually the stuff they don't get paid for, so why do we judge photos and success on how much money a photographer makes/should make.
Photography for the sake of creation and the dissemination of information (lots of -tions there lol) should not be scoffed at.
Totaly true.. Sadly :)
Good points ! I like the one not to turn down requets/offers when you are starting to build up a clientele cause you're aiming to shoot the cover of Vogue ... :-)
After reading the comments below I feel a little disappointed. F-Stoppers is a great site. It has information for all levels of experience in photography. Take this article for example, In my opinion it is geared towards my experience level. I am not a pro. Far from it. I have the passion for making pictures but I am not sure if I can take the next step in the photography business. I was happy to listen to the video and maybe one day if I decide to try and make money with my passion then I know I can start small or free or take any job just to get experience and grow my portfolio. I know most of you are way above my level of experience but you shouldn't feel the need to look down your noses at any content just because you feel it didn't rise to your level. It was just right for me. Keep it coming F-Stoppers. I do appreciate all of your content.
I think you can take the info from the video in 2 ways. For example, take the "all you need is a body and one lens". Having tons of gear isn't what makes a great photographer. But a great photographer needs only those things to make great pictures. I'm put off by it being an infomercial for the workshops though.
Great video. Obviously you need to practice before you go start making money and he clearly stated that. I think he comes off as a light hearted coach and maybe you "Hardened Veterans" of photography took offense. Feel Good video. People who feel good spend more money.
Wow... People, chill out... This website is dedicated to ALL LEVELS OF PHOTOGRAPHERS! Even the ones you call "Fauxtographers"... We all started somewhere and we all looked for places to help us move along. Fstoppers has been that for me and this website has seriously changed my life for the better. The content posted is a motivational booster for people who are pretty much just starting. Maybe for the future Fstoppers can label each post as "Beginner, Intermediate, Advanced" or something. Then you won't be "bamboozled" when you click on the post... Seriously guys, chill out... Quit being that typical smug photographer and realize not all this material is dedicated to JUST you.
Great article. Keep em coming. I read fstoppers every day and you never fail to entertain or teach me something new.
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