Any full-time photographers/artists out there?

[kylie]

Any of you chaps broken away from the mainstream 9-5 work hassles and getting lots of satisfaction turning your much loved hobby into good income?

Reason being, I have almost set myself up to do just that painting full-time, but am afraid once I leave my regular job I will start losing it.. I mean you are really interacting alot at work with people and in my job basic chemistry, problem solving keeps the brain rocking on. Can I get just as much satisfaction from photography and painting so I don't start turning into a reserved hermit?

[BrianTheYank]

Go with whatever you enjoy doing more. If you ever get bored of being an artist you can always go back to a 9-5 job.

[ehasler]

I started a thread a few weeks ago about "making money from photography" (can't find a link for it myself, as the search facility isn't working on this version of Netscape I'm using!). Both Bacardi (pro photographer) and GetCarter posted some very useful comments.

The main gist of it was that if you enjoy something as a hobby, turning it into your full time occupation can take away the enjoyment you get from it.

[kylie]

ehasler said:

I started a thread a few weeks ago about "making money from photography" (can't find a link for it myself, as the search facility isn't working on this version of Netscape I'm using!). Both Bacardi (pro photographer) and GetCarter posted some very useful comments. The main gist of it was that if you enjoy something as a hobby, turning it into your full time occupation can take away the enjoyment you get from it.

Hi yeah I was wondering that. So you really need a balance to keep you inspired, like perhaps working part-time and going all out with the hobby.

[simpo two]

Regular job? Luxury!

I think the thing is that once you HAVE to do something, and there's a deadline, and someone else is calling the shots, it becomes a chore. So if I said: 'Paint me 10 top quality landscapes by Wednesday in the style of Gainsborough', suddenly it might not seem so appealing...?

[kylie]

simpo two said:

Regular job? Luxury! I think the thing is that once you HAVE to do something, and there's a deadline, and someone else is calling the shots, it becomes a chore. So if I said: 'Paint me 10 top quality landscapes by Wednesday in the style of Gainsborough', suddenly it might not seem so appealing...?

Yes your right its happened before, where a client just did do that that to me shock horror and a gallery last month asking five of my works to take off shore to Australia for an exhibition 15 July. I hand the work over tom. But I have my own deadlines now and only paint in my style, my time and most people just leave me alone to paint and do my thing, so its not too bad.

[Bacardi]

ehasler said:

The main gist of it was that if you enjoy something as a hobby, turning it into your full time occupation can take away the enjoyment you get from it.

That's it in a nutshell. Although that doesn't really apply to me as I took up photography as a career since I left art school. It's like any career, after doing it for a long time the grass seems greener somewhere else.

kylie said:

Can I get just as much satisfaction from photography and painting so I don't start turning into a reserved hermit?

Depends on the sort of photography you want to do? If you want to do commissioned work there's plenty of opportunity to meet lots of new people and have new challenges. If you sell your paintings through galleries and you want to do the same with photographs, I guess you would lead a quieter life (is that a bad thing?).

The main market for travel/landscape photography is through stock libraries, a mate of mine does this and it can become a hermits existence. The bottom has also fallen out of the travel market, the market is saturated, so it becomes difficult to make sales.

My advise would be, 'go for it!' You will always wonder if you don't and you have another skill to fall back on if it doesn't work out. Some on this list who know me hear me moaning about what may sound like a dream job, but I'm just going through a bit of a rut. It should take at least about 10 years before you start getting bored.

Photography can be an interesting and very diverse profession. You can find yourself in all kinds of situations meeting all types of people anywhere in the world. But, it's up to you to make it happen. One thing's for sure; it beats working for a living

Good luck, what ever you decide to do

[DustyC]

Kylie, rember I mentioned that artist in Raratonga?
Well she would be a good person for you to speak with about this. She was originally from NZ.
I have her card at home somewhere. I'll dig it out for you.

[GetCarter]

Ed

Your thread here: www.pistonheads.com/gassing/topic.asp?t=101682&f=109&h=0"

Kylie

I know a couple of full time artists, and they always say, it's not the painting - it's the selling. It's not just having a big enough market, but having to cost and sell ones creations. (IMHO) I'm sure you're good enough - but getting enough people with money and inclination to buy seems to be the big problem in the UK ... I'm guessing it might be the same down under?

I don't really regret turning music from a hobby into a job (hey - it pays well)... but photography/painting generally doesn't as it has no royalties!

Good luck

Steve



>> Edited by GetCarter on Wednesday 30th June 19:55

[kylie]

Bacardi said:

ehasler said: The main gist of it was that if you enjoy something as a hobby, turning it into your full time occupation can take away the enjoyment you get from it. That's it in a nutshell. Although that doesn't really apply to me as I took up photography as a career since I left art school. It's like any career, after doing it for a long time the grass seems greener somewhere else. kylie said: Can I get just as much satisfaction from photography and painting so I don't start turning into a reserved hermit? Depends on the sort of photography you want to do? If you want to do commissioned work there's plenty of opportunity to meet lots of new people and have new challenges. If you sell your paintings through galleries and you want to do the same with photographs, I guess you would lead a quieter life (is that a bad thing?). The main market for travel/landscape photography is through stock libraries, a mate of mine does this and it can become a hermits existence. The bottom has also fallen out of the travel market, the market is saturated, so it becomes difficult to make sales. My advise would be, 'go for it!' You will always wonder if you don't and you have another skill to fall back on if it doesn't work out. Some on this list who know me hear me moaning about what may sound like a dream job, but I'm just going through a bit of a rut. It should take at least about 10 years before you start getting bored. Photography can be an interesting and very diverse profession. You can find yourself in all kinds of situations meeting all types of people anywhere in the world. But, it's up to you to make it happen. One thing's for sure; it beats working for a living Good luck, what ever you decide to do

Thanks so much, I have my heart set on leaving work sooner rather than later. I have tremendous support from the partner too, so its not like I will fall on my bum if it goes bad. This is all very inspiring. :-)

[kylie]

DustyC said:

Kylie, rember I mentioned that artist in Raratonga? Well she would be a good person for you to speak with about this. She was originally from NZ. I have her card at home somewhere. I'll dig it out for you.

Yes, when you get a chance drop me a line of the details and will definately check her out, she may even have a website to view her art as well?
Thanks

[kylie]

GetCarter said:

Ed Your thread here: www.pistonheads.com/gassing/topic.asp?t=101682&f=109&h=0" Kylie I know a couple of full time artists, and they always say, it's not the painting - it's the selling. It's not just having a big enough market, but having to cost and sell ones creations. (IMHO) I'm sure you're good enough - but getting enough people with money and inclination to buy seems to be the big problem in the UK ... I'm guessing it might be the same down under? I don't really regret turning music from a hobby into a job (hey - it pays well)... but photography/painting generally doesn't as it has no royalties! Good luck Steve >> Edited by GetCarter on Wednesday 30th June 19:55

Thanks Steve, yeah I have only skimmed the surface of the market out there and am truly amazed on the success I have had so far, hence why I think I could really make it work. I have found the biggest tool ever is sound marketing techniques and networking, are the biggest factors to selling a product. I had a few lucky breaks to get me started where I got my art into some top art galleries and scored solo exhibitions in each. With having done that I used that to sell my art to random buyers to seal off that its a great long term investment to them.

I am also auctioning work on our local new zealand website called trademe which I sell work for 3/4 of the gallery prices. I sell an average of 3 paintings a month on that too. From those sales I get further commission work or adddional sales, ie when when they come over home to collect if they are local, I butter them up with wine and cheese, show them some other art I have at home and out comes cheque book . Plus from an on-line auction with the counter you can see over 500+ people look at a single artwork, to me that is reaching more people than the people who would check my work out in the gallery...

My next plans are to exhibit in local home shows where many artists make most of their money through commission work, so again an opportunity to get the sales presentation techniques sorted.

Also because houses here in NZ have been booming, there has been many interior designers working with artists to fill a house with art. Of course they choose their artist to suit the house style, so another avenue.

I understand that I would really have to get off my butt to make it work as the work will not come to me i have to look for it to do well, I know of many artists who simply wont do that and many of their peices will always be stashed under the bed.
Cheers
Kylie

[DustyC]

kylie said:

DustyC said: Kylie, rember I mentioned that artist in Raratonga? Well she would be a good person for you to speak with about this. She was originally from NZ. I have her card at home somewhere. I'll dig it out for you. Yes, when you get a chance drop me a line of the details and will definately check her out, she may even have a website to view her art as well? Thanks

Kylie,
I bought 3 of her prints. I was on a tight budget but was really impressed with them so had to slip further into debt!
I brought her card to work today so I'll email you the details of it now. No website on it though, but there is an email address.
(Even her card is good!)
Adam.

[DustyC]

Having said that I have just seen your website and there are at least three paintings I would buy already. Havent even been on it for 1 minute yet!

Shame I didnt know of you when I was living in Sydney.

[kylie]

DustyC said:

Having said that I have just seen your website and there are at least three paintings I would buy already. Havent even been on it for 1 minute yet! Shame I didnt know of you when I was living in Sydney.

Bugger eh! Thats only a small portion of my work, hope to get more up soon. Let me know if you ever seriously want anything done and don't be put off by the prices as they are pretty much in line with the gallery's. I will do half of those prices at the moment for private commission work. Sending work to UK is easy as well.

I sent you a thank you note in reponse to your email.
Cheers
Kylie

PS I promise to post some pics of the Raro experience with the new camera.

[DustyC]

I emailed you back before I read your post and it looks as though you were reading my mind!