Posted on Oct 25, 2015
SPC Margaret Higgins
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Posted in these groups: Economy logo Economy
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CPT Jack Durish
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To be honest, the economy is worse. Ignore government-provided statistics that paint a rosy picture of what's happening. We know that it's only propaganda to prevent We the People from knowing what's really happening. Don't believe me? Just take an honest look at what's going on around you. Look at the empty shops and factories. Forget unemployment. Count those who are no longer counted by the government, not because they found employment, but rather because they exhausted their unemployment benefits.

What does this have to do with your immediate problem: Selling your photographs? A little. Sure it's harder to sell anything in poor economic times. Still, there is a market for photographs. Just keep in mind the basic rules of economics: The relationship between supply, demand, and price.

There are countless market niches in photography: Architectural, portrait, photojournalism, family events such as weddings and Bar Mitzvahs, school photos, sports, paparazzi, wildlife and nature, pets, scenic, food, criminal investigations, aerial and topography, etc, etc, etc. There's video vs still. Drone photography has taken off big time (pun intended). Focus on those (pun intended) for which you can demonstrate talent (and have the right equipment). Check out the competition. Be prepared to relocate to where the market is less saturated but be careful that competition isn't low because demand is low. Work on your photoshop skills. Great photographs used to be created in the darkroom. Thus darkroom skills were often far more important than your skills as a camera jockey. The computer has replaced the darkroom and the rules remain the same.

How do I know? Years ago, I was the creative director for all product packaging, instructional, and collateral sales materials for Vivitar (back when they dominated the market in fine accessory lenses, electronic and other photographic accessories. The best photographers vied to produce work for me and I chose only the best of the best (and paid top dollar). Trust me, I know what to look for. For example, take a look at the banner on my website. That is the product of one of the best portrait photographers I have ever known. I'm sure you wouldn't mind matching his market success...

http://www.jackdurish.com
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SPC Margaret Higgins
SPC Margaret Higgins
9 y
I don't know if I could understand it; let alone be able to afford it; CPT Jack Durish.
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CPT Jack Durish
CPT Jack Durish
9 y
SPC Margaret Higgins - Could you succeed as a mechanic if you didn't have any wrenches? A professional photographer has to invest in their tools and their skills to rise above those who don't.
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CPT Jack Durish
CPT Jack Durish
9 y
SPC Margaret Higgins - PS: A great way to learn skills is to apprentice under a master.
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SSG Gene Carroll SR.
SSG Gene Carroll SR.
9 y
I feel we are in for a very rough time yet. So I would say it's not better.  
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GySgt Wayne A. Ekblad
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I suppose it depends ... when was the "last time" (so that we can have a point of reference for comparison) SPC Margaret Higgins?
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SPC Margaret Higgins
SPC Margaret Higgins
9 y
Like, I became a professional photographer in 2006; GySgt Wayne A. Ekblad? Like for how much I sell my photographs?
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GySgt Wayne A. Ekblad
GySgt Wayne A. Ekblad
9 y
Those are all good things to add to your question. The bottom line is this SPC Margaret Higgins --- simply posting a question that doesn't give enough information to generate a useful discussion is pointless if you are really looking for good feedback from the community.

SFC Mark Merino SSG James J. Palmer IV aka "JP4" SGT Ben Keen
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SPC Margaret Higgins
SPC Margaret Higgins
9 y
Thank you for advising me about all of this; GySgt Wayne A. Ekblad.
Problem I have, is that I have a limited amount of letters that I can include in the discussion title.
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GySgt Wayne A. Ekblad
GySgt Wayne A. Ekblad
9 y
You do know that everything doesn't have to be in the question title, right?
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