Podcast: The Business with Tosh Brown
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Professional outdoor photographer Tosh Brown has been featured in dozens of publications. Once upon a time, he was a travel agent. Tune in to hear his fascinating thoughts on one of the best jobs ever invented… and what happened to it.
I think it depends on where you want to go with it and that pertains to Tosh’s comments about treating it as a business. In some ways I kind of disagree with the sentiment that you “have” to do both to be successful.
Best peice of advice I got when I firt starting getting published was to stop treating it as a hobby with gravy, and start treating it as a business if I dont want to fall by the wayside or fail. If getting the odd picture published is all you want..aka hobby with gravy…Great, cherish it every time it happens. If you want something more, than just as any other “business” venture where your capital is at risk. In this “business” your capital exceeds financial investment and includes your “time”. As Tosh alluded you want to look at everything with regards to its marketability. Not only specific mages but where and how your spending your time. For simple example spending hours chasing X if theres no market? Or going and getting images that have a market? Wheres your time better spent?
Make a plan.
Define “success”.
When I started seriously trying to get published I read the doom and gloom ( and I dont disagree with it) however, in the almost 3 years since I’ve had somewhere around 100 images published in various things through NA.As an “outdoor” lifestyle photographer only, that’s not bad.
Does it allow me to quit my day job? No. Ten years ago it probably would have such that it would enable me to work at 24/7.So my point is…if *all* you want to concentrate on editorial then making it in todays “stock/freelance” world is as Tosh said a tall order, and writing will help in getting published but there are many avenues to persue of which editorial publication can be just one aspect.
I shot my last “professional image” April 4th, 2009 and haven’t worked a day since then. I’ve been in the “photography Industry” since 1974, and into photography since 1967. I didn’t shoot much small format photography, which is mostly what is discussed here. I was into large and medium format shooting home furnishings, models, jewelry etc.
Always a early adopter I jumped on digital convincing them to invest in the latest greatest hardware and business plans. The economy tanked pretty much killed commercial in the area I was working and it was a bleak position. The continual harassment for more production incompetent help, and something for damn near nothing was incredible. I was just trying to hang on until I could find something better.
I’m glad its over! If you are considering getting into the business of photography then be business like. Have a good business plan that will insure funding and execute your plan. Diversify and don’t really on just one genre or theme. Don’t be afraid to ask for reasonable
Hey Zach! Nice interview with an interesting individual who seems to be able to keep ‘reinventing’ himself and make a living.
BUT, I think it’s time for another IA Music Podcast! It’s been awhile and you’ve introduced to some new bands, so….
Another great one!
http://society6.com/grainfarmer Fly Fishing and Landscape open edition Photography prints.
http://grainfarmer.vsco.co/ iPhone photos
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