Luminous Landscape Forum

Equipment & Techniques => Pro Business Discussion => Topic started by: Michael Orton on September 03, 2011, 03:30:25 pm

Title: Making a living ( thank you Getty )
Post by: Michael Orton on September 03, 2011, 03:30:25 pm
I have read a lot of posts about "How can I make some  money" (aka a living) at photography and do what I want to do ( usually landscape) at the same time ?  I have a number of friends who have done this and some who still are . One common theme , they/we all did it following a different path , with various backgrounds  and influences. And that is a good thing. I had no monetary goal at all for the first few years. Just my camera , some slide film , and curiosity. A few small sales (calendars) led to a small regional book (Once Upon an Island) (took 5 publisher submissions) . This little book was discovered by the owner of Allstock ( Art Wolfe's first agency) and the journey began . Stone bought Allstock then Getty bought Stone . ( and they continued buying !!!) So I  had some amazing years with  stock selling basically landscapes. It took me a year or two to get the "concept " idea my head , then it was a nice ride. So despite what is going on now , I am grateful for those years. In a way this "change" may be the best thing  that has happened to me for some time. If it was status quo I would still be making submissions and signing cheques. (Which wasnt a problem!) I had to dig back into my " bag of ideas" where all this came from in the first place. Voila plan B , or is it C! Sometimes it doesnt hurt to ask yourself , " Why am I doing this?  What do I need to do next for me ?  In my case it is back to some "play", comming full circle , back to the beginning.  The moral , stay on the path , your path, enjoy the trip!    Michael

        www.michaelortonphotography.com
Title: Re: Making a living ( thank you Getty )
Post by: Graham Mitchell on September 04, 2011, 07:10:00 am
reported as spam. Getty must be getting pretty desperate.
Title: Re: Making a living ( thank you Getty )
Post by: Michael Orton on September 04, 2011, 01:12:54 pm
 I am  frustrated and disapointed in the state of the stock industry ,and have no affiliation with Getty other that my contract. Like countless other shooters ( couldnt even guess at the number) I have experienced a rapid decline in income. So , I have a choice. I can blame the  agency ( which I helped build the last 15 years) , blame the proliferation of microstock, and give up in frustration , or look back, say thank you , and goodbye, and move ahead. I chose the later. I have a hugh amount of respect for anyone making a living with photography regardless of their workplace. May good fortune reward your efforts.  Michael
Title: Re: Making a living ( thank you Getty )
Post by: RFPhotography on September 04, 2011, 07:31:45 pm
Happy to see you've got a new website up and running, Michael.  Good luck with the next stage of the journey!