I don't have the faintest idea as to where to start or how most landscape/flower photographers make their money. Or even if there is money to be made. I'd like to here from some of you with your experience or ideas. Thanks in advance.
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I don't want to ruffle any feathers here, this being my first post and all, but with all due respect given, I don't think the one article linked to in the previous reply was much more than a monolouge story about one persons journey and choices. (albeit an entertaining story) However, I didn't see where it would offer a direct insight relevant to the posters question.
The market is KILLER tough. You have hordes of amatuers and semi-pros racing around producing hordes of good, publishable market-quality work. Many are happy as clams to sell through microstocks, taking pennies per sale and letting client have all the use they want for a couple bucks. Some don't care if they make anymore than is needed to buy a new lens, and have no regard for what "business" is about. Some know and make the choice willingly, and others just don't know better. Some play the market as a mere numbers game of X images makes Y dollars per year per image, and that applies as much to the traditional RM and 'Traditional' RF markets. Add to that all the established professionals trying to compete in that same market where photographers will give away images just for the glory of being published. But this is life in many photo arenas, not just Landscape and Flowers.
How do you make yourself successful? Produce superior work. Value your work. Think like a Buyer. Be 100% professional in all of your communucations and marketing materials. Be unique. Find a Niche that matches your personal passions. If you're not producing the superior type of images you'd like to be making, invest in a few workshops rather than a new lens. But to be totally honest, there was a survey not long ago that said the average 'professional' nature photographer would make about $5,000 / yr. For some, that seems like a lot of money - unless you care about being and staying in business.
Finally, I tell people; "If you don't value your own work, why should anybody else?" In otherwords, If you aim for the top rung of the ladder right from the start, you'll spend a lot less time on the bottom rung.
Best of Luck!
PS: You've got a great portfolio, so my reply is a bit more slanted for general readers, as you already seem to understand the Professional part of the business.