Who's Day Job is Photography?

[David A. Goldfarb]

My day job isn't photography, but I've managed to shoehorn some photography into my day job in the last couple of years. My background is in academia, but what I'm doing currently is public and cultural diplomacy, which is kind of like PR in the service of diplomacy. We often need portraits of writers, artists, filmakers, still life for advertising, event photography for reports and publicity, and sometimes video. The institution doesn't have enough budget to hire outside photographers, so I started shooting for my own projects mainly to make my job easier--so I'd have high quality photos that fit our layouts and that I controlled the rights to and could add to my portfolio or sell as stock or for other purposes. Those of you who follow me on facebook have probably seen some of these photos.

Here's an ad that I photographed and designed. It ran as a half page in a local arts and culture monthly tabloid:

[Kirk Gittings]

Wanted to resurrect this thread. .....some days I wake up and realize how damn fortunate I am......I have been making my living fulltime as a photographer since 1978, 35 years-holy mashed potatoes Batman!

The 12 months of July 2011 to say August 2012 seem to have been the economic bottom of the architecture industry and my part in it. There are now real signs of life emerging.

[Peter De Smidt]

That great to hear, Kirk!

[bob carnie]

I have been making my sole income from 1976 till now. Unlike you Kirk I have done it as a printer for others, but the last few years I have been putting my photography out there for sale with some promising purchases.

For us the worst years were 2009,2010, 2011, business has been steadily been picking back up the last 12 months for us.

Wanted to resurrect this thread. .....some days I wake up and realize how damn fortunate I am......I have been making my living fulltime as a photographer since 1978, 35 years-holy mashed potatoes Batman!

The 12 months of July 2011 to say August 2012 seem to have been the economic bottom of the architecture industry and my part in it. There are now real signs of life emerging.

[Bob Salomon]

Kirk,

Photography has many faces, I have earned my living full time (except for one 6 month period) in photography as as retailer, then a photographer and then in the wholesale end of photography since 1960. From 1957 to 1957 I worked part time in photo retail and then in a studio.

So does your question mean that one had to earn their living solely behind the camera or would it also include other aspects of photography as a career?

[bdkphoto]

I'm at 30 years and counting. Saw a nice recovery in the architecture and hospitality market in last 2 quarters. I have 2 nice projects out now getting a little traction

http://www.brucekatzphoto.com/#/17/0 --Post Sandy NYC

http://www.brucekatzphoto.com/#/13/0 Pre Sandy NYC

Finishing up my 5th year on the National Board of ASMP, and teaching summers at ICP.

Can't complain too much.....

[Kirk Gittings]

No Bob as I also teach photo etc., I am interested in all facets of photography as a career.

[Kirk Gittings]

and FWIW, 2012 was the second best year ever for my b&w print sales. And the best year since 1991.

In 2012 I also had my 90th show since 1972..........

[Kirk Gittings]

That's great.

I'm at 30 years and counting. Saw a nice recovery in the architecture and hospitality market in last 2 quarters. I have 2 nice projects out now getting a little traction

http://www.brucekatzphoto.com/#/17/0 --Post Sandy NYC

http://www.brucekatzphoto.com/#/13/0 Pre Sandy NYC

Finishing up my 5th year on the National Board of ASMP, and teaching summers at ICP.

Can't complain too much.....

[Cesar Barreto]

Maybe I should better say it's my life job and although I couldn't expect so, right now I may be reaching the top of my career, just after some 35 years on the road. Gotta be patient? Sure, but I wouldn't change it for nothing.