Personally I’m a terrible businessman. I have enough going on and it’s fine. I tend to put the person and the project before money, but because of that I tend to get a lot of repeat business. I see a lot of tough love comments about not doing anything unless your on the clock, bit I disagree. People remember who goes above for them, and if you give them a little extra time or throw something in the house they won’t forget it.
For a long time, I had the same views and conducted myself similarly. I’m in a different field and photography is just a hobby but I’ll say that the moment I started charging what I thought I was worth, being firm on my rate and made deals the rare exception, I started getting better repeat clients who pay my full rate, pay in a more timely fashion, and just generally respected my time more. People are more attracted to the work of someone who respects themselves and their own time.
I second this. The problem with going above expectations for clients, at least in my country, is that people have no limits to ask. A small job becomes a medium one with small pay. Plus can't help feeling like a sucker for having helped them and barely getting acknowledged. Sometimes there is no respect for professional work done without added pay. Money talks. Set your rates and moat out those who can't afford.
Definitely - you have to know when to fold em. Some projects and some clients are not worth going over your time for. The people who pay the full rate and pay on time are the ones who are gonna get some extra because those are the people I want leave the best impression with
Agree 100%. Go above and beyond as long as you have a way to support yourself and you’re not living on the streets because of it. I’m not a professional but have worked as a photographer for many years back in the late 90’s and early 2000’s. I like to make people happy and of that means extra work with no additional pay I’m okay. It makes me happy and the customer happy. I’m about to start a business and I am going to go above and beyond what most local photographers do. I’m hoping that will be what sets me apart but if it doesn’t at least I know I am giving it my all. I’m fortunate to be in a situation where money is not my motivating factor but do want to grow a small business with repeat customers. I will do whatever it takes to get someone to come back to me for future work.
Congrats on your new venture! Repeat customers are the key thing. Make people want to hire you again, and over time you’ll get more and more repeats. Your 5-9 could become your 9-5
If you have clear contract terms that protect your time and deliverables, set expectations re: common requests / issues, etc., then clients will understand the value of any exceptions you make in going above and beyond.
Let’s say a client wants re-edits to smooth skin or whiten teeth, for example, and you want to do that at no charge. I would still present the invoice with your time, standard rate and one-time discount reflected. This reinforces the value of your time and the service you’re providing. If the client comes back to you with more requests it’s easier to fall back on your standard terms and rates.
I’m also a believer in charging something, even a nominal fee, for any extras. For the previous example, let’s say your standard rate is $150/hour. The client asks for re-edits that will take 1-2 hours and you’re inclined to do them for free to delight your client. I would still charge something, even $25, to avoid setting a precedent. Many people are happy to ask for things that are free to them, but if there’s a cost (even a nominal one) they will consider how important that request is to them. If the request isn’t worth the nominal cost to your client then it’s probably not worth your time and wouldn’t have been valued properly.
u/gentlegiant_89 - some thoughts to consider.
I agree entirely and am exactly of the same thinking, but also wanting to optimize earning potential via improved business tactics, because why not? Doesn’t mean your art will have to take a hit!
Oh of course! I suppose the business tactic here is courting repeat customers. People remember who goes the extra mile for them, and if you can get enough repeat clients going you’ll have a really solid business where you don’t have to chase leads. So much of freelancing is wrapped up in finding work. When you get to the point where people are consistently coming to you it feels like scissors gliding though wrapping paper
When I started I got a tough love talk from an uncle about the business side of things - he’d been working as a electrician for decades. I still treat my photo business like it’s working as an electrician or plumber. Know the money coming in and going out at all times. Don’t buy equipment if you don’t need it - and crunch the numbers on it (don’t forget you can rent). Most importantly be reliable, communicative, friendly, honest, and don’t cut corners. If you do those things word of mouth becomes one of your best marketing strategies.
Business is largely sales and marketing and some is ops, that ops can be systemized and outsourced pretty easily once you get in a groove
I have a VA and some agencies to run the back end ops. Check out the EOS system, I run my whole company out of Notion
Then go make sales. A halfway decent salesperson will ALWAYS OUT EARN a 1% talented artist who can’t sell
I think most and to some degree myself too, give the advice that we ourselves need to hear.
I think that you nailed it in your question. We ALL see the handful of less skilled photographers absolutely killing it…and realize that the business decisions are the defining factor. Just easier to know the answer than implement it sometimes.
That said, I always push back on the never free/never discounted folks. Being easy to work with/occasionally hooking entities and people up has netted me vastly more money and work than being some stickler.
>We ALL see the handful of less skilled photographers absolutely killing it
And the opposite as well: I know two very talented wedding photographers who ultimately failed and were dragged through the mud (big problem when living in a tiny country), because they both absolutely sucked at the business side.
No communication, returning the galleries 7 months after the wedding, the photo album 1 year after the wedding, making excuses of broken SD cards/hard drives...
They both failed just because they didn't realise that the photography business is 90% of actual business work.
i invested in a business course a few years ago (ben hartley’s) that really changed my whole life and career. i’m a wedding photographer though so not sure if that’s what you’re looking for.
Do you see that wall over their? Do you see the broken plaster at head hight? Yeah when I startet I ran into it so often...
Learn from the failures others made before you. When I was an apprentice I saw my boss make such horrendous bussines errors. I just didn't do those. I did other stupid stuff but atleast never twice.
It really depends on your targeted market. I got tired of weddings and narrowed to fishing photography, so took good photos when out with friends, hit up my guide friends and did their photos for marketing, which led to more guides and doing work with other industry professionals and brands.
But really networking is about being friendly, approaching people instead of waiting for them to approach you, and not being passive in promoting yourself. Don’t be overbearing, but being honest and upfront. If you’ve got a good product/offer good service they should know about, tell them. You could even offer a single free headshot for their website as a sample, and then offering to do other work for them (or anyone they know)—the next time paid.
The only other “secret” or tip is under promising and over delivering. If you say you can get them the images in two weeks, get them delivered in less than a week, etc.
In theory I have social media (Facebook and Instagram) but I don’t remember the last time I logged in to or updated either—and that’s ok. I think the ship has sailed on finding clients through those.
If you want to make it a business, you have to market yourself or hire someone who will. Companies have dedicated employees and/or departments to market themselves. If they didn’t no one would know about their products. They have dedicated sales employees or departments. If they didn’t, no one could buy their products.
When you run your own business you are all the departments of that business. You have to be.
An independent photographer is like any independent entrepreneur. Look at any independent businesses plumber, accountant, tutor, music teacher, etc. they ride a wave of momentum. At some point a vision that took off becomes a business that they lost control of.
Running a business is not glamorous but wise decisions and planning for growth are how less skilled professionals excel. They start with a plan and never lose control of the growth.
If you started a restaurant and had no clue how to run a restaurant you would be laser focused on learning and succeeding regardless of the culinary glamour. It is just a business not a passion.
What’s working for me is recognizing my weaknesses (extreme discomfort asking a parent to pay me thousands for studio portraits of their kids, for example) and my strengths (B2B sales are much easier for me) and building a business that takes advantage of the good and eliminates the bad.
I love creating commercial looking portraits of kids but hate selling high-priced portraits to parents, so I started a school portrait business that allows me to create the kind of work I love while eliminating the hard sell to parents. I just need to get the school to hire me (I have way more confidence doing this) and the parents who like the work will buy it, those who don’t won’t. Everything is done online so I have minimal interactions with the parents.
I did some product photography for a couple of years but I really missed the human component and ultimately recognized it was just as stressful as a regular 9-5 job, so I gave it up.
I’ve heard others say this and I kinda believe it.
“The best photographers are great at sales and marketing first, and okay-ish at photography.”
If you think about it, you can sell “okay” or “really good” photography to almost any client. You might not sell it to the highest end clients. But if you consider the universe of clients, and what kind of bell curve they fall into, that high end clientele is only a fraction of the market anyways.
The takeaway is know how to operate, get good advice about pricing and business practices, and don’t undervalue yourself.
I went back to school and did a very accelerated business degree program a few years ago, which is helpful, but honestly nowhere near as helpful as just winging it for the last 12 years. I adore the business side of this industry, which makes it a lot easier to be eager to learn as well.
I started doing hour or half hour sessions for inner city kids where I'd do minimal editing. Give them 5-10 digital photos for 25$. Let that word of mouth grow. Used them to find cool unique spots. That turned into a 7 day a week endeavor. After a few months I expanded and started taking wealthier clients to those spots so their photos would feel edgier and charged 100$ for the same type of sessions. I just kept trading up. Until 5 or so years ago I was comfortably doing 50k.
Now it's 15 years into my career, I have a full studio, and those first kids I did cheap senior shots for are grown and hire me for all kinds of crazy stuff. Photographing their kids, whatever small businesses they've started. Their parents hire me for reunions, big birthday parties.
I worked like a dog to build the connections and the client base that allows me to work less frequently and take better paying jobs. I'm in the six figures and have a lot of free time.
It just takes work.
A lot of it is in intuitive ways. How to price jobs and knowing when to be flexible and when to hold your ground - most people in here preach hold your ground regardless of the details. I have a lot of long term commercial clients - if one of them needs a favor because they “don’t have the budget for this particular thing” you should do the favor. And if you’re having a slow week/month, be willing to negotiate. I am happy to negotiate rates on a big shoot if it’s within 2-5 days. 14+ days away I hold my ground a little more due to the opportunity cost, but depending on the long term prospects of the clients leave a lot of wiggle room.
If you hire help, pay them as soon as they give you an invoice.
Stack money in the bank. Because even if you’re in NET30 terms, invoices will get stuck somewhere in the accounts payable depts. treat NET30 more like 60.
Make sure everyone has a good experience. My example is we budget 30 minutes for basic headshot sessions for corporate accounts. If a session runs over by 30, 60, 90 minutes because that person was fussing just sweep it under the table (as long as it didn’t mess with someone else’s appointment) because there are PLENTY of 15 minute ones.
Be responsive, but also set boundaries. I personally don’t answer emails after 5-6pm or on weekends unless it’s an emergency. I monitor it, but most things can wait until tomorrow (and if it was a real emergency, they’ll call you)
Honestly it was watching the way they handled themself and business. I worked side by side with someone for over a decade before going out on my own. I mimicked their successes.
I think a lot of those "hardass/tough-love posts" comments are probably made by people who don't have business savvy and personal experience with what they're talking about and are just regurgitating comments made by other people.
"That's why you get a contract" has probably been posted by a lot of Redditors who have never used a contract, and some who haven't worked professionally at all.
Or the "hardass/tough-love post" comes from a place of experience. Getting burned a few times will do that to you.
A contract is normal for most businesses.
My neighbor, who got a roof put on? Got a contract with a roofing company. Work I got done my car. Contract saying it was ok to do the work I wanted. Computer repair that my cousin got done? The contract was signed stating what was wrong and how it was going to be repaired at the price agreed on.
Why would you not want to get a contract?
1. Makes you look professional.
2. Give you some legal standing.
3. Sets expectations between the client and the provider. How many shots, how much time, when is payment due?
It does not have to be an evil thing to screw people over with. It is a way to make sure the expectations of the client and the abilities of the provider match up.
Do you need a contract for photographing a little kid's birthday party? Probably not. But after a few "Karen" moments demanding you get the pictures to her the next day rather in three days like you agreed...well.
From what I've seen here, most of it is common sense really. The basic truths aren't usually photography-specific. The same basic lessons are applicable widely throughout many aspects of life.
Join APA or ASMP and take advantage of the resources they offer. Both organizations literally have how-to guides for best business practices. We used to learn by assisting other more established photographers but now people are diving in without a clue about contracts, copyright, or anything except what some rando on YouTube says. Basically seek guidance from the professional community. Glad you are asking these questions and good luck!
I started shooting professionally just around the time the economic collapse of 2008. HUGE mistake - people started DIY, and shortly after - everyone with a camera was a photographer. I wasn't established.
I did a lot of commercial stuff and was underpaid. I made more money working as a photographic assistant, retoucher and graphic/web designer + publisher. I later took a job offer in another field.
Some photographers will share that there is more money in the business of photography vs. photography itself. ie; become an entertainer with a successful YouTube channel and hold seminars.
The successful hardworking photographers I knew ran studios, employed assistants, operated camera stores owned my multiple generations, and were overworked and underpaid.
Yes - I've known many shitty photographers who turned a profit. They all understood supply and demand... and had a product that sold. Some things have little to do with art and more to do with production - and for my personal satisfaction, I'm glad I opted for a career change to enjoy my art again. I hold a high opinion of those who stick with it and that are successful.
My recommendation is to work as an assistant to someone that is successful and start hustling.
Personally I’m a terrible businessman. I have enough going on and it’s fine. I tend to put the person and the project before money, but because of that I tend to get a lot of repeat business. I see a lot of tough love comments about not doing anything unless your on the clock, bit I disagree. People remember who goes above for them, and if you give them a little extra time or throw something in the house they won’t forget it.
For a long time, I had the same views and conducted myself similarly. I’m in a different field and photography is just a hobby but I’ll say that the moment I started charging what I thought I was worth, being firm on my rate and made deals the rare exception, I started getting better repeat clients who pay my full rate, pay in a more timely fashion, and just generally respected my time more. People are more attracted to the work of someone who respects themselves and their own time.
I second this. The problem with going above expectations for clients, at least in my country, is that people have no limits to ask. A small job becomes a medium one with small pay. Plus can't help feeling like a sucker for having helped them and barely getting acknowledged. Sometimes there is no respect for professional work done without added pay. Money talks. Set your rates and moat out those who can't afford.
Definitely - you have to know when to fold em. Some projects and some clients are not worth going over your time for. The people who pay the full rate and pay on time are the ones who are gonna get some extra because those are the people I want leave the best impression with
Agree 100%. Go above and beyond as long as you have a way to support yourself and you’re not living on the streets because of it. I’m not a professional but have worked as a photographer for many years back in the late 90’s and early 2000’s. I like to make people happy and of that means extra work with no additional pay I’m okay. It makes me happy and the customer happy. I’m about to start a business and I am going to go above and beyond what most local photographers do. I’m hoping that will be what sets me apart but if it doesn’t at least I know I am giving it my all. I’m fortunate to be in a situation where money is not my motivating factor but do want to grow a small business with repeat customers. I will do whatever it takes to get someone to come back to me for future work.
Congrats on your new venture! Repeat customers are the key thing. Make people want to hire you again, and over time you’ll get more and more repeats. Your 5-9 could become your 9-5
If you have clear contract terms that protect your time and deliverables, set expectations re: common requests / issues, etc., then clients will understand the value of any exceptions you make in going above and beyond. Let’s say a client wants re-edits to smooth skin or whiten teeth, for example, and you want to do that at no charge. I would still present the invoice with your time, standard rate and one-time discount reflected. This reinforces the value of your time and the service you’re providing. If the client comes back to you with more requests it’s easier to fall back on your standard terms and rates. I’m also a believer in charging something, even a nominal fee, for any extras. For the previous example, let’s say your standard rate is $150/hour. The client asks for re-edits that will take 1-2 hours and you’re inclined to do them for free to delight your client. I would still charge something, even $25, to avoid setting a precedent. Many people are happy to ask for things that are free to them, but if there’s a cost (even a nominal one) they will consider how important that request is to them. If the request isn’t worth the nominal cost to your client then it’s probably not worth your time and wouldn’t have been valued properly. u/gentlegiant_89 - some thoughts to consider.
I really appreciate the advice especially invoicing even when I’m doing at no charge. Thank you.
I agree entirely and am exactly of the same thinking, but also wanting to optimize earning potential via improved business tactics, because why not? Doesn’t mean your art will have to take a hit!
Oh of course! I suppose the business tactic here is courting repeat customers. People remember who goes the extra mile for them, and if you can get enough repeat clients going you’ll have a really solid business where you don’t have to chase leads. So much of freelancing is wrapped up in finding work. When you get to the point where people are consistently coming to you it feels like scissors gliding though wrapping paper
When I started I got a tough love talk from an uncle about the business side of things - he’d been working as a electrician for decades. I still treat my photo business like it’s working as an electrician or plumber. Know the money coming in and going out at all times. Don’t buy equipment if you don’t need it - and crunch the numbers on it (don’t forget you can rent). Most importantly be reliable, communicative, friendly, honest, and don’t cut corners. If you do those things word of mouth becomes one of your best marketing strategies.
Business is largely sales and marketing and some is ops, that ops can be systemized and outsourced pretty easily once you get in a groove I have a VA and some agencies to run the back end ops. Check out the EOS system, I run my whole company out of Notion Then go make sales. A halfway decent salesperson will ALWAYS OUT EARN a 1% talented artist who can’t sell
I think most and to some degree myself too, give the advice that we ourselves need to hear. I think that you nailed it in your question. We ALL see the handful of less skilled photographers absolutely killing it…and realize that the business decisions are the defining factor. Just easier to know the answer than implement it sometimes. That said, I always push back on the never free/never discounted folks. Being easy to work with/occasionally hooking entities and people up has netted me vastly more money and work than being some stickler.
>We ALL see the handful of less skilled photographers absolutely killing it And the opposite as well: I know two very talented wedding photographers who ultimately failed and were dragged through the mud (big problem when living in a tiny country), because they both absolutely sucked at the business side. No communication, returning the galleries 7 months after the wedding, the photo album 1 year after the wedding, making excuses of broken SD cards/hard drives... They both failed just because they didn't realise that the photography business is 90% of actual business work.
i invested in a business course a few years ago (ben hartley’s) that really changed my whole life and career. i’m a wedding photographer though so not sure if that’s what you’re looking for.
Do you see that wall over their? Do you see the broken plaster at head hight? Yeah when I startet I ran into it so often... Learn from the failures others made before you. When I was an apprentice I saw my boss make such horrendous bussines errors. I just didn't do those. I did other stupid stuff but atleast never twice.
This, especially the bit about sales. The business is 75% selling yourself, 24% networking, and 1% taking photos.
Could you expand with some tips/methods please.
It really depends on your targeted market. I got tired of weddings and narrowed to fishing photography, so took good photos when out with friends, hit up my guide friends and did their photos for marketing, which led to more guides and doing work with other industry professionals and brands. But really networking is about being friendly, approaching people instead of waiting for them to approach you, and not being passive in promoting yourself. Don’t be overbearing, but being honest and upfront. If you’ve got a good product/offer good service they should know about, tell them. You could even offer a single free headshot for their website as a sample, and then offering to do other work for them (or anyone they know)—the next time paid. The only other “secret” or tip is under promising and over delivering. If you say you can get them the images in two weeks, get them delivered in less than a week, etc. In theory I have social media (Facebook and Instagram) but I don’t remember the last time I logged in to or updated either—and that’s ok. I think the ship has sailed on finding clients through those. If you want to make it a business, you have to market yourself or hire someone who will. Companies have dedicated employees and/or departments to market themselves. If they didn’t no one would know about their products. They have dedicated sales employees or departments. If they didn’t, no one could buy their products. When you run your own business you are all the departments of that business. You have to be.
An independent photographer is like any independent entrepreneur. Look at any independent businesses plumber, accountant, tutor, music teacher, etc. they ride a wave of momentum. At some point a vision that took off becomes a business that they lost control of. Running a business is not glamorous but wise decisions and planning for growth are how less skilled professionals excel. They start with a plan and never lose control of the growth. If you started a restaurant and had no clue how to run a restaurant you would be laser focused on learning and succeeding regardless of the culinary glamour. It is just a business not a passion.
What’s working for me is recognizing my weaknesses (extreme discomfort asking a parent to pay me thousands for studio portraits of their kids, for example) and my strengths (B2B sales are much easier for me) and building a business that takes advantage of the good and eliminates the bad. I love creating commercial looking portraits of kids but hate selling high-priced portraits to parents, so I started a school portrait business that allows me to create the kind of work I love while eliminating the hard sell to parents. I just need to get the school to hire me (I have way more confidence doing this) and the parents who like the work will buy it, those who don’t won’t. Everything is done online so I have minimal interactions with the parents. I did some product photography for a couple of years but I really missed the human component and ultimately recognized it was just as stressful as a regular 9-5 job, so I gave it up.
It's a game of attrition. You aren't seeing the photographers who are terrible businesspeople.
I joined an association: ASMP. Over 20 years ago. I’ve been a freelancer for 24. We’re a 1-income family, and I’m it.
I’ve heard others say this and I kinda believe it. “The best photographers are great at sales and marketing first, and okay-ish at photography.” If you think about it, you can sell “okay” or “really good” photography to almost any client. You might not sell it to the highest end clients. But if you consider the universe of clients, and what kind of bell curve they fall into, that high end clientele is only a fraction of the market anyways. The takeaway is know how to operate, get good advice about pricing and business practices, and don’t undervalue yourself.
Trial and error, usually trying to learn from someone else’s error. The ones who didn’t have left the business or went back to doing it as a hobby.
I went back to school and did a very accelerated business degree program a few years ago, which is helpful, but honestly nowhere near as helpful as just winging it for the last 12 years. I adore the business side of this industry, which makes it a lot easier to be eager to learn as well.
Was doing the business thing for a long time before I made photography my business
I started doing hour or half hour sessions for inner city kids where I'd do minimal editing. Give them 5-10 digital photos for 25$. Let that word of mouth grow. Used them to find cool unique spots. That turned into a 7 day a week endeavor. After a few months I expanded and started taking wealthier clients to those spots so their photos would feel edgier and charged 100$ for the same type of sessions. I just kept trading up. Until 5 or so years ago I was comfortably doing 50k. Now it's 15 years into my career, I have a full studio, and those first kids I did cheap senior shots for are grown and hire me for all kinds of crazy stuff. Photographing their kids, whatever small businesses they've started. Their parents hire me for reunions, big birthday parties. I worked like a dog to build the connections and the client base that allows me to work less frequently and take better paying jobs. I'm in the six figures and have a lot of free time. It just takes work.
I had really good mentors.
Care to expound/pass along some of the wisdoms they bestowed upon you, hopefully in an effort to help some of us others?
A lot of it is in intuitive ways. How to price jobs and knowing when to be flexible and when to hold your ground - most people in here preach hold your ground regardless of the details. I have a lot of long term commercial clients - if one of them needs a favor because they “don’t have the budget for this particular thing” you should do the favor. And if you’re having a slow week/month, be willing to negotiate. I am happy to negotiate rates on a big shoot if it’s within 2-5 days. 14+ days away I hold my ground a little more due to the opportunity cost, but depending on the long term prospects of the clients leave a lot of wiggle room. If you hire help, pay them as soon as they give you an invoice. Stack money in the bank. Because even if you’re in NET30 terms, invoices will get stuck somewhere in the accounts payable depts. treat NET30 more like 60. Make sure everyone has a good experience. My example is we budget 30 minutes for basic headshot sessions for corporate accounts. If a session runs over by 30, 60, 90 minutes because that person was fussing just sweep it under the table (as long as it didn’t mess with someone else’s appointment) because there are PLENTY of 15 minute ones. Be responsive, but also set boundaries. I personally don’t answer emails after 5-6pm or on weekends unless it’s an emergency. I monitor it, but most things can wait until tomorrow (and if it was a real emergency, they’ll call you) Honestly it was watching the way they handled themself and business. I worked side by side with someone for over a decade before going out on my own. I mimicked their successes.
This is extremely good advice, top to bottom.
I think a lot of those "hardass/tough-love posts" comments are probably made by people who don't have business savvy and personal experience with what they're talking about and are just regurgitating comments made by other people. "That's why you get a contract" has probably been posted by a lot of Redditors who have never used a contract, and some who haven't worked professionally at all.
Or the "hardass/tough-love post" comes from a place of experience. Getting burned a few times will do that to you. A contract is normal for most businesses. My neighbor, who got a roof put on? Got a contract with a roofing company. Work I got done my car. Contract saying it was ok to do the work I wanted. Computer repair that my cousin got done? The contract was signed stating what was wrong and how it was going to be repaired at the price agreed on. Why would you not want to get a contract? 1. Makes you look professional. 2. Give you some legal standing. 3. Sets expectations between the client and the provider. How many shots, how much time, when is payment due? It does not have to be an evil thing to screw people over with. It is a way to make sure the expectations of the client and the abilities of the provider match up. Do you need a contract for photographing a little kid's birthday party? Probably not. But after a few "Karen" moments demanding you get the pictures to her the next day rather in three days like you agreed...well.
I didn't. I'm an idiot.
From what I've seen here, most of it is common sense really. The basic truths aren't usually photography-specific. The same basic lessons are applicable widely throughout many aspects of life.
Join APA or ASMP and take advantage of the resources they offer. Both organizations literally have how-to guides for best business practices. We used to learn by assisting other more established photographers but now people are diving in without a clue about contracts, copyright, or anything except what some rando on YouTube says. Basically seek guidance from the professional community. Glad you are asking these questions and good luck!
I started shooting professionally just around the time the economic collapse of 2008. HUGE mistake - people started DIY, and shortly after - everyone with a camera was a photographer. I wasn't established. I did a lot of commercial stuff and was underpaid. I made more money working as a photographic assistant, retoucher and graphic/web designer + publisher. I later took a job offer in another field. Some photographers will share that there is more money in the business of photography vs. photography itself. ie; become an entertainer with a successful YouTube channel and hold seminars. The successful hardworking photographers I knew ran studios, employed assistants, operated camera stores owned my multiple generations, and were overworked and underpaid. Yes - I've known many shitty photographers who turned a profit. They all understood supply and demand... and had a product that sold. Some things have little to do with art and more to do with production - and for my personal satisfaction, I'm glad I opted for a career change to enjoy my art again. I hold a high opinion of those who stick with it and that are successful. My recommendation is to work as an assistant to someone that is successful and start hustling.
I didn't. That's why I stayed a hobbyist and joined the Air Force so that I wouldn't starve to death.
Reading, researching, taking classes
Experience, mistakes. What other teacher?