Wildlife photographer

Jortography

Jortography

Suspended / Banned
Messages
1
Name
Mr Jordan Wade
Edit My Images
No
Hello to everyone, this is my first message to everyone so I hope I'm am doing all this right. I am wanting to become a successful wildlife photographer and I am on sites such as flicker, 500px, viewbug and even have my own page on facebook. What I am really wanting to do is get more of my images into competitions this year and was wondering, would anyone be able to point me in the right direction? If anyone could help me, I would be very thankful.
Thank you in advance

Kind regards

Jortography.
 
My first thought would be: what sort(s) of wildlife are you particularly wanting to focus on? What really drives your passion?

Ultimately, it's all down to how much time you can spend with your subjects. The more time you're with them, the more special moments you might get to witness. But add the requisite tonne of luck too. =:)
 
Welcome to TP, @Jortography.

Becoming a successful wildlife photographer isn't easy. I think I have some insight into this because at LensesForHire we're sponsoring a young wildlife photographer who lives locally to us and who we think is going to be a really big name in the field one day.

He puts a *huge* amount of effort into it. The awkward issue as I see it is that wildlife photography generally requires travel, which can be expensive. So where does the money come from? Not from selling prints. He does that - he looks to get gallery exhibitions and has a stall at craft fairs and such like - but as I understand it that's more about getting his name around than it is about making money. Not from having a Flickr site or Facebook page, and not from giving talks to camera clubs - again, that's about raising awareness.

The key thing, I think, is to get people to pay you to help them take wildlife photos. That means running courses, workshops, tours, etc. But why should people pay *you*? What do you offer that other photographers don't? Crack that and you might be able to make it work.
 
Jortography said:
Hello to everyone, this is my first message to everyone so I hope I'm am doing all this right. I am wanting to become a successful wildlife photographer and I am on sites such as flicker, 500px, viewbug and even have my own page on facebook. What I am really wanting to do is get more of my images into competitions this year and was wondering, would anyone be able to point me in the right direction? If anyone could help me, I would be very thankful.
Thank you in advance

Kind regards

Jortography.
Click to expand...

I totally agree with the above comments

Lets see what sort of images you are producing now- only way to gauge what information to impart to you I feel!

I shoot a lot of Birds/Wildlife and have sold a few images in my time doing this, not made a fortune but I also have a Proper job :p


Get your OWN website a page on Fake Book will get you lots of "Likes" from people who generally know sod all about Photography (just my opinion ) maybe a link to your Flickr account would be a start

Look forward to seeing some of your work in due course-Oh and welcome to the Forum :wave:

Les ;)
 
Last edited by a moderator:
if you want competition then join a camera club
 
Unless you are REALLY talented, incredibly motivated, bordering on the obsessive, a brilliant self-publicist, and/or you know the right people you'll find it a struggle. It has got so much harder in recent years and there are many people just like you. Stewart is correct in stating that most landscape/nature/wildlife photographers seem to make most of their money from running tours and workshops.

If that doesn't put you off then maybe at least you have the determination. Good luck!
 
I think the best example is to take a look at the work of Will Nichols, a member on here. He's got incredible talent, has put in huge amounts of hard work, been featured on Countryfile etc.
It doesn't have to be about exotic travel
 
All* of the best award-winning UK** wildlife photographers make their money from workshops, writing magazine articles, running tours and selling video tutorials. They don't make a living (money, yes but not a living) from selling their images either as prints, to the press or as stock.

*There may be an exception but I can't think of one.
** Maybe even everywhere with the possible exception of NG level staffers and the like.
 
I think the general consensus is that unfortunately wildlife photography is not a great career move Jordan - and I wish it was!
Went to see Andy Rouse give a talk last year and his advice was simply "don't".
Now, not everyone likes Andy - I do - but he qualified this with much the same argument that StewartR and the others above used.
The way to make more than just a living is in helping others with their photography.
Having said that, if you are obsessed beyond all reason you may just be in the right place at the right time to nail that shot that sets you on the right path.
So give it a go - I had a full head of hair once.............;)

Sincerely, Good luck!

cheers, cw
 
Wildlife is my preferred field of photography. I have thousands invested in cameras and try my best with the limited time available but it's incredibly obvious the only way for me to make money at it is to sell my kit on. Okay if I keep going I might win a prize or two or sell the odd print but the people who do it for a living work incredibly hard at it.

However if you want to enter competitions there's about a month to go until the British Wildlife Photography Awards closes for entries this year. I will be entering, but the standard is always very high and despite some nice comments by people I admire and aspire to I don't expect anything to come of it. The standard is VERY high.
 
maninsuitcase said:
However if you want to enter competitions there's about a month to go until the British Wildlife Photography Awards closes for entries this year. I will be entering, but the standard is always very high and despite some nice comments by people I admire and aspire to I don't expect anything to come of it. The standard is VERY high.
Click to expand...

It's amazing really that so many of the award-winning and commended entries are not by the "well-known names". Either they don't enter, or - more likely - they do but keep quiet about it!
 
jerry12953 said:
It's amazing really that so many of the award-winning and commended entries are not by the "well-known names". Either they don't enter, or - more likely - they do but keep quiet about it!
Click to expand...
I know a fair few names but yes a most are by people who you don't hear from.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top