Would people pay a small amount for casual street photography?

Status
Not open for further replies.
S

Starsky

Suspended / Banned
Messages
4
Name
Jon
Edit My Images
Yes
Newbie here, thoughts welcome

I am not a pro but a good amateur and I love people portraits. Wondering if there is scope to make an income from casual street photography. By this I mean wandering the streets of busy areas and taking shots of individuals or group that are interested, eg in tourist hot spots,

Would not charge upfront but instead give them an email to contact me, send pics, and they pay a small amount if they like

So wondering how many people would be willing to pay. I know everyone has a phone and therefore selfies are rife. But they are also limited by the length of your arm! and in my view photos with a decent equipment and composure must add value beyond phone pics

Is this a crazy idea? I might have to go out and try it
 
Edit ~ welcome to TP :)

Back in the day there were such street photographers at seaside resorts but two things strike me..........

As you say is there really a market for such a service in this camera phone era?

And if you are on the street 'selling your service' is there a local council business license aspect to be considered???

PS and IMO even if you could or did do it, I surmise the money earned would be a pittance!

PPS I also surmise you would need the online infrastructure to allow them to view them.....more to the whole venture than meets the eye...I'll stop now as my time is needed for other things ;)
 
Last edited:
I would be more concerned about those who might take umbrage at you for photographing them.
 
Thanks. Agree re infrastructure, but if demand was sufficient that could be solved I reckon

Key question is how many people would be interested. Personally I love a nicely composed family/group candid photo (and as a photographer, am nearly always behind the camera which is annoying as would love to be in more myself). All I know is when I take shots of other people I often get a 'wow'. But whether wow would be enough to get people to pay is the question. I might have to just get out and see!.....
 
tijuana taxi said:
I would be more concerned about those who might take umbrage at you for photographing them.
Click to expand...
They would be willing participants! Would give them my details before and ask them to contact me after
 
Starsky said:
if demand was sufficient
Click to expand...
There's your problem, 'in the day' cameras were few and far between ... now everyone has the ability to take 'selfies' with their phone etc.
 
Non runner in my opinion especially with the current financial crisis
 
Sorry. I think theres zero chance. Most people just want to share pics on social media. with a phone its immediate and very simple.
 
Hi Jon, I'm certainly no expert on this, but I've run many businesses throughout my life including photography in the 70s & 80s (all a lot different then) and I think you need to consider these things to start with:

1. If money is changing hands, it could/would be classed as a business (albeit a small one) so the tax man would want his cut - all dependent of course on the/your circumstances.

2. Rarely is land public, so you would need to get the owner's permission to operate (in writing to protect yourself). This could be your local council or the people that own the shopping centre or park etc.

3. If you are directing someone to do something (even as simple as posing), it could be argued that you'd need liability insurance. People always want to blame someone else when they screw up.

4. You'd need to find a way to attract people to you - mostly people don't want to be importuned whilst out walking.

5. Most people today place no value on photography because they think their 'snappy' or phone is all they need.

Lastly, welcome to TP. :)
 
When I was a kid you used to get photographers plying their trade on the beach, but back then most people didn't have a camera and they mad nice memories. Today I'd say zero chance of doing anything that would be either profitable or rewarding
 
Good advice from Sky in post 9. Not at all underestimating your marketing or photographic skills Starsky - but I know for sure that I couldn't pull this off.. sure different but here goes - ca. 15 years ago (and definitely in an earlier tech era) while on a family holiday, we sat down in the town square to rest a while. Took some shots with a 135 or 200mm (working say 10-15m out), wide open. I then happened to capture a great street portrait of another family having fun - sun & smiles against an OOF background. A keeper. And then I realised the shot would be worth so much more to them. To me it's just one shot but to them, well it would most probably end up on their living room wall. Or at least on their desk at work. So why not walk over and be a nice guy.. Anyway.. suffice to say that from this point on, things went pear shaped quite quickly :ROFLMAO:
 
  • Haha
Reactions: Sky
boer13 said:
Good advice from Sky in post 9. Not at all underestimating your marketing or photographic skills Starsky - but I know for sure that I couldn't pull this off.. sure different but here goes - ca. 15 years ago (and definitely in an earlier tech era) while on a family holiday, we sat down in the town square to rest a while. Took some shots with a 135 or 200mm (working say 10-15m out), wide open. I then happened to capture a great street portrait of another family having fun - sun & smiles against an OOF background. A keeper. And then I realised the shot would be worth so much more to them. To me it's just one shot but to them, well it would most probably end up on their living room wall. Or at least on their desk at work. So why not walk over and be a nice guy.. Anyway.. suffice to say that from this point on, things went pear shaped quite quickly :ROFLMAO:
Click to expand...
I did something similar for a group of Dutch cyclists who were on a touring holiday in Belgium
We were wandering in Tournoi and saw one of the group trying to take a picture of the others on their phone.
Offered to photograph them all and email them a photo when I got home, which I duly did.
No way would I want any money, just nice being able to make people happy.
 
Someone never read the rules before posting.
Prohibited items
Anything that makes you money (or goods) from our community
But if you wish to open a traders account, please use the contact us button at the bottom of every page.
 
Starsky said:
So wondering how many people would be willing to pay.
Click to expand...
  • Press releases, market research, surveys (Unless pre-approved with Admin)
 
Status
Not open for further replies.
Back
Top