Making a living from wildlife/landscape photography - pipe dream or realistic goal?

What the title says really!!

I'm getting more and more bored with my job these days, what used to be a very enjoyable mix of fieldwork and reporting has turned recently into a very dull monotonous lab/office pleb type of role, and I just seem to be wishing the weekdays away at the moment, which isn't a good situation. I know I should be thankful to have a job at all at the moment, but I'm getting more and more fed up with being a cog in the wheel of a big organisation.

I'm seriously thinking about going part time in the next few years, as I'm getting to the sort of age where i should think about having kids and settling down. The boyfriend is hopefully moving in by the end of this year after we've been to Canada this autumn, so we'll be renting out his house, which will be a welcome extra earner.

So I'm basically on a quest to find some extra income, escape the 9 to 5 grind so I can potentially spend more time with kids etc, and the photography immediately sprung to mind!

The only snag is, that it's obviously a very tricky thing to make any money out of, unless you do weddings, portraits etc. There are countless people all doing the same thing, especially now decent cameras and lenses are so much more affordable, but how do you get yourself noticed among the millions, especially with landscape and wildlife stuff?

I'm realistic enough to know that I'll probably never make a living completely out of it, only a handful of outstanding photographers make it big, but am wondering if at least selling a few prints a month is such an unachievable goal? I'm exhibiting a few prints along with one of the local groups with a view to selling some in August, which is a start, but was wondering what else I could be doing?

Thanks for listening to my ramblings...and any tips and ideas would be very welcome!

If I were you I would sit tight and keep your job, you might find it more difficult to get another than you think. The number of job applications we get has gone up considerably in the last year and we have to turn every one down as we don't need any more staff.

I would suggest you look here and on other forums for people that do wedding photos, you will very quickly see how much is involved, too much for me to go into here.

Everyone gets fed up with their job from time to time but they stick with it because they have commitments. Remember the grass is always greener on the other side until you get there.

Bazza

Don't worry, I've got no intention of packing my job in at all, at least not unless I'd reliably got a new source of income coming in! I'd be daft to at the moment anyway, in the current economic climate.

I was looking more for info on getting your name out there and actually selling a few prints, I'm not daft enough to think that it could be a whole career. Even then I'd probably keep the current job but possibly reduce my hours

I'm not really interested in doing wedding or portrait work either, I'd rather stick to the wildlife and landscape stuff and just sell a few prints a month as a salary top up, and see where it goes from there.

I wouldn't even consider making money out of photography, even those with photographic qualifications are struggling to find jobs.

Bazza

Yeah, I guess you're right.

I'm probably best just being realistic and keeping it as a fun hobby, and doing well in the odd local competition. I should probably be happy just to have a job at the moment, even if it does involve staring down microscopes at algae

At least the thought of having a weekend outside taking nice pics keeps me sane on work days, even if it's never totally going to be a way of life

I would think it's quite tough tbh Nicola - simply because there isn't as much call for it, and when there is there are some really well known photographers out there who have already got it covered.

Wedding/portrait photography, whilst already pretty well covered may be the easiest way to get into it - people will always want wedding photographs

Best tip tho for any/all - is to get your portfolio done with all your best shots, as that will be your biggest selling point.. your work.

Keep us posted!

I have to agree with both Azz and a bit of what Bazza is saying.... but hey, if you have a dream - live it! (but realistically)

Develop a portfolio - what's your unique selling point or style? What do you do different to the many hundreds of pro wildlife togs out there already? Can you offer something new, fresh, different? What is your market? Is it sustainable? What contingency plans do you have? I could go on....and on...

Anyway, carry on developing your work - you've obviously a flair for it, and enjoy it!

I can't see anything wrong in your wish to try turning semi-pro whilst keeping your main job. Nothing ventured, nothing gained!

Just because some pros are struggling does not mean that you will not be able to pick up some work. If they are not competitive or able to adapt to the current economic climate then toughluck if you pick up their work.

Just be realistic about your abilities and business know how and give it a go. No good laying on your death bed saying "I wish I had tried.......". It;s too late then.

Steve

Nicola, I am with Steve and Jack on this, I say go for it, be sensible, and it is always better to try than not bother

Now is the perfect time, before you have kids etc, you don't get more responsibilities than that, so go out there, build a great portfolio, as I personally think you have a wonderful talent for wildlife photography, birds especially. You seem to capture the little moments, that make them interesting images (this coming from a non birdie person)

There are always opportunities, for people who want to go out and there and get them. Keep doing what you are doing build a portfolio, maybe think about a website to give you some coverage, and get to know some really good wildlife togs.

Good luck with your exhibition too XXXX

Well I know a number of people who do photography commercially. Some are attempting or have attempted to transfer from full time job by doing weddings, events, promotional work on the side but haven't the overwhelming income and work from it that has allowed them to make the transition. Others I know are people that have retired in their early 50's, maybe police or forces and have had a good pension that has provided them a secure income whilst they dabble and build up a commercial business. Clearly if you have the free time in the week you can use it to take work anytime and then more work etc. Another person has a husband who is a good earner and consequently she is allowed to dabble and persue artistic interests and she earns small pin money as it doesn't matter.

I don't know anyone making much cash from landscape work. Can only imagine you would have to get some exceptional photographs the same as nature photography with a lot of time invested in etting the shot. Difficult holding down a full time job.

I do agree to a certain extent with follow the dream. I stupidly gave up a dream to come back to the UK last year. I wish I could live the dream but am too cautious about having a home, qualifications, pension etc. but I know where Iwas happier and more myself. So long as it's not totally reckless and is reasonably well thought out you could have a go. If like me you work for a big organisation you may also be able to make a gradual transition with things like job share or a career break which provides some safeguards. You could probably get a full time job again from job share if a post came up so all would not be lost.