In part one of this article, I covered some of the training and skills needed to become a professional nature photographer, gave some tips about marketing, and explored the various income streams available. If you haven’t already, it’s worth going back and starting there. Once you’ve absorbed part one, it’s time to dive into part two.
Continue readingA few years back I authored an article about making a living as a nature photographer. It has been widely read, shared, and remains quite popular. Over the intervening 6 years or so, , the photography industry and the way we make our living has changed tremendously. It is time to do an update.
Continue reading
As nature photographers, our profession is unique. Our motivation is driven as much by a need to share the beauty of the natural world, document wildlife and illuminate the challenges faced by animals and ecosystems as it is by making a living. Branding, like marketing, can seem like a dirty word, but it helps us earn income and operate professionally. By creating a branding and marketing strategy for our businesses, we can take some big steps toward achieving financial stability.
Continue reading
Every so often, NANPA surveys its members to find out more about who you are and what’s important to you. The answers you give inform NANPA board discussions, policies, programs and many other aspects of the association. So, who are you? Who are the members of North America’s preeminent nature photography association?
Continue reading
The coronavirus pandemic has hit photographers hard. Times are tough, but we’re a creative and resilient bunch. We reached out to some professional photographers to ask how restrictions imposed by cities, states and the federal government have affected their businesses. We also wanted to know how they were adapting—both their own lives and their businesses—to the challenges of these difficult times.
The first photographer in this series is Mary Louise Ravese, owner of Bella Vista Photography, a North Carolina-based nature and fine art photographer, teacher and workshop leader.
Continue reading
A great online course offers something bigger than technical knowledge: it offers time hanging out with YOU. It offers the chance to experience your world, to join you in the field, to see, first-hand, your unique approach to the photography process. Here, filmmaker Peter Hoffman is on assignment in California.
The world of online education is a new frontier for nature photographers and one that can be quite lucrative. But making money isn’t as simple as building an amazing course and setting it free on the internet. Plenty of thoughtful, well-designed courses go undiscovered every day.
So, before you invest your time and energy into building a course, I wanted to offer some ideas on how to ensure you don’t get lost in the ocean of internet content.