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This is an excerpt from The Photo Hustle by Karen This is an excerpt from The Photo Hustle by Karen Williams Buy your copy here: https://store.mangopublishinggroup.com/products/the-photo-hustle-1If you picked up this book, I’m betting you love photography enough to pursue a career in it, but you have no idea where to start. That’s where I come in. I want to be the resource and mentor I never had, so you don’t have to learn the hard way. I’ll be sharing the insider secrets of the photography industry that they don’t teach you in school. Because combining your passion for photography with a career can get a little messy. Being a great photographer is only half the battle. To thrive in this industry, you need to be a savvy entrepreneur, too. And that’s why I took it upon myself to fill in this much-needed gap. Instead of hoping things will change, it’s time we take control of our careers—and I’m here to help you do just that. This book will equip you with everything you need to know for a successful photography career. But you have to show up and put in the work.The photo hustle is real. These days, it’s not enough to have talent. You have to know the industry—and it’s a tough one to break into. Most photography schools and workshops don’t teach you how to run a successful business. Rather, they focus on the latest gear and techniques. They’ll teach you about posing, directing clients, composition, and lighting. They’ll show you all the pretty editing tricks and how to set up a shot.But actual business skills? That stuff rarely gets taught in the photography world. Marketing and branding? Not in most curricula. Sales and pricing strategies? I don’t think so. Client experience and retention? Doubtful. Financial planning and management? I’m not seeing it. Most photographers are expected to figure it out on their own, often through trial and error. But in reality, most photographers were never prepared for the “photo hustle” that exists on the flip side of their passion… I know I wasn’t.CONTINUED IN THE COMMENTS
The state of the photo industry survey is live and The state of the photo industry survey is live and needs your contribution! Follow the link in bio. Open to all professional photographers.Survey will close early June.
@tednghiem promo ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐ @tednghiem promo ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
@jessechaconphoto promo ⭐️⭐️⭐️ awesome @jessechaconphoto promo ⭐️⭐️⭐️ awesome work ⚡️⚡️⚡️💪💪💪
@ashleyseryn promo 👏👏👏⭐️⭐️⭐️⚡️⚡️⚡️💪💪💪
@_coreyandemily_ promo ⭐️⭐️⭐️awesome 🐝🐝🐝
@caitiemccabephoto promo #girlhood is pretty epic @caitiemccabephoto promo #girlhood is pretty epic 👏👏👏👏⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
@davidwilsonburnham promo 🤜⚡️⚡️⚡️🤛
@jonas_berndt promo ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ @jonas_berndt promo ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
@sidhastings promo 👍👍⭐️⭐️ @sidhastings promo 👍👍⭐️⭐️
@chava_oropesa promo 💪💪💪🤩🤩🤩 @chava_oropesa promo 💪💪💪🤩🤩🤩
@iantuttle promo ⚡️⚡️⚡️⚡️⚡️⭐ @iantuttle promo ⚡️⚡️⚡️⚡️⚡️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
@rebeccagreenfield promo ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
@lindsaysiu promo #chinesesuperstitions awesome 👏👏👏🤩 🤩🤩
@scottsuchman promo WOW 🤩 fantastic promo and l @scottsuchman promo WOW 🤩 fantastic promo and loved the images 😍⭐️🫡👏👏👏
@greglatza #westriver 🤩🤩🤩 awesome 👏👏👏
@mendozaweiss promo ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ @mendozaweiss promo ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⚡️⚡️⚡️⚡️⚡️
@kevincookphoto #gonetoosoon ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐ @kevincookphoto #gonetoosoon ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
I know y’all have seen some $hit let’s hear ab I know y’all have seen some $hit let’s hear about it 😃
Pricing & Negotiating: Expanding Usage For A Non-P Pricing & Negotiating: Expanding Usage For A Non-Profit Healthcare ClientBy @andrewsouders @wonderfulmachineEach month, we explain a recent cost estimate, contract, or purchase order in the form of a Pricing & Negotiating article. By redacting the names of the photographer and the client, we can share useful information that would otherwise be confidential. You can read more about our Image Licensing service on the Consulting Services page of our website.Concept: Additional licensing for previously shot conference images, including a new set of selects Licensing: Publicity and Collateral use of the original 25 images for an additional 3 years, and Publicity and Collateral use of 7 additional images for 5 years Photographer: Corporate and Portraiture photographer Client: U.S. non-profit healthcare organization Agency: Healthcare communications agency representing the clientA photographer partnered with me to help navigate an image licensing expansion for a recent conference shoot. The client, a non-profit healthcare organization working through a major healthcare communications agency, wanted to expand usage rights for a set of images and license additional selects from the previously photographed event.Client Request The original license covered a batch of 25 images from the conference shoot for use on digital, social, conference, and internal platforms – terms that generally fall under what we define as Publicity and Collateral use. The client had previously agreed to $6,900 in creative/licensing fees for this usage, granted for a period of 2 years.As the client sought to extend the usage of these original images and license new selects from the shoot for a longer timeframe, we also identified an opportunity to improve clarity in the licensing terms. The original agreement did not include a definitions clause for the stated usage categories, and the terms digital, social, conference, and internal felt somewhat open to interpretation.CONTINUED IN THE COMMENTS
@benrosenzweig promo 😍 awesome 🤩 love it 👏👏👏👏⚡️⚡️⚡️⚡️🫡
@cbuphotography promo ⭐️⭐️⭐️👍👍👍
@jordanxdani promo 😍😍 love ⚡️⚡️👏👏👏🤩🤩🤩
@sophiavandykphoto promo ⭐️⭐️⭐️👍👍👍
@vansantenbolleurs promo 😍👏👏 fantastic 💪💪😍🤩🤩
@seanberryphoto promo ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
@josh_geelen promo ⚡️⚡️⚡️⚡️⚡️⚡️⚡️⚡️⚡️⚡️
Instagram post 18395325289106368 Instagram post 18395325289106368
@johan_knobe promo 😍 lovely 👏👏👏🫡 @johan_knobe promo 😍 lovely 👏👏👏🫡
@renniesolis promo 👏👏 cool ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
@perrettiphoto promo ⭐️⭐️⭐️⚡️⚡️⚡️
@stefanfalke_photography promo ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
@vaughanbrookfield promo ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️👍👍👍👍
@francescobittichesu promo ⚡️⚡️⚡️super @francescobittichesu promo ⚡️⚡️⚡️super 👏👏👏
@stevenvisneauphotography Paris book ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
@mattlicari promo ⚡️⚡️⚡️ super 👏👏👏
LFG! Can’t stop won’t stop creating. LFG! Can’t stop won’t stop creating.
@samrileyphotography promo ⭐️⭐️⭐️⚡️⚡️⚡️👍👍👍
@jennifer_huxta promo 👍👍👍⭐️⭐️⭐️
@clint_davis promo ⚡️⚡️⚡️ nice one 😍😍😍👏👏👏
RIP Val. RIP Val.
Pricing & Negotiating: Restaurant and Retail Image Pricing & Negotiating: Restaurant and Retail Images for a Design FirmBy @bryansheffield, @wonderfulmachineEach month, we pick one of our recent estimates to write about in a Pricing & Negotiating article. Redacting the names of the photographer and client allows us to share valuable and educational information that would otherwise be confidential.Concept: Portfolio content photography of an architecture and interior design firm’s recently completed restaurant & retail spaces within an airport Licensing: Collateral and Publicity use of up to 15 images in perpetuity Photographer: Architecture & Interiors specialist Client: Large retail space architecture and interior design firmSummary I recently helped one of our NYC photographers build an estimate for a good-sized architecture and interior design firm. The firm requested an estimate for photography to document 4 of their soon-to-be-finished spaces within a NYC area airport terminal. The final use of the photography would primarily be web collateral within the firm’s website, publicity efforts, as well as submissions to a few notable design award competitions. When we first began speaking with the client, they let us know that the completion date was about 3 weeks out. Moreover, they informed us that the photographs needed to be taken at night because the restaurants and shops would be open the following day.The client was very specific with their shot list needs. They would, however, rely on the photographer to accomplish this list in an artistic manner. They also let us know that they would need the final images within 2 days of the shoot date in order to meet their award submission dates. The client would arrange all special permissions for the photographer, crew, and equipment access to the spaces due to our need to work after the airport terminal had closed. We also knew that although our client designed these 4 spaces, they would all be owned and operated by other brands. With this in mind, we attempted to upsell and inquired whether the brands or proprietors might be interested in use of the final work. These potential clients, however, were not interested.CONTINUED IN THE COMMENTS
@winniewow promo book ⭐️⭐️⭐️ super ⚡ @winniewow promo book ⭐️⭐️⭐️ super ⚡️⚡️⚡️
@avskaffelse #poorwindy 👍👍👍⚡️⚡️⚡️
Paying the price for slacking the promo posting. T Paying the price for slacking the promo posting. Time to get busy.
@certaingravityphoto promo ⚡️⚡️⚡️👍👍👍
@davidpaulschmit promo ⚡️⚡️⚡️⚡️sup @davidpaulschmit promo ⚡️⚡️⚡️⚡️super 😍😍😍
@jesspettway promo 🔥🔥🔥🔥fantastic 😍 @jesspettway promo 🔥🔥🔥🔥fantastic 😍
Pricing & Negotiating: Food/Drink Product Photogra Pricing & Negotiating: Food/Drink Product Photography For A Holiday CampaignBy @andrewsouders @wonderfulmachineEach month, we explain a recent cost estimate, contract, or purchase order in the form of a Pricing & Negotiating article. By redacting the names of the photographer and the client, we can share useful information that would otherwise be confidential. You can read more about our Pricing & Negotiating services on the Consulting Services page of our website.Concept: Product Photography for a Holiday Campaign in collaboration with a celebrityLicensing: Publicity and Collateral use of 4 still photos and 1 animated GIF for 1 yearPhotographer: Still Life/Product and Food/Drink specialistClient: Sparkling beverage brandSummary I recently worked with a photographer to develop an estimate for a holiday-themed product photoshoot for a well-known beverage brand’s collaboration with a high-profile celebrity. The project involved creating still life images of a holiday table centerpiece featuring the client’s product alongside the celebrity’s co-branded food item. We considered the various creative needs, including product shots and lifestyle setups where hands would interact with the product.The deliverables included up to four high-resolution still photos and one animated GIF intended for digital PR, social media, and the client’s website, with a one-year global license. The shots were primarily designed for web use, however, there was also the possibility of some print use.Continued in the comments
Outsourcing the creative 🤡 Outsourcing the creative 🤡
Instagram post 18082403140722185 Instagram post 18082403140722185
Pricing & Negotiating: Leadership Headshots And En Pricing & Negotiating: Leadership Headshots And Environmental Portraits For A Grocery Retailer@andrewsouders, @wonderfulmachineEach month, we explain a recent cost estimate, contract, or purchase order in the form of a Pricing & Negotiating article. By redacting the names of the photographer and the client, we can share useful information that would otherwise be confidential. You can read more about our Building Estimates service on the Consulting Services page of our website.Concept: Executive Headshots and Environmental Portraits Licensing: Perpetual Publicity and Collateral use of 7 images Photographer: Portrait and Lifestyle Specialist Client: National Grocery Store ChainSummary I recently collaborated with a photographer to develop an estimate for a corporate portraiture photoshoot for a US-based grocery retailer. The project’s goal was to capture the authenticity, approachability, and leadership of the company’s Chairman/CEO and President/Vice-CEO.We planned for the shoot to take place in a single day at a store location in the Southwestern US. The client would plan to coordinate the schedule to minimize disruption to store operations and, at the same time, allow the photographer to accomplish everything they needed to.Deliverables included 4 high-resolution headshots and 3 environmental portraits, all licensed for perpetual publicity and collateral use. They intended for these visuals to enhance the company’s marketing materials, reinforce its brand ethos, and connect with its customer base on a more personal level.Fees The client’s brief outlined a need for Publicity and Collateral use for the imagery, which informed the pricing structure. We determined that perpetual usage rights were appropriate for this particular project.Perpetual usage relates to the duration the client can use the images. Perpetual usage means the client can use the images indefinitely. But, the usage is still confined to the agreed-upon media (in this case, publicity and collateral).Unlimited usage, on the other hand, implies no restrictions on the type of media placement, often making it broader usage for things like paid advertising.CONTINUED IN THE COMMENTS
My Outside farewell cover.Magazine owners are u My Outside farewell cover.Magazine owners are uniquely unqualified to run magazines. Generally they don’t have a creative bone in their body. Outside was on a very bad trajectory for many years but only a tech moneyed white dude could have the hubris to think enshittfying the content while selling out to advertisers would somehow make it more compelling. At least we can bun it all down and start again anew.
@yeahnoproblem #fixitinpost perfect promo 👏👏 @yeahnoproblem #fixitinpost perfect promo 👏👏👏👏👏 🫡
@alexander_gouletas zine ⚡️⚡️⚡️⚡️👏👏👏👏
Pricing & Negotiating: Portraits And Still Life Im Pricing & Negotiating: Portraits And Still Life Images For Cosmetics BrandBy@ craigoppenheimer, @wonderfulmachineConcept: Portraiture and Still Life Images for Cosmetics Brand Licensing: Unlimited use of all images captured for one year Photographer: Beauty and Still Life specialist Client: Cosmetics brandSummary I recently worked with a photographer to help them develop an estimate for a campaign promoting a cosmetic brand’s new product. The brand wanted still life images as well as images of the product in use by professional talent in a studio setting. The creative brief called for a mix of minimal setups against a white background, along with a few scenarios that involved prop styling and set design.Fees The client initially presented a shot list that included eight main shots. One of the shots was identified as a key visual while the others were considered supplemental. Although they requested unlimited use of all images, they were willing to limit the duration to one year.I felt the key visual was worth $5,000, images 2-3 were worth $2,500 each, and the others worth $1,000, totaling $15,000. I had wanted to include an additional few thousand dollars as a creative fee. We understood, however, that we might be pushing the limits on the fee as it was. Ultimately, my goal was to keep the bottom line in check and stay under $50k total.The agency, surprisingly, asked us to include a licensing option specifically for 110% of the one-year rate to include a pre-negotiated rate for a second year. In most cases, when pre-negotiating a duration extension, I’m accustomed to a request for a reduced rate compared to the original fee. I clarified this request on a call with the agency art producer. Sure enough, they explained that they’d be willing to pay 110% for an additional year, so I included that cost for the licensing and for the talent.CONTINUED IN THE COMMENTS
@kteig promo ⚡️⚡️⚡️⚡️ fantastic 😍👏👏👏🫡
@andreadagosto promo 🔥🔥🔥 wow 👏👏👏 @andreadagosto promo 🔥🔥🔥 wow 👏👏👏
@stevenpaneccasio promo ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️🙏
Let’s fire up some listicles team! Let’s fire up some listicles team!
@erikursin #randos promo 😍😍quality 👏👏👏
@bonusdaysmag @alisonconklin magazine ❤️❤️ @bonusdaysmag @alisonconklin magazine ❤️❤️❤️
@timcalver books promos ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️👍👍👍👍
Several big photographers were named in a couple o Several big photographers were named in a couple of excellent articles in the Columbia Journalism Review by Kristen Chick and Vox by A.J. Chavar.I’m sure there are many who never came forward because while the initial outrage caused the named to disappear and delete all their social media, they soon crawl back. Two people I’ve been following are David Alan Harvey and Patrick Witty.In the article by Kristen Chick, “Eleven women have described to CJR inappropriate behavior from David Alan Harvey over a span of thirteen years, ranging from suggestive comments to unwanted sexual advances to masturbating without their consent on video calls.” His agency, Magnum, was told about it and sat on the information for a decade before suspending him.So what is David up to now? He’s very active on Threads, where he has 57,000 followers. On Instagram, his account is private, but he has 441,000 followers. On his website, he’s selling prints, has five in-person workshops slated for 2025, and offers online mentorships.In the article by A.J. Chavar that talks about Patrick Witty: “I spoke to more than 20 people — some of them friends of mine in our shared industry — who said they experienced unwanted interactions with Witty, witnessed the inappropriate behavior, or were told details at the time the events occurred that corroborated the women’s stories. These stories included accounts of unwanted touching, kissing, and other advances at a variety of professional events during and prior to Witty’s employment at National Geographic.”So what is Patrick up to now? Semafor is reporting that he’s been hired by the White House. Prior to that he was very active on Instagram with 72,000 followers, Threads with 12,000 followers, and has a substack with 3,300 subscribers where he lists his bonafides as a photo editor at National Geographic, WIRED, TIME, and The New York Times.CONTINUED IN THE COMMENTS
A follower is wondering what ideas you have?Stoc A follower is wondering what ideas you have?Stock Houses, but a majority have most work in filing cabinets and on hard drives.Are there options for some of these important works to find homes, for example in local or regional Historical Societies, or is all that photography simply going to be wasted? It’s a question thousands of professional photographers are facing.
Zero f&cks to give. Zero f&cks to give.
Pricing & Negotiating: Food Images For A High-Prof Pricing & Negotiating: Food Images For A High-Profile Cross-PromotionBy @bryansheffield, @wonderfulmachineEach month, we explain a recent cost estimate, contract, or purchase order in the form of a Pricing & Negotiating article. By redacting the names of the photographer and the client, we can share useful information that would otherwise be confidential. You can read more about our Pricing & Negotiating services on the Consulting Services page of our website.Concept: 1 day of Food/Drink, Still Life/Product Photography Licensing: Perpetual Exclusive use of 10 images for two parties and Web Collateral use of 10 images for five years for a third party Photographer: Food/Drink and Still Life specialist Clients: Global Financial Services Brand and Restaurant GroupSummary I recently helped an East Coast photographer create an estimate and negotiate a project for a prominent financial services company. The client was partnering with a well-known restaurant group on a cross-promotion. The client’s creative brief called for “carefully curated overhead and detail shots of plated food and drink, paired with the financial company’s branded items.”The shoot was scheduled to take place on a single shoot day at the restaurant group’s test kitchen, conveniently located in the same city as the photographer. The original shot list included multiple food and drink setups, and the photographer planned to create two sets with different lighting styles, moving between them throughout the day. The client would provide the food, food styling, props, hair stylist, makeup, wardrobe, and wardrobe stylist.The deliverables specified 10 final images. The client requested exclusive, perpetual, unlimited use of the images to promote their services across various platforms. The intended use included web ads, OOH placement in three East Coast cities, and large-scale wall ads in several airports. Additionally, the client wanted the company supplying the plates and glasses to be able to use the images on their social media for 5 years.CONTINUED IN THE COMMENTS
@fasulo_ promo ⭐️⭐️⭐️👍👍👍 @fasulo_ promo ⭐️⭐️⭐️👍👍👍
@cburston promo ⭐️⭐️⭐️ excellent ⚡️⚡️⚡️⚡️
@ciriljazbec promo is amazing 😍😍😍👏👏 @ciriljazbec promo is amazing 😍😍😍👏👏👏⚡️⚡️⚡️
@eviabeler promo 😍 super 👏👏👏 @eviabeler promo 😍 super 👏👏👏
Wow, @sheridan_college has som fantastic photograp Wow, @sheridan_college has som fantastic photographers taught and mentored by @hmphotoprof 👏👏👏👏👏⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
@quesofrito promo 🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥 @quesofrito promo 🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥
@mrboots promo 😍 love it 👏👏👏 @mrboots promo 😍 love it 👏👏👏
@jlcvisuals promo ✨✨✨ cool ⭐️⭐️⭐️
@bensassani promo ⚡️⚡️⚡️🔥🔥🔥 @bensassani promo ⚡️⚡️⚡️🔥🔥🔥
Can relate to Marty! Can relate to Marty!
Pricing & Negotiating: Business Owner Portraits Fo Pricing & Negotiating: Business Owner Portraits For A Beverage Brandby @craigoppenheimer @wonderfulmachineEach month, we explain a recent cost estimate, contract, or purchase order in the form of a Pricing & Negotiating article. By redacting the names of the photographer and the client, we can share useful information that would otherwise be confidential. You can read more about our Pricing & Negotiating services on the Consulting Services page of our website.Concept: Portraits of business owners, and images of them interacting with products at a manufacturing facility Licensing: Unlimited use of up to 30 images for five years from first use Photographer: Portraiture specialist Client: Beverage brandSummary I recently helped a portrait photographer create an estimate and negotiate a project for a beverage brand. The client was launching a new product within a larger portfolio of beverage companies and wanted to capture portraits of business owners interacting with their products at a manufacturing facility. The images would help tell the story of the product’s origins and the people behind it.The shoot took place over a single day and focused on five main setups with variations on the same themes. The photographer and crew worked to capture 30 final images. Although the client initially requested unlimited use across all media, based on the creative brief and our discussions, the images were primarily intended for use on their website and social media. While they were not willing to restrict media use, we did convince them to limit the duration of use to five years.Fees Traditionally, photographers in this market have undervalued usage, and local clients, such as this one, were accustomed to more conservative rates compared to other major markets. I priced each of the five main setups at $1,500, totaling $7,500, and added a creative fee of $2,500, bringing the total fee to $10,000.CONTINUED IN THE COMMENTS
@heatherevanssmith 😍😍 beautiful 👏👏👏 @heatherevanssmith 😍😍 beautiful 👏👏👏👏
@davidpaulschmit promo ⭐️⭐️👍👍✨✨ @davidpaulschmit promo ⭐️⭐️👍👍✨✨
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A Photo Editor (APE) is edited by Rob Haggart, the former Director of Photography for Men's Journal and Outside Magazine. Contributors include fine art photographer Jonathan Blaustein (@jblauphoto), Creative Director Heidi Volpe, photography consultant Suzanne Sease and Executive Producer Craig Oppenheimer of Wonderful Machine.

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