As someone who has recently made the transition, I can vouch for all of these. The biggest thing for me was calling myself a photographer. My town runs on networking. I quickly learned to say “food and product photographer” and suddenly I had a name and reputation and work coming in.
Frugality is what I've been working on since 2019 (I was 20 at the time), although it's a lot difficult at the start but now it's paying off. The earlier a photographer knows this the better not Only in photography but in all ramifications of life. ❤❤❤
I so needed this when I was a young man. University gives you information but they don’t help with direction. I might not have listened but they don’t tell you what it takes to succeed. If you look at the really successful photographers they were all committed. Committed in ways that would make most of us uncomfortable. Good stuff, keep making these.
I AM A PHOTOGRAPHER! Thanks mate, these are some of the most important videos I’ve seen on UA-cam. A recent life changing event on top of finding your videos means it’s the right time to stop thinking ‘one day…’ now, I am a photographer
“Nobody wants a wet leg…” 😂😂😂 Scott you are a gem 😀. Wardrobe - I just got 3 more grey t shirts for summer. Why? Because of the one time when I did a coffee utensil shoot and I said, “what the hell is that Pink color doing on that spoon?” It was the reflection from the hot pink turtleneck I was wearing. Now the wardrobe is black and grey pretty much.
I've watched this video at least 3 times, periodically since you posted it. It always gets me re-motivated! ❤💯🎯 What's funny is, every time you get to domain name, i have to laugh at myself. About 14 years ago I started as a business name rather than my name (Scott Newton), and I hate my business name 😆 i just don't want to rebrand (worried about confusing past clients & building a name again). ANYWAY, thanks again!!! I can't get enough of this video
Excellent advice! I think that commitment, keeping a low overhead, and being frugal are the important takeaways here. I live in an old VW Bus and my biggest overhead is my storage unit - which I can work out of if I want to.
Thank you for the consistent quality videos you put out. Very inspiring and helpful. I am a videographer who started messing around with photography a couple months ago when I upgraded my camera to a Sony A7 IV and I just fell in love with photo. Your videos help me grasp that side of the business. Thanks!
Every photographer in my hood does portrait & events photography(wedding,pre Birthday shoot) I like taking portrait buh the fact that everyone does it makes me feel someway I also enjoy street photography. Any advice on how I can grow??
Getting the pen and paper out right now, to focus on my passion and where I want to be. Currently my photography is not personal enough to me I think about what other people ‘like’ . Thanks for these great tips!!!
A scary aspect of photography is going from a comfortable salaried job, to self employment. Like most hobbyists I occasionally dabble with the idea of packing in the day job and becoming a "pro photographer". I like wildlife and motorsport, so I could go down the selling prints route, or ask a venue to be a trackside photographer. But I don't think I could ever make as much from photography as I do from IT so usually bench that idea swiftly. Also my pictures are bad. When you see a real artist and then compare them to myself? Yeah I'm not even close to being good enough
I've just come across your channel and already fell in love with your content! So good. I loved the comment about your jacket and being frugal, exactly what I tell people when they ask how I can afford a living as a freelance designer and artisan. Also, it reminded me of a phrase I read in "Company of One" by Paul Jarvis: Overhead = Death.
When you say do one thing, can this also be an editing style that you have? So that you may do both lifestyle and events photography, but what you are selling is a style of colour and contrast that is unique to you?
Sitting at my desk on 14 Aug 2017 I said "I'm a photographer" despite being a uber driver. In 2020 I began operating out of a school bus renting studio space when nessasary.
I might be weird, but I find comfort in the consistency of your clothing. And lots of other UA-camrs do it by design (think Gerald Undone), so it works on a few levels.
Love the frugality bit ! I’m building my business and like you I spend so little on extras outside of photography . Excellent advice . Also working from home from a little studio photography/ music ( I’m also a pro musician ) . The marketing bit is improving but I will check out your website . An inspirational thanks 🙏 just subscribed too
Thanks Tim, I never own being a photographer when people ask, I just make excuses for not doing it more, I now own “I am a photographer”! NB: Please will you post the link to your Marketing 101 checklist? 😊
I do a majority of this already- I think many pro photogs might have a similar mental makeup...just a hunch. Also,I realized having too much studio crap is really just a subconscious effort to put off my goals. The goals are making great work, and then finding ways to get people to pay for it and that just takes a lot of knowledge and experience, and execution. However, I disagree about the clothing thing. I spend a lot of my money on nice clothes and good food haha
As always, or most time you laid down some very solid information. Thanks. I do have a marketing question that I hope someone can answer. The Portfolio. In our current online environment do I need to create an online presence for each of my niches? Ie. A portrait website and a product/food website- as these are what I am trying to focus on- no pun intended. Do I also need to create a traditional "print" portfolio too? My belief is both...But I do want to remain as frugal as possible. Thank you everyone.
Hey - Sick hoodie/jacket! (oh and yeah thanks for the photography tips =p) Edit: I would like to add that I wrote this comment before reaching the end of the video and that made me appreciate your jacket even more, I genuinely thought it was a cool jacket and love that it is a big representation of who you are - good frugal advice, I am wearing a hoodie that has seen better days as it is starting to literally unwind from the sleeves but it is a hoodie that is just so comfortable and one that i love to wear at home and do not see a need to replace it. Thanks again for the videos.
Nice five tips. I was thinking, do you regret not having a studio in London? I mean it must be so much cheaper having a studio outside of London. You can’t really be very frugal in London
I am about to be one of your most dedicated fans because I consider your work to be exceptional, and your commentary hits home every time! Kudos!!! However, can a person really do the type of work that you do with "two identical used camera bodies, a slightly tele- lens, a slightly wide angle lens, and a light?" This is making me laugh. There has got to be one thing that makes this minimal setup work. Could you share that with your followers?
Right - previously you have suggested we not try to be everything. I hear you. DO everything to stay well rounded as a photographer, yet BE one TYPE of tog... yeah?
I understand that you are in a great position where your overheads are very low personally, but most people have rents to pay (and rents are getting higher and higher), groceries, gas, etc. Just for basics the average person is probably spending ~$2000/month on just being able to live, which translates to $24k in living expenses per year. It feels a tad alienating to consistently say you live on 10k a year when that's far below what an average bloke would need to live
Once you convert dollars to pounds its not that big a difference. currently spending £1200 a month which is $17869 per year. 6K less than you spend per year. Or 500 dollars a month less than you spend. Look at all the stuff you buy that you don't need and thats probably the gap. Most car payments are more than that. But its all the choice of whats right for you. Fancy cars don't give me joy, for other people its the best thing in their life. Its all about the lifestyle that makes you happy. I need less than the average bloke to achieve that, some need far more and spend my monthly out goings just on a night out.
I have to smile, I introduce myself and I say "I am a photographer", currently I am shooting events. One event I was a little late in getting on board and couldn't get a media pass, I still went and photographed a parade. Made a contact who told me that the people he works for are finding it hard to find photographers, he now has my number as I said I'll do it.
Here is all of the marketing info you need www.tinhouse-studio.com/the-marketing-photographers-should-do/
Came straight to the comments to check for this 😅
how do you tell if your photography sucks ?
@@johnimg there are so many ways, Scott has videos about it
As someone who has recently made the transition, I can vouch for all of these.
The biggest thing for me was calling myself a photographer. My town runs on networking. I quickly learned to say “food and product photographer” and suddenly I had a name and reputation and work coming in.
Frugality is what I've been working on since 2019 (I was 20 at the time), although it's a lot difficult at the start but now it's paying off. The earlier a photographer knows this the better not Only in photography but in all ramifications of life. ❤❤❤
Thank you. Finally I found someone who’s actually sharing advice instead of selling themselves.
I so needed this when I was a young man. University gives you information but they don’t help with direction. I might not have listened but they don’t tell you what it takes to succeed. If you look at the really successful photographers they were all committed. Committed in ways that would make most of us uncomfortable. Good stuff, keep making these.
I AM A PHOTOGRAPHER!
Thanks mate, these are some of the most important videos I’ve seen on UA-cam. A recent life changing event on top of finding your videos means it’s the right time to stop thinking ‘one day…’ now, I am a photographer
My, these 5 steps work for literally everything.
Thank you.
I love these videos because they make me stop and rework my business.
I love the direct way you speak. Straight to the point, no bullshit.
👌
Thanks
“Nobody wants a wet leg…” 😂😂😂 Scott you are a gem 😀. Wardrobe - I just got 3 more grey t shirts for summer. Why? Because of the one time when I did a coffee utensil shoot and I said, “what the hell is that Pink color doing on that spoon?” It was the reflection from the hot pink turtleneck I was wearing. Now the wardrobe is black and grey pretty much.
Oh My Dear! I am a photographer, a portrait and wedding photographer
Thank you for the encouragements 🍾
I've watched this video at least 3 times, periodically since you posted it. It always gets me re-motivated! ❤💯🎯 What's funny is, every time you get to domain name, i have to laugh at myself. About 14 years ago I started as a business name rather than my name (Scott Newton), and I hate my business name 😆 i just don't want to rebrand (worried about confusing past clients & building a name again).
ANYWAY, thanks again!!! I can't get enough of this video
Excellent advice! I think that commitment, keeping a low overhead, and being frugal are the important takeaways here. I live in an old VW Bus and my biggest overhead is my storage unit - which I can work out of if I want to.
3:35 !
Golden moment
Thank you for the consistent quality videos you put out. Very inspiring and helpful. I am a videographer who started messing around with photography a couple months ago when I upgraded my camera to a Sony A7 IV and I just fell in love with photo. Your videos help me grasp that side of the business. Thanks!
Some of the best advice I’ve heard in life. Thank you my friend🙌🙌🙌🙌🙌
Great Stuff , Im loving having the Video in the morning ( My Time ) A Coffee and some wisdom from Scott is a great way to start the day.
Want to build a commercially viable body of work? Head here www.tinhouse-studio.com/product/how-to-build-a-commercial-viable-body-of-work/
Every photographer in my hood does portrait & events photography(wedding,pre Birthday shoot)
I like taking portrait buh the fact that everyone does it makes me feel someway
I also enjoy street photography.
Any advice on how I can grow??
Scott thanks for keeping it 100%. BTW...where did you get the demin jacket? I actually like it.
I needed this man, thank you. Especially not letting my current 9-5 really define who I am or what I want to do.
Thank you for the sound advice. Best video yet.
I ordered a set of business cards, with my name, contact info, and title. The title is photographer. Thank you for encouraging me!
Here for the photography info but loved the quote " if you believe it, it comes true is nonsense" 😂
Getting the pen and paper out right now, to focus on my passion and where I want to be. Currently my photography is not personal enough to me I think about what other people ‘like’ . Thanks for these great tips!!!
Dispenser of tough love.
Videos like these are actually priceless. Thank you so much!
thank you!
A scary aspect of photography is going from a comfortable salaried job, to self employment. Like most hobbyists I occasionally dabble with the idea of packing in the day job and becoming a "pro photographer". I like wildlife and motorsport, so I could go down the selling prints route, or ask a venue to be a trackside photographer. But I don't think I could ever make as much from photography as I do from IT so usually bench that idea swiftly.
Also my pictures are bad. When you see a real artist and then compare them to myself? Yeah I'm not even close to being good enough
Tin House Studio is the only channel that I have subscribed to
Another overlooked tip: learn from films, it helps create stories with your shots...
Such an inspiring video!!! Thank you!!!
I've just come across your channel and already fell in love with your content! So good. I loved the comment about your jacket and being frugal, exactly what I tell people when they ask how I can afford a living as a freelance designer and artisan. Also, it reminded me of a phrase I read in "Company of One" by Paul Jarvis: Overhead = Death.
When you say do one thing, can this also be an editing style that you have?
So that you may do both lifestyle and events photography, but what you are selling is a style of colour and contrast that is unique to you?
Sitting at my desk on 14 Aug 2017 I said "I'm a photographer" despite being a uber driver. In 2020 I began operating out of a school bus renting studio space when nessasary.
That’s really good advice .. “I am a photographer” … Hi, I’m Andrew and I am a photographer - I shoot head shots
Another great video! Thank you for all your work!
I might be weird, but I find comfort in the consistency of your clothing. And lots of other UA-camrs do it by design (think Gerald Undone), so it works on a few levels.
I like this mindset and being able to work other things to make money. Great advice all around. 👍👌
Thank you for this. People ask me if I'm photohmcrapher and always my answer is yes but I do day job... Why I should tell that?
Love the frugality bit ! I’m building my business and like you I spend so little on extras outside of photography . Excellent advice . Also working from home from a little studio photography/ music ( I’m also a pro musician ) . The marketing bit is improving but I will check out your website . An inspirational thanks 🙏 just subscribed too
Thanks Tim, I never own being a photographer when people ask, I just make excuses for not doing it more, I now own “I am a photographer”! NB: Please will you post the link to your Marketing 101 checklist? 😊
I do a majority of this already- I think many pro photogs might have a similar mental makeup...just a hunch. Also,I realized having too much studio crap is really just a subconscious effort to put off my goals. The goals are making great work, and then finding ways to get people to pay for it and that just takes a lot of knowledge and experience, and execution. However, I disagree about the clothing thing. I spend a lot of my money on nice clothes and good food haha
As always, or most time you laid down some very solid information. Thanks. I do have a marketing question that I hope someone can answer. The Portfolio. In our current online environment do I need to create an online presence for each of my niches? Ie. A portrait website and a product/food website- as these are what I am trying to focus on- no pun intended. Do I also need to create a traditional "print" portfolio too? My belief is both...But I do want to remain as frugal as possible. Thank you everyone.
You have the best sayings that are unexpected in your videos! I def don't want wet legs!
I am a photographer 💯
Love this video!!!
Thanks
Wish I could have had this advice when I was starting out in 1989. Retired now but still call myself a photographer.
Frugality. Live below your means. Keep it simple. That’s it!
Hey - Sick hoodie/jacket! (oh and yeah thanks for the photography tips =p) Edit: I would like to add that I wrote this comment before reaching the end of the video and that made me appreciate your jacket even more, I genuinely thought it was a cool jacket and love that it is a big representation of who you are - good frugal advice, I am wearing a hoodie that has seen better days as it is starting to literally unwind from the sleeves but it is a hoodie that is just so comfortable and one that i love to wear at home and do not see a need to replace it. Thanks again for the videos.
Nice five tips. I was thinking, do you regret not having a studio in London? I mean it must be so much cheaper having a studio outside of London. You can’t really be very frugal in London
Yes its one of my biggest regrets. If I could have my time again, id move to London in my late 20s
Sorry if you’ve answered this before, but when it come to making money, how do you determine what your skill and time is worth?
Hey Scott, buy some scarfs to change up your cool appearance.
The effects of living in a World of Conformity; hard to stand away as creative individuals.
I am about to be one of your most dedicated fans because I consider your work to be exceptional, and your commentary hits home every time! Kudos!!! However, can a person really do the type of work that you do with "two identical used camera bodies, a slightly tele- lens, a slightly wide angle lens, and a light?" This is making me laugh. There has got to be one thing that makes this minimal setup work. Could you share that with your followers?
It's product, it doesn't move around why would you need a a dozen lenses?
@@nooneai Yes, you are so right. Thank you for sharing your knowledge.
Right - previously you have suggested we not try to be everything. I hear you. DO everything to stay well rounded as a photographer, yet BE one TYPE of tog... yeah?
Let's talk about your eyes in the thumbnail for a second. Who was the make up artist? LOL
Marketing 101? Link me, I've tried to find what you mean but I can't. Thanks.
just added it to the top comment
I think you should put a different hat or wig on in every video 😂
Do you worry about AI becoming more and more popular? How is that will effect the future of commercial photography?
Not really. But of course that can change if it can start having original ideas.
I understand that you are in a great position where your overheads are very low personally, but most people have rents to pay (and rents are getting higher and higher), groceries, gas, etc. Just for basics the average person is probably spending ~$2000/month on just being able to live, which translates to $24k in living expenses per year. It feels a tad alienating to consistently say you live on 10k a year when that's far below what an average bloke would need to live
Once you convert dollars to pounds its not that big a difference. currently spending £1200 a month which is $17869 per year. 6K less than you spend per year. Or 500 dollars a month less than you spend. Look at all the stuff you buy that you don't need and thats probably the gap. Most car payments are more than that. But its all the choice of whats right for you. Fancy cars don't give me joy, for other people its the best thing in their life.
Its all about the lifestyle that makes you happy. I need less than the average bloke to achieve that, some need far more and spend my monthly out goings just on a night out.
You have to know to advertise and sell yourself. Professional skills are secondary, unfortunately..
I have to smile, I introduce myself and I say "I am a photographer", currently I am shooting events. One event I was a little late in getting on board and couldn't get a media pass, I still went and photographed a parade. Made a contact who told me that the people he works for are finding it hard to find photographers, he now has my number as I said I'll do it.
(Joke) EASIEST Way To Become a Pro Photographer in 2023? Get an Ai Program... (😭)
confused advises
Scott thanks for keeping it 100%. BTW...where did you get the demin jacket? I actually like it.