AI let's me know how to make money from Photography

I think you need to understand that this isn't intelligence it is assembling things people have said could be done to sell photography - either photographs, or camera-for-hire.  

I started taking photos 40 years ago and people then thought it was possible to sell work (news worthy stuff, prints, publishers) ; any skill potentially has the opportunity to be paid to teach others; people have always wanted someone to record events and probably always will. Making money from blogs and social media, people certainly do. 

However. There a couple of myths that never die

• Photography is a vehicle to make significant amounts of money without significant effort. (Someone told me "To protect good ideas from the unworthy, they are often disguised as hard work") 
• There was an easy time which we have missed  "there used to be a place to sell your work" etc. For those who worked hard to find the opportunity perhaps.  

I used to do event photography - hate it haha. Lighting is always unpredictable and people are annoying.

I do (for work): portfolios, headshots, marketing material for businesses, architecture & interiors.

Never weddings, a good career option but after assisting two I knew it just was not for me. Similar reasons to event photography.

Selling stock images, I feel like you don't get much these days. I do have an Adobe stock account but rarely use it, I think I've uploaded a handful of images I need to check. Book covers is something I'd like to try one day though, that would be cool.

There is only one way to sell photography, and that is to offer something people really want but can’t get elsewhere. People can always find nice portraits of dogs and kittens online for free, but it’s not their little dog or kitten—so people will always pay for that if they want it. Weddings can be photographed by guests these days, but a professional photographer will always deliver higher-quality images for the day, at a cost. Again, if people want it, they will pay for it.

Commercially, things are becoming a grey area. Most of the work now goes to agencies, specialist studios, or product photography workshops. But with AI on the scene, that is slowly starting to change. Catalogues no longer need name-brand models to showcase clothing, and many are adopting technologies where you hold your phone or tablet away from you, and it projects the garment onto you.

Photography will always have niche areas where those who are exceptional can make money, but those windows are definitely shrinking.

Indeed, even the SLR camera market has slowed dramatically, and most of the funding for advancing technology is being directed toward smartphones and tablets.

"I recently read about an American company working on bringing Harry Potter-style AI paintings to life, where you could have, say, your dog immortalized in a painting that actually moves like a living picture. That’s something no photographer could compete with.

Edited by ANDY00

This might suggest that OF account holders are missing out on the real deal. Also surprised it didn't say that whilst you are doing all these suggestions AI will take over. I don't think it's as easy or as simple as it suggests.

I think I once read (probably on PP) that there where 3 ways (AI missed them apparently from it's 'training' (grab what you can) set):
Portraits, pets, P0rn. For some people the last one definitely works. (not for me though ... have not tried any of them ... it is still just a hobby).

Holly Alexander

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I used to do event photography - hate it haha. Lighting is always unpredictable and people are annoying.

I used to do gig photography and it was awful re lighting. Also when a Band or artist is performing, they are not always aware of how they can pull some freaky expressions, so it was difficult to capture a dynamic look without looking freaky 😁

Holly Alexander

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Never weddings, a good career option but after assisting two I knew it just was not for me. Similar reasons to event photography.

A real skill and you have to think quickly with a healthy dose of tough skin

ANDY00

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There is only one way to sell photography, and that is to offer something people really want but can’t get elsewhere.

Is that possible anymore? 😬

MaristarOxley said

ANDY00

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There is only one way to sell photography, and that is to offer something people really want but can’t get elsewhere.

Is that possible anymore? 😬

Yes, but only with niche, personal style things like pet or family portraiture. As I said, with pets, you can find similar images online but not one of your pet. A professional portrait photographer will always create an amazing image that you’ll cherish. Weddings are another example—if you’re willing to spend the cash. As I mentioned, it all comes down to how much someone needs something—supply and demand. But with smartphones and AI, the commercial possibilities are definitely shrinking for sure.

Video killed the radio star, but the internet, smartphones, and AI are coming for everything else

Edited by ANDY00

If a photographer has a particular desire to earn a decent income from model photography, then the few who are capable seem to have found the niche which is high end one to one tuition.

There are plenty of wealthy photographers looking to invest quite a bit of cash in their own model photography and a proportion of those will be wiling to hire someone to help them, who can.

I am not talking about studio days, group tuitions and all the run of the mill stuff offered, but bespoke one to one training, possibly by someone offering it commercially. There are a couple of group shoot trainers and workshop offerings that may also fit the bill and it may be possible to work out who is supplying those, but they are only the ones that are international and very obviously well structured

ANDY00

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Indeed, even the SLR camera market has slowed dramatically, and most of the funding for advancing technology is being directed toward smartphones and tablets.

Phones are going to incorporate more and more camera features. My Google phone keeps updating itself and I have so many options now,with the camera feature. I must say, that I am now preferring to use my phone to shoot certain things. My poor camera is gathering dust 😀

ANDY00

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if you’re willing to spend the cash

Spare cash is shrinking for many many people in all areas.

Holly Alexander said

I used to do event photography - hate it haha. Lighting is always unpredictable and people are annoying.

I do (for work): portfolios, headshots, marketing material for businesses, architecture & interiors.

Never weddings, a good career option but after assisting two I knew it just was not for me. Similar reasons to event photography.

Selling stock images, I feel like you don't get much these days. I do have an Adobe stock account but rarely use it, I think I've uploaded a handful of images I need to check. Book covers is something I'd like to try one day though, that would be cool.

I've recently become a 'professional photographer' after Adobe Stock has credited my account with US$1 to use the handful of stock photos I uploaded to train their AI. Can't make my mind up what to spend it on at the minute! :-D

MaristarOxley said

ANDY00

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Indeed, even the SLR camera market has slowed dramatically, and most of the funding for advancing technology is being directed toward smartphones and tablets.

Phones are going to incorporate more and more camera features. My Google phone keeps updating itself and I have so many options now,with the camera feature. I must say, that I am now preferring to use my phone to shoot certain things. My poor camera is gathering dust 😀

And that’s fine as long as you don’t want to print it or expand the image. Although phones are slowly allowing larger images more and more now—some even shoot in RAW. In the future, I suspect phones will be hybrids mixed with drone technology

AI = artificial imbecile.

Those are all ways in which you can potentially make a little money - if you are talented, hard-working, and good at marketing yourself.

A living? Very, very unlikely.