Reply To: So…is it even worth trying to start a biz these days??

[JustAndy]

NO!!!  NO!!! NO!!!

We don’t need any more competition!!!

Joking aside, if you have the desire and passion then I think you would have to pursue it.  Be realistic though (sounds like you are), it’s a tough nut to crack and the vast majority of your time will be spent running a business rather than taking pictures.  It’s not sexy and it’s not fun but taking care of your books as well as keeping your overhead under control are going to allow you to succeed as your competitors fail…

Also, unless you are either absolutely amazing or just lucky beyond belief, be prepared for the potential need to diversify your opportunities.  I don’t mean shoot everything, ie; “I’m a wedding, sports, portrait, landscape, porn, product and pet photographer…ect…”.  I mean consider providing workshops, articles, teaching, assisting and the like to provide additional or more secure income.

I’m in an odd place myself, technically I am a Pro photographer, but this climate has become very difficult and competitive (I’m in L.A.), much more so than 6 years ago.  Not only are bad photographers available, but very good ones as well.  The jobs are not as available and often times don’t pay out (when you break down increased costs of operations) as well as they did.  I am by no means old, 35 years old, but I’m finding that I can’t complete with, especially the really young photographers, they require less it seems (not complaining, but I won’t sleep on a couch anymore or live off junk food, medical insurance is a concern more now than when I was 24-25 years old).  For this reason I find myself back in school half way through my MFA.  I plan to continue shooting, it’s what I do, but my hope is to teach thusly allowing for a steady and consistent paycheck while continuing to work on the side… we shall see if it’s the right decision.

In essence, go for it, be realistic and treat it like a business.  It is a business, and congratulations, you are now a business owner.