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In this week’s episode, we discuss making a living with landscape photography. I started this video series documenting my journey into becoming a full time landscape photographer last year. This video is the 3rd in a 4 part video series and my nine month update. I knew when I left the corporate world to pursue my dream of becoming a full-time landscape photographer that it wouldn’t be easy and it hasn’t, but it feels good to finally see some real progress being made after the first nine months.
In this video, I discuss my approach as it relates to income and the many different revenue streams I’ve tried to develop with landscape photography. I’ve spent the majority of the first 9 months working as many revenue streams as possible in an effort to determine what works the best for my photography business. Some have worked and some haven’t, but I’m finally at a point that I understand the areas that I need to focus my time and attention on and the areas that I don’t. They say nothing great comes easy and that’s certainly the case when it comes to making a living with photography, but with a lot of effort and persistence it can be done!
If you enjoyed this video, please consider giving it a thumbs up and let me know what you think in the comments below – I guarantee I’ll get back to ya.
Thanks for watching everyone!
-Mark D.
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I forgot to mention, but Composition A narrowly beat out Composition B – thanks again everyone for all the AMAZING comments!
Great video, Mark! It's great to see your success bloom.
I'd love to see a video on more of the "how" you grew – what specifically have you done to grow the world's awareness of your work – What difficulties have you faced with that and how have you overcome them?
Thanks for candidly discussing the financial side of your results also! It seems so few are willing to do that. Having real results to observe from the outside helps inform my own view of my own results. I really appreciate that!
Man i really like your update videos. Really glade you are sharing the journey. I wish you all the best – that it works out – as anticipated or even better – faster. I really really enjoy watching your videos! Keep it going 🤙🏼
I'd be down to do a workshop in the fall. I'm about 2 hours away, and love hiking in Pisgah.
congrats on the youtube success thus far. love seeing good people do well. awesome stuff.. go get up with fototripper, Gavin, and Uncle Grumpy. Be on your toes though… Gavin is a quick one!! lol. Love those guys. and screw Chuck! lol. just kidding
Great info! I'm so stoked I was picked to win. Crazy! I've finally calmed down. LOL! I had previously commented on the older video you posted about my excitement. I'm so happy you're YouTube has grown crazy fast. Thank you! I Direct Messaged you via Instagram earlier. If any other info needed let me know. Keep on Keeping on, have an awesome weekend!
Do you make your own prints or do you have a lab do it? Love your videos. Thanks.
You deserve it so much, Mark. Glad for you.
Nice update! Congrats on the progress!
Good insight in what is driving income for you full time guys.
Do you have to pay a lot for for your website? Do you sell shirts and other stuff?
Mark if you keep doing what you currently are I believe you will be a common name in the photography world, much like a McKinnon or Heaton. I really enjoy watching your videos, and of course letting us follow along in your new career is really interesting. Best of luck!
I really appreciate how straight forward you are in your videos. I'm 20 yrs old and pursuing the same right now so the insight is massively helpful.
Absolutely great video! I can tell all the hard work you've put in and you deserve every penny of it. I hope someday channel will reach what you've done! Good luck. Thanks!
I started watching your YouTube videos about 2 months ago. I have learned a lot and enjoy your videos.
Well deserved sir. Glad is working out and I could tell you that I will be tuned as long as you stay true. Thanks for the content…
"How to make money as a landscape photographer" = YouTube
Have you thought about doing photography reviews? Over in Art of Photography, Ted does a mailbag review. It could really bump up your YouTube views.
I wouldn't give up on stock sales Mark, but people forget that stock sales are more about the skill of keywording than about photography. You will rarely make a fortune, but it can provide a steady base income every month. And by coincidence 🙂 I just made a vlog about keywording – you should check it out.
Hi Mark, thanks for a superb channel and content , i have studied photography and video production long time ago, and you have re-ignited the burn for the arts i lost somewhere on the way, thank you. Back when i was in school Youtube didnt exist and there was actually a quite limited way to use the skills gained, you have given me alot to think about.. Thanks again and grats for 29K subs
Congrats on a successful 9 months! Thank you for sharing and being transparent with this along your journey. Can't wait to see how the rest of your first year turns out
Congratulations on the forward progress. I think you have an opportunity for a video talking about all of the comments on the two photos and what you (the 'expert') learned from the audience. It might also be a good way to develop future discussion to have more of the 'which picture do you like best and why' discussions as part of a video. By asking for specific critique you open up the discussion a bit more. Keep up the good work and look forward to more content.
Change the title: How to make money off You Tube.
Very interesting video. Wish you all the luck to reach your goals and keep it at full-time 😉
Hi Mark. I am one of your new subscribers that have come by you by watching other videos from Andrew Marr and Adam Gibbs. Your style is one that makes watching YouTube videos a pleasure by not being shouted at. Many other's could learn a lot from your delivery and production style. It's factual and concise without racing along without time to absorb your message. You are very brave in taking up photography full time and I wish you the best of success in the near future and years to come. I am an amateur photographer of too many years to remember and am finding YouTube a goldmine of useful information from guy's like yourself, I wish they were around when I was thinking of making it full time in photography back in the 70's. Finally, thank you for posting something about finance. It's often a taboo subject for many to discuss their successes financially but this move will ensure many more will support you in the future. I have loads of your content to catch up now, so expect a few late comments from me in the future.
Very honest and informative video Mark…here's to 50k !!
good luck
Hi Mark. Great video. I just recently found your channel and can really identify with your "experiment". It's a dream of mine to become a full-time landscape photographer as well, although I am not nearly as far along as you are.
I was curious as to where you are selling your prints. I looked at your website for a link to your store and couldn't find it.
Keep up the good work!
Hi Mark. Great channel. Have you considered doing, say commercial photography, to supplement your income, hone your skills, and increase your efficiency of time/revenue? It may be different today, but years ago (back in the film days…lol) I was able to ramp up to $40k a year within a year that way. I had a studio (and darkroom) where I photographed products, and I traveled to various company sites for large setups, ie bathroom fixtures, sculptures, safety harnesses, etc. It was fun, very interesting, practical, efficient, and it allowed me time to do fine art photography. I actually found the commercial conception, composition, and styles were similar at times. Wishing you well, and success with your goals.
Mark, you are doing a great job, keep up the great work, love your videos and your photoraphy
You didn't mention it but do you do portraits or weddings for income while pursuing this new adventure? Have you considered doing product photography? I have a good job and I don't see me doing photography full time but it is an expensive hobby. I'm going to start doing portraits just to buy new gear. They say there's a lot of money in real estate and product photography.
Now you need to produce a video, explaining what you applied to the pics, from the comments submitted!
Woohoo congratulations. That‘s a great news about your exploding growth numbers. Keep rocking! 😎
Good on you mate. I hope that you can make a good living out of photography.
So it's not possible to get exposure just with your creation. I see many artist tries to make an audience on Youtube and Instagram to earn money so they can continue photography. But this way, they're not photographers, they're Youtubers and influencers.
I am glad to hear your adventure is looking more and more sustainable! I know this is all a lot of work and much less fun than probably most people think it is…
I don't mean to sound negative here, but what you shared about your revenues got me thinking… Is it really "landscape photography" that's your "job" now or is it… youtube? Don't get me wrong, it's just that one has to wonder if ~50% of your revenue is generated by Youtube tutorials (on photography, granted) and the majority of the remaining 50% is other tutorials and affiliate links… it's not REALLY photography that's bringing you the money, not directly at least.
That's all fine of course, but what if someone wanted to be just a photographer? Not bother with the whole YT, social media and general "online business" deal? Would you consider it a viable career in 2019? Some photographers only do weddings, it seems to pay pretty good. Others do newborn babies in hospitals. Those seem to have an endless supply of clients, even if the competition is probably rough. But what about landscape and general "art" photography? Can you even get hired by a media as such or is it all freelance and hoping someone buys your photo?
Hmmm
Very interesting! Hang in there and you'll soon be at 100k subscribers. I never miss your videos.
I’m glad I’ve watched your videos from the beginning and watched you exceed your goals… thoroughly deserved Mark…
You are doing a great job and I appreciate your advices. Keep growing!
I've just recently started following you a couple weeks ago. You have such good information and you deliver it in a relaxed manner. Thank you for this video and being so open and transparent about your journey. I love watching your videos! Thanks again and the best of luck!
another amazing video Mark keep it up and thank you for being so open its making my decision to get in to YouTube all the more worth it when i get a working computer again and congrats to the winner of the bag. also Mark have you ever been to the Pacific Northwest? there are a lot of wonderful landscapes all year round for photography out here.
I'm so happy for you! I feel your passion for your photography and your ability to provide value to your viewers is paying off. Well deserved my friend.