Realistic photographer salaries

[Gem]

I want to go into the Photography Program here in Edmonton (only one post-secondary school offers it here :( ) and in an attempt to build a case to convince my parents, I was looking at the ALIS website (Alberta Learning Information Service) to see what a typical photographer would make (parents primary concern, of course, is making enough money). It says the average is ~64 000 in Alberta (last updated Feb.2008). I'm just wondering if this is accurate? Do most people make typically less? How much would an assistant wedding photographer make? (I know it probably depends on the how much the wedding photographer charges, but there has to be some range, right?) Any responses would be greatly appreciated!

Also, if you have any ideas on how to convince my parents, that'd be great! I'm just finishing up my first year at the University of Alberta, and the only place that offers a photography program in Edmonton is NAIT. (It's only a two year program.) Oh, and one last thing. I know that a lot of photographers are self employed, but if you're just starting out ... where exactly would you start out? Like, how hard would it be to get a job to assist other photographers?

[Marko]

64,000 is VERY high IMO for the average photographer. I would be willing to bet big that the REAL number is far closer to 25,000-35,000.

That said photography is an enormous discipline with varying branches, some of which CAN be lucrative. Your average good wedding photographer will likely make 64,000 or more if they are working for themselves. A wedding photography assistant to a good wedding photographer can easily make 250-350 a day but the day might be 12-15 hours long.

Fashion photographers can make a KILLING....but it's all about self-promotion.

The issue is normally are you an entrepreneur because only if you are an entrepreneur can you normally make any type of respectable coin approaching 64K or more.

Like any other business, if you are good people will call. Expect it to take 2-3 years to build a business where you can make 64k or more.

Working for someone else, in my experience will absolutely keep you AWAY from that 64K number.
Hope that helps
Marko

anyone else?

[AcadieLibre]

I agree with Marko but the wedding field is very competitive and you need to stand out and it will take years to get the client base that would get you up to that level if you ever do. One photographer who is friend of my wife makes around $90,000 a year but he works for a major Toronto paper and been with them for 20 years and does crime scenes so you would have to have the stomach for that line. What area of photography are you thinking about getting into?

[BlueX]

Whatever field of photography you go into, make sure you have a strong background in marketing and especially business. The most successful photographers aren't necessarily the best photographers, they are usually the ones that have the best business sense.

[Gem]

Yeah, I figured $60 000 wasn't very realistic. I'm thinking that maybe I should finish my degree in Uni and then go into the photgraphy program. That way, if it doesn't work out, I at least have a back up

Thanks for the info, guys.

[mindforge]

I can only speak about running your own business and in combination with design. I do senior portraits and am just starting to do weddings. I supplement with web and print design. I have a B.S. in Business Administration. I am almost done with my MFA in Graphic Design (already have the BFA). Ok, that aside, it doesn't take a degree to make it - it helps - well, the knowledge does.

A mediocre photographer can make 200k-300k a year with a home studio if they run the business well. Strategic and efficient marketing, fast efficient workflow and you need to be able to create long term clients.

With all that in place you can make a killing. Also, it helps if a spouse is involved also. The PPA released information last year (or the year before) that showed a couple made a great deal more than a single photographer.

I think I read some research that in 2007, the average home studio made 80k. You get what you put into it. If you pull 10 hour work days (I work every day for at least two hours for myself and then 6 for the studio) -- even in the winter. I have not yet started to pull constant work but this year is already off to a good start because of strategic marketing and really focusing on portrait photography. My goal is to schedule 5 portraits a week and 1 wedding a month. It is already starting off good and my season does not start until May.

In the beginning a home studio probably makes 20k-40k. A poorly ran studio will never really make more than this in a year.