I’ve been unemployed for over two years. A company layoff sent me home and a month later I started receiving benefit checks.
Begin rant: ‘Benefit’ is a bit of a misnomer. While there were two monthly checks deposited into my bank account, at only a quarter of my usual salary, it was far short of what I had been earning. No one is getting rich while receiving unemployment benefits. Pundits and politicians making claims people aren’t looking for jobs because they want to exhaust those benefits first are ridiculous. These same pundits and politicians are most likely pulling in six- or seven-figure salaries. I wonder how they would manage on a 75% pay cut and a weak jobs market. Rant over
Despite search efforts, other than a freelance job last fall, I’ve been unable to find work in my particular field.
Today, I am taking a positive step toward self-employment. This afternoon I’m attending a workshop offered through our local Small Business Development Center on how to start a business. My dream is to establish my own photography company. Not one where I take family portraits on the beach, or wedding photos, newborn or high school senior shots, but rather one where I sell prints of my nature photos.
This idea may never make it to fruition, but I want to try. I may end up selling ziplock baggies of postcards at chintzy art fairs for a dollar, then again maybe I’ll have a sleek, professional website offering framed prints, wrapped canvases and glossy coffee table books. Or else my family and friends will be getting copies of my work for birthdays and Christmas for the next five years.
There are other workshops I hope to attend, and the Mister has even shown interest in going with me. I just want to get some idea of whether this is possible.
Before I get too far into this venture, I could really use some constructive, honest feedback… is my photography good enough to start my own business? Would there be a market for it? I’m not asking anyone to commit to a purchase, I’m only asking for some realistic assessments.
Day 17 – 30 Days of Shamelessness: discuss the reality of your work situation
More photos can be found in my Flickr photostream, or check the links on my Photography Page:
Thin spiral notebook 
Yes. Yes. And yes. You can do it. It will take a lot of work, but everything worth doing does.
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yes! you have a fantastic eye for finding the beautiful in the everyday.
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Your work is lovely and highly publishable. You go for it, girl.
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Tara, YES!!! You can definitely do it. I love your work and I would definitely buy a print. Definitely check out your local artist group. Also if you aren’t on Google +, there is a wonderful group of photographers there. Some well known, all willing to give advice and help.
Hugs!!!
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I would buy that dragonfly shot. It’s beautiful… and I have a thing for dragonflies.
That said, your work is most definitely of a caliber that you could make a living doing this. Go for it. It’s what you love. Your hubby is behind you. And not many of us get a chance to take a shot at our dream job. You have the chance. I’d love to see you find success doing what you love!
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Good for you. Yes, definitely good enough! I think the big challenge will be marketing. I suspect a website wouldn’t be enough. The Internet is so big. I’d be thinking up every path that a photo might take to get to someone’s home.
For example, there is a gourmet and natural food store near me. A local photographer has poster-sized pieces hanging from the rafters all over the store. Because the store attracts a lot of tourists, he sells a lot.
Decorators are another source of business. Corporate offices and lobbies often have photographs as decoration. Restaurants will hang the work of local artists because it’s free decor. And on and on.
I think you can make this work!
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You can do it!!! Best of luck!!
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YAY! I always enjoy my visits here with you. Me, a cup of coffee and your photos, first thing in the morning. That is my recipe for starting out the day. You are so, so talented and, well, good for you, my friend!
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I love your photography. You have a great eye for color and composition. What more can I say — go for it, big time!!!
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Wow – your work is amazing! Congrats on taking the first step towards a new career. I wish you all the success in the world.
While perhaps less exciting for you, have you considered supplementing your landscapes with getting out to events and taking pictures of people in a special environment? When cycling in France, I came across a man on the side of the road taking photos of the riders. He handed me a card with his website to preview and purchase the photos. (Unfortunately, he was charging way too much or I would have bought the pictures – I usually do!!!) May help supplement the landscape work that you are doing!
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