How I Run & Operate My Photography Business
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- เผยแพร่เมื่อ 13 มิ.ย. 2024
- In this video, we go behind the scenes and look at how I operate my photography business, including youtube videos, editing, selling products, distribution and sponsors. This is my busiest week of the year and I have wanted to document this for many years. I hope you enjoy this, slightly different, video. For 10% off your first purchase visit www.squarespace.com/heaton
My Landscape Photography Book: thomasheaton.co.uk/product/my...
Binge Watch My Entire 'On Location' Catalogue: • Binge Watch EVERYTHING...
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My Website: www.thomasheaton.co.uk
My E-Book: geni.us/onlocation
My Facebook: / thomasheatonphotography
The Gear I use & Used to Make These Videos. 𝘛𝘩𝘦𝘴𝘦 𝘢𝘳𝘦 𝘢𝘧𝘧𝘪𝘭𝘪𝘢𝘵𝘦 𝘭𝘪𝘯𝘬𝘴.
Main Video Camera: geni.us/for-video
Tripod: geni.us/ELJmb3x
My Full Kit List: bit.ly/tomsgear
The Music in These Videos from Artlist & Epidemic: 𝘢𝘧𝘧𝘪𝘭𝘪𝘢𝘵𝘦 𝘭𝘪𝘯𝘬
artlist.io/?artlist_aid=thoma...
share.epidemicsound.com/t2V7R
00:00 - Intro
00:53 - The Obvious Path to Making a Living on TH-cam
01:35 - How I Make a Living from my Photography
02:37 - Turning my Images in to Products
05:46 - Why Books Make Perfect Business Sense
07:31 - Selling Calendars is a Risk
08:53 - How I Sell Calendars Risk Free
10:24 - Logistics of Selling Thousands of Calendars
14:07 - How I Process Thousands of Online Orders
15:23 - Paying EU VAT
16:01 - Ready for Shipping
16:21 - Why I Work Alone
17:50 - Sponsored Message
#LandscapePhotography #business
This helps people understand that there is more to an artists business than just the art itself. So when the average person is asking to purchase an image, book or calender but then doesn't understand where the price comes from, this gives you some idea of the time spent in the field, the costs involved to produce the end product and the overall time spent producing and getting the end product to the customer. The art being created is just the first step and many people don't realise this. If it was just as simple as taking a photo we would all be in business.
Exactly. Camera gear included lenses, fuel, or plain tickets, accommodation, outfit. I mean for those top pics the financial backboan of getting there to take the pics can be astronomical. It doesn't have to but 99% it is. Then printing, cost of the printer, paper, superb quality ink and so on
@@Matwiej19 Not to mention the tens of thousands of hours spent learning how to photograph!
@@Waxwingeco yep. And then you get someone saying " how much, I can buy for £35 on amazon " hahah so go and buy it. It took me probably a year to get used to my panasonic g9. Still I love my pics and love printing them out. The satisfaction and memories are beyond imagination.
CEO: Thomas Heaton
COO: Thomas Heaton
CTO: Thomas Heaton
CFO: Thomas Heaton
From your video it looks very smooth and simple, but I can't imagine how hard it's in reality. Great job and good luck!
This video inspired me to order both the calendar and the book as a gift for my wife. I had excellent communication with Thomas and he answered all my questions. He even managed to send this overseas I’m a timely fashion. Today both arrived, well packaged and unharmed after its 6,000kms epic journey. As somebody who spent a little period of his life in the printing industry I can say the whole product is absolutely top notch. And the QR code attached to each photo taking you to a video of how each photo was made is just brilliant. Bravo Thomas. Products you should be truly proud of. Thank you so much 🙏
Watching this really made me appreciate the fact that I am retired and no longer dealing with all the aspects of doing wedding photography. I also want to thank you again for for being so kind and quick to answer the couple of emails I sent you in the past. I watch a dozen or so photography TH-camr's on a regular basis, but I look forward to Wednesdays at noon (my time) when your video airs the most. Surely, I am one of many who appreciate all your hard work.
Thanks a lot for your comment. It's a miracle that I replied to your email, i'm so bad most of the time.
Being retired is glorious. Photography for fun. Travel for fun. This is living.
@Phillip Banes hehe. Living in a van driving Latin America. Never felt better. I love my retirement!
How can you not go crazy with that amount of work and responsibility??? It's interesting that your business methods are very similar to the photographic methods: very precise and well planned. Keep up your hard work Thomas, you're one of the most interesting and entertaining photographer on TH-cam and I think your numbers prove it! You managed to make all this business-related tedious work entertaining to watch
for the first year or 2, i was crazy with stress and anxiety, but over time, it gets easier and I have a few systems that really help.
My calendar arrived today, thank you. I now appreciate the amount of work you put into it. I love the print (the one with the lighthouse).
I always love opening up your calendar when I receive it through the post, but knowing what extra special care had gone into the packaging of it will make it extra special.
Very insightful thank you. The packing reminded me of when I was a kid making up tomato boxes one every five seconds... and paper cuts.
I had no idea. I thank you for your hard work
I watch all of your videos but almost skipped this one thinking it would probably be boring. Glad I watched it because it was a great insight into what many people don’t know about the photography business.
This video should be pinned on every YT search concerning Photography Business. Thanks for the trip in your work !
When I was younger I used to cut up old landscape calendars by Peter Dombrovskis (a Tasmanian photographer) and stick them on my bedroom walls. It was a cheap way of getting nice prints. If you do end up with excess calendars, they still may be valuable as cheaper print packs.
Forget the subject, it’s your filmmaking that’s so much better than most.
Who would've thunked, the man's a hero?!
Very interesting we only ever see you out taking photos like a swan gliding across a pond, not the back office work or the furious paddling.
Interesting insight into the business side of your work, and boy do you out in the effort.
Not a number, you are a free man, freedom is hard work. But so rewarding 👏
I've always respected you Thomas, but this video made me respect you so much more. You're a hard working man, like extremely so.
Your hard work at this time of year looks immense but worth it for sure, the other 51 weeks of the year you just sit back drink tea and read books right ? :-) Well done Pal, consistent hard work and one of the best in the business
I'm drunk for the remaining 51 weeks.
@@ThomasHeatonPhoto hahah
Thomas, your process and quality control remind me of _Florian Gatsby’s_ workflow and philosophy. Thank you for sharing your process, it’s heartwarming.
you are a living pioneer... awesome Thomas. I forllowe you from beginning. Respekt and Humility
One of my favorite channels. First stop when I need some inspiration/motivation. Thanks for your work!
Love the doors in your house! Ha . Well done for your success. It was only hours and hours of hard work worry failure and doubt with a bit of fun thrown in. Best wishes
Thank you for one of the most engaging videos I have seen on TH-cam. Many people want to go into business themselves, not just artists, photographers etc.. This video shows the reality of the business as is and not the romance of breath taking landscapes.
I am watching this video while sitting in my basement undertaking my first real effort to sell physical photographs besides some direct to customer orders. I perfectly understand your friction! Mounting, signing, bagging, pricing each photo. Then signing, bagging, mailing each calendar. It sure is busy but I couldn't be happier to see so much of my art in physical form.
Great video as always. I really appreciate your efforts!
Dear me, I had no idea! I will appreciate my calendar even more when it arrives🥰
Lucky for you that so many people want your calendar! Most of us have to produce to shop requirements. Thank your lucky stars you have so may TH-cam viewers
Awesome that you make videos like this! Helps people who want to get into the industry learn how to have a go at it. Thank you, Tom!
This was my hardest ever video. It could have easily been 2hrs long and i felt bad as I left out so many good pieces of information, but hopefully it will help a few people who want to start selling their stuff from home.
You could always make longer videos, I'm always sad when they finish.
Thankyou for this video showing the not so glamorous side of a photography business .
I got tired just watching this. You deserve every penny you make.
i am seriously impressed by well your organised approach I had no idea how much other work you are doing in the background. I really loved seeing that
Really enjoyed this. Was fascinated by your camper van project too. I always like behind the scenes videos.
What a truly fantastic video, Thomas you have outdone yourself on this one. Many photographers keep their system secret and it's wonderfully refreshing it see you open up and talk about your way of doing things. I myself want to sell more print and thought about books etc. This had given me the motivation to do it, thank you!
That's great to hear. I wish you every success.
Watching this makes me thankful I no longer work in a stockroom! My back is hurting for you........
OMG I really didn’t think about that side of your business, tones of respect.
Thanks Thomas showing us the backstage of being a photographer. Next time I will order your calendar, I'm addicted to it, I will know all those steps you will have to do!
I pre-ordered and got it in the mail last week 🙌🏼 I haven’t felt that excited in quite some time about a purchase. Thank you Thomas!!!❤
Thanks for this video. It shows how hard working and passionate you are. You are an inspiration.
Great video Thomas! You convinced me that I don’t want to take thing to the “next” level. I enjoy taking astrophotographs and will continue printing my best work but I think I’ll just print them for myself and some family and friends. Cheers!
Wow, hardworking ‘Heaton’! Now that’s commitment to your art. Well done sir.
Great video Thomas 📸🏞
Wow! Thank you for this informative video, Tom!! I truly appreciate the honesty and insight! The calendar gig is huge!!!!
I used to do low levels of t-shirts and caps for my photography forum (like no more than 100 at a time). That was enough to put me off this physical product stuff for life! You must have a lot of passion to be able to do this for days!
Thomas, great videos and your generosity to your fellow YT is amazing. People who want your signature I am sure would be happy with a signed print, save opening and closing the Calendars !!
Wonderful overview Thomas. You’re very brave to include signature and a free print…I tried the same thing, and it added sooooo much time to my workflow I gave up on it. (I had the same problem with signing calendars after they had been wrapped!).
I love that you say you're not a youtuber, whilst you create the most beautiful, interesting, and informative videos on this platform - not to mention the amount of effort you put into the b-roll!! 🥰
Great behind the scenes Thomas! I have a new appreciation of what it takes to run your business....not all fun and travel.
I am considering a book, or at least a zine. The problem with calendars is that they literally become dated. I say this having bought two of yours, neither of which is any longer on my wall. (I still have them, of course.)
At least with a book or zine, one can pick it up any time. Of course I've not even sold a print. One time a guy said on Facebook that he'd love to have a certain print on his wall. I DM'd him, gave him my email and said to get in touch. He never did.
So I'll likely put together a book or zine (I already have a theme in mind) and give them to family as gifts. Maybe someone will see one and want their own. Or I'll mention them in a video. Thank God I don't rely on photography for income.
Well done for all the effort you put into this beautiful work
Great. Idea. Thanks fo sharing that it’s not all cups of tea in a cozy camper.
Thomas have you considered Yellowkorner? They have galleries in shopping centres and online. People can order massive prints, behind matte or glossy glass and borders around the picture. You, the artist, decide how many prints can be made.
I just went to my shelf, and your book has not acquired a funny smell, so I guess it's still fresh. I love the shelf life of this product!
Thanks for making this video. It’s not all fun photography and cameras and such.
As a nature- and landscape photographer starting up my business (tomorrow), this was really insightful! 🙏
Thanks for this video. For a long time I have been wondering to ask you if you would make such a video. Great 👍
As a photographer & now a TH-cam'r I've thought of going down this road of 'selling in bulk' ~ man what a LOT of work (and this is just your calendars !
I sell a few prints locally so I'm happy with that¿
I enjoy all of your videos and good to see behind the scenes ✅
What a quaint and honest way to convey your life as a photographer. You have brought everyone into your travels, life, and home. I look forward to seeing your videos every week. Thanks for the passion that you share with the world.
You're an inspiration, sir. Seriously. I need to order some stuff from you. All the way over here in the hot and steamy US, soggy FL to be specific.
Thomas this video shows how hard you work. Very impressive.
Would love to hear more about your process of creating, compiling, and printing your books.
Thanks for sharing this. Kudos for all the hard work you do for the process. I hope everyone appreciate what goes into the work you do. Now, get back in the mountains! Cheers!
Love this video!!!! My God man, that is some dedication, but delighted that you have such passion for it. I never before stopped to think what goes into shipping product, and what you need to do! Really appreciate all you do Tom, and wish you every success with it all!!
As someone who works in shipping and receiving I fully sympathize with needing to pack and label all those boxes!
Been buying your calendar for every year for years and love them. Watching your process just adds value to them.
Keep those kind of videos coming, Thomas ! It's a pleasure watching them
Amazing to see how much work goes into what you do! Keep it up tom, its awesome
Fascinating insight, thanks Thomas!
Congratulations Thomas for all your hard work - and for giving us a great insight into it.
Another excellent video mate! Keep 'em coming!
Great video and great help on how to organize yourself better with a better revenue at the end of it. Royal mail look so organized though letting you do things without even having to leave your home.
Thank you, I love this behind-the-scenes stuff! I'd already guessed that you must work very hard on shipping those calendars, but I had no idea of the numbers. The fact that you deal personally with THOUSANDS of orders is amazing. Massive respect for your dedication to quality. Keep it up!
This is a great video! Thank you so much for showing the behind the scenes of the business. Amazed you do all this work and still make amazing videos and take amazing shots each week. Thanks!
Waited all day to sit down and watch this tonight. You are completely right in, there's a sense of fulfillment doing all that all the way through shipping when it is your product. Your creation. Can't wait to see the new calendar and print.
Thanks for this video Tom! 🙏
Man. I appreciate this video, and all the work you put into your business. Thanks for the inspiration!
Thanks Thomas - very illuminating
Great watch very insightful thanks for sharing
I am just exhausted watching you! Well, you really have a system down that works for you and that’s fantastic. In my daydreaming, which I hope will be a reality someday in making some passive income. I have been reading about POD (print on demand) services connected to a website but I don’t like the fact I cannot sign a photo and the quality control is really an issue for me too and probably others. I print at home and am particular in the outcome. For those of us who work a non-photography job the time and effort just seems daunting. Thanks for sharing -interesting to know this side and all the hard work it entails.
I grabbed a calendar this year, the signature is neat but the included print is what really sold it for me. Having the calendar for the year will be great but that print is going to stay with me for years so am very excited for that. Thank you Thomas for all the great content and all the hard work that you put into this channel and products.
Doing what you love, that also happens to be your profession, is the dream life. I've followed you for years, and so I've seen you hustle to get to where you are today. All the best and continued success to you Mr. Heaton!
I've also pre-ordered a calendar and really hadn't appreciated the additional work required. It makes the calendar even more valuable to me and can't wait to receive it. Great work Thomas.
This was super interesting to watch... much appreciation for your work Thomas.
Well Tom , i take my hat off to you, this film really opened my eyes to what you do.
Fascinating video Thomas.
That was very illuminating Tom thank you! Add in the lengths you have to go to in producing fantastic regular youtube content and you must be very busy! But it’s your passion as you say and thst must make all your hard work so rewarding on top of keeping a roof over your head and bills paid. Keep up the amazing work 👏🏻🙌🏻
So much hard work goes into getting all this done. Really appreciate this video.
Total admiration letting us see the hard work that goes on behind the camera. Brilliant 👍
Loved this video, thank you for showing us your process! Just like your photography, the videos and the van itself, everything in this process feels just as thought through. Attention to detail (I love that.)
Literally finished watching the video and jumped online to buy the book simply from how moved I was by your process and passion. I admire the work you put in and your dedication to the outcome. Praying your motivation continues to propel you into the advanced stages of your career.
Great video Thomas.... Great to see the behind the scene work that goes into keeping the channel going... Best channel on TH-cam for me at least. So satisfying to do what your doing, every part of the puzzle. Quality goods.
Cheers
Royal Mail will happily ship over 2kg parcels, they just are classified as a 'medium parcel' and cost a fair bit more to do so.
loved this video and all the hard work in it 🙌🙌
Thank you so much Thomas, such a great fascinating insight to all that goes on behind the scenes. Very much appreciate all your hard work. :)
Really interesting to see what goes on behind the scenes in running your own photography business, have a whole new appreciation for the work that goes on!
This is quite the eye opener. Thanks for sharing.
I've really got to hand it to you, Thomas; you can even make a video about home-based business interesting and entertaining. We love your integrity and commitment to quality content and the products we've purchased including calendars and your awesome book. Cheers.
That’s what we want. Your personal touch. Why we watching. Appreciate the efforts Tom ❤
Impressive system! I totally get the desire to do the fulfillment yourself. I have been doing photo calendars for 5 years now so I understand the chaos. I haven’t done the preorder approach yet, but I can see the benefit of doing it that way. There definitely is a satisfaction you get from putting all those packages in the mail. Thanks for the video!
I can so relate to wanting to handle the bits yourself - quality control!
Some really useful tips in here. Cheers for taking the time!