Great video! Thanks Mark. It cleared many of my misconceptions about the revenue sources in photography. The data you showed will help create informed decisions in future as a photographer. You give us hope, and that too with data. Keep posting such content.
I'm only a casual browser who is interested in landscape photography during vacations, but I would like to thank you for your honest sharing and encourage you to keep doing this. You are very very good at it!
So… basically landscape photography is pretty much an MLM type business… lol. You don’t make a living producing the product, but rather getting other people to “sign up” under you via workshops and RUclips tutorials, who then will also likely not make money producing landscape photography. 😅
Fascinating! My takeaway here is.. to be a successful landscape photographer, one's business ideally should be weighted heavily toward packaging and marketing of hope, inspiration and knowledge to other would-be landscape photographers, as opposed to selling and licensing one's own work. It's similar in the music world -- where a massive industry of folks *not* making a living from their music have transitioned to selling hopes, dreams and business products to other musicians. Not to be a curmudgeon here, but the general lack of support, appreciation and patronage of the arts has transformed much of today's creative world into one gigantic circle jerk of marketing to the like-minded.
Mark, I feel like one of the reasons you have been so successful on RUclips is that you are an incredible educator. You have the incredible skill of being able to break complex or tricky concepts into something that feels really simple. Your technical videos on composition or editing are just next level. Being an educator is not easy and you are definitely one of the best. Congrats to all of your success
RUclips videos are in large part not about the content but about the presenter. The perfect example is Peter McKinnon who makes a fortune selling himself and his charismatic personality
Amazingly honest and candid. Not sure that I would reveal the finances of my consulting company but the video is, as all your videos, well organized, focused, content rich, and informative. My question is, are the numbers you present net or gross revenues? What are your highest and lowest over head expenses? Thank you again.
Mark, the transparency you show here and in the past is truly amazing. Your knowledge, inspiration, love of photography, and honesty is what keeps us all coming back for more! Congrats on your success and wishing you more in the future!
Mark - it’s Donny, still remember the time when you and I spoke right after your layoff. What a ride brother! Good job! Proud of you and I am sure people appreciate you being this open!
I think the hardest for many is to simply get noticed, there are so many photographers who shoot amazing images but nobody knows of them because they are being ignored on social media. For some all it takes is for someone like Peter McKinnon to like, share your image to his fanbase it could launch someone big time.
Man, you just burst my bubble. Basically, you just said there’s no money in landscape photography. As a person who, lean towards being shy and introverted, I could never be a content creator. At the same time, I would have no interest in leading workshops. I am about to break bad on a Fujifilm GFX 50SII and a couple of GM lenses. I guess I’m gonna be a broke landscape photographer.
Lots of high performers are introverts, it does not mean that you cannot be on stage. Elon musk is an introvert, so is Micheal Jackson, if you are talking about what you love it really doesn't matter.
Well you’ve got to be good at the craft before you can worry about being extroverted enough to teach so I would just buy your camera and put in the mileage first. Cross that bridge when you get there man.
I am not a landscape. But cityscape photographers. I am from a highly urbanized area. I have no real plans to talking heads RUclips content either. But I still make money online. Stock images. Print sales. Photography products. Some photowalks, workshops.
I cannot emphasise enough how much these videos of yours mean to all of us, and how much we appreciate your honest and sincere approach to photography! thank you for all of your hard work and all of the videos you create for us, it means a lot!
I think your transparency is fantastic. It's also heartening to see a fellow introvert get out there and make something for himself. One question: I've always wondered about how you pre-scout a location for your workshop if you haven't been there before. Is it a lot of online research, word of mouth, or do you actually travel there in advance of the event? Keep up the great work!
I'm very happy for your success! It's depressing though that it seems all but impossible to make money as a landscape photography with the photography itself. Not everybody has the personality to do youtube or run workshops etc.
Exactly what I thought! Some people just don't want to or can't teach other people like this? I for one was hoping to make a living just from the photography 😢
Wow! As a past business owner who also willingly shared financial info, I applaud you! So wonderful of you to put this out to the world. I really appreciate your candor and amazing photography and business skills. Fantastic!
Hi Mark…First of all, CONGRATULATIONS on all of your success. You didn’t have to “open the books” and allow us into your personal finance but I’m not surprised you are doing so well. I think we (subscribers) all look forward to Wednesdays for your video drops. You provide us all wonderful information about photography and take us all along on your photography adventures. You’re a fantastic teacher and make yourself approachable to the viewer. I wish you continued success and I hope to one day get the opportunity to go on a workshop with you or better yet come to North Carolina (I’m in Alabama) and take a few one-on-one classes from you. Congratulations!!! Sincerely, Greg Roberts
Thanks for sharing this, Mark. It’s great to see behind the curtain a bit. Many of us dream about a landscape photography career but are nervous about how to move into it. You help show how it can be done and the hard work that goes into it. Keep up the great work!
Our backgrounds are so similar I left corporate America 20 years ago... 25 years ago now. I would definitely like to have a one-on-one at some point. This is some great information and I appreciate every minute of it Thank you so much.💯
Congrats on turning your life around with teaching landscape photography Mark. By the looks of it, the money is in selling workshops and landscape-related content to photographers. If budding photographers are getting into it to sell their creations, they will most likely be disappointed. Thanks for the informative and honest video!
Thanks Mark for this. I stumbled across or was guided to this video and it shifted my whole self in a positive way. I’ve long believed that experiences is where people want to be and spend their money. It’s so much more personal, valuable and memorable than things. You’ve sparked my inspiration which was already pretty well smouldering this morning. After Covid killed off my business as a restaurant and food photographer as soon as lockdowns were announced, it’s been front and centre that I failed to diversify to create a robust and adaptable business. If you don’t get it wrong you can’t learn. I’m on the edge of quitting a well paid job I used to do, which I took after 2 years of no income and it was gifted to me on a plate. It’s time to get back to my love of a creative life and sharing it with those who share that love. To spotlight those who are making positive changes in the world for the sustainable future we must achieve. Thanks again for all the info, I’ll be looking through your videos for more business information but this one has me scribbling down ideas like crazy. We can always start again but we never start from the bottom, but from the experiences we already have gained. Cheers Mark and have an amazing year end success
Thanks for such a great video! The quote "The market for Landscape Photography things is small, but the market for the Landscape Photography experience is massive." definitely has me re thinking what I thought about making money in the photography world. Thank again for the great video!
THANK YOU SO MUCH MARK! This was a fantastic, informative and motivating video! Really appreciate it! I'd love to see a similar one some time focused solely on workshops--- how you started, what it takes to do one (marketing, prep time and specifics encountered, etc.), maybe clips from one or two in the process explanation, setting price, costs, supplies needed.... in other words an in-depth "how-to" . And I'd be fine with it being a course you offer if a YT video isn't practical for your time and effort.
Mark, Thank you for sharing the story of your photography business success. I really enjoy your content and look forward following you as you continue to have future success.
I just launched my RUclips channel, I've been a pro photographer in the past and I'm getting back to it today with a more focused approach to sharing. So a huge thank you for this video! She will save me a lot of time. thank you again
Hey Mark, I can't subscribe twice, but thumbs up and comments are not a problem. My YT channel has 147,000 subscribers yet my videos only get about 10K views, a few hundred likes, and a few dozen comments on average. I haven't figured that one out yet. The other confusing stat is the average time viewed. I edit videos down to taking out pauses, ums, and anything that isn't absolutely necessary to the topic. I spend 1 hour per minute of video producing them and yet watch time is less than 50%🤔. Good video and I appreciate the honest look behind the curtain.
Amazing insight !!! Right from the day that i have started experiencing landscape photography, u have been one of my go to photographers for inspiration and content. Great Insight !
Been following you for a while now and your content just gets better and better. This video tells me, a hobbyist, that you have a vested (investment) interest in putting out a product that fits my needs. Keep up the great work!
I haven’t watched this entire video yet Mark but I can tell you I’m not at all surprised at your success, honestly you’re a class act and a smart cookie, the math is quite simple, wish you continued success ! 👍👏😀
Watched this video last week and I did comment on it then. But I actually wanted to come back and leave another comment. A thank you. This video is one of the most transparent videos I have seen from a professional photographer and It puts things into an interesting perspective. I really appreciate that candid transparency... As an avid hobbyist (with way too much pro level gear) It's been a video I have been thinking alot about the past 5 days because for years now I have thought about wanting to jump into landscape photography as a side hustle or maybe a career but there is so much fear leaving the known for the unknown (especially if its by choice).
Mark - thanks for your great teaching and perspectives - i just put a deposit down on your Dolomites workshop in Oct 2023 - I have done a prior work shop with Kah-Wai before and have been to the Dolomites three times before - cannot wait to go back!
this probably wont be my path but this was still super well put together and you work so damn hard. im 42 with no kids but i admire you got two in college. SUBBED!!!
Another great message. Probably the first person I follow to open up about their business. Congratulations on a successful business, and only hope that it continues to grow for you, but most importantly that your passion and enthusiasm never falters. Cheers.
Greetings from Germany. Thank you for all the informations. I'm considering to change my profession and to do what I love - hiking, traveling & photographing. This video gave me valuable input again. Thank you for all the work you put in your videos.
Amazing results Mark. Makes sense. You are one of my favorites youtubers. I only make about 1/10th of that. I find competition is really cutting. And good marketing representation is near impossible.
Wow, this was really eye opening for me in many ways. I think a great follow up video would be what it actually takes to maintain your business in terms of how your time is spent. Personally, I'd like to know whether you actually have time to sleep 😉. Great work and congrats on reaching new milestones!
I've been following your channel since the beginning and it's been great to watch your success. I love your focus on the business aspects. It's interesting to see how actual photo sales are the smallest aspect of your business and how RUclips drives it all. I hope you continue your success!
Mark, you are a real inspiration. I have been a part-time portrait & wedding photographer, I am currently building a landscape portfolio and would love to be able to give up my full time job as a maths teacher to concentrate on photography. This video has made me realise that it can actually be done. I have wasted a lot of money on things I was not actually passionate about. This has been a great lesson. Thank you.
This would a be a dream. Glad to see someone doing well. I want to do this since i ride my dual sport motorcycle in very remote areas with stunning views.
This is an older video but I am amazed you are sharing this information. It is very generous of you and one I certainly needed to hear. I have a day job and do photography in my spare time. This gives me some hope…. I had a reasonably successful workshop business but Covid killed it and I’m working on bringing it back. Thank you for doing what you do.
Thanks for not only discussing the profit margins from different sources but also the numbers. We know that's private info but it's very helpful for us just starting out.
I enjoyed the last video on this subject, but this one just might be the inspiration I need to kick my arse into gear and do something with my photography, an inspiration to aspiring photographers for sure, thanks for sharing Mark.
That's a good idea. Thanks for sharing. Those are good customers you found there. The best thing about your business model is that it's repeatable. You don't have to have 10,000 to make money, you can get as much or more money with 100 customers.
I'm glad you are making decent money from something you enjoy and are so good at, you deserve it. I don't know how much of that will be lost to the Tax man, but still good going, well done. So many other Photographers / RUclipsrs who go into their finances are just so negative.
Mark, as always a great video. But watching it and seeing all the balls you have in the air my big question was "What is his day like? How does he keep all of these tasks in order and not just scatter shoot his day??" Please keep up the good work. You are absolutely one of my favorite RUclips talents that I watch. You ALWAYS provide valuable content. Thank you so much.
Hi Mark! Thank you so much for this great advice! I enjoy it very much how you see photography and how you communicate it to the others. Best of luck to you!
WOW! If only..... You deserve every bit of the success you are having with photography. You do fantastic work, and I love all your videos. I really love how transparent you are with everything. I would absolutely love to do photography full time. If I could do it....
Thanks for sharing all that, very interesting. I have never seen any other youtube video covering this, well done for original content. PS. Just visited your website for the first time and signed up for your newsletter.
So pleased to hear this is working for you. Your passion shines through everything you do. Maybe that’s the secret, or at least part of the story. Have an amazing 2023.
Fascinating stuff Mark, thanks a lot for putting it all out there so clearly. I’m happy that you’re finding success and continuing this journey with us following along.
Should be so proud of yourself mate! Absolutely killing it and means so much more when you're happiness is behind it ✨️ here's me to doing my TAX today and being 9k in the minus 😄 true inspiration buddy - keep killing it 😀
It would be interesting to see what your business expenses are. A lot of folks look at your income numbers and think "wow" but don't realize the cost of flights, hotels, Mercedes Sprinter vans, along with the photography equipment, printers and what not. Enjoy your channel - thanks for sharing!
You have a great teaching style and you enjoy sharing your knowledge. I heard a podcast you were on where you mentioned the “parking lot” of ideas. Looking forward to more videos.
I have only been watching your channel for a few months but I love the info you give, I just wish I had the balls and skill to be able to go out and do photography as a way of life. Keep up the work and hopefully with a bit more practice I may get there myself soon.
I love your channel Mark and I thank you upon your 4 year anniversary for all of your hard work. Since you are being so candid with your income, may I ask if you are now making more than you did in the corporate world. Did you enjoy you previous job before they re-structured? I wish for you many more years of success and happiness in you profession.
Mark, thanks so much for sharing the details of your business with us. It’s great and much appreciated! I’m in awe of your continuing growth and success. We’ll done!
Mark, your transparency is always so refreshing, especially in todays world. I’ve learned so much from you the past few years. You have earned every bit of your success and it looks to be paying off! One question I do have is what does your net income look like after your expenses? I am very interested in pursuing an early “retirement” from my career and turning towards photography as a supplemental income. I’m a long way from that; both financial and with where my photography skills are, but it’s still something I would like to investigate the options. As always, thanks for your willingness to share and help us all improve! I pays off in more ways than you know! 👏🏻
Love the revenue breakdown. Impressive growth metrics brotha. With a business background, i think it's so creative how you execute these types of videos, great work!!
What an eye opening video ! Thanks so much for sharing your experience and wisdom Mark. All of your hard work and effort is paying off. Good luck and good light. Mario
Mark, Thanks for sharing so openly! Really, really appreciate it…. Thank you for sharing what I think, as you stated, the key to business….Value Creation…. Love your content …. Keep snapping…..
Thanks for sharing this information! My two niches in photography are travel/lifestyle (which includes landscape) and abstract fine art images. I think your corporate background served you well. I went to art school - where we learned nothing about business. I would love to do travel photography workshops ... I haven't quite figured out how to go about it. I think I would like to be a secondary workshop leader on a few trips just to reverse engineer it and figure it out as I never travel in group situations myself, I have no idea what people expect, and the furthest out I ever make in my travel plans is the airline reservation. Maybe that's a subject for a future video?
Yeah, I went to college for art - photography and NO business classes except traditional business. That's why my mission in life has changed because I feel your pain. I wish they would change up their curriculum. Maybe they have now, it's been a long time since I was in college LOL
That was fascinating, I have never come across a photographer who revealed that kind of information. I had my own business (not photography related) for over 20 years and I remember the best advice I ever got. " As long as you are prepared to put in a half days work you should be successful. You either put in the first 12 hours of the day or the 2nd 12 hours it does not matter." Running your own business as a one man show takes a lot of time, it helps a lot if you love what you do. Thank you for sharing all that.
Thank you Mark, this is very helpfull. The sentence about the landscape photography experience is gold ! I'm starting my photography enterprise this year in France, and your experience is very precious even if we are not in the same country, so the rules are different, specially with youtube. Thank you for sharing, all the best !
It's great to see a photographer breaking down the business aspects, thank you for that. I'm following along, and see that in the pie chart, you have 20% of revenue from 2021 as print sales, but when you get the individual bar graphs, you show $200 in income in 2021 from print sales. So... which one is it? Cheers.
Congrats on building a viable and sustainable business! You have worked hard and deserve the success. It's really interesting, and appreciated, that you open the books to us.
Well done and thanks for being so open, honest and clear, that is SO exciting! For me a real eye opener to learn that SO many people are interested in photography still today....wonderful, as for me photography as always been an important part of life, NT at all for any earning, BUT for me, my inner life and my work. Also, an important part has always been to learn and appreciating creation...., ultimately bringing me to know the Truth of life, which has changed my life for good! "Creating value for other people", love how you identify your work....I fully agree and see part of my work as well as that... Keep up your amazing work.
So many niches, so little time. Everyone needs to discover where their love is and prioritize. Great video! Btw, asking again, what sites do you find all these cool t-shirts?
🌟Thank you all so much for all the support over the past 4 years - it truly means the world to me!
Thank you for sharing your knowledge with us. It is very helpful.
You deserve it! You have great work, and you have a great attitude. Thanks for all of the helpful posts!
Great video! Thanks Mark. It cleared many of my misconceptions about the revenue sources in photography. The data you showed will help create informed decisions in future as a photographer. You give us hope, and that too with data. Keep posting such content.
I'm only a casual browser who is interested in landscape photography during vacations, but I would like to thank you for your honest sharing and encourage you to keep doing this. You are very very good at it!
Reminds me of the quote from Steve Forbes. "You can make more money by selling the advice than you can by following it"
So… basically landscape photography is pretty much an MLM type business… lol. You don’t make a living producing the product, but rather getting other people to “sign up” under you via workshops and RUclips tutorials, who then will also likely not make money producing landscape photography. 😅
yes, of course
Fascinating! My takeaway here is.. to be a successful landscape photographer, one's business ideally should be weighted heavily toward packaging and marketing of hope, inspiration and knowledge to other would-be landscape photographers, as opposed to selling and licensing one's own work. It's similar in the music world -- where a massive industry of folks *not* making a living from their music have transitioned to selling hopes, dreams and business products to other musicians. Not to be a curmudgeon here, but the general lack of support, appreciation and patronage of the arts has transformed much of today's creative world into one gigantic circle jerk of marketing to the like-minded.
Mark, I feel like one of the reasons you have been so successful on RUclips is that you are an incredible educator. You have the incredible skill of being able to break complex or tricky concepts into something that feels really simple. Your technical videos on composition or editing are just next level. Being an educator is not easy and you are definitely one of the best. Congrats to all of your success
O I😅😅 look 9
RUclips videos are in large part not about the content but about the presenter. The perfect example is Peter McKinnon who makes a fortune selling himself and his charismatic personality
Amazingly honest and candid. Not sure that I would reveal the finances of my consulting company but the video is, as all your videos, well organized, focused, content rich, and informative. My question is, are the numbers you present net or gross revenues? What are your highest and lowest over head expenses? Thank you again.
Mark, the transparency you show here and in the past is truly amazing. Your knowledge, inspiration, love of photography, and honesty is what keeps us all coming back for more! Congrats on your success and wishing you more in the future!
Mark - it’s Donny, still remember the time when you and I spoke right after your layoff. What a ride brother! Good job! Proud of you and I am sure people appreciate you being this open!
Great insight! I’ve been in the business for 10 years now and it isn’t easy! Sharing info is absolutely a great way to make everyone better.
I think the hardest for many is to simply get noticed, there are so many photographers who shoot amazing images but nobody knows of them because they are being ignored on social media. For some all it takes is for someone like Peter McKinnon to like, share your image to his fanbase it could launch someone big time.
Man, you just burst my bubble. Basically, you just said there’s no money in landscape photography. As a person who, lean towards being shy and introverted, I could never be a content creator. At the same time, I would have no interest in leading workshops. I am about to break bad on a Fujifilm GFX 50SII and a couple of GM lenses. I guess I’m gonna be a broke landscape photographer.
I don't like doing workshops either, but who would you like to work for?
Didn't he just say thhat basically, He made a $110,000 a year for 3 years. Or am I not hearing him correctly?
Lots of high performers are introverts, it does not mean that you cannot be on stage. Elon musk is an introvert, so is Micheal Jackson, if you are talking about what you love it really doesn't matter.
Well you’ve got to be good at the craft before you can worry about being extroverted enough to teach so I would just buy your camera and put in the mileage first. Cross that bridge when you get there man.
I am not a landscape. But cityscape photographers. I am from a highly urbanized area. I have no real plans to talking heads RUclips content either. But I still make money online. Stock images. Print sales. Photography products. Some photowalks, workshops.
I cannot emphasise enough how much these videos of yours mean to all of us, and how much we appreciate your honest and sincere approach to photography! thank you for all of your hard work and all of the videos you create for us, it means a lot!
Totally agree!
Thanks so much for this!
The way you add value to me is this: you are inspiring. Wishing you continued success in your business and personal growth! 👍
I think your transparency is fantastic. It's also heartening to see a fellow introvert get out there and make something for himself. One question: I've always wondered about how you pre-scout a location for your workshop if you haven't been there before. Is it a lot of online research, word of mouth, or do you actually travel there in advance of the event? Keep up the great work!
Thanks Dave! It's a mixture of everything you mentioned in advance of creating the workshop
Great review Mark and truly appreciate the transparency. It proves that hard work pays off. Wishing you continued success!
Thank you James!
I'm very happy for your success! It's depressing though that it seems all but impossible to make money as a landscape photography with the photography itself. Not everybody has the personality to do youtube or run workshops etc.
Exactly what I thought! Some people just don't want to or can't teach other people like this? I for one was hoping to make a living just from the photography 😢
Wow! As a past business owner who also willingly shared financial info, I applaud you! So wonderful of you to put this out to the world. I really appreciate your candor and amazing photography and business skills. Fantastic!
Thanks so much for the kind words Chris!
Hi Mark…First of all, CONGRATULATIONS on all of your success. You didn’t have to “open the books” and allow us into your personal finance but I’m not surprised you are doing so well. I think we (subscribers) all look forward to Wednesdays for your video drops. You provide us all wonderful information about photography and take us all along on your photography adventures. You’re a fantastic teacher and make yourself approachable to the viewer. I wish you continued success and I hope to one day get the opportunity to go on a workshop with you or better yet come to North Carolina (I’m in Alabama) and take a few one-on-one classes from you. Congratulations!!! Sincerely, Greg Roberts
Thanks for sharing this, Mark. It’s great to see behind the curtain a bit. Many of us dream about a landscape photography career but are nervous about how to move into it. You help show how it can be done and the hard work that goes into it. Keep up the great work!
Our backgrounds are so similar I left corporate America 20 years ago... 25 years ago now. I would definitely like to have a one-on-one at some point. This is some great information and I appreciate every minute of it Thank you so much.💯
I’m grateful for your comments about social media, too. I have the same view.
Congrats on turning your life around with teaching landscape photography Mark. By the looks of it, the money is in selling workshops and landscape-related content to photographers. If budding photographers are getting into it to sell their creations, they will most likely be disappointed. Thanks for the informative and honest video!
Congrats on your successful journey, I remember when you started, and it's great to see how far you've come. You're a great teacher, thanks!
Thank you!
Thanks Mark for this. I stumbled across or was guided to this video and it shifted my whole self in a positive way.
I’ve long believed that experiences is where people want to be and spend their money. It’s so much more personal, valuable and memorable than things.
You’ve sparked my inspiration which was already pretty well smouldering this morning.
After Covid killed off my business as a restaurant and food photographer as soon as lockdowns were announced, it’s been front and centre that I failed to diversify to create a robust and adaptable business.
If you don’t get it wrong you can’t learn.
I’m on the edge of quitting a well paid job I used to do, which I took after 2 years of no income and it was gifted to me on a plate. It’s time to get back to my love of a creative life and sharing it with those who share that love. To spotlight those who are making positive changes in the world for the sustainable future we must achieve.
Thanks again for all the info, I’ll be looking through your videos for more business information but this one has me scribbling down ideas like crazy.
We can always start again but we never start from the bottom, but from the experiences we already have gained.
Cheers Mark and have an amazing year end success
Thanks for such a great video! The quote "The market for Landscape Photography things is small, but the market for the Landscape Photography experience is massive." definitely has me re thinking what I thought about making money in the photography world. Thank again for the great video!
THANK YOU SO MUCH MARK! This was a fantastic, informative and motivating video! Really appreciate it! I'd love to see a similar one some time focused solely on workshops--- how you started, what it takes to do one (marketing, prep time and specifics encountered, etc.), maybe clips from one or two in the process explanation, setting price, costs, supplies needed.... in other words an in-depth "how-to" . And I'd be fine with it being a course you offer if a YT video isn't practical for your time and effort.
Glad to do it David and I just may to a video all about the creation of workshops as well!
@@MarkDenneyPhoto That would be awesome and appreciated!!!
Mark, Thank you for sharing the story of your photography business success. I really enjoy your content and look forward following you as you continue to have future success.
Congratulations on your success!!! So very happy for you. How much better for you than the daily grind & drudgery of the corporate world!!!
I just launched my RUclips channel, I've been a pro photographer in the past and I'm getting back to it today with a more focused approach to sharing. So a huge thank you for this video! She will save me a lot of time. thank you again
Thank you for your honesty and actual amounts, especially saying that you made absolutely nothing on something you tried.
Nothing like doing what you love! Way to go Mark
Thanks so much Mark! Feels like a dream.
The most practical, informative, photography video I’ve seen. Thank you!
It's trully impressive how much you achieved and how you became a reference in landscape photography in so little time! Cheers!
Hey Mark, I can't subscribe twice, but thumbs up and comments are not a problem. My YT channel has 147,000 subscribers yet my videos only get about 10K views, a few hundred likes, and a few dozen comments on average. I haven't figured that one out yet. The other confusing stat is the average time viewed. I edit videos down to taking out pauses, ums, and anything that isn't absolutely necessary to the topic. I spend 1 hour per minute of video producing them and yet watch time is less than 50%🤔. Good video and I appreciate the honest look behind the curtain.
Your hard work , passion and dedication have paid off for you. So happy for your success!
Amazing insight !!!
Right from the day that i have started experiencing landscape photography, u have been one of my go to photographers for inspiration and content. Great Insight !
Been following you for a while now and your content just gets better and better. This video tells me, a hobbyist, that you have a vested (investment) interest in putting out a product that fits my needs. Keep up the great work!
That idea of landscape photo experience, not things confirms an intuition I had. Thanks for sharing all this with us!
You are truly inspiring, honest and real, without the hype and drama. Thank you.
This is a good breakdown. That being said, this video is essentially conveying that the path to revenue is to become a youtuber/influencer.
Thanks Mark for being so open and honest! Cheers to your success!
I haven’t watched this entire video yet Mark but I can tell you I’m not at all surprised at your success, honestly you’re a class act and a smart cookie, the math is quite simple, wish you continued success ! 👍👏😀
I appreciate that! Thank
Yes, I love what you said about marketing to other photographers for prints, wrong :) So nice to see another photographer share this...
I really appreciate this breakdown- you absolutely provide value to your community- thanks!!
Watched this video last week and I did comment on it then. But I actually wanted to come back and leave another comment. A thank you. This video is one of the most transparent videos I have seen from a professional photographer and It puts things into an interesting perspective. I really appreciate that candid transparency... As an avid hobbyist (with way too much pro level gear) It's been a video I have been thinking alot about the past 5 days because for years now I have thought about wanting to jump into landscape photography as a side hustle or maybe a career but there is so much fear leaving the known for the unknown (especially if its by choice).
Mark - thanks for your great teaching and perspectives - i just put a deposit down on your Dolomites workshop in Oct 2023 - I have done a prior work shop with Kah-Wai before and have been to the Dolomites three times before - cannot wait to go back!
Thats amazing Joseph! Glad to have you onboard - this is one that I'm most excited for next year!
Congratulations, Mark! All that and you still go through your comments. That's just awesome! Many more successful endeavors to you my friend✌✌✌
this probably wont be my path but this was still super well put together and you work so damn hard. im 42 with no kids but i admire you got two in college. SUBBED!!!
Another great message. Probably the first person I follow to open up about their business. Congratulations on a successful business, and only hope that it continues to grow for you, but most importantly that your passion and enthusiasm never falters. Cheers.
Congrats, that is inspiring. How open you are about this is great. I am glad you are not closed off in this.
Congratulations to you, Mark, on your year to year progression and success! You've earned all the accolades shown so far in the comments section.
Greetings from Germany. Thank you for all the informations. I'm considering to change my profession and to do what I love - hiking, traveling & photographing. This video gave me valuable input again. Thank you for all the work you put in your videos.
Congratulations on that successful journey so far and thanks for your openness! This is truly inspiring. Keep on going!
Amazing results Mark. Makes sense. You are one of my favorites youtubers. I only make about 1/10th of that. I find competition is really cutting. And good marketing representation is near impossible.
Wow, this was really eye opening for me in many ways. I think a great follow up video would be what it actually takes to maintain your business in terms of how your time is spent. Personally, I'd like to know whether you actually have time to sleep 😉. Great work and congrats on reaching new milestones!
I've been following your channel since the beginning and it's been great to watch your success. I love your focus on the business aspects. It's interesting to see how actual photo sales are the smallest aspect of your business and how RUclips drives it all. I hope you continue your success!
Mark, you are a real inspiration. I have been a part-time portrait & wedding photographer, I am currently building a landscape portfolio and would love to be able to give up my full time job as a maths teacher to concentrate on photography. This video has made me realise that it can actually be done. I have wasted a lot of money on things I was not actually passionate about. This has been a great lesson. Thank you.
This would a be a dream. Glad to see someone doing well. I want to do this since i ride my dual sport motorcycle in very remote areas with stunning views.
Thanks for sharing this Mark!! Congrats on all that you have achieved. Keep up the awesome work. I always look forward to your videos. 🙌
This is an older video but I am amazed you are sharing this information. It is very generous of you and one I certainly needed to hear. I have a day job and do photography in my spare time. This gives me some hope….
I had a reasonably successful workshop business but Covid killed it and I’m working on bringing it back.
Thank you for doing what you do.
Love your transparency and delivery, glad you're making this work and gaining traction.
Thanks for not only discussing the profit margins from different sources but also the numbers. We know that's private info but it's very helpful for us just starting out.
I enjoyed the last video on this subject, but this one just might be the inspiration I need to kick my arse into gear and do something with my photography, an inspiration to aspiring photographers for sure, thanks for sharing Mark.
That's a good idea. Thanks for sharing. Those are good customers you found there. The best thing about your business model is that it's repeatable. You don't have to have 10,000 to make money, you can get as much or more money with 100 customers.
I'm glad you are making decent money from something you enjoy and are so good at, you deserve it.
I don't know how much of that will be lost to the Tax man, but still good going, well done. So many other Photographers / RUclipsrs who go into their finances are just so negative.
Mark, as always a great video. But watching it and seeing all the balls you have in the air my big question was "What is his day like? How does he keep all of these tasks in order and not just scatter shoot his day??" Please keep up the good work. You are absolutely one of my favorite RUclips talents that I watch. You ALWAYS provide valuable content. Thank you so much.
Thank you Mark for the information. I just started with the photography and you give a lot of value information!
Hi Mark! Thank you so much for this great advice! I enjoy it very much how you see photography and how you communicate it to the others. Best of luck to you!
WOW! If only..... You deserve every bit of the success you are having with photography. You do fantastic work, and I love all your videos. I really love how transparent you are with everything.
I would absolutely love to do photography full time. If I could do it....
Means a lot - thank ya friend!
Thanks for sharing all that, very interesting. I have never seen any other youtube video covering this, well done for original content. PS. Just visited your website for the first time and signed up for your newsletter.
Thank you Mark for your transparency into your photography business experiment.
So pleased to hear this is working for you. Your passion shines through everything you do. Maybe that’s the secret, or at least part of the story. Have an amazing 2023.
Congratulations on your success in building your business.
Fascinating stuff Mark, thanks a lot for putting it all out there so clearly. I’m happy that you’re finding success and continuing this journey with us following along.
I appreciate that - thank you!
Should be so proud of yourself mate! Absolutely killing it and means so much more when you're happiness is behind it ✨️ here's me to doing my TAX today and being 9k in the minus 😄 true inspiration buddy - keep killing it 😀
Nice guys deserve nice things. Congratulations on your success!
It would be interesting to see what your business expenses are. A lot of folks look at your income numbers and think "wow" but don't realize the cost of flights, hotels, Mercedes Sprinter vans, along with the photography equipment, printers and what not. Enjoy your channel - thanks for sharing!
You have a great teaching style and you enjoy sharing your knowledge. I heard a podcast you were on where you mentioned the “parking lot” of ideas. Looking forward to more videos.
Thanks so much for that Jim!
I have only been watching your channel for a few months but I love the info you give, I just wish I had the balls and skill to be able to go out and do photography as a way of life. Keep up the work and hopefully with a bit more practice I may get there myself soon.
I love your channel Mark and I thank you upon your 4 year anniversary for all of your hard work. Since you are being so candid with your income, may I ask if you are now making more than you did in the corporate world. Did you enjoy you previous job before they re-structured?
I wish for you many more years of success and happiness in you profession.
Mark, thanks so much for sharing the details of your business with us. It’s great and much appreciated! I’m in awe of your continuing growth and success. We’ll done!
Mark, your transparency is always so refreshing, especially in todays world. I’ve learned so much from you the past few years. You have earned every bit of your success and it looks to be paying off!
One question I do have is what does your net income look like after your expenses? I am very interested in pursuing an early “retirement” from my career and turning towards photography as a supplemental income. I’m a long way from that; both financial and with where my photography skills are, but it’s still something I would like to investigate the options.
As always, thanks for your willingness to share and help us all improve! I pays off in more ways than you know! 👏🏻
THANKS MARK! Informativ, interesting and inspirational. I like your style. I wish you all the best.
Love the revenue breakdown. Impressive growth metrics brotha. With a business background, i think it's so creative how you execute these types of videos, great work!!
Thanks a million Max!
Mark, Thank you for sharing your experience, and knowledge. This video came to me at the right moment.
Thanks again!!
What an eye opening video ! Thanks so much for sharing your experience and wisdom Mark. All of your hard work and effort is paying off. Good luck and good light. Mario
Mark, Thanks for sharing so openly! Really, really appreciate it…. Thank you for sharing what I think, as you stated, the key to business….Value Creation…. Love your content …. Keep snapping…..
Thanks for sharing this information! My two niches in photography are travel/lifestyle (which includes landscape) and abstract fine art images. I think your corporate background served you well. I went to art school - where we learned nothing about business. I would love to do travel photography workshops ... I haven't quite figured out how to go about it. I think I would like to be a secondary workshop leader on a few trips just to reverse engineer it and figure it out as I never travel in group situations myself, I have no idea what people expect, and the furthest out I ever make in my travel plans is the airline reservation. Maybe that's a subject for a future video?
Yeah, I went to college for art - photography and NO business classes except traditional business. That's why my mission in life has changed because I feel your pain. I wish they would change up their curriculum. Maybe they have now, it's been a long time since I was in college LOL
I’ve been following you from the beginning. So glad to hear about your success!
Thanks so much for sticking around Dave!
This awesome, congratulations and well done and I hope your business keeps growing 👏🏻👏🏻👏🏻👍🏻👌🏻
That was fascinating, I have never come across a photographer who revealed that kind of information. I had my own business (not photography related) for over 20 years and I remember the best advice I ever got. " As long as you are prepared to put in a half days work you should be successful. You either put in the first 12 hours of the day or the 2nd 12 hours it does not matter." Running your own business as a one man show takes a lot of time, it helps a lot if you love what you do. Thank you for sharing all that.
that's because we aren't making any money😉
Thank you Mark, this is very helpfull. The sentence about the landscape photography experience is gold ! I'm starting my photography enterprise this year in France, and your experience is very precious even if we are not in the same country, so the rules are different, specially with youtube. Thank you for sharing, all the best !
Congratulations! Glad you've managed to find a good mix of revenue.
It's great to see a photographer breaking down the business aspects, thank you for that. I'm following along, and see that in the pie chart, you have 20% of revenue from 2021 as print sales, but when you get the individual bar graphs, you show $200 in income in 2021 from print sales. So... which one is it? Cheers.
Congrats on building a viable and sustainable business! You have worked hard and deserve the success. It's really interesting, and appreciated, that you open the books to us.
Thanks Roger - been a dream come true!
Congrats Mark, I hope your revenue stream will only grow. Good for you, you had the guts to switch to do what you love doing. Thanks for sharing!
Thanks so much Steve!
Thank you Mark. Fantastic to learn of your progress. Keep it growing 👏👏
Well done and thanks for being so open, honest and clear, that is SO exciting! For me a real eye opener to learn that SO many people are interested in photography still today....wonderful, as for me photography as always been an important part of life, NT at all for any earning, BUT for me, my inner life and my work. Also, an important part has always been to learn and appreciating creation...., ultimately bringing me to know the Truth of life, which has changed my life for good!
"Creating value for other people", love how you identify your work....I fully agree and see part of my work as well as that... Keep up your amazing work.
So many niches, so little time. Everyone needs to discover where their love is and prioritize. Great video! Btw, asking again,
what sites do you find all these cool t-shirts?
That's what i'm passionnate about... duh this is where you make your money
Thanks for the tips :)