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
@@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 RU-vidr'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.
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 RU-vid and I think your numbers prove it! You managed to make all this business-related tedious work entertaining to watch
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.
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.
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.
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
Thomas, your process and quality control remind me of _Florian Gatsby’s_ workflow and philosophy. Thank you for sharing your process, it’s heartwarming.
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.
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.
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!
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 RU-vid viewers
You are a professional RU-vidr that uses the medium of photography (quite well I might add) All of your income comes from RU-vid or from the notoriety that you created by being a RU-vidr. This is not a criticism as I enjoy your channel, its just reality. Being a professional RU-vidr is not easy and you are very good at it.
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
I run my own company in Dubai manufacturing control panels for the oil and gas industry. Every day I'm dealing with running the business. But! My secret pleasure is actually going and wiring up the panels and my staff are always surprised when I do. It's the simplicity of the work away from meetings with clients accountants and basically everyone wanting a spare minute.
Thank you for one of the most engaging videos I have seen on RU-vid. 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!
Here's the thing. The book goes on and on. The calendar can go on as well, if you cut the picture out and put it on the wall. Which I've done with Mortens calendar. Here's the thing: People who order calendars expect to be able to put some notes on the little squares. Most calendars offered don't leave that space. It makes all the difference. Send me fifty dollars if it works. Just a load of fun to watch your process. I ship and I'm proud of my work.
I started my working career in the printing industry. There used to be machines (even 40 years ago) that could automate the entire process of opening the box, inserting prints, then repackaging everything (you still have to sign though). We used them in a variety of scenarios, ie inserting advertising material into newspapers. Inserting cards into magazines or catalogues. We could do tens of thousands an hour. Not sure if anyone in the UK is offering that service now though.
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!
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!
"And now, ladies and gentlemen, the winner of the 2022 BAFTA award for a completely unbelievable one-sided telephone conversation on RU-vid is.....Thomas Heaton, @ the 16:12 mark of How I Run & Operate My Photography Business." :'-) So proud.
I like the fact you haven't gone down the route of becoming an ambassador to a large camera brand like Nigel Danson has with Nikon. You still have the freedom to use whatever camera gear you like and don't have to post favourable reviews every time Nikon release a new lens or camera or stick with one brand only. Keep up the good work.
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!
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 !!
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.
I order the Calendar every year and am guilty of forgetting to put it up or changing the month on time. I am fully aware I am an odd duck but I just like supporting the channel.
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.
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!
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 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.
As a photographer & now a RU-vid'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 ✅
Oh my God. I use to do the quality control for Zebra back in the early 2000's. Me and 1 other guy. They were the reason I got out of Quality control. The printers work fine in normal temperature conditions. Walmart was having a devil of a time with them in Alaska. Of course it's impossible to convince any President or VP that you need to by military spec components to get them to run up there. Oh what a nightmare.
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.
Photography aside, it was also a really interesting insight into running a business from home. I didn't even know Royal Mail would come and collect them all once you were done.
Thanks for showing us the other side of things we don't often get to see or appreciate Thomas, this was such an very enjoyable and informative video to watch and thanks for sharing 👍
Thank you! As someone who has recently started their photography business (having been creating amazing photographs for many years), I'm just now learning the business side of things. Selling photographs regularly is a goal, so this info really helps! Thank you!
🇨🇦/🇺🇸... Seeing as I've purchased your book, I can attest to the perceived quality. Here's the thing. I have a pretty low income for purchases and not a lot of wall space in my small apartment. Your "coffee-table" book was a terrific way of having someone else's art besides my own, to peruse when the urge hits.
Yep, being a self employed artist is about 10% creative and about 90% marketing. Takes some of the fun out of it but creates a lot of satisfaction and, hopefully, a livable wage so you can create more. :)
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.
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!! 🥰
Nice crash pad man! I also use my climbing gear for all sorts of other uses than climbing when applicable... and thanks for a very informative video as well 👍🏼
Thanks Thomas for this video. I appreciate the personal touch, the extra mile and especially the "do it yourself" approach. I pre-ordered your book when you announced it and had a faulty copy due to pages being dirty and kinked. At first I was a bit bummed that "someone messed up the book in production or during packaging". I reached out to you, you replied swiftly and I had my new, pristine book in my hands a couple of days later. This was amazing and now that I can see the behind the scenes, I appreciate that effort even more due to the fact that it was not just some random person on low wages chiming away in a warehouse - but you yourself fixing an error during production. Thank you for your amazing videos, the great quality of products and especially this "behind the scenes" video to show how you do this. I appreciate that.
In the present age of the shrinking wallet, you deserve every reward you get from your hard work, dedication and desire to produce your art. This video shows just how much hard work is involved in you making a living. In this moment in time where people are more concerned with eating and fuel costs, pictures/photographs are probably fairly low on their priority list. I'm sure this must be in your mind too. Keep up the great work Tom 👍
Thanks Thomas for sharing your model, process and what works. Such insight is hard to come by from most youtubers - sorry, photographers, ahem! - and is truly a mark of your generosity and minset, which has always been one of the attractions for me about your channel. May I also say I'm delighted that you are make a good living do what you love. I hope to follow in your footsteps in my own line of work in due course... and this video has been both helpful and inspiring. Very best wishes from Portsmouth in UK.
Thomas looking forward to receiving my personally signed calendar and image. You give me and thousands more many free hours of entertainment each year, the least I could do is purchase one of your great products every year. Cheers mate.
