John Shaws business of nature photography a professionals guide to marketing and managing a successful nature photography…

What it’s about

For photographers who dream of turning their passion for nature into a profession, John Shaw’s Business of Nature Photography offers a comprehensive, nuts-and-bolts guide to long-term success. Drawing on 25 years of experience, Shaw demystifies the business side of the industry, revealing that a profitable career is built not on glamorous assignments but on the diligent marketing of a large, high-quality stock photography portfolio. This book provides a complete game plan, covering everything from selecting the right equipment and setting up an efficient office to finding clients, pricing work, writing articles to sell photo packages, negotiating contracts, and managing finances. It is an essential manual for any aspiring nature photographer who wants to move beyond taking good pictures to running a thriving, sustainable business.

The through-line

Who it’s for

An aspiring or early-career nature photographer who is skilled at taking pictures but uncertain how to turn their passion into a profitable, sustainable profession. They want to see their work published and make a living from their photography.

The problem

They lack a clear roadmap for the business side of photography, struggling with how to find clients, price their work, manage an office, and market their images effectively in a competitive field. They feel overwhelmed, frustrated, and uncertain about how to bridge the gap between being a good photographer and a successful professional, causing them to doubt whether their dream is attainable.

The plan

1. Get Started: Build a large, high-quality stock file with the right equipment and film.
2. Master Office Work: Set up an efficient office and learn to professionally edit, caption, and organize your images.
3. Find Clients: Research markets, send query letters, and use promotional tools to get noticed by photo editors.
4. Handle Submissions: Prepare and send professional photo submissions and manage them with a delivery memo system.
5. Write and Publish: Use article and book writing as a primary vehicle to sell your photographs.

The payoff

The reader runs a profitable and sustainable nature photography business. · Their work is regularly published in magazines, books, and calendars. · They have a clear, professional system for managing their images, clients, and finances, freeing them up to spend more time in the field doing what they love.

See our guide

• The Bicycle Guide to Own And Run A Local Business That Runs Without You →

Related profiles we’ve built

• The Bicycle Guide to Start Your Own Personal Training Business Your Step-by-Step Guide to Success →
• The Bicycle Guide to The Business of Movement Principles, Patterns, and Productivity by Gray Cook →

Featured in these guides

• The Bicycle Guide to Own And Run A Local Business That Runs Without You →Cited source