Post: #1

Does anybody have any experience making money while traveling abroad doing photography? I have a $4300 camera setup and do local photography where I am at now and I was looking for ways to make money while traveling besides freelance writing or teaching english.

Im looking to travel to rio and I have not studied portuguese but by time I would arrive I could have acquired at least some basics. Im also wondering if anybody thinks being a personal trainer in rio could make some money? Im guessing I could get by with minimal language skills doing this.

Post: #2

I know how you could make $4300 instantly...





Personally I would get rid of the camera. Travelling round places like Brazil with a $4K+ camera hanging round your neck is a bit of a risk no?

Post: #3

well I do photography on the side so its not like I bought it just to for traveling because that would be overkill. I figured tho since I have the skill and the setup it would be a good business venture to do to help support my trip?

Post: #4

One of my videographer friends is currently in Brazil (rio) doing the same exact thing. He studied some Portuguese before going. He does videos for local businesses and stuff to make some money. He's been there for a few months, so he must be doing alright. He also saved up some money before going.

Post: #5

Where's the personal trainer part come in?

Post: #6

(10-20-2012 09:54 PM)wiscanada Wrote:  Where's the personal trainer part come in?

Personal trainer was my other idea for some extra income while I am in brazil. Im getting certified right now here in the united states but Im not sure how much that matters over there since there is a bunch of different associations to go through here. Im wondering if anyone has ever done any of these since to me it would be easier and more consistent cash flow then being a writer or something that could be hit or miss.

Post: #7

Photography - maybe you can do weddings.

Post: #8

I only have insight on the photography side, I used to be really into landscape photography and sold a bit. It lends itself to solitude as the best time to shoot is sunrise, scout during the day, shoot in evening, process at night and then go to bed at the same time as your grandma.

I did meet a guy once who ran a pretty good business buying up good amateur photography from flickr etc and then reselling it to publishers. It requires a good network for sales and lots of internet time. That would let you have a business while travelling and not even have to bring your trillion dollar camera.

(10-20-2012 10:11 PM)foreman123 Wrote:  

(10-20-2012 09:54 PM)wiscanada Wrote:  Where's the personal trainer part come in?

Personal trainer was my other idea for some extra income while I am in brazil. Im getting certified right now here in the united states but Im not sure how much that matters over there since there is a bunch of different associations to go through here. Im wondering if anyone has ever done any of these since to me it would be easier and more consistent cash flow then being a writer or something that could be hit or miss.

Post: #9

I have flirted with the idea of personal training but I'm just curious if you have an angle. Would you work with men or women?

To be honest I would think that you would have better luck being a personal trainer for an expat or for tourists or something (foreigners, especially women, tend to be fatter than the locals in Brazil). In that case knowing Portuguese would not be hugely necessary if they're Americans, Canadians, or Australians. Every Brazilian that I know is basically shredded to shit and probably does not want a personal trainer and I can guess that their country does not have a big obesity problem yet.

Not saying that learning Portuguese is a bad idea (it's definitely not if you're trying to run game) but if you just want to make money I'd say zoom in on those tourists.

Post: #10

(10-21-2012 07:35 PM)wiscanada Wrote:  I only have insight on the photography side, I used to be really into landscape photography and sold a bit. It lends itself to solitude as the best time to shoot is sunrise, scout during the day, shoot in evening, process at night and then go to bed at the same time as your grandma.

I did meet a guy once who ran a pretty good business buying up good amateur photography from flickr etc and then reselling it to publishers. It requires a good network for sales and lots of internet time. That would let you have a business while travelling and not even have to bring your trillion dollar camera.

(10-20-2012 10:11 PM)foreman123 Wrote:  

(10-20-2012 09:54 PM)wiscanada Wrote:  Where's the personal trainer part come in?

Personal trainer was my other idea for some extra income while I am in brazil. Im getting certified right now here in the united states but Im not sure how much that matters over there since there is a bunch of different associations to go through here. Im wondering if anyone has ever done any of these since to me it would be easier and more consistent cash flow then being a writer or something that could be hit or miss.

Slightly off topic, what was your fave lens and camera for landscape shots?

Post: #11

(10-22-2012 11:55 AM)rudebwoy Wrote:  

(10-21-2012 07:35 PM)wiscanada Wrote:  I only have insight on the photography side, I used to be really into landscape photography and sold a bit. It lends itself to solitude as the best time to shoot is sunrise, scout during the day, shoot in evening, process at night and then go to bed at the same time as your grandma.

I did meet a guy once who ran a pretty good business buying up good amateur photography from flickr etc and then reselling it to publishers. It requires a good network for sales and lots of internet time. That would let you have a business while travelling and not even have to bring your trillion dollar camera.

(10-20-2012 10:11 PM)foreman123 Wrote:  

(10-20-2012 09:54 PM)wiscanada Wrote:  Where's the personal trainer part come in?

Personal trainer was my other idea for some extra income while I am in brazil. Im getting certified right now here in the united states but Im not sure how much that matters over there since there is a bunch of different associations to go through here. Im wondering if anyone has ever done any of these since to me it would be easier and more consistent cash flow then being a writer or something that could be hit or miss.

Slightly off topic, what was your fave lens and camera for landscape shots?

The camera body was a D90, it was the most I could afford at the time and did a good enough job. The lens I liked to use the most was a 10-15mm f4 Sigma with a polarizing filter. I would set that up on a low tripod in a shallow part of a stream at dusk or on the edge of a lake in the morning with a long exposure. That lets you use the distortion to create really long lines or gigantic skies for sunrise/sunset

Post: #12

(10-20-2012 03:36 PM)foreman123 Wrote:  Does anybody have any experience making money while traveling abroad doing photography?

I've sold several photographic prints of my travels to Europe on Etsy.

Nothing that would ever come close to resembling an income, but it's possible to do this.

I occasionally take classes and attend seminars run by professional photographers. I know one couple in particular who travel to Europe and Africa, taking pictures of buildings, scenery, and wildlife and sell the prints. It's a rough hustle, but they do it. They also lead field trips and photo safari vacations for hardcore photography geeks.

Another way to do it is wedding photography. There's good money to be made there, but you have to be VERY talented, both technically and artistically, to do well at this. Fuck up 1 wedding and your reputation is ruined.