Photography Income In Retirement - Monetize Your Hobby

I have been an active photographer since high school when I earned a few bucks (or Kroners in Norway) taking pictures for the local newspaper. It paid for my camera equipment - which made my parents happy. Well, that little side line never really ended. I never made a living with photography, but I am to this day earning enough money to more than paying for my equipment. I am now semi-retired and this is part of my retirement income. And fun too!

To make a long story short, using high-end cameras since the beginning (1968) I manage to earn enough to support my habit. There are several ways to do that, personally I do some Realtor work - taking pictures of listings, I have done some team sports and nature/wildlife images I have printed out and sold.

A few years ago I got hired three years in a row (then I moved) to be the official photographer for the NW Washington State Fair. I got that by offering to take pictures one year in return for access to "back stage" at the fair. I got that, and they loved my images. So I had a couple of years of great fun while earning money doing what I really loved to do. With that credibility (I earned several prizes for my work from the WA State Fair Association) - I could have done some marketing and made more out of it. Life happened, so it got dropped.

The knowledge I have is really not much, but I suppose I have a natural "eye" for composition. I have also learned that from a digital camera - no matter how good it is - tweaking the images after shooting helps make them a little less than "off the rack". A little sharpening here, add some contrast. That will set you apart from the millions of point-and-shoot photographers out there that think their pictures are just great.

The other thing I learned as a semi-pro photographer is that the client is almost always right. Many, many times they want a certain "look" and I'd better deliver. In spite of my own view on it. Although, for the most part clients accept my expertise and products. But always listen.

I love to do nature pictures. Many people do. It is very difficult to sell nature/wildlife images, since they are so common these days. They have to really inspire or be so much better that people's pictures from their last trip to Mexico. Good images tell a story.

Here's an acid test when it comes to "great" nature/wildlife images: when people look at your picture and they don't ask "where is this taken", THEN you have a great image. Nature pictures should be location independent. Same with people. If they ask "who is this" your image is a snapshot.

On out trip to Norway this year I managed to score lots of great images. The fall colors were incredible, the weather just perfect for photography. How can I monetize this portfolio? I can make postcards, print them up and sell them at Scandinavian fairs (which I have done) or post them on a website for sale on-line.

So in retirement, if you have an interest in photography - start thinking of how you can monetize your hobby.

Ingvar is a retiree in training and writes about making money in retirement. http://www.retiremententrepreneurs.com

Article Source: [http://EzineArticles.com/?Photography-Income-In-Retirement---Monetize-Your-Ho...] Photography Income In Retirement - Monetize Your Hobby

Filed under  //   digital camera   got   great   nature   people   photography   pictures   really   stage  

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The Pros and Cons of Bukisa

Bukisa is an online writing platform that allows you to submit your articles and make money according to how many views you get to your content. It is free to join and you can upload up to 25 articles per day. Here are a few of the pros and cons that I have experienced with the site:

The Pros

Duplicate Content. Bukisa does not require that you submit content that is not posted anywhere else. This means that you can use your articles that you submit to article directories and earn a residual income with them on Bukisa. However, due to the nature of the search engines, your articles will do better if you post original content that is not posted anywhere else on the internet.

Shorter Articles. Bukisa is great in the sense that they allow you to upload short articles that are only 250 words in length. But again, due to the nature of the search engines, longer articles will do better in the long run.

Make Friends. As with other writing platforms, Bukisa allows you to build relationships with other fellow writers for more views and social activity.

Referrals. Bukisa allows you to make money with your articles, but at the same time you can also earn a percentage of the revenue that is generated by anyone whom you refer to Bukisa.

Low Payout. For many it takes a while to generate enough money from these websites in order to reach the payout. Bukisa however will pay you after you have earned 10 dollars. However, this does not mean that they will pay you every time that you reach 10 dollars, as you can adjust your payout settings to a higher amount.

The Cons

If you are looking for a website to help market your online business, then Bukisa perhaps is not the best place for you, as they will not allow you to use your articles to link to any site that is promotional in nature. However, you can use your profile page to promote any site that you like. Therefore it is still a great site that will help you to generate some traffic.

It may take you a while before you begin to see positive results, but if you stick with it, and continue to add articles and build back links to them, you will begin to see positive results in a matter of time. Patience is always a virtue when it comes to online marketing.

To learn more about how you can make money online, sign up for my free 10-day course in [http://www.internetaffiliateinfo.com]Internet Affiliate Marketing http://www.internetaffiliateinfo.com/writingplatforms.html

Article Source: [http://EzineArticles.com/?The-Pros-and-Cons-of-Bukisa&id=4743177] The Pros and Cons of Bukisa

Filed under  //   every time   money   nature   online   patience   reach   time  

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Build Strong Alliances

Can you imagine a more appropriate topic for Network Marketing? Network Marketing is all about building relationships, Building Strong Alliances.

Lincoln spent an enormous amount of time building alliances with everyone from his Cabinet, Generals to office staff workers. He saw every relationship as important. Lincoln wanted to know how everyone ticked. Would they meet the challenge under pressure or would they fold? What were their ethics and values? As an effective leader he needed to know whom he could count on and who would need extra support. He also wanted everyone to know him well so they knew what to expect from his leadership style. Lincoln left nothing to chance.

Network Marketing Leaders build strong interpersonal relationships with their team and prospects which is the difference between succeeding and failing. Retention of your team is paramount to building your business. People join people, they do not join companies. Building relationships develops Know, Like and Trust with your team and prospects.

Lincoln was a great listener. He was a master at dealing with conflict. His own "team" knew they could depend on him and could pretty well predict what his response would be in a given situation. He was firm, kind and resourceful, with a distinct mind of his own. He was able to overcome intense negative feelings directed toward him. Divisiveness can greatly weaken your team. Just spending time with your team, getting to know them, how they work, treating them with dignity and respect, will create great loyalty.

"Lincoln's Principles:

Wage only one war at a time. Spend time letting your followers learn that you are firm, resolute, and committed in the daily performance of your duty. Doing so will gain their respect and trust. Etiquette and personal dignity are sometimes wisely set aside. Invest time and money in better understanding the ins and outs of human nature. Remember, human action can be modified to some extent, but human nature cannot be changed. Showing your compassionate and caring nature will aid you in forging successful relationships. When you extinguish hope, you create desperation." Lincoln on Leadership, Donald T. Phillips.

Suzan Svatek is a Professional Network Marketer. Suzan believes if you want to become successful in Network Marketing you can. It is her goal to give you the right knowledge, skills and abilities to be successful through a PROVEN duplicatable system, of good leadership and supportive mentoring. You CAN be successful. Download her free eBook explaining why your lack of success is NOT your fault, at [http://www.mentoringformlm.com]http://www.mentoringformlm.com. She has many other written and audio resources for you. Her Blog is available at: [http://www.suzansvatek.com]http://www.suzansvatek.com.

Article Source: [http://EzineArticles.com/?Build-Strong-Alliances&id=3927703] Build Strong Alliances

Filed under  //   building   human   imagine   leadership   marketing   nature   team   time  

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Beekeeping Beginners - Ten Reasons to Begin Beekeeping!

Perhaps you are wondering about whether to start beekeeping. But you are not sure. All those hours in the office are wearing you down. You notice that when you go to the beach or to a farm you can really relax. So you have been thinking lately that you would like to spend more time in the outdoors; maybe even most of your weekends. You have been trying to think of a hobby and a little voice somewhere said beekeeping. You are not sure why. It might be that you saw a film like The Secret Life of Bees, and it left an impression on you.

Beekeeping beginners wanting reasons to start beekeeping should read this List of Ten:

1. Beekeeping beginners will satisfy their need to know more about beekeeping

If you are reading this you have an interest in beekeeping. If you try beekeeping you may become fascinated with bees, and this will lead to rewarding changes in your life.

2. Beekeeping beginners can sell their honey

As you progress beyond the beekeeping beginners' level you will begin to make some money. As your understanding deepens you will begin to see opportunities. Your hobby may mean a good second income. It may become a full time occupation!

3. Beekeeping beginners can give presents of bee products to friends

If you are like me, you cannot think of anything to give friends for birthdays or at Christmas. Honey is something that most people use. It is a gift that represents your hard work. This gives your present of honey an added meaning for you and your friends.

4. Beekeeping beginners will re-connect with nature by doing something outdoors with their hands

You probably have experienced how nature can regenerate you. It slows your mind down. You become more aware of your surroundings. You can smell the trees, the flowers, and the grasses. You can feel the sea and the wind. Beekeeping brings you back to your self.

5. Beekeeping beginners will help pollinate flowers

Colony Collapse Disorder (CCD) has made an enormous impact on bee numbers around the world. The human food supply has been affected. If you are community-minded you will get satisfaction knowing your bees are helping the food supply through pollination.

6. Beekeeping beginners will be responsible for living things

You may be aware of how caring for a pet; a dog or a cat, makes you happier. Bees, unlike cats and dogs, cannot be cuddled and are not cute, but they will require care!

7. Beekeeping beginners will meet other beekeepers

Beekeepers are a different breed who are fiercely independent. They are very focused production and they are usually very active. You will learn about them and they will hopefully tell you some beekeeping tricks and short cuts! You could also gain a new social network.

8. You will find out if beekeeping commercially is an option

As a beekeeping beginners you will know quickly if you are meant to be a beekeeper. You will know in a few months. If it is not for you, have no regrets. But if you love it, you will be able to follow your passion!

9. Beginning beekeepers can educate others. For instance, children

If you have children they will gain an appreciation for nature and a knowledge of at least one way of getting food from nature. They will know that honey is not grown on a supermarket shelf! The value of this to a child is immense.

10. You will be able to apply your beekeeping beginners knowledge in your life

Your understanding of bee organization my help you in your own life. You will see the ruthlessness of nature. You will see the beauty of nature's design. There are always ways to take what you have learned from nature and use it in your work or daily life.

These Ten Reasons, hopefully, have convinced you or inspired you to start a brand new chapter in your life!

Bill Rutherfurd writes on Beekeeping and Bee related subjects. He is developing a site for marketing bee products but it is not yet live. For more information for the beekeeping beginner please visit: http://www.squidoo.com/beekeepingbeginners

Article Source: [http://EzineArticles.com/?Beekeeping-Beginners---Ten-Reasons-to-Begin-Beekeeping!&id=3485631] Beekeeping Beginners - Ten Reasons to Begin Beekeeping!

Filed under  //   bee   honey   nature   ten  

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Opportunity

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