I am currently living in Los Angeles and am a professional photographer specializing mostly in automobile advertising, but I shoot people and other things as well. I am looking for some advice on how to get my business going in Taipei. I am also looking to develop some sort of relationships (i.e.friendships, business contacts) before I make the move over. Any advice would be greatly appreciated. Thank you.
Ummm…I’d hate to state the obvious, but…can you read, write and speak Mandarin or Taiwanese Chinese…?
Otherwise…it’s Engrish teachin for you buddy…
You can get by with just English, but it’s not easy.
To start with, what’s your website address?
Are you married to a TW citizen and thus eligible for a marriage visa and open work rights, or do you have sufficient funds to register a business (search the business forum for the latest info)?
Can you afford to take a pay cut from where you are now? Until you’re established, you’ll be making less than a newbie English teacher.
I just started to study Mandarin and I am in the middle of designing a new website. I paid lots of money for one that I didn’t care for. My new one should be up within the next 30 days or so. I wouldn’t be thinking of heading over for at least 4-6 months as my family is going through some tough stuff right now. What about teaching english while I develop contacts in the photo world?
Just become a wedding photographer and get rich.
That would be the obvious choice. I imagine its a tough world to break into. I can think of only cfimages, in fact, who is able to make a living from photography – there are literally thousands of locals doing some absolutely stunning work, probably for a lot less than you could charge.
Photography is a MASSIVE hobby here and there are photographers falling out of the trees.
So, what is the link of the current website than?
Surely you have something to show somewhere?
Here are 2 photogs in Taipei that I know of:
[quote=“FransInTaiwan”]So, what is the link of the current website than?
Surely you have something to show somewhere?
Here are 2 photogs in Taipei that I know of:
marcgerritsen.com/
french-art-photo.com/[/quote]
Why does he need to show you anything?? How will that help other than satisfy your curiosity?
[quote=“divea”][quote=“FransInTaiwan”]So, what is the link of the current website than?
Surely you have something to show somewhere?
Here are 2 photogs in Taipei that I know of:
marcgerritsen.com/
french-art-photo.com/[/quote]
Why does he need to show you anything?? How will that help other than satisfy your curiosity?[/quote]
Seeing his work gives an idea of what steps he’d need to take to start a business here, and how serious and experienced he is. All is helpful for giving advice.
Like I said before I was very unhappy with my old website and am currently designing a new one myself. I should have it up and running by the end of next week. I did visit the two links you posted prior to your posting and I would not be in any competition with them as I do high end automobile and fitness(Sports). If you want to see some of my work give me an email address and I would be more than happy to send you some samples.
mycal, you’re going to have a hard time with automobile stuff here. You may be able to use the fitness/sport thing as a basis for some commercial advertising work, but in general sport is not big here.
I can introduce you to a few people if/when you get here. Most of them have Facebook/Twitter presences too, so you’ll probably need that for efficient networking.
Feel free to send me a couple of samples. My email is listed on my site www.craigfergusonimages.com
Hey Craig, Thanks for the post. I haven’t been here for 10 days or so as my mother has been very sick and it seems to be taking up most of my time. I will send a couple of samples in the next day or so. Are you making a living solely as a photographer or are you doing something else to fill in the gaps?
Michael
He works as a plasterer too.
Mostly photography related mycal - shooting, assisting, teaching photography, etc.
EDIT - I should add that a FOB English teacher makes more per month than I do. It’s not easy to make a good living here through photography.
But thinking of becoming a sparkie.
Why not a plumber? You already have the crack.
But the freckles don’t match.
But the freckles don’t match.[/quote]
OK, that’s truly an EEEEEWWWWW! moment. Not a pleasant picture at all, at all.
But the freckles don’t match.[/quote]
OK, that’s truly an EEEEEWWWWW! moment. Not a pleasant picture at all, at all.[/quote]
So I guess that rules out a career as a comedian.
Just remember: Wet wipes are your friend in the battle against the krafty klingon.