A Photographer's In-Depth Year in Review (2023)

Chapter 1: Marketing Photos and Financial Growth

The Starting Point: A Modest Beginning

My financial journey in 2023 started quite modestly. I was earning around €150 per month from my photography, which was just the beginning. This initial income was primarily from my photography gigs, topped up here and there with some small, varied revenue streams. Balancing finances was a real struggle, especially since I was largely relying on the savings I had managed to accumulate during the COVID-19 pandemic. It was a challenging time, but it set the stage for the growth and lessons that were to come.
The year 2023 was a challenge I had to complete to be able to finally have enough income for a living!

As the year progressed, especially during the last three months leading up to December, there was a significant shift in my earnings. I found myself moving from a monthly income of around €150 to earning between €1200 and €1500. This increase was a game-changer for me, marking a substantial improvement in my financial stability as a photographer. It was a testament to the hard work and strategic changes I implemented throughout the year (with some luck of course).

Airbnb Experience: Breaking New Ground

I innovatively leveraged Airbnb's Experience feature to offer unique portrait sessions in Seoul's atmospheric locales. Despite initial market budget limitations, my distinctive style and choice for the shooting place in the local streets instead of doing the same thing as every other photographer in Seoul but also excellent customer reviews quickly attracted a broader client base, significantly boosting his income and reputation.

You can check my Airbnb Experience here.

Strengthening Online Presence

Understanding the power of online visibility, I revamped his Google Business Profile, strategically positioning my business among the top search results in Seoul, specifically on Google Maps where I can focus my income from foreign clients due to my lack of Korean knowledge. Collaborations with international clients, including the Haitian women's football team and New York University, are highlighted as key milestones.

Website and SEO Optimization

A complete overhaul of my website, coupled with a targeted SEO strategy, significantly improved my online visibility. This digital rebranding led to an increase in commercial requests, showcasing his services more effectively and contributing to a more stable financial status.

The purpose was to choose the different services I could provide. After that, I worked on some structure of the website that could lead potential clients to contact me.
With a specific area of my work.

Chapter 2: YouTube - Balancing Art and Education

Evolving Content Strategy

YouTube's strategy evolved to focus more on quality over quantity. I’m trying to balance the need for artistic expression with creating practical, educational content that adds value to his audience.
I edited fewer videos this year with more big breaks to be able to focus my work on photography and being able to provide good content instead of regular content.
My vlog every day in Japan last year showed me how much I’ll miss photo opportunities by recording too many videos.

Viral Hits and Misses

The successes and failures of my YouTube content. While some videos, like the Japan budgeting guide and camera reviews, gained significant traction, others, especially those focused on personal projects, received a lukewarm response. This disparity underscores the audience's preference for educational and practical content.
The future content needs to give practical information seeking for it. Otherwise, it will never grow.

Expanding Reach with Shorts and Subtitles

Implementing YouTube shorts and adding English subtitles were very successful! These adaptations allowed non-French speakers to engage with his content, reflecting his commitment to inclusivity and global engagement.
But in the end, the algorithms are the most important and while Shorts are extremely trendy nowadays, I need to admit that these work well to have an engagement with the audience much more linear. Also now there is a feature to attach your new videos to shorts which redirect quickly the audience to a bigger project and then to a subscription.

Chapter 3: Photo Projects - The Heart of Creativity

Exploring Editorial and Fashion Photography

I reveal my ambition to delve deeper into editorial and fashion photography. I’m planning to approach larger brands, aiming to engage in projects that are not only financially rewarding but also artistically fulfilling.

Celebrating Personal Projects

The projects I worked on, such as 'Cycle' and various portrait sessions, demonstrate my artistic versatility for more professional opportunities. Which led to my first exhibition in South Korea in collaboration with Elysa and Flavien.
A great experience which I hope I’ll be able to do again later.

The Challenge of Personal Photography

Amidst commercial success, I face the challenge of finding time for personal photography. I reflect on the luxury of shooting for artistic purposes and the struggle to balance client work with personal creative endeavors.

Chapter 4: Looking Ahead to 2024

Strategic Stabilization and Expansion

I plan to stabilize my income while exploring new opportunities. He intends to focus on educational content on YouTube and diversify his online offerings. Plans for photo presets and detailed location guides are discussed as part of his strategy to expand his digital footprint.
It could be a better solution to start earning money online instead of shooting to be able to move more easily in the future.

Visa Uncertainty and Future Prospects

The looming expiration of my South Korean visa introduces a significant uncertainty in my career. Since I managed to grow my network in Seoul, if I need to leave I will have to start again many things (with the new experience I got obviously) and it means a lot of time unpaid again…