Photography Scene In Portland? (weddings, wages, living)

[D from STB]

Hey Everybody?

Does anyone know what the Portland photography scene is like? Are there any Photographers here on the forum who could tell me what it's like trying to make a living here?

Thanks!

[MtnSurfer]

Well,

I don't live there yet. But I can tell you this. Portland and the PNW in general is a hotbed for very talented landscape photographers.

One of the top young landscape photographers lives out there - Marc Adamus. You can see some of his work here:
http://wildphoto.smugmug.com/

Also check this site out which should help to give you more of an insider look at things:
http://www.naturephotographers.net/i...?a=vf15&u=8738

Now if you are talking about event/portrait/wedding photography I have no clue as I am a landscape guy. But the raw beauty of the region is one of the things that draws me that is for sure!

- Derek

[luv the outdoors]

Wow, fantastic pictures. I save the sights to my favorites. Thanks

[D from STB]

I guess I mean more like lifestyle, portraiture, weddings, advertising. I heard there was a lot of catalog work up there, but have been having a hard time finding out who's shooting it, and who specifically they're shooting for.

Thanks for the links, that guy really does do some cool stuff.

[D from STB]

Hey Guys.

Don't mind me. I just wanted to re-ask this question:

Are there any photographers (making a LIVING as photographers, I mean) in the city on this forum who can tell me what's it like trying to support yourself here with a camera? I mean shooting along the lines of weddings, portraits, advertising, product, commercial...pretty much WHATEVER. Is it especially tough? I keep hearing that the economy is tricky. But a city's a city, and every city has a potential market for a good photographer, right?

[rye-rye]

Portland and Seattle are both over saturated with creative people so it makes it really hard to keep wages up high, its simply a supply and demand thing. However, Portland is a city where people are impressed by individualism and creativity, not things. So you can do what you love and live a modest life in a really great city. If you want fame and fortune as a photographer, you might have to go somewhere where creative types like yourself are rare but in high demand......the midwest? the deep south? Good luck though

[D from STB]

Thanks Rye-Rye, I appreciate the feedback. Anyone else on here with some knowledge of the photography world in PDX?

[starchild1]

More photographers per square inch than any other place. I know because I'm working as one. I think there were 400 applicants for my position. Wages tend to be lower than other larger cities.