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Richard I’Anson of www.richardianson.com has built the kind of photography career many photographers dream about.
He has spent 40 years photographing the world — more than 100 countries, all seven continents, and an enormous body of work covering people, places, culture, landscapes, festivals and wildlife.
His images have been published worldwide. He’s authored 14 books, including the best-selling Lonely Planet’s Guide to Travel Photography, and he’s a Canon Master Photographer.
But what interests me most isn’t just the travel.
It’s the career behind it.
Because it’s one thing to take great photos while travelling.
It’s another thing altogether to build a sustainable photography business around that work for four decades.
In this interview, I wanted to understand what made that possible — the planning, persistence, commercial decisions, relationships and adaptability behind Richard’s career, and how his thinking about photography and business has changed along the way.
Richard shares how weddings and portraits helped fund and prepare him for travel photography, how he built a stock library that opened doors with Lonely Planet and other publishers, what happened to the stock photography market, why print sales have never been a major part of his business, and how photography tours became his most important income stream today.
We also talk about why experience matters before launching tours or workshops, the realities of making money from travel photography, balancing family and constant travel, and why the business model you choose may matter more than the camera you use.
Here's some more of what we covered in the interview:
What’s on Offer for Premium Members
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People do not care what it cost you, how much pain you went through, how many days you sat on the mountain top, how cold you were or how hungry you were. It’s just the image in front of them. – Richard I’Anson
You'll also receive access to the members-only Secret Facebook Group, where you can connect with other Premium Members and interview guests to help, support and motivate you to take ideas you hear in each episode and put them into action. The group also has FB live video tutorials, role-play, and special live interviews. You will not find friendlier, more motivated, caring, and sharing photographers online. Seriously, that's not all.
It’s one thing to take the pictures. You still have to come home, work with them, get them out there, sell them effectively and do all the other stuff you do in a business. – Richard I’Anson
In addition to everything above, you'll get access to instructions on forming or joining a MasterMind Group with other premium members. These groups are super motivating, hold you accountable, and help you build friendships with other pro photographers who share your goals—to build a more successful photography business.
What is your big takeaway?
Following this interview, I’d love to know if you're taking anything from what Richard shared. Is there something you heard that excited or motivated you to the point where you thought, yeah, I'm going to do that! If so, leave your thoughts in the comments below; let me know your takeaways and what you plan to implement in your business based on today's episode.
There is nothing like a wedding to teach you how to shoot under pressure. There is no second chance. You have to deliver regardless of everything. – Richard I’Anson
If you have any questions I missed, a specific question you’d like to ask Richard, or a way to thank her for coming on the show, feel free to add them in the comments area below.
Selling prints is hard. Randomly selling prints on a website isn’t going to make you a living. – Richard I’Anson
iTunes Reviews and Shout-outs
I check for any new iTunes or Google reviews each week, and it's always a buzz to receive these… for several reasons. Firstly, it's confirmation that I'm on the right track with the interviews and that they are helping you improve your photography business. That's awesome! Secondly, iTunes and Google are the most significant podcast search engines, and your reviews and ratings help other photographers find PhotoBizX. More listeners mean more interviews and, ultimately, a better show.
I think my biggest achievement is the fact that I’m still going after 40 years. – Richard I’Anson
If you have left a review in the past, thank you! If you haven't and you'd like to, head to https://photobizx.com/itunes or https://photobizx.com/google. You can leave some honest feedback and a rating, which will help me and the show. I'll be sure to thank you on the show and add a link to your website or blog if you let me know the URL of your website and your name. Alternatively, if you've left a review for PhotoBizX and are looking for more backlinks to help your SEO, leave a review for the new Photography Xperiment Podcast. Email me your keywords or phrases and where you'd like me to link them.
I wanted to be a photographer to take photos. I didn’t want to be a photographer to make money. – Richard I’Anson
Another great way to get a backlink to your site is to send a video testimonial. It doesn't need to be fancy, and your phone will be perfect. Click record and tell me how PhotoBizX has impacted you and your photography business.
Links to people, places and things mentioned in this episode:
The demand for pictures is probably as great as ever. It’s just that the price people are paying is so small, it’s laughable. – Richard I’Anson
Thank you!
Huge thanks to Richard for such an honest look at what it really takes to build a long-term career in photography.
What stood out for me is how little of his success came from chasing quick wins. It was years of shooting, learning the business, building a body of work and adapting as the industry changed.
Forty years on, he’s still doing what he loves — and that’s probably the biggest lesson of all.
I’d love to know what stood out for you.
I’ve always thought you should do it full time. I’ve never thought that you could actually make money from photography part time. – Richard I’Anson
That’s it for me this week; I hope everything is going well for you in life and business!
Thanks for listening—speak soon,
Andrew
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