Debra Conrad.com

Doesn't turning 50 hit you gob-smack in the face? Where did life go? I feel all the aches and pains of old age creeping into my body… and I hate it!

Are you as tired of working for a paycheck as I was? Anyone who is close to turning a half century old has got to take stock of the situation and wonder… where will I be at 60? and 65? and 67?  Still working just so I can have the money to do some fun things in retirement.

You know what gets me??? I watch the 65 and 67 year olds try to do the things they could have done at 50 and they are too tired to enjoy most of it.  

So… what would I do?  A friend of mine just asked me yesterday what I thought she could do to make a self-employed living.  Isn't that the $64,000 question. If I could guarantee you an income doing something you love and you wouldn't have to worry about money… wouldn't you be climbing over each other to buy my idea?

Gee… I wish I had the answer for everyone.  

I am working at my new career… not making much yet, but making a ton more than I was last year.  The key is to learn about anything that might interest you and pick a mentor or coach to guide you through the rough stages.

I found this neat idea recently and am investigating it (in my spare time ).  I use a boatload of photos in my new career and most of them are of things I can't just go out an take a picture of anytime I need one.  Beside that… I don't want to take the time to go out and take pictures that I can easily find online.

Here is the sticky point.  You just can't go online and find any picture on a website and use it as your own.  Copyright laws pertain to websites, and the law will get you in trouble eventually if you break it.

I learned that buying photographs to use for my websites, books and other ventures isn't expensive.  Most cost about a buck and they are clear and crisp photographs that I can crop and use to my hearts content.

So where do these photo's come from???   My favorite website to purchase photos at is istockphotos.com

Now, I am seeing some photos are being sold 50 - 60 times.  If the photographer gets half, that is still $25 or $30 for really just one picture.  What if you uploaded to a photography sales website and sold 6000 images??? (I have seen that statistic) That is about $3,000… that's dollars!!   Okay, now aren't you as curious as I am? It's not a living wage but it would help pay for some travel!

And… I found out their are other places to sell photographs, not just these websites.  I also figured out this could just be a side business… it does not have to be full-time.

I also learned that you just need a Digital Camera… A nice one, but not top of the line.  You DO NOT have to be a professional.  Just learn from one book how to take quality pictures and take pictures of things others (like me) can use on their websites, marketing materials and other printed materials.

Top 100 Simplified Tips and Tricks for Photoshop Elements teaches with simple lanquage, screen shots of each project as it is being edited and a ton of shortcuts and tips that will help you learn Adobe Elements fast.

I use Adobe Elements as my photograph editing software.  It is simple to learn, no extra bells and whistles and I didn't pay a hefty price.  It usually sells for around $80.  It is worth every penny if you own a digital camera!

Did you notice that you have invested less than $100 for extras other than a camera.  This idea could be the least expensive career change you could make. What do you have to loose?

I already have a camera, in fact I have several that will take excellent close up, landscape and portraits.  So I don't have much to invest at all to try out the idea of making money with a digital camera.

I do need someone to guide me through all the trouble spots.  Don't you always want to jump in, and wouldn't it be helpful to be coached by someone who has already been there - done that?

I found the step by step, hand holding system also.  I am starting to work the Camera Dollar System step-by step… I'll let you know how it goes.

Leave a comment if you have tried this system or have any other thoughts to offer.