Hi to all in Spain
 

Hi

Okay I admit it, the temperatures drop in the Uk and we think of Spain and wonder why we did not move there.

Well we didin't because when we were looking a few years back our photography business was expanding. We eventually sunk all our capital into the business and before we knew it lost almost all of it. Not moaning about it because it was our gamble. All the staff got alternative jobs and we now live in a caravan with our two year old daughter and are happier than we have been for ages.

However we have no faith in the motherland any longer. Schools are rough, towns are dangerous at night and trying to do business is awful.

So we are thinking Spain again but is it a case of thinking the grass is greener on the otherside.

Most of our work is portrait photography and we wonder what opportunities we might discover. Any thoughts gratefully received

cheers

stew

Re: Hi to all in Spain
 

Hi

So has anyone used the services of a photographer in Spain. We also do events, horse shows etc.


stew

Re: Hi to all in Spain
 

Please read rule 9. ;-)

Re: Hi to all in Spain
 

Hi Stew and welcome to the forum.

I've not had the need of photographic services here, but I think that if you took the plunge and came to Spain, with the proper advertising and networking in the expat communities, you could probably make a go of it.

Also remember that real estate agencies require people with good photographic abilities to market their properties.

Best of luck
Martha

Re: Hi to all in Spain
 

Ive noticed a few photographers dotted around
I'm sure theres a big demand for it

Re: Hi to all in Spain
 

Hi

To the moderator who quoted rule 9 I wish you had been nice enough to assist me in finding the rules, its taken me ages to find the them :lol::lol:

If you notice I have not put a link to my website or done anything that would enable people to contact me to ask me to take any photographs etc. My request is genuine. I am considering a move to Spain and was asking whether I would be able to earn a living there. I am grateful to the other memebrs who have offered me their wisdom otherwise I would think this a very unfriendly place :):)


stew

Re: Hi to all in Spain
 

Site rules are at the bottom of every page, also in Faq`s, they are there to help members and mods run one of the best sites on the web. :thumbup:

If you read rule 9, then you know why I steered you to it, as you are allowed to include your website in a signature line, there is also a classifieds forum for all advertising which keeps all the other forums from getting clogged up and people know where to look if they want to sell, rent or buy etc.

Its far from unfriendly it caters for everybody, maybe a browse round the site before posting would of helped. ;);)

Re: Hi to all in Spain
 

The moderators on this forum are very friendly and fair. The rules are straightforward and are there to prevent the forum from being difficult to use. You will find that the vast majority of members are helpful, we enjoy a banter too so do not be surprised if a thread goes off topic, if this happens you may need to bring it back on topic in a friendly uncritical way.

Anyway my take on your idea of moving over here to be a photographer is that it will very much depend on which area you are thinking of settling. Were you looking at areas with a lot of Brits or a very Spanish area? Do you speak Spanish? Do you have other interests or needs which will affect your choice of area?

Good Luck with your research.

Rosemary

Re: Hi to all in Spain
 

Hi Jdr

[/I]as you are allowed to include your website in a signature line,[/I], thats excellant, for some reason I did not realise you were trying to be helpful. Your fuller explanation makes that clear now ;);) I apologise for misunderstanding you.

Whats your opinion on the topic of this thread. I have been struggling with the Spanish language and so could not rely on marketing to the Spaniards. Do you think I could find enough work to support my wife and baby.

Just read your comment Rosemary. You posted whilst I was writing mine and the forum stopped me posting until I read yours, thats a very good feature.

We looked at Spain a few years ago, around the Costas from the Portugese border, along the South coast, around Almeria and then upto Alicante. Not sure where we would want to settle, possibly we would travel a little using the caravan as a base. Do you have any suggestions.



stew

Re: Hi to all in Spain
 

Looks like you will need to focus on areas with a reasonably high population of Brits. The Spanish in areas populated by Brits and other nationalities are also more likely to speak English so would be able to use your services. Some areas of Spain such as Valencia have a separate language (not just a different accent) so probably best to avoid them.

I do not know what it is like to caravan in the Costas but I am sure that others on here will give you info when they come on.

Rosemary

Re: Hi to all in Spain
 

Hi Rosemary

[/I]I do not know what it is like to caravan in the Costas[/I]

Emm, had not considered that yet. When I say caravan its actually a motorcaravan, totally self contained etc. Here in the UK we stay largely at small sites. They are great, you always make some very good friends. This week we met a couple from Scotland.

Maybe I had best start a new thread :)


stew

Re: Hi to all in Spain
 

Before you start a new thread do a search on the forum because caravanning has been covered lots of times and people have given info and provided websites.

Rosemary

Re: Hi to all in Spain
 

Loads of motorcaravans parked on supermarket car parks every night round here, some are from the UK, and... wait for it.... most do NOT have tax discs.:ohmy:

Re: Hi to all in Spain
 

No I don't believe it - are you sure you are not imagining things!:rofl:

Re: Hi to all in Spain
 

Hi

Most motorhomes cost in excess of £25,000. Even an old tatty transit with a few windows in is going to fetch a few grand. Why would anyone risk having it compounded by not having tax.

We have wildcamped in France and its heaven but we would never stay in one place more than a night and never block anyones view or get in their way, thats just freeloading. Buts its still a big world and there is room for all


stew

Re: Hi to all in Spain
 

I've just done the reverse move: photographer returning to the UK. I think you answered your own question with the comment about grass being greener. Many British people visit Spain and are seduced by the apparently relaxed lifestyle and sunshine. The reality is often very different. Many Brits who start a new life in Spain just take their problems with them and find them unresolved in the new country.
It really depends on your outlook. If you are the kind of person who is not too bothered about timekeeping, tidiness or manners, Spain is for you. I met a number of expats in Madrid who love the place. It has to be said that I met no Brit in Madrid during the three years I lived there who went for the culture or the beauty of the city. All were there for work reasons with multinationals or the embassy.
Madrid is not representative of all the country. I would say there probably is work for you but it will be very poorly paid. Most photographers I have met in Spain are just scratching a living. If you can gain a reputation amongst the expat community you could get work by word of mouth, as the communities can be very close- knit. I'd forget about marketing to Spanish people, you'll find it hard to get them to part with their money. You're also up against the fact that everyone has digital cameras and photo editing software. If you have more artistic aspirations then head for Barcelona, which is the most cosmopolitan city in Spain. Most other places are overgrown villages.
I'm glad to be out of Spain. It was the worst three years of my life.

Re: Hi to all in Spain
 

Hi Snap

Sorry to hear it did not work out for you but welcome back to the UK.Are you carrying on as a photographer here. What sort of work do you do

stew

Re: Hi to all in Spain
 

I worked in national newspapers and magazines, also design & advertising. For a while, I had a portrait studio as a sideline but couldn't compete against the slick marketing of people like Venture.
I still do the occasional magazine job, mostly illustration rather than photography, I am now involved in a web design start-up.
I never managed to make any headway in Spain even though I speak Spanish (my wife is from Castilla).
I made a big mistake by taking on a long book project which meant me burning boats in the UK, after I finshed it in Spain, I found there was not enough work. The book only sold a few thousand copies. Luckily my wife works in local government in Madrid, one of the funcionarios
There are many good photographers in Spain but very little money to sustain them. Everyone complains.
I'm very happy to be back in the UK. Living away makes one realise how much of a nation of moaners are the British. We complain about things so much we don't notice the really great things about living in the UK. It really isn't the bad place the Daily Mail would have us believe.

Re: Hi to all in Spain
 

Hi

You are right about Venture being slick, they need to be at their prices ;) Best of luck with the web design business

stew

Re: Hi to all in Spain
 

Thanks, and good luck with whatever way you decide to go.
Michael.