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How to Make a Living as a Sneaker Photographer

 What’s up guys?! Beija here for Complex.   Creatives are finding ways to make some cash from social media platforms like Instagram. One of the main markets that people are pursuing now is photography, especially sneakerheads. Consumers are evolving from just collecting shoes to now learning how to turn their hobby, into paying their bills.   Brands and retailers are always on the hunt for photographers to amp up their social media presence. Companies want a certain “aesthetic” that’s visually stimulating, sells product, and keeps consumers craving more and more content. You can go from just posting your #kicksoftheday flicks on the gram to being a paid photographer. But, that takes a lot of time, connections, practice, and most importantly…originality.   Thomas Lindie is only 24-years-old and lives in Aberdeen, Scotland. He works as a full-time photographer for sneaker retailer Hanon and does commission work for New Balance Football as well. He told Complex:    “The main reason I got into photography was to take pictures of my sneakers. I’d go to Crepe City events and take photos. One of my friends was into photography, and I’d practice taking pictures in my garden and watched tutorials on YouTube to learn more.”   Lindie currently has almost 13,000 Instagram followers and to grow his social media following wasn’t an overnight process. He copped a DSLR camera, was committed to making sure that he attended every sneaker release at Hanon, and consistently took the time to get to know employees and build that relationship.   Lindie’s distinctive style in the locations of his photography, immersing himself within the local scene, as well as his work for New Balance Gallery, has enhanced his leverage. The 24-year-old photographer said that his photography gigs are enough to pay the bills, but wouldn’t disclose specifics.   Another photographer, Michael Suschek, who goes by the name Runner Wally, is one of Germany’s most sought-after sneaker snappers. The 34-year-old was posting pics of kicks on the gram while maintaining his own blog, and was able to flip that into a position at one of Berlin’s premier sneaker retailers--Overkill.   Suschek was hired in early 2016 to enhance the retailer’s on-foot photography shots, and since then he’s started to work for Overkill less to focus more on executing bigger campaigns with brands. The photographer has since worked with brands such as Nike, Puma, Karhu, and is shooting back-to-school work for Foot Locker Europe. Suschek told Complex:    “If you work with a retailer, it might be easier to make connections with brands, because they’ll start to see your work. But I was lucky enough to make my connections through running my own blog.”   He currently has over 71,000 followers on Instagram and when it comes to style, the Berlin photographer has a similar view to Lindie:   “A lot of photography looks like the same nowadays, it’s dark and moody. But if you have a recognizable style that separates you from everyone else, you’re bound to get noticed by more people and brands.”   So there you have it. If you’re passionate about photography there’s a lot of potential to turn your skills into a full-time career. Make sure to invest into a quality camera, go out to these events and don’t be afraid to network, but also don’t go with the sole intention of “bruh I got the vision let’s build” type mindset. Do what makes you happy, but also know there’s always room to grow and “stand out” from others, and eventually money will start rolling in if you trust the process. That’s all the news for now, but for more stories like these, be sure to subscribe to Complex on Youtube today. For Complex News, I’m Beija Velez.