You get booked for treated corner, honest samples. Use a rate card, a kit list, and a cancellation policy.
This is booked performance or making. People hire you for treated corner, honest samples. Income is a stack of gigs, teaching, and commissions — rarely a single patron. Ask for the paid slot, not exposure. A normal week is rehearsal or studio time, a booking email, and showing up early with a one-page price list. Keep a non-art cash stream until the calendar repeats for a year. Social media is a flyer, not the studio.
Kit you own, a room rented by the hour, or a park permit (SCORE). First paid gig commonly 2–8 weeks.
Each required material has a matching shop listing — photo, price, and a way to add it to the cart.
Your instrument or kit
Portable instrument or craft kit
Portable instrument or craft kit. A gig bag and the first-night extras for the instrument or craft you already play: strings or leads, a stand, a small amp or palette. You bring the instrument; this is the kit around it.
Transport
Local transit pass
A month of local transit (or a rideshare float of the same size) so a route job can move. This is fare, not a vehicle.
A one-page rider or price list
One-page rider or price list
A one-page rider/price list template you print or pin. Digital file; print locally.
A decent recording of the work
Handheld audio recorder
A stereo handheld recorder for interviews and a decent recording of the work. SD card included. Not a phone app and not a studio booth.
Public examples matched to this path by what they actually publish — not endorsements, and not a claim they run this exact shop. Handles change. Verify before you write to anyone.
No closely matched public example yet. Treat any lead you find as something to verify, not a directory listing.
Mira Chen left salaried work and now coaches this craft. Book a slot for a tailored plan, a starter kit list, and follow-up support.
Short-Form for Shops
Photograph weekly Reels retainers
Short-Form for Shops
Photograph weekly Reels retainers
You photograph weekly Reels retainers and deliver a gallery on a named date. The package price includes editing time.
Minimum initial capital Minimum initial capital None
Stand-up as a Route
Rooms, open mics as R&D, paid spots as the job
Stand-up as a Route
Rooms, open mics as R&D, paid spots as the job
You get booked for rooms, open mics as R&D, paid spots as the job. Use a rate card, a kit list, and a cancellation policy.
Minimum initial capital Minimum initial capital $100
Band-on-the-Road Stills
Photograph one van, three nights
Band-on-the-Road Stills
Photograph one van, three nights
You photograph one van, three nights and deliver a gallery on a named date. The package price includes editing time.
Minimum initial capital Minimum initial capital None
