Starting a Photography Business Will Be Easier With These 30 Free
Tips
When you're a keen photographer and you have the
desire to spend your working life doing something you enjoy such
as photography, it would be a shame if you didn't pursue it further
wouldn't it? You really don't have to join an institution or pay
thousands of dollars to get started either. You simply need the
passion to learn and persist. Most great photographers who rely
on their trade to survive don't even know they have these traits
because they love what they do and they simply can't stop.
It's true that there is wealth to be made in photography and I'm
not going to down play that or make a pitch to the opposite because
in every case, it's been up to the individual. Meaning - it depends
on what mode of photography they choose, how much time they put
into the business, do they have a commercial bent, are they more
artistic than usual etc. All these points come into play when success
in a photography business or studio is questioned.
I don't want to create any false hopes by that last paragraph because
success will require some hard work, tolerance and patience. These
next thirty tips should help you along the way. There is more detail
available on this subject matter at the link at the bottom of this
page.
1. Where can I obtain information on building a photography
business?
Always do some extensive research before starting out a career with
your own photography business so that you understand the pros and
cons involved. Some ideas include subscribing to a good magazine
related to the photographic industry such as Professional Photographer,
Camera Arts and Photo District News. Besides that, the internet
is the biggest source of information and can provide you with a
plethora of career opportunities or even more information on starting
a photography business.
2. At which level do you want to start your photography
business?
This is the trickiest question that a person interested in starting
a business encounters. It is very important to decide what kind
of photography business you want so that the relevant requirements
and (sometimes) finance can be muscled up.
3. When is the best time to start a fully-fledged photography
business?
After deciding on what you need and any extra necessary equipment
that is needed to set up the basic infrastructure, you will need
to consider carefully your main tool - the camera, be it digital
or film. You must also consider carefully a reliable, high-quality
PC and good relevant software to manipulate your photographs with
special effects. If the business is being undertaken on a massive
scale then maybe a developing lab needs to be planned and established.
4. What kind of venues will yield real income to your business?
A newly established business in photography requires an assured
location or a beat (working locally), as in journalism. For instance,
wedding photography, sports related photography or developmental
photography. Once established, business can also be diversified
into many more fields.
5. Building a photography portfolio
It is always important to compile
a good portfolio as far as photography is concerned. A portfolio
must contain a collection of pertinent photographic work that you
believe to be impressive. Make sure that photographs are unusual
in character and are from diverse fields. Your portfolio must be
able to impress the client in the very first meeting.
6. Don't keep all the photographs
that you have in your possession. Only keep your best work in the
folder so that you don't embarrass yourself or find yourself having
to explain photographs that aren't relevant.
7. Showcase spontaneous photos
that you believe are of good quality. You'd be surprised how many
people respond favorably to peoples expressions when they are good
shots.
Basic apparatus required
8. A canvas background of at minimum
7-9 foot and the background colors should be either navy or white
as minimum requirements to start with; a well-branded studio lights
system such as that of Norman & Speedtron; certified picture
manipulation software such as Photoshop, Corel Paint Shop, etc.
Is there a need for establishing a makeup studio as part of your
photo studio?
9. Makeup and photography often
go hand in hand. Wherever makeup is involved it is often referred
to as trick photography because makeup is capable of completely
transforming an individual's personality, and sometimes relevance
to a product in the case of advertising photography.
What kind of photo-editing software available in the market?
10. Photo-editing software through
which special effects and complete changes to a photo are possible
and can also often save the need for a re shoot.
11. Some of the photo-editing
software that are popular includes Photoshop CS; Photoshop Light
room, iPhoto, i View Multimedia, MediaPro, ACDSee, Corel and Picasa.
Is storage and treatment of photographs crucial in building photography
business?
12. Never adopt laxity while handling
or archiving photographs. You will regret it later. Storage and
access efficiency will either improve or frustrate your working
environment. Often older photos become more valuable with time.
How can be photographs be preserved easily apart from the conventional
method?
13. Today's cameras are highly
versatile and will allow downloads and transfers from highly surprising
devices including your mobile but pictures can also be stored on
a CD's, USB's and DVD's too.
Choosing a Camera
14. Stick to well known brand.
The level of mega pixel offered and quality of the zooming facility
must be looked into carefully. I have my favorites but there are
many equally as good as mine.
15. Most of the cameras are compatible
with computers and printers and moreover, because we now use memory
sticks, we are truly free to operate unencumbered.
What kind of a website does a person need to have?
16. Your collection of photographs
must be properly classified under different categories. Visual appearance
of your website will do wonders for your business so take consider
setting up one with semi automation where the maintenance and hard
work is done for you like photostockplus.
17. Remember to constantly upgrade
and maintain your website so that each time people come across your
website, they will find fine something new and interesting.
Copyright of your photographs
18. Copyright is the right protects
the person who owns or who took the photographs. A wise exercise
if you are looking to use some stock houses for commercial purposes.
Why is a business card helpful?
19. In every business, visiting
cards are helpful. It is extremely useful in for people to contact
you after your first meeting. It must contain all your contact details.
If you're a photographer, a clever impressive graphic or a picture
of yourself with your equipment is best. Your contact number or
email must be easy to read. I have seen cards that have large names
and pictures and the phone numbers are so small they are difficult
to read. Ridiculous! Make your phone number the largest thing on
the card - that's what most people will use it for.
Which things must be kept in mind while you plan to build a wedding
photography business?
20. Wedding Photography is almost
another art unto itself. There are many things to remember for a
truly successful wedding shoot. I have prepared another article
to deal with this in more detail and it's all about --Wedding Photography.
--
Advantage of assignment photography
21. Assignment photography is
that branch of photography where a person is engaged or consigned
to capture shots of something impressive and extraordinary, such
as in the case of advertising or portrait photography; this can
provide you a stable income after you've learned the ropes.
Advantage of stock photography
22. Stock photography is that
branch of photography where there is an accumulated stock of photographs
which can be sold to interested buyers, designers, adverting agencies
etc. This can be a slow haul but if your pictures are well thought
out, it can be the source of an ongoing income. --My favorite is
istockphotos--.
Other places where you can sell your photographic collection?
23. Art shows are the perfect
platform from where your creativity and work will be really appreciated
because at such places you will find some niche customers that have
a sharp eye for real talent. Such places have been known to bring
instant fame.
24. Winter Park Art Show at Orlando,
Oklahoma City Festival of the Arts, Old Town Art Show; Chicago,
Boston Mills Art Show; Peninsula, Ohio, Similar art shows are held
in different parts of the world and they are easy to find on the
net. Simply do a Google search for "photography art show"
and the name of the country you are in after adding the plus sign
like this; "photography art show"+ Sweden
Prices to be charged from the clients
25. In the initial stages of your
business, don't try to charge exorbitant amounts otherwise it will
give the wrong impression and you will perhaps lose a valuable long
term customer. Tread slowly. Ring other photographers and research.
Five phone calls should do it.
Marketing your photography business
26. You must try to market your
work at relevant places. Photographs can also be published over
the internet. Publication over the internet will increase customer
enquiry. Don't forget to search for suitable local markets and get
the snaps printed in a local journal or newspaper and always display
your contact number prominently - always!
27. Establishing and popularizing
a business is a tough call but if you adopt a proper marketing strategy.
Today, Advertising is one of the most popular mediums of promoting.
Ads can be placed on websites, online telephone directories, newspapers
and magazines, etc. Research the right mediums before you rush in.
Sometimes good deals get in the way of recognizing the right advertising
vehicle.
28. You can develop a website
of your own to effectively promote your photography business but
one thing that must be kept in mind is never forget to include a
testimonial section and gauge the response of the people visiting
the website. Let them make comments.
Career prospects in photo journalism
29. Individuals interested in
setting up a photography business can begin their career by becoming
a photo journalist. Appealing and unusual photographs can be supplied
to newspapers, magazines, websites and the photography business
is booming to such an extent that even international media organizations
will offer you good money in return for rare and high-quality photographs.
30. Mainstream photographers are
engaged in TV, parcels and copy services, newspapers, magazines
and sketch photography. There are many more jobs also related to
photography than there ever was previously and because of the diversity
and flexibility of digital photography, more respect has been attached
to this profession. Some of the avenues in photography apart from
business are Journalism, Graphic arts, Advertising, DTP jobs, Publications
and Motion Picture creation.
Go and make yourself a hot beverage and a have a long think about
where you're going to start, that is, if you haven't already started.
* * *
This article has been supplied
courtesy of Roy Barker. Roy has supplied further detail on the above
subject matter at starting
a photography business and is dedicated to coaching you
on how to start your own photography business. You can also gain
photography insights, help (mostly free) or even a Digital
Photography Tip or two. For brief reviews on services
or equipment see http://www.profitable-photography.com/resources.php
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