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april_hwth
Joined: 02 Dec 2007
Posts: 5
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 Posted: Sun Jan 20, 2008 8:58 pm Post subject: When beginning a photography business, how do you obtain cus |
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| I've told everyone I know and am telling everyone I meet. Passing out business cards. Sending emails when I'm going to another town. I am also going to work with a wedding photographer. I won't be making money, just getting wedding experience. I am also doing a trade out at a local pottery studio. I'm ready to quit my regular job. But I do not have enough work in photography right now. I am also going to be shooting for our church directory after the first of the year. I'm sure that will help generate sales a lot. But I need other avenues to know I've got business. See my work at www.ahphotography.110mb.com (requires flash player). |
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IG64
Joined: 20 Jan 2008
Posts: 9
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| Posted: Sun Jan 20, 2008 9:14 pm Post subject: When beginning a photography business, how do you obtain cus |
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| unless your spouse has a job that pays enough to support you and your family... don't quit your day job. Becoming a photographer shooting weddings and portraits isn't going to make you enough money from the start... you have to build up a rep, and that takes years of scraping by.The key to getting started is marketing yourself... you sound like you are doing the face to face... but you may need to do something else to jump start your business...I'm guessing you don't have a physical studio and that is going to make it more difficult to sell yourself as a professional... there isn't any one way to sell yourself... frankly if I were just starting out and trying to generate income I think I would contact all the local churches I could and offer to do their directory photos for free (sell packages to people that like your work)... in general getting people to see your work in that manner is better than just handing them a business card.And please don't worry about upsetting other photographers because you price lower than they do... on the one hand trying to price at the same levels is called price fixing and it is illegal... on the other hand you aren't supposed to be best friend with the other photographers your competing against them for business, if you can provide the service that people want for less than other then so be it. You don't see Wendy's trying to keep from taking customers from McDonald's do you? No, its just business... a low or no price marketing plan might not make others competing against you happy but the reality is when new photographers enter the field someone is going to have to leave maybe the new guy will drop out or maybe some old established guy will be forced out - its called business. |
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fhotoace9581
Joined: 20 Jan 2008
Posts: 2
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| Posted: Sun Jan 20, 2008 9:30 pm Post subject: When beginning a photography business, how do you obtain cus |
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| Well, until you have the skills you need, doing any commercial work for no pay will do two things ... take income away from those working photographers who depend upon that money to support their families and not only give your photography no value, but you may find yourself at odds with your fellow photographers for the above reasons. Photographers help each other, they don't undercut the other by doing work for free or at a level that produces so small an income that they need a second "real" job to support themselves.If you really want to shoot weddings, start as an assistant and shoot ten or twelve weddings and then start doing them on your own. Wedding fees run around $2,000 - $3,000 to start which only gets the photographer to the wedding and about three hours of shooting the ceremony and reception ... photos not included.Before you get too carried away and quit your job, think of this: Now is the time to get all the photo gear you will need for the next five years or so. Cameras, lenses, flash units, computers, photo programs and all the other accessories you will need to conduct business that must be in your "tool bag" before you start working only as a photographer. In addition to generate a $50,000 a year taxable income you have to generate about three to four times that in gross cash flow. This additional money will pay the overhead. Overhead includes the costs of doing business, replacing digital equipment every two years or so, rental of your business space, business, health and life insurance, a retirement program, advertising and marketing costs, accountants, assistants ... well the list goes on.Take your time; finish your education in photography with some business classes and then work for five years as an assistant or as a staffer in a company that has photographers in their organization. Then rethink your business plan. |
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J-MaN0760
Joined: 20 Jan 2008
Posts: 3
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| Posted: Sun Jan 20, 2008 9:46 pm Post subject: When beginning a photography business, how do you obtain cus |
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| Great answer Ace, so many today seem to think it's soooo easy. Some will learn a hard lesson....To answer your question...Develop a strong relationship with your local Chamber of Commerce. For local business there is no greater resource, for such a small investment, and the exposure you will get to every other local business, the networking opportunity's are endless.Good Luck w/ your biz, it's one of the most cut throat industries to get into. You'll be up against every "photographer" with a prosumer digital SLR, who has managed to grab a few lucky shots, and knows their way around photoshop to fix their lack of consistent quality. |
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jjonson50
Joined: 20 Jan 2008
Posts: 6
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| Posted: Sun Jan 20, 2008 10:02 pm Post subject: When beginning a photography business, how do you obtain cus |
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| I helped my income this way.I went down streets and took photos of business fronts. I made 8x10 prints and went back and showed them to the owner. Many bought prints. Sort of look at businesses that you think the owner comes there. Not like McDonald's. Mom and pop's. You could go into the store and ask for the owner and include them in the picture. That is a sure sell. Make your prices reasonable and take a lot of different stores. |
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MichaelU
Joined: 20 Jan 2008
Posts: 1
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| Posted: Sun Jan 20, 2008 10:18 pm Post subject: When beginning a photography business, how do you obtain cus |
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Pick your market according to what you do best and then think about how you reach those particular customers, where do they go, what kind of lifestyle do they have... for example if your market is young professionals with disposable income you might consider they'd go to a high class sports and leisure club.There are 2 main issues: whether you target your audience accurately or whether you go for the shotgun approach (broadcasting, yellow pages, etc). The first will be more productive and efficient, the second method will reach more people but have a lower acceptance rate.Most photographers do a mix of both, but it very much depends on their market. So "time spent in reconnaissance is never wasted" - research your market and use that information to help you decide how to reach them. Once you've 'found them' you can think about how to get your customers attention - maybe you can use a digital photo frame in a shop window, or alternatively some nice postcards or leaflets. You also need to think about your follow-up. If someone calls you up, you need to send them some info, a reference to your website, maybe some printed material, and a business card and a letter (on a professional looking letterhead). BTW, all photographers started as amateurs, something we professionals are prone to forget sometimes. Yes it can be hard work, but it can also be rewarding, so my suggestion is:... Talk to professional photographers, think of the most useful information you need / the best questions and ask them, and then ask them! Most good ones are really helpful, there are others who are very defensive and won't help you, but that is normally down to insecurity... none of us are perfect!  |
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gryphon19111260
Joined: 20 Jan 2008
Posts: 11
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| Posted: Sun Jan 20, 2008 10:34 pm Post subject: When beginning a photography business, how do you obtain cus |
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| Getting into a business without the intent of making money is a sure road to failure.You need to have a well thought out, published business plan, contracts, insurance, pricing schedules. There is a great book that you can look at called, "The wedding and portrait photographers legal handbook". Passing out business cards and talking to people is great and good networking, but you'll need to do more than that. You need good exposure. Do you have a portfolio? If not, build it and keep it with you at all times. I have several. I have books, binders, CD's, online websites. never know who or when you might bump into.I hand out business cards too, but you'll need to advertise. You could get your name out to bakeries, wedding planners, bridal shops, etc.The best selling point and advertising that I get is word of mouth. I have satisfied clients recommending me to others. The highest percentage of work I get is from direct referrals from previous clients. I also get a lot of repeat business.The biggest thing is to make sure that you are ready for this, as was stated previously, this is not an easy thing you will be delving into. It took me about 2 years before I felt confident enough in my talent and business acumen to start a business.Take what I said, and what fhotoace has given you and seriously think about it. |
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basicfiberglass
Joined: 20 Jan 2008
Posts: 1
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| Posted: Sun Jan 20, 2008 10:50 pm Post subject: When beginning a photography business, how do you obtain cus |
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| If you're relatively new to photography, it might be best to be an apprentice or a second shooter for an established photographer if you can. Otherwise, there are several other ways to make money in photography. If you're motivated and have at least a little skill, marketing is how you can become successful.In one of my recent articles, you can read about 5 other markets to tap into if you want to make some money as a photographer. You can read the article here: http://ezinearticles.com/?Photography---5-Gigs-That-Pay!&id=889147Photographers almost never understand the entire concept of marketing... so that leaves a huge advantage to a shooter that does. IF you leverage yourself correctly, you can almost always get the gig if you're better at marketing regardless of whether you have any talent as a photographer. For some marketing basics and some other revenue stream ideas, you should bookmark this blog: http://themoneycam.blogspot.com It's a new blog, but the content will be good. |
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EvanS
Joined: 20 Jan 2008
Posts: 3
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| Posted: Sun Jan 20, 2008 11:06 pm Post subject: When beginning a photography business, how do you obtain cus |
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| Don't quit your regular job, but think outside the box. Myself, I offered my services at a low rate to every City and County employee in our area and have gotten a great response from that. Word of mouth is the best advertisement. |
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vicseo9281
Joined: 20 Jan 2008
Posts: 4
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| Posted: Sun Jan 20, 2008 11:22 pm Post subject: When beginning a photography business, how do you obtain cus |
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| If you know anyone who has a current Mac computer, youcan use IWeb to create a website showing your recentphotographs. Set up an .mac account [$99 per year] andpublish your IWeb webpage(s).Acquire from Vistaprint.com a colorful business cardby selecting from their many templates a suitable onethat meets your needs. Make sure to list the URL ofyour website along with a telephone answering device.Do not place your home address or anything personalsuch as a cellphone on this businesscard. Then whenyou receive the finished business card, pass it aroundto various churches, temples and the like to solicitbusiness.Good luck! |
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