 Jason Kesselring |
Getting into the business! Hello All, I recently got a business license to start a Photography business. I have been shooting for about 10 years and seriously for the last 5. I began to get serious when I began doing Skydive videos and pictures. I better myself so I began reading some books on basic photography and got into more advance books. I started with a Canon Rebel as my skydive camera (nice camera for the price and made over 1000 jumps with me, my ground camera was a Elan 7e and I now have a Digital Rebel 300D. I have my business license, my friend who is a great website builder is going to put my site together for me. I have some business cards made up. My first wedding is coming up in 3.5 weeks and I am charging a very, very modest price of $25.00 an hour. It is my daughters assistant teacher from school. After viewing my work, they told me my pictures were better than the other photographers in the area. I'm not here to ask what lens, flash yadda, yadda yadda, I know all that. I have done a lot of research on this subject. What I would like to know is how do I start promoting myself? There is more to the business than just taking pictures. I am looking for some of the business aspects of it. For those that are starting and those that are established what did you do to start your cliental and get yourself known. Record keeping I have a system for, its mainly advertising and marketing yourself I need help with. One day I would like to be a High end photographer and bring in some bucks. For me this is a love of photography, but it is also about running a successful business.
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BetterPhoto Member |
Well Jason, the first thing you need to know is the demographics of the area. This includes the amount that the area folks can afford, number of area photographers, types of businesses and what their needs are, tourism (if applicable). Once you know about the demographics, you can start a business plan. Keep your prices competetive with other area photographers. Don't undersell yourself for business. Keep a portfolio of your best work on hand, and don't be afraid to show it. I've been told that I undersell my prints, but the area demographics don't support a professional photographer. I'vee had to turn my concentration to the tourist market, and gear it for impulse buyers. I do very well (about 3,500-4,000 a month clear) considering. One more thing, always remember that your best advertising is word of mouth. Have fun and keep shooting,
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