p.1 #1 · How did you get your photography business started
In terms of advertising and what worked for you to get clients.
I just started a business and I've made a website, facebook page and have been hanging flyers everywhere that will let me flyer. (Trying to stay cheap)
I'm just wondering what worked for others as far as what got you started with a cliental and work flow.
p.1 #3 · How did you get your photography business started
You need to first be producing images better than the competition in your area, then you need to have back-up equipment to cover yourself in majority of situations you'll be in, then you need to have people in front of your camera to be purchasing from you and providing word of mouth advertising. If you're idea of marketing is posting flyers and are trying to stay cheap, well, remember they say the best way to make money in photography is to sell your camera.
Nov 23, 2011 at 10:57 PM
glort Offline • • • • [X]
p.1 #4 · How did you get your photography business started
I have been shooting a long time and I have been studying marketing, advertising and promotion a long time as well. The last business in photography i started which was event work broke a lot of the rules but has certainly been successful.
I have never advertised, I have never had a website save for one used for a while as a repository for pics for people to order, and I have never put out flyers.
What I have done is get on the web and the phone a lot to find out what was happening, send emails and follow up with phone calls.
For some reason it seems to me that webites and faceache and all the other things have overtaken the good old cheap as chips and highly effective direct methods.
My Business started virtually instantly. I was setting up with dog photography in mind after someone I knew suggested there was an opening in the market but then a friend involved with horses put me in for a Showjumping event and off I went less than a week after getting and setting up my gear.
I had never shot a horse before and I wasn't too proud to ask as many people as i could that first event what they liked to see and what they though made a good shot. Looking back, much of what I did was ordinary at best but it still sold and we made money.
At that same event I kept asking questions and found out who was hosting the next event and went and spoke to them about covering it. Had 3 booked from that first one and I still chase people about covering their competitions and now they come to me as well as I have standing permissions with some organisations to turn up whenever I want.
I still spend a lot of time on the web finding out whats on and talking to people as well. It's nothing now to go to one event and book another 3 from it by chasing people up and them coming to me.
If I were to go back into weddings, I'd be itting up the other vendors in the area to establish contacts and leads. You just don't do it once and if they tell you they reccomend someone or have a shooter already you go away and write them off as a non potential, you go back every so often, say hows things, and establish a rapport. 3 or 4th contact and they will start asking you questions and your in.
It's that easy a lot of the time but people make it out as if all the doors are shut and there is no key.
If you are doing portraits, that may be tougher but still there are other business you can network with whom have similar clients to yourself. Tattooists were pretty good referals for my glamour business.
These days rather than say " I want to be an XyZ photographer" I look for the openings in the market and then thing how easy that is to market and reach people. Also I don't bother much with what I consider over serviced marlkets atm such as wedd, portrait etc and even though I do cover several different things, all my marketing such as business cards or a web site would infer that was all I did and a specialist at it.
I always laugh my butt off wen I see shooters saying they specialise in baby photography, commercial, motorsport, weddings, landscape and a few other totally non related area's. that's generaliasition NOT specialisation!
Next year I'm going to try and get my head around faceache etc and set something up but i'll still look at that as a backup and secondary referal source than expecting my main business to come from it. I'm going to try and get out of the equine photography and move a lot more into other areas which I think will be easier to cover, require less overheads in equipment and have more profitability.
Again, the main way of launching this will be get on the web to see what's on and when it's happening, write an intor letter about what I do and offer and then get on the phone and start talking to people. Done like this it does NOT take long to get up and running or years to establish yourself.
You can talk to someone today in a cold call and be shooting the job next week. Done it several times already and I now have 2 large cases packed with the gear I need to do what I'm chasing so I can throw them and my camera bag in the car and be doing it in the time it takes me to get from home to the job.
I discovered years ago that you can be the best shooter in the world but if no one knows your there, you'll starve. By the same token, you can be a very average shooter but if your in peoples faces, approachable and have built a rapport, as long as your quality is satisfactory ( and that does not mean great) you can make a good success of things. It's a a complete misnomer to think you have to be the best or have the best gear etc.
McD's does NOT have the best burgers but they do have the best burger business.
p.1 #5 · How did you get your photography business started
You don't mention what type of photography you'll be doing. I started mine shooting events, Rodeo specifically and
the majority of it was spec. work. Workin' the crowd, handing out business cards, being able to get shots my competition
couldn't get (D3 200 f2 VR) in poorly lit dusty arenas. From there I started booking portrait sessions, and things will
only get better when and if the economy finally turns itself around. I live in a small County, so handin' out the cards
and word of mouth/FB has been huge in my success. I also bring an iPad to events so the folks w/o computer access
can view my work while I shoot their kids/husbands etc. Sales on the spot always brings a smile to my face.
p.1 #6 · How did you get your photography business started
I went to college and got an associates in photography, then went to get my bachelors in English with a Journalism minor. Took a job at a small magazine to get experience, left after a year because it wasn't news. Then took a job at a small weekly newspaper worked there as a "freelancer" though I was working full time, did that for two years. Was offered some freelance assignments by a large daily newspaper, they were using me about 3-4 days a week and eventually offered me a contract position which meant exclusivity. So I left the weekly and started working for the daily full time. Eventually they like every paper in the country had budget issues and couldn't afford to renew my contract. Now I just use my portfolio and reputation to get some wedding/event work here and there with the occasional news assignment until I can get a job at another newspaper.
I've never technically applied for a job. They just saw my portfolio and offered me work, even the large daily which was surprising. I find myself doing interviews more lately and it's a weird thing. I think the appeal of people who hire me for weddings/events like having an actual photojournalist rather than someone who has a "photojournalistic style." And I think when I do get another job, weddings/events is something I wouldn't mind doing in my off time.
p.1 #7 · How did you get your photography business started
glort wrote:
I discovered years ago that you can be the best shooter in the world but if no one knows your there, you'll starve. By the same token, you can be a very average shooter but if your in peoples faces, approachable and have built a rapport, as long as your quality is satisfactory ( and that does not mean great) you can make a good success of things. It's a a complete misnomer to think you have to be the best or have the best gear etc.
McD's does NOT have the best burgers but they do have the best burger business....Show more →
+1
Before I started in business, I read an article summed up:
"To make money in photography, it's 10% taking photos, 90% marketing"
10 years later... it's still very true.
Now, what your market it and how to market to them is very different for your niche aspect of your business.
p.1 #8 · How did you get your photography business started
Decide what area of photography first. That will help you decide on the form of promotion. No need going to florist or bridal shops if you don't want to do weddings. If you do then that would be a good starting point. I do mostly business images so I don't even show weddings on my site. Seems that business and business people prefer to see someone specialize in business, professional portraits and products and weddings fit more into the family photo area.
For me I use the internet. I am on page 1, position 1 for about 7 topics ( keywords) that I push in my local market and 2 in national search results aimed at out of state business. Internet brings 95% of my new business. If you can get associated with a major name in your area that can help. People assume I am good because xyz hires me. Can't hurt.
If you want referral business you would need to market for that also. Got to keep past clients thinking about your name for them to pass it on.
Nov 29, 2011 at 06:43 PM
glort Offline • • • • [X]
p.1 #9 · How did you get your photography business started
Looks like I'm just about to start another side of the business.
A few days back I did a corporate golf day and got talking to some Aquatic centre managers.
The Upshot of it is they have nearly 4500 kids in their swim schools between them and are looking for someone to come in and do underwater photography of the kids.
Made some appointments to follow them up and organised when we are going to start.
Instant business and one with a huge target market.
I have never in my 30 year career as a shooter even thought of doing underwater pics of kids and babies at swim school but I'm not going to knock the opportunity back.
No advertising, No finding the clients, no premises to rent, Minimal set up costs ( underwater cam) instant start up and profitability..... How good is that?
If I don't get my money back on the camera the first day, I'll be doing something Very wrong.
From the numbers these people are talking, I can see this being full time work about 3 weeks out of 6 although the guys I spoke to are friendly with another centre manager who they say has nearly as many kids as they do combined on his own.
They are also talking 10-15% commission for them and THEY do the sales!
Saves me either doing it or hiring someone and its not like there is ever going to be any upselling required in this. Any re-orders can come Direct.
I'll write a business plan for this over the next few weeks to wake me up to all the things I haven't thought of as yet which is what business plans are invaluable for and be up and running come February next year.
p.1 #10 · How did you get your photography business started
Colin, it really matters as to what kind of photography you do. I can tell you how I got things of the ground, but unless you're doing indoor sport action photography with onsite viewstations, it really won't help you out.
p.1 #11 · How did you get your photography business started
John Patrick wrote:
Can you give us a hint as to what you shoot?
John
Sorry thought I said that up there.
Portraits for now. Baby, Family, Adults.
I've had a few bites but they never go through. Met a lady with her baby going to meet Santa and she said she was looking for professional photos. So I took down her email, sent her my website and some info. Told her I charge 140 but I'd take 20% off as a "holiday deal" but nothing back.
p.1 #12 · How did you get your photography business started
CoLmes wrote:
In terms of advertising and what worked for you to get clients.
I just started a business and I've made a website, facebook page and have been hanging flyers everywhere that will let me flyer. (Trying to stay cheap)
I'm just wondering what worked for others as far as what got you started with a cliental and work flow.
Let me see, I've spent my time and money putting my business together and you want me to tell you how to do it for free??
One thing I'll clue you in on. It ain't cheap. Do you really expect someone to hire a photographer from a flyer from Kinko's??
p.1 #13 · How did you get your photography business started
shot a wedding for a bestbuy coworker/friend for $200 using a 300D...which i was stoked about cause I could FINALLY buy the 430ex ive been wanting. while i was still working there, a soon to be groom came in with his best man wanting to buy a 20D so that his best man could use to shoot for their wedding photos. 20Ds were $900 body only at the time...i said ill charge you half of this 20D and i will shoot your wedding for you. I quietly showed them some of my first wedding photos on a makeshift website i made at our work computer and he agreed. Almost got fired that day, but I quit a month later to focus on growing my business. Never looked back
p.1 #15 · How did you get your photography business started
deebo7 wrote:
shot a wedding for a bestbuy coworker/friend for $200 using a 300D...which i was stoked about cause I could FINALLY buy the 430ex ive been wanting. while i was still working there, a soon to be groom came in with his best man wanting to buy a 20D so that his best man could use to shoot for their wedding photos. 20Ds were $900 body only at the time...i said ill charge you half of this 20D and i will shoot your wedding for you. I quietly showed them some of my first wedding photos on a makeshift website i made at our work computer and he agreed. Almost got fired that day, but I quit a month later to focus on growing my business. Never looked back...Show more →
Yes, right now I'm not really worried about making a ton of money.. I'm kind of in the same mind frame.. x amount of families means I can afford the 580. I just need to get those first couple clients. I know that is key. And once you do one they will tell their friends/family.
I know word of mouth is the best medicine to get your business started, just need those first few clients.
Dec 05, 2011 at 06:40 PM
glort Offline • • • • [X]
p.1 #16 · How did you get your photography business started
Osai wrote:
Let me see, I've spent my time and money putting my business together and you want me to tell you how to do it for free??
Just wondering, if this offends you so greatly, why are you even on a forum?
Do you pay people for any advise or tips you get or do you just expect to be paid for your input??
One thing I'll clue you in on. It ain't cheap. Do you really expect someone to hire a photographer from a flyer from Kinko's??
HAHAHAH!
Really??
Good job no one told all the customers I have got from cheap low cost flyers and brochures then!
Maybe if it hasn't worked for you, the reason was you did them badly?
p.1 #17 · How did you get your photography business started
I'm surprised the "normal" route of photography hasn't been mentioned yet.
Free photos -> cheap friends/family photos -> legit paid gigs. For most folks, you're only going to get what you can show. If I have senior shoots I can show people, I'll get more of them. If I show weddings, I'll get more of them.
Of course, the easiest way to get the first few is to do them for free (probably going to get ousted for that statement). Not ideal, but it works.
The catch to all this, is people need to like what they see, otherwise they won't want it (aka BE GOOD at what you do).
p.1 #18 · How did you get your photography business started
mikethevilla wrote:
I'm surprised the "normal" route of photography hasn't been mentioned yet.
Free photos -> cheap friends/family photos -> legit paid gigs. For most folks, you're only going to get what you can show. If I have senior shoots I can show people, I'll get more of them. If I show weddings, I'll get more of them.
Of course, the easiest way to get the first few is to do them for free (probably going to get ousted for that statement). Not ideal, but it works.
The catch to all this, is people need to like what they see, otherwise they won't want it (aka BE GOOD at what you do)....Show more →
Yes this is def. good advice thank you. I actually have been doing some free shoots, just not enough. Plus it's starting to get really cold so that makes it harder. Don't have the equipment to do a lot of inside stuff.
Actually just got an inquire yesterday about a family of 9 that wanted a family photo on Jan. 3rd. THey have 3 little babies so can't take them outside and their house is a townhouse which means not a lot of light from windows :-\ Probably going to have to turn it down
p.1 #19 · How did you get your photography business started
Photography business has changed so much over the years thanks to the advent of digital cameras/phones, social media etc. It used to be
Friend/Family: "Can you please please please take picture of our weddings?!"
Me: "No. Why?"
Friend/Family: "Because you have a big camera."
Me: "I rather not. Can you not hire someone?"
Friend/Family: "I'll introduce you to my wife's cousin who is a bridesmaid."
Me: "Oh really?"
Friend/Family "Here are 10 rolls of Fujifilm we got from Costco. Thanks!!!"
These days, everyone wants to take photos of weddings or something. In a typical wedding, there are numerous Unc. Bobs and Aunt Suzies with their dslr jokeying for positions. It's amazing! Then post them on Facebook faster than you say "Cheese!". Digital SLR makes it so much easier for anyone and their grandmother take decent pix (relative).
You need to ask yourself, WHY do you want to shoot what you shoot. Because without knowing why, you will have a hard time defining how & what you can deliver something unique to potential clients. And believe me, there are many people posting this on forums every hour... offering free or $50 photoshoot with all images in DVD.
Try not to compete on price. Because if you start as a bottom feeder, your brand it shall be. Know the cost of doing business.
p.1 #20 · How did you get your photography business started
M Lucca wrote:
Try not to compete on price. Because if you start as a bottom feeder, your brand it shall be. Know the cost of doing business.
This profoundly important.
Most start with all the fizz of excitement at getting paid for doing what they love and what others think must be immensely cool. I still feel happy thinking about charging $1.25 per double weight fiber base 8x10 to the football players at my high school. I was paying $3.25 for 25 sheets of Agfa Brovira and I was sure I was robbing them blind at my price.
Not much has changed among the would be pros. Without knowing their true costs of production, they ask prices that would shame WalMart. This is frequently because they have a misguided notion of the shape of the demand curve assuming that demand will go up exponentially with a drop in price. Or they feel that selling a print that they bought for $1.99 at $10 is a fair profit. Ironically these same people do not question a plumber fixing a toilet or clearing a drain in 10 minutes for $150.
Figure out your costs. Today, while you are building your business you may have "specials" or even do work for portfolio building but always have your real profit making prices in play. If you do not you will have the enormous challenge of raising your prices as opposed to adjusting them down temporarily to meet market conditions.
As for getting clients....as someone recently said, "it's not who you know, but who knows you." Get out in the world and tell everyone with a heartbeat that you are a professional photographer. After a while you will be introduced as a professional photographer. (Which elicits comments such as "Oh, my (daughter, son, cousin, monkey,sex therapist) is a photographer." or "I love photography, will you teach me how to take pictures?" or "I'll bet you have a really expensive camera".) A good website (buy a template for goodness sake, there is enough DIY garbage out there already) is hugely important. Facebook is not my cup of tea but if you are the sort who feels comfortable blurting out cheery blather on a daily basis it seems to be an avenue that can get more people knowing you.
If you are looking to do portraits the easiest way to build a clientele is to visit local businesses that need executive portraiture. Realtors, Lawyers, Insurance companies etc. You will get a lot of practice and create opportunities to do family portraits etc. Also, because of the average persons belief that a professional photographer can shoot anything you will be asked to shoot all sorts of things that may lead to unexpected prosperity.
Most importantly hard work on top of more hard work gets you closer to the point you want to be. It also increases the chance of a lucky break.
