Any Successful Photography Business persons?
Oct 22, 2016 09:25:30 #
Gene51 wrote:
Jay, br br The most important parts of a successf... (show quote)
One more thing to add - when you put together a proper and realistic business plan, you will be more confident, and if you decide to go for a business loan or other financing, you credibility will be considerably higher which will result in a better likelihood of getting financing.
Also, you should check in with your local chamber of commerce or this site https://www.score.org/?gclid=Cj0KEQjwnKzABRDy2pb7nPSazdsBEiQAI4lZQPjSWARb_slqhic2dJf3aPGlUtQcf0l8D82XbTeAQGcaAotV8P8HAQ to get some free business mentoring. They will guide you through and answer lots of your questions - using their experience acquired over years of successful and non-successful business ventures.
Oct 22, 2016 09:33:28 #
jaywilliams wrote:
My question is, how many of you are actually succe... (show quote)
As the others have said, this is a challenging time to enter the photography business. You have everybody that fancies themselves as a photographer with a smart phone, point and shoot, or an entry level DSLR and a couple of lenses wanting to sell their work and thinking of themselves as a professional. Personally, I make decent money in a niche market in the central to south Florida (Gulf side) doing Real Estate photography. I was fortunate enough to develop friends/customers that OWN real estate companies in this area and they have me photograph their mid to upper tier residences, condos, and high rises. I make decent money at it, but I have my retirement income to fall back on in lean times. I also photograph birds and animals in the many nature preserves and the Everglades here in Florida. I grew up in Oklahoma and in the late 60's and early 70's shot weddings and did insurance photography (shooting wrecks, fire scenes etc.) for insurance companies. (Note: I had a full time job while doing this so it was gravy and not my primary income).
You need to evaluate the competition and find an area that you can do better than they can and be able to have a market for your work. Kansas and Oklahoma are rough markets as there are only a couple of major towns with large populations. In Oklahoma, I was limited to Oklahoma City Metro Area, Tulsa Metro and lots of driving (which used gasoline and wear and tear on the car which also must be represented in your business model). If you are doing portraits, you need good lenses, lighting (reflectors, umbrellas, off camera strobes or photography lighting) and most important customers.
Oct 22, 2016 10:03:27 #
A couple of posts today before yours is a question about starting a photography business. If you haven't read it, you should do so, in addition to these replies. You said you had a 'photography shop' should we take that to mean a retail store for cameras and supplies to which you are trying to add a studio, or is the studio the primary venture? If the latter, I think you jumped into the business, without sufficient evaluation of your abilities or your market.
I took your initial post exactly the way Captain C did, that it was an example the work that you would produce for customers, so his comments were Spot On!
I took your initial post exactly the way Captain C did, that it was an example the work that you would produce for customers, so his comments were Spot On!
Oct 22, 2016 11:48:48 #
Interesting and unique lighting and poses do appeal to some folks so don't lose that skill. The shots to sell yourself need to be the fully, correctly lighted portraits and standard group poses. Once you get the client you can try a couple of "different" shots and see if it appeals to that individual client.
Unless you have or can get an "IN", with a large group of people that want photographs by you, it's not the time to try to start a photography business.
Unless you have or can get an "IN", with a large group of people that want photographs by you, it's not the time to try to start a photography business.
Oct 22, 2016 12:20:13 #
sailor2545
Loc: Victoria, BC
have to agree with captain c..
jaywilliams wrote:
My question is, how many of you are actually succe... (show quote)
Oct 22, 2016 14:08:00 #
billnikon
Loc: Pennsylvania/Ohio/Florida/Maui/Oregon/Vermont
jaywilliams wrote:
My question is, how many of you are actually succe... (show quote)
I ran a successful wedding photography business from my homes for over 35 years. I never used a studio, shot pre-bridals in the brides home. I started out charging $25.00 and my last wedding netted over $4000.00 fifteen years ago. My words of wisdom, KNOW what your camera's will do BEFORE you start charging money, the customer is always right, always, don't start out to make money fast, rather, start out because you love photography and you love working for people and making them happy, the money will come. Make sure you have another job to pay the bills until the photography starts paying the bills. Don't get mad or upset, you are doing what you love and most folks don't even get a chance to do that. Stay humble and stay honest.
Oct 22, 2016 14:09:04 #
JPL wrote:
Captain C is absolutely right about your sample pi... (show quote)
I have to agree about the posted photo and believe it really is your best or you would not have posted it. I am not a pro, not even close, but as a customer I would not pay for this sort of poor quality and I would spread the word around town to never go to you for a photo. As others have said, as a pro you must be great to make money. My neighbor down the street is a pro (Over 30 years and going strong still) and I look at his work and just know I will never be at that level (By choice) as I have other hobbies I would rather put more effort into.
Oct 22, 2016 18:05:47 #
Billynikon
Loc: Atlanta
I used to do many weddings but that business seems to be down for me. I augment with real estate photography. I find many realtors have no concept of what a good picture is until I show them some of mine.
Oct 22, 2016 18:25:26 #
mwsilvers
Loc: Central New Jersey
jaywilliams wrote:
My question is, how many of you are actually succe... (show quote)
Beautiful kids and nice pose, but very poor lighting, and bad cropping, mediocre background, and it seems like its not sharp enough. The potential emotional impact of the pose of these very photogenic children ends up getting lost background. You're seeking help to get started professionally, but first you need a salable product. Not trying to be cruel here but you kind of opened the door. There are many photographers with a better product who still struggle to make money in this business.
Oct 22, 2016 19:36:19 #
it is very hard to establish a photography business these days..many of the well established ones are even struggling ..people use cell phones and consider themselves photographers..try working for someone else for a while..you should not have posted a photo with the question you posed..it isn't a very good example of any type of photography..i have been doing photography for well over 30 years and i do occasional freelance work ..i wouldn't even consider the expense of setting up a business..of course I'm retired and the few dollars i make helps but it is definitely an income i would rely on..why not learn how to do professional work by working for a studio first ..then you can see if you have the right stuff to make it in a very competitive field..
Oct 22, 2016 19:45:23 #
make cards, tell everyone you know your a photographer and give them a card. advertise on all the free sites. Advertise on craigs list. advertise on social media.
Create a brochure with your best work, let others tell you which of your work they like the best and use that on the brochure. Photos that I love others hate. I love dark mysterious photos, most people love bright well lit photos.
Make a studio in your home to save money renting a space until you become profitable . then the hardest thing to do is find a photographer
that will let you coshoot with him. Helps learn the business and helps with your skill set. Most important dont quit your day job.
Create a brochure with your best work, let others tell you which of your work they like the best and use that on the brochure. Photos that I love others hate. I love dark mysterious photos, most people love bright well lit photos.
Make a studio in your home to save money renting a space until you become profitable . then the hardest thing to do is find a photographer
that will let you coshoot with him. Helps learn the business and helps with your skill set. Most important dont quit your day job.
Oct 22, 2016 20:12:11 #
bdk wrote:
make cards, tell everyone you know your a photogra... (show quote)
Good start for the marketing piece of the business plan!
Oct 22, 2016 21:02:03 #
mwsilvers
Loc: Central New Jersey
Gene51 wrote:
Good start for the marketing piece of the business plan!
Yes, but at the end of the day, you also have to have a salable product.
Oct 22, 2016 21:22:52 #
Well my friend, you have a lot to learn about Photography, lighting, Posing and much more before you even think about opening a studio. I understand they are your children, and you are defending them. I owned a Successful Professional Photography Studio for 15 years. If I had a portrait like the one you displayed on UHH, my business would have folded over night!
Do yourself a favor and take a look at Captain C's web site. That is how your portraits should look if you want to open a studio. Join a photography club. Good Luck,
Kenny
Do yourself a favor and take a look at Captain C's web site. That is how your portraits should look if you want to open a studio. Join a photography club. Good Luck,
Kenny
Oct 22, 2016 23:52:29 #
Hi Jay.
I can appreciate your frustration. Cliff is quite direct and helpful in many ways with his reply to your post.
If you look at my web site, you can see I do not shoot portraits. I did many years ago, along with weddings, but my interests were more into the natural history documenting, and that is where I finally settled.
A few helpful hints might also help. One, you said you had samples of work that you would post. This would be very helpful so that we can have a better feeling for not only the quality, but the style of portraits you want to provide.
You stated that people don't show for their sitting. Do you refund their deposit? Or do you not take a deposit? That could be a fatal business error right there. When I am working on illustrations or photographs for museum exhibits, I always require a deposit, with exceptions for regular dependable clients.
If you enjoy capturing images that are not necessarily posed, you might want to contact youth groups, private schools, community centers, etc., where many events are recorded on an impromptu basis. When you make contact, have something to show them.
For a starter, there are small local news publications that often use shots from private individuals - local model show, craft fairs that include parents doing things with their children, etc. They may not pay very much, but these can be added to your portfolio to strengthen the prospective client's desire to chose you over someone else.
Here is a big one for you, and you have to be honest with yourself. If your portfolio is acceptable, are you a likable person. The way you come off to others is a "Big" part to obtaining clients. Especially in the people shooting business.
I hope this post has provided you with some good ideas, and be sure to post some of those photos were were mentioning to the rest of us here on the forum. We love to view work from fellow photographers, whether they are making a living at it or not.
My sole income is not based on photography. I enjoy taking happy snaps of the organisms and habitats that I visit. So don't be disappointed if it doesn't pay all of the bills. I would have staved if I tried to be a professional hockey player, so I didn't.
I can appreciate your frustration. Cliff is quite direct and helpful in many ways with his reply to your post.
If you look at my web site, you can see I do not shoot portraits. I did many years ago, along with weddings, but my interests were more into the natural history documenting, and that is where I finally settled.
A few helpful hints might also help. One, you said you had samples of work that you would post. This would be very helpful so that we can have a better feeling for not only the quality, but the style of portraits you want to provide.
You stated that people don't show for their sitting. Do you refund their deposit? Or do you not take a deposit? That could be a fatal business error right there. When I am working on illustrations or photographs for museum exhibits, I always require a deposit, with exceptions for regular dependable clients.
If you enjoy capturing images that are not necessarily posed, you might want to contact youth groups, private schools, community centers, etc., where many events are recorded on an impromptu basis. When you make contact, have something to show them.
For a starter, there are small local news publications that often use shots from private individuals - local model show, craft fairs that include parents doing things with their children, etc. They may not pay very much, but these can be added to your portfolio to strengthen the prospective client's desire to chose you over someone else.
Here is a big one for you, and you have to be honest with yourself. If your portfolio is acceptable, are you a likable person. The way you come off to others is a "Big" part to obtaining clients. Especially in the people shooting business.
I hope this post has provided you with some good ideas, and be sure to post some of those photos were were mentioning to the rest of us here on the forum. We love to view work from fellow photographers, whether they are making a living at it or not.
My sole income is not based on photography. I enjoy taking happy snaps of the organisms and habitats that I visit. So don't be disappointed if it doesn't pay all of the bills. I would have staved if I tried to be a professional hockey player, so I didn't.
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