Hello! I'm Vanessa... and I need career advice
Jul 31, 2018 09:51:47 #
Welcome to the group! As was said before, you need to figure out your target or ideal customer base. I would first start to inventory all the other photography businesses in your area and see what their primary focus is. This will help you see if there is some area that is overlooked that you may want to target. With any business, planning, planning and more planning is the key to success!
Jul 31, 2018 09:55:17 #
Hello Vanessa and welcome. Follow your heart and use your family and friends to get the word out about your photography business. Start working it as a hobby and build it up from there.
I was stationed at El Toro in the 80's and was doing leather craft as a hobby, the next thing I knew I was creating and making items for individuals. All I was doing was reading books on leather craft and teaching myself how to do it. I got quite busy with it and found that I hardly had any spare time. Even after going to Japan for six months when I came back I was able to pick it up and keep going. Keep in mind that your family will be your biggest supporter, I know my wife keeps volunteering me to different things for people before asking at which point I am here have to do it. Keep in mind that it usually takes five years to know if you are going to be successful. Just hang in there and find your niche and it will come to you.
I was stationed at El Toro in the 80's and was doing leather craft as a hobby, the next thing I knew I was creating and making items for individuals. All I was doing was reading books on leather craft and teaching myself how to do it. I got quite busy with it and found that I hardly had any spare time. Even after going to Japan for six months when I came back I was able to pick it up and keep going. Keep in mind that your family will be your biggest supporter, I know my wife keeps volunteering me to different things for people before asking at which point I am here have to do it. Keep in mind that it usually takes five years to know if you are going to be successful. Just hang in there and find your niche and it will come to you.
Jul 31, 2018 11:07:51 #
Jul 31, 2018 12:17:35 #
AzGriz
Loc: Sedona, Arizona
Join the PPA. They have all the information, videos and helpful advice you need to succeed at any level of your choice. Membership also includes (limited) equipment insurance. Good luck.
Jul 31, 2018 12:26:11 #
Welcome. Look to see what other studios are doing and do something else. Your main money makers are most likely weddings and school portraits. School portrates tend to be contracted to the large national firms but not always. Weddings are still mostly self promotion and definitely through wedding planners, and venue locations. An overlooked option is hospital New Born Babies, photos. You have a semi captive client with babies. They keep growing so you send them reminders for updated photos at 3month, 6month, 1 yr , Christmas etc. Good luck.
Jul 31, 2018 13:32:30 #
Jul 31, 2018 16:58:21 #
Name your business, get a domain name I like gpdaddy.com, smugmug.com account you can show your photo and sell them too. Your a head and wedding photographer that's where the money is. Your a woman new borns is a great market. If you live in NC that is god's country. Read your news for bridal shows, births, and go on. Get your business cards out and give them hell. Do some free photos that can lead to money jobs.
What gets me some set around crying they can't find jobs get out and get them. Your will get a lot of nos but think of the yes you will get. Your new people don't know you from what ever, face to face is way to make it in any business. I've been a salesman for all my life 78.
You can make it just tell your self you can and work at it and you can. snapshot2010.com
What gets me some set around crying they can't find jobs get out and get them. Your will get a lot of nos but think of the yes you will get. Your new people don't know you from what ever, face to face is way to make it in any business. I've been a salesman for all my life 78.
You can make it just tell your self you can and work at it and you can. snapshot2010.com
Jul 31, 2018 17:44:28 #
Welcome to UHH Vanessa, glad you joined us. See that you have received some very good advice, study it well.
Have fun, learn and enjoy the forum.
Don
Have fun, learn and enjoy the forum.
Don
Jul 31, 2018 18:26:03 #
Hello Vanessa. Welcome to the forum. I have used photography as a side income for much of my working life. I have enjoyed that. I’ve been retired for many years. Photography is now my hobby. To have a professional photography business in this day and age is very hard. It can certainly be done but is very competitive. I have quite a few friends who are pro photographers. They now make much of their income by doing photography workshops and teaching classes. I wish you the best of luck and don’t give up on your dream.
Jack
Jack
Jul 31, 2018 18:33:35 #
Stick with your corporate job. Freelance unusual shots to upscale publications. Dealing with unforgiving, demanding, unrealistic people will age you quickly. Avoid the aggravation!!
Jul 31, 2018 23:51:38 #
Aug 9, 2018 11:16:18 #
Aug 12, 2018 08:14:57 #
Aug 13, 2018 09:35:46 #
Aug 13, 2018 09:36:02 #
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