Need help finding photography jobs
Oct 29, 2021 14:15:52 #
Lou Razzano wrote:
I will still charge very low prices for my work since money is not my main goal--
One of the reasons there is a very low value in doing photography - for anyone/everyone......sad but true .....
.
Oct 29, 2021 17:17:07 #
BadPhoto
Loc: Maryland
Lou Razzano wrote:
What's the best way to become a second shooter? I'm more than happy to be a second shooter--I was a second shooter at several weddings in the past because I knew the bride/groom personally. They were very happy wit my pictures because I caught all of the scenes that the first shooter hired photographer was too busy taking formal pictures.
You weren't second shooter unless you were working for the hired photographer.
It's good that the couple liked your photos, but did the hired photographer see them? Did they like them? Did they like having you shooting on their job?
So, the best way to become a second shooter is to contact the hired photographer and discuss working for them. If that conversation doesn't go well, then you might not have a future as a second shooter.
Oct 29, 2021 18:10:51 #
CPR wrote:
Not to be a "party pooper" but do to changes in the world (cellphone cameras) the photography business has basically collapsed.
There are some jobs that are not creative, such as at Disney World and taking pics of newborns or cars for sale.
If you can find a niche you may be able to make a living but there are a lot of folks standing in line for those niches.
There are some jobs that are not creative, such as at Disney World and taking pics of newborns or cars for sale.
If you can find a niche you may be able to make a living but there are a lot of folks standing in line for those niches.
Au Contraire!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Choosing to fill an under served niche is a very valid business approach. At toady's Real Estate and used car prices, the photography is usually abominable! Note: Real Estate work take a lot of skill. Start slow and small.
My thought is to pick under served but deserving markets, like High School and Community College Senior Portraits for those kids who can't afford them. The extra ones showing them as individuals, not the yearbook specialty work. Events like fund raisers for worthy causes. Senior Center Events. Mini reunions for your old office and others, etc. To start with, bring a Photo frame and load the SD cards (small ones) as you shoot them. Have a small sign nearby with your sale offer of shots, and a sign up sheet. You should sell a few and provide the organizer plenty for their newsletter, Maybe even a photo news release to the local paper reporting on the event insisting on your photo credit. Sell a few prints, get your card in circulation and make people happy.
Business cards!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
C
Oct 29, 2021 18:51:49 #
Another idea: Attend a large church, volunteer to take pictures of every event, from Senior to nursery activities. Always mentioning your Wedding experience and always mentioning you have to charge for weddings. Also, when discussing your fee, offer a 10-15% discount to church members.
Oct 29, 2021 21:47:16 #
cascom
Loc: Redmond
We came back from Europe and I offered the local paper to cover my kid's high school sports. This led to being offered assignments for the Richmond Times-Dispatch. This worked in Virginia but does not in Seattle. There are too many photographers and too few papers. We have a company here in Seattle that shoots high school sports. Have you looked at real estate or minor league sports?
Oct 29, 2021 21:57:13 #
cascom
Loc: Redmond
Have you tried to get with an insurance agent and offer to document household goods and jewelry? This might open another door.
Oct 29, 2021 23:03:56 #
If you want to go into business for yourself and become a self-employed professional photograher (full or part-time) you certainly have some hard work to do but there is potential and opportunity.
My first suggestion is to NOT listen to all the "sour grames and nay-sayers. Folks with cellphone cameras have not replaced PROFESSIONAL, wedding, event, fine family, and corporate portraiture in the higher ends of the marketplace. I also do not believe that a mediocre photographer but with lots of sales and business savvy can sustain a business in the long run. Nowadays you need to do good artistically based craftsman-like work and have good business management and promotional skills. You gotta be more than a cut above the wannabes and cellphone crowd. An amicable personality is an asset. When you are photographing people, your attitude and the way you treat them will reflect in your work and your sales, and basically, folks do not like to spend the hard-earned money wit fols the do not like and get along with. So, being an all-around nice guy and good salesperson helps but at the end of the day, you need to deliver quality and service to garner a good reputation adn lots of referral sales. Those are the key to longevity in business.
Since, as you mention, you have sufficient income to maintain your current expenses and obligations, you have time to concentrate on all the components of starting your business.
As Gene mentioned, a solid business plan and marketing strategy is an important foundation of any business. Those in themselves are projects. In your business plan, you determine all your projected business and living expenses and come up with the number of revenues you will need to run your operation and provide for your "salary". As a start-up entrepreneur, YOU are you only and most vital "employee" so at one point you need to be paid. Business expenses are not "cost of sales". so you need to plan how to mark up products and services you obtain on the part of your customers. From all the data you ascertain, you need to formulate your price list.
Then comes the PRODUCT presentation. You have to put together a portfolio to showcase your work. Whether you advertise online, make in-person sales calls, set up a showroom, network with other vendors, and/or display at trade shows, you need samples of your best work.
You needne't be concerned with cellphone shooters or low-ball operators. as long as you can do work at a level they can not. A person that needs a quick shot of him or herself can do a "selfie" and be done with it or have a friend or relative with a "good camera" knock off an image. If, however, they need or want heirloom quality personal or family portrait or a dynamic executive or corporate image, YOU have to be the go-to guy! Traditional portraiture is not dead because there are still people who want to look great in their portraits. Lots of the stuff that passes of as portraits is not flattering- there is no sign of savvy posing, lighting, and camera angle. Flattering and dynamic portraiture sells well!
Weddings. Lots of concepts in wedding photography have changed over the years. Believe me, I am an old man with a gray beard but people still respond well to flattering wedding photography- a mixture of fine portraiture and photojournalism with a romantic and emotional approach. My day job is in commercial and industrial photography. I have not promoted wedding photography for the last 16 years but I still have clients that hire me for that kinda assignment on a regular basis- strictly on referral from satisfied clients and a few other vendors I network with.
While you are doing the aforementioned preparation, I will suggest a rapid jump start for your business. TRADE SHOWS. If you display your work at consumer shows, bridal fairs, and specific business shows, you will meet tons of people and potential clients and be able to run multiple promotions. When I start my first studio in my present geographic location, I displayed at a bridal fair for weddings, at a home show for my decorate with portraiture promotions, and business shows for corporate work. I ran introductory promotions, collected leads, followed up, made in-person sale calls to businesses, and networked with all the other exhibitors.
The internet and social media- It's good to have a strong website but the NET is oversaturated with wannabe photographers offering cheap prices. You may need to do some pavement pounding and legwork but personal contact is stronger than being jusy another guy on the web. Use your website to the reinforcement of your in-person efforts.
In your question you mention that you want to meed people and bring in business- above is the best method of doing just that!
GOOD LUCK!
My first suggestion is to NOT listen to all the "sour grames and nay-sayers. Folks with cellphone cameras have not replaced PROFESSIONAL, wedding, event, fine family, and corporate portraiture in the higher ends of the marketplace. I also do not believe that a mediocre photographer but with lots of sales and business savvy can sustain a business in the long run. Nowadays you need to do good artistically based craftsman-like work and have good business management and promotional skills. You gotta be more than a cut above the wannabes and cellphone crowd. An amicable personality is an asset. When you are photographing people, your attitude and the way you treat them will reflect in your work and your sales, and basically, folks do not like to spend the hard-earned money wit fols the do not like and get along with. So, being an all-around nice guy and good salesperson helps but at the end of the day, you need to deliver quality and service to garner a good reputation adn lots of referral sales. Those are the key to longevity in business.
Since, as you mention, you have sufficient income to maintain your current expenses and obligations, you have time to concentrate on all the components of starting your business.
As Gene mentioned, a solid business plan and marketing strategy is an important foundation of any business. Those in themselves are projects. In your business plan, you determine all your projected business and living expenses and come up with the number of revenues you will need to run your operation and provide for your "salary". As a start-up entrepreneur, YOU are you only and most vital "employee" so at one point you need to be paid. Business expenses are not "cost of sales". so you need to plan how to mark up products and services you obtain on the part of your customers. From all the data you ascertain, you need to formulate your price list.
Then comes the PRODUCT presentation. You have to put together a portfolio to showcase your work. Whether you advertise online, make in-person sales calls, set up a showroom, network with other vendors, and/or display at trade shows, you need samples of your best work.
You needne't be concerned with cellphone shooters or low-ball operators. as long as you can do work at a level they can not. A person that needs a quick shot of him or herself can do a "selfie" and be done with it or have a friend or relative with a "good camera" knock off an image. If, however, they need or want heirloom quality personal or family portrait or a dynamic executive or corporate image, YOU have to be the go-to guy! Traditional portraiture is not dead because there are still people who want to look great in their portraits. Lots of the stuff that passes of as portraits is not flattering- there is no sign of savvy posing, lighting, and camera angle. Flattering and dynamic portraiture sells well!
Weddings. Lots of concepts in wedding photography have changed over the years. Believe me, I am an old man with a gray beard but people still respond well to flattering wedding photography- a mixture of fine portraiture and photojournalism with a romantic and emotional approach. My day job is in commercial and industrial photography. I have not promoted wedding photography for the last 16 years but I still have clients that hire me for that kinda assignment on a regular basis- strictly on referral from satisfied clients and a few other vendors I network with.
While you are doing the aforementioned preparation, I will suggest a rapid jump start for your business. TRADE SHOWS. If you display your work at consumer shows, bridal fairs, and specific business shows, you will meet tons of people and potential clients and be able to run multiple promotions. When I start my first studio in my present geographic location, I displayed at a bridal fair for weddings, at a home show for my decorate with portraiture promotions, and business shows for corporate work. I ran introductory promotions, collected leads, followed up, made in-person sale calls to businesses, and networked with all the other exhibitors.
The internet and social media- It's good to have a strong website but the NET is oversaturated with wannabe photographers offering cheap prices. You may need to do some pavement pounding and legwork but personal contact is stronger than being jusy another guy on the web. Use your website to the reinforcement of your in-person efforts.
In your question you mention that you want to meed people and bring in business- above is the best method of doing just that!
GOOD LUCK!
Oct 29, 2021 23:29:55 #
WillieWisconsin wrote:
If you’re looking for a job in photography, Lifetouch School Portraits is always looking for photographers to help with taking school pictures, seniors, sports, proms, commencements, large groups, panoramic groups, etc. You can choose to work full or part time, your call.
YEEAAAAHHHHH. They're not the company they used to be. Every other school portrait company in America has at one point or another described "Lite-Up" as the Evil Empire. They were always sharks, but without the ESOP, why work there?
https://www.inc.com/christine-lagorio/shutterfly-lifetouch-employee-stock-ownership-esop.html
When they bought my former employer, Herff Jones Photography Division, away from Herff Jones, only a handful of us remained after the first few years. Most of us in the upper tier were glad to cash out our shares and retire after a year or two.
Part of that was cultural. Part of it was the collapse of the school portrait market (and low end pro portraiture in general) due to the confluence of media (Internet, social media, smartphones, digital cameras, photo sharing sites...). And part of it is that few moms want prints in this century. Photography is democratized; the image is cheapened.
Oct 30, 2021 07:54:30 #
If you have the Nextdoor app, a good place to start for free.
I often see requests for photogs in our area.
And did I mention, it’s free.
You can setup a gallery with Facebook or Instagram so you don’t need a website.
I often see requests for photogs in our area.
And did I mention, it’s free.
You can setup a gallery with Facebook or Instagram so you don’t need a website.
Oct 30, 2021 10:01:21 #
Gene51 wrote:
Photography is 20% picture quality and 80% business skill.
Very correct ! - but, I would add 80% business skill/unique opportunities, and sadly, luck.
.
Oct 31, 2021 21:07:19 #
kenArchi
Loc: Seal Beach, CA
Luck?
When I sold Bobcat loaders like popcorn everyone would say "you are lucky, you never have to leave the office, they are coming here to buy".
It took two years of cold calling, phone calling, direct mailers, local advertising, etc. Buy that time every contractor including their employees, knew me. And I knew when they will be ready to buy. Whether it's a week or year later. Of course I always kept in touch with my clients because they are 80% of your continuing sales.
Selling has been proved to be a 5 call process. The first time you see them they do not remember who you are.
The 5th time they hear from you they give you the order.
That theory was 50% of my sales.
When I sold Bobcat loaders like popcorn everyone would say "you are lucky, you never have to leave the office, they are coming here to buy".
It took two years of cold calling, phone calling, direct mailers, local advertising, etc. Buy that time every contractor including their employees, knew me. And I knew when they will be ready to buy. Whether it's a week or year later. Of course I always kept in touch with my clients because they are 80% of your continuing sales.
Selling has been proved to be a 5 call process. The first time you see them they do not remember who you are.
The 5th time they hear from you they give you the order.
That theory was 50% of my sales.
Nov 1, 2021 10:13:15 #
kenArchi wrote:
Luck? br When I sold Bobcat loaders like popcorn e... (show quote)
Marketing, Marketing, and more Marketing.....
Nov 1, 2021 11:38:55 #
"...Need help finding photography jobs..." Lou what genre? What market?
Please keep in mind that every genre as well as ever market may (and often is) different.
"...money is not my main goal..." Are you actually serious about this? I don't think so... Believe like so many others you realize you simply can't compete in the highly competitive market of commercial photography so you have the illusion that if you don't "Charge" going commercial rates you can still find work...
Lou time for a reality check here. Those who have master their craft don't have to find gigs... the work comes to them.
Those who believe it's all about marketing? Really? Yes you can put lipstick on a pig...
However on the commercial side of the equation that never ends well.
It's far more about having a strong consistent visual statement... and credentials (i.e. Published Tear sheets)
and a deep and very impressive client list...
Best Advice Lou? Seek out your competition on IG and see what you have to meet or exceed in your market...
Follow their journeys and see how they present their portfolio.
At a bare minimum you absolutely need to be published (preferable with Named Credit).
You also need a commercial web presence (over and above IG, FB etc.).
Need to pull a permit to shoot in a public venue? You'll need to present proof of Professional Liability Insurance
Want to shoot Weddings? If so invest a healthy amount of time on Wedding Wire there you will meet your competition. https://www.weddingwire.com/wedding-photographers
Want to shoot fashion & Beauty? If so invest a healthy amount of time researching the top fashion model agencies in your market. Here is how to become a "Testing" Photographer in my market.
https://www.theartistagency.com/page/policies-photographers
Lou if you are not published you are very likely wasting your time...
I'm only the messenger here.
Publication (print and/or online) Editors and Creative Directors are gatekeepers Lou
For Weddings it's the MOB that signs the check... you have to convince her, and she will be asking the DJ, Caterers; Bridal Makeup Artist; Floral and Venue providers if they have worked with you. Weddings embrace a huge multitude of players... You'll have to generate a track record with many of them before you'll start getting gigs on a regular bases.
Lou I sincerely believe your train may have left the station long ago.
a.k.a. You're a bit late to the dance...
That said... Wishing you all the best on your photographic journey...
Please keep in mind that every genre as well as ever market may (and often is) different.
"...money is not my main goal..." Are you actually serious about this? I don't think so... Believe like so many others you realize you simply can't compete in the highly competitive market of commercial photography so you have the illusion that if you don't "Charge" going commercial rates you can still find work...
Lou time for a reality check here. Those who have master their craft don't have to find gigs... the work comes to them.
Those who believe it's all about marketing? Really? Yes you can put lipstick on a pig...
However on the commercial side of the equation that never ends well.
It's far more about having a strong consistent visual statement... and credentials (i.e. Published Tear sheets)
and a deep and very impressive client list...
Best Advice Lou? Seek out your competition on IG and see what you have to meet or exceed in your market...
Follow their journeys and see how they present their portfolio.
At a bare minimum you absolutely need to be published (preferable with Named Credit).
You also need a commercial web presence (over and above IG, FB etc.).
Need to pull a permit to shoot in a public venue? You'll need to present proof of Professional Liability Insurance
Want to shoot Weddings? If so invest a healthy amount of time on Wedding Wire there you will meet your competition. https://www.weddingwire.com/wedding-photographers
Want to shoot fashion & Beauty? If so invest a healthy amount of time researching the top fashion model agencies in your market. Here is how to become a "Testing" Photographer in my market.
https://www.theartistagency.com/page/policies-photographers
Lou if you are not published you are very likely wasting your time...
I'm only the messenger here.
Publication (print and/or online) Editors and Creative Directors are gatekeepers Lou
For Weddings it's the MOB that signs the check... you have to convince her, and she will be asking the DJ, Caterers; Bridal Makeup Artist; Floral and Venue providers if they have worked with you. Weddings embrace a huge multitude of players... You'll have to generate a track record with many of them before you'll start getting gigs on a regular bases.
Lou I sincerely believe your train may have left the station long ago.
a.k.a. You're a bit late to the dance...
That said... Wishing you all the best on your photographic journey...
Nov 2, 2021 08:00:01 #
Thomas902 wrote:
"...Need help finding photography jobs...&quo... (show quote)
Those who believe it's all about marketing? Really? Yes you can put lipstick on a pig...
However on the commercial side of the equation that never ends well.
There is a professional photog named Kirk Tuck he is a commercial potrait & architecture I don't know how often he does but sits down sends out cards to each of his client list and any others that he believes want to use his services. He has been quite successful at it since it's his only job. And guess what that's called? look him up
https://visualsciencelab.blogspot.com/search/label/Leica%20SL2
Nov 2, 2021 10:25:33 #
sr71 I looked up Kirk Tuck... It appears that he is only promoting his published books on photography now...
Don't believe he's currently active as a commercial photographer. Albeit he did teach a commercial studio photography at the University of Texas many decades ago... Kudos here... Kirk knows how to light...
That said I totally agree with his Epic Statement on where the money is...
"If I could only photograph one thing it would be people..." Kirk Tuck
My question to you sr71 is why do you feel qualified to advise others on how to procure "Photography Jobs"?
sr71 you have been on UHH since Jan 20, 2013 and only created 22 topics... Absolutely none are examples of your work... Why? All those topics are in a Non-Photography Forum ( General Chit-Chat (non-photography talk)) or in Members Buy/Sell/Trade -- Classifieds... Sorry sr71 there seems to be a lack of valid credentials for offering first hand guidance to emerging talent on finding paid photography work.
And I'm only the messenger here... Lou asked a valid question... I spoke to his needs from a position of actual "real world" experience as a commercial photographer.
As for "...sends out cards to each of his client list and any others that he believes want to use his services..."
Business Cards are a given for ANY business entity albeit they are certainly NOT an inclusive viable marketing paradigm... only an adjunct to the aforementioned.
Enough of this Thread Hijack... Back to Lou's query.
Lou here is a post I made on another Fashion Photography Forum back in 2011 in response to a Photographer's issue in getting accepted as a "Testing" Photographer by the major Fashion Agencies in his market:
Verbatim Circa Nov 2011:
"Fashion Photographer: (and I know what they want)...
My response:
Really? It is more than being able to mirror a narrative... Agencies are looking to find gifted photographers who can DEVELOP their talent... it is NOT about you it is about their talent... try to get your head around this...
Need a mentor? Strongly recommend you consider assisting other commercial photographers in your marketplace...
Ok here is another photographer in my marketplace that is your age and shoots agency talent regularly... this photographer knows how to develop a new face... watch as the session evolves before your eyes... look, listen and learn...
Understand that it is a total package... an entire team, not the photographer, not the model, not the MUA, nor the hair stylist... etc... it is dynamic synergy... lots and lots of synergy... learn what makes it happen, k?"
Folks if you are working with Agency Models (or Agency Worthy Models) they need Comp Cards NOT business cards
"Comp Cards (also called composite card, Z card, zed card or Sed card) is a marketing tool for actors and especially models. They serve as the latest and best of a model's portfolio and are used instead of a business card."
Below is one I of MANY Comp Cards I have done for agency and agency worthy talent I've collaborated with...
Yes I've done business cards for makeup artists and etc... but models and actors need Comp Cards... Period!
It's a long arduous journey to become established in your market Lou... We are talking years... And it's all about helping others on their journey also... What goes around comes around... Some call it Karma... If you help other colleagues along their path there is a good chance your efforts in Good Faith will come back to you.
Again hope this helps Lou... All the best...
Don't believe he's currently active as a commercial photographer. Albeit he did teach a commercial studio photography at the University of Texas many decades ago... Kudos here... Kirk knows how to light...
That said I totally agree with his Epic Statement on where the money is...
"If I could only photograph one thing it would be people..." Kirk Tuck
My question to you sr71 is why do you feel qualified to advise others on how to procure "Photography Jobs"?
sr71 you have been on UHH since Jan 20, 2013 and only created 22 topics... Absolutely none are examples of your work... Why? All those topics are in a Non-Photography Forum ( General Chit-Chat (non-photography talk)) or in Members Buy/Sell/Trade -- Classifieds... Sorry sr71 there seems to be a lack of valid credentials for offering first hand guidance to emerging talent on finding paid photography work.
And I'm only the messenger here... Lou asked a valid question... I spoke to his needs from a position of actual "real world" experience as a commercial photographer.
As for "...sends out cards to each of his client list and any others that he believes want to use his services..."
Business Cards are a given for ANY business entity albeit they are certainly NOT an inclusive viable marketing paradigm... only an adjunct to the aforementioned.
Enough of this Thread Hijack... Back to Lou's query.
Lou here is a post I made on another Fashion Photography Forum back in 2011 in response to a Photographer's issue in getting accepted as a "Testing" Photographer by the major Fashion Agencies in his market:
Verbatim Circa Nov 2011:
"Fashion Photographer: (and I know what they want)...
My response:
Really? It is more than being able to mirror a narrative... Agencies are looking to find gifted photographers who can DEVELOP their talent... it is NOT about you it is about their talent... try to get your head around this...
Need a mentor? Strongly recommend you consider assisting other commercial photographers in your marketplace...
Ok here is another photographer in my marketplace that is your age and shoots agency talent regularly... this photographer knows how to develop a new face... watch as the session evolves before your eyes... look, listen and learn...
Understand that it is a total package... an entire team, not the photographer, not the model, not the MUA, nor the hair stylist... etc... it is dynamic synergy... lots and lots of synergy... learn what makes it happen, k?"
Folks if you are working with Agency Models (or Agency Worthy Models) they need Comp Cards NOT business cards
"Comp Cards (also called composite card, Z card, zed card or Sed card) is a marketing tool for actors and especially models. They serve as the latest and best of a model's portfolio and are used instead of a business card."
Below is one I of MANY Comp Cards I have done for agency and agency worthy talent I've collaborated with...
Yes I've done business cards for makeup artists and etc... but models and actors need Comp Cards... Period!
It's a long arduous journey to become established in your market Lou... We are talking years... And it's all about helping others on their journey also... What goes around comes around... Some call it Karma... If you help other colleagues along their path there is a good chance your efforts in Good Faith will come back to you.
Again hope this helps Lou... All the best...
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