needing to upgrade my primary camera to full frame with budgetary restrictions. Found a couple of possible options at KEH Camera..they appear to have pretty good ratings...any comments/suggestions
thanks
saichiez wrote:
CaptainC wrote:
gemlenz wrote:
did you actually get more referrals for photo shoots?
It is an educational organization, not a marketing one. We still have to dig up our own clients.
On that note, have you ever used, or do you annually buy the Photographers Market... the large book published now for many years.?
I always did my own marketing and often wondered about actual usage of that book?
I have not purchased the book as of yet but might consider that an option. I'm pretty much doing my own marketing. One thing that's driving a lot of people crazy right now is the constant changing of internet strategies by Google If someone wrote a book on how to stay one step ahead of google, I would be the first in line to buy it!!
Greetings Joe...I do a lot of my family and senior picture shoots at the Harbor and have a working agreement with the Hilton at Bella Harbor to shoot in the common areas (for a fee, of course)....let's have a cup of coffee some day.....dspoon2@tx.rr.com
Penny MG wrote:
dspoon2 wrote:
I recently joined Professional Photographers of America on the recommendation of Cliff Lawson (Captain C) and it has turned to be one of the best investments I've made for my small business. The benefits of membership are too numerous to list in this posting. Whether you're a big studio owner or a small timer like myself, you can't go wrong with PPA....Google Professional Photographers of America.
Thank you for that information. Cliff is definitely on my list of TOP photographers!
quote=dspoon2 I recently joined Professional Phot... (
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Hi Penny...notice you're from Fresno....I'm down the road aways in Rockwall
CaptainC wrote:
gemlenz wrote:
did you actually get more referrals for photo shoots?
It is an educational organization, not a marketing one. We still have to dig up our own clients.
One of the PPA forums I am involved is marketing driven and it is formatted in a question/answer style much like UHH but Cliff is right, PPA is definitely an education base organization and as mentioned earlier, the benefits are far too numerous for this post. One of the perks that I'm really impressed with is help with forms and contracts. You'll not get that kind of assistance anywhere else. I have 3 weddings coming up this year and PPA has been invaluable helping me with documentation.
I recently joined Professional Photographers of America on the recommendation of Cliff Lawson (Captain C) and it has turned to be one of the best investments I've made for my small business. The benefits of membership are too numerous to list in this posting. Whether you're a big studio owner or a small timer like myself, you can't go wrong with PPA....Google Professional Photographers of America.
Why are these backdrop colors important?
natron wrote:
Yes, well
at that level of gratitude, next time pass out single use cameras and suggest everyone do it yourself. Then you all can critique the results by committee
its sure to be a humbling experience for the complainers
now THAT is an excellent idea
:thumbup: :shock: :thumbup: :lol: :lol: :lol:
are any of you real estate photographers using virtual tour and or virtual staging software in your business. I have a new client that will be needing this service in the near future and I would appreciate your input.
CaptainC wrote:
Show us a few images or send us to your website. You DO need a website.
Photography is not first on the list of skills you need. Marketing, sales ability, great people skills, and then maybe photography. You would also benefit from joining one or more professional organizations.
Now this is an honest, no joke, answer. Starting out now to make a living in photography is really stupid. As an adjunct to a REAL job, OK, but thousands of really good full-time professionals are going under because the market is saturated with wannabes that undercharge. Some are actually pretty good, most produce crap.
This is true of studios and professionals that ARE good at marketing, and ARE good at sales, have a great reputation, and know the business side AND make drop-dead gorgeous images. They are light years ahead of you and they are struggling.
That said, maybe you are so fantastic at marketing, sales, networking, and top it off with images that are breathtaking and so original as to blow everyone away. There are some young shooters out there that fit that...maybe you will be one.
Show us some images.
OH - I do have to agree with MT Shooter - if you have to ask, you are most likely YEARS away from ready. BUT...maybe not.
Let's see some of your work.
Show us a few images or send us to your website. Y... (
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Amen Cliff...as the old saying goes "don't give up your day job"...I hung out my tiny little shingle about 18 months ago realizing Going in that I would NEVER make a living as a professional photographer. From day one I approached my adventure as a part time endeavor for some residual income. Nothing more, nothing less. Just a few tips from a "newbie" in the business: (I am now retired and spend my days developing my business and that alone requires a great deal of self discipline and dedication...I love going out making cold calls for instance)
1. if you are going to set up a small business talk to some trusted advisors..a good banker, a CPA, a trusted friend who owns a small business
2. MAKE A REALISTIC PLAN...would you leave today on a long road trip without a map? This I learned the hard way..it wasn't until I narrowed down what I knew I could do extremely well and began to pursue that business that I began to get regular work. My bag is family photography and senior picture packages because it fits my personality and photojournalistic shooting style. When I first started I was all over the place...my wife said I needed a bumper sticker.."follow me folks, I'm going absolutely nowhere."
3. We really need to see some samples of your work...as Cliff said..you MUST have a website. (that's a whole nuther thread right there). I use zenfolio because their premier business plan gives me access to a partner lab (I use MPix pro) that has a very wide variety of finished products including digital downloads for business head shots).
4. as for the actual photography skill set, guys like MT Shooter and the Captain are great evaluators of talent and so willing to help as long as you can really take constructive advise and run with it.
Hope this helps
Happy trails
BboH wrote:
jerryc41 wrote:
ioptfm wrote:
It is free, it does work, it is simple and it will make a movie from photos which in my opinion is a picture, virtual tour.
I'm thinking of a virtual tour that lets you use the mouse to move around a room, looking up, down, left, and right.
maybe you're thinking of a 360/180 panorama?
Jerry what you describe is what I am contemplating. A realtor friend of mine says the local agents love it for their MLS listings. Most of the bigger RE offices use a big company that offers it but here in the D/FW area there are hundreds of smaller real estate brokers. I figured someone on this board is currently using a virtual tour package of some kind...I looked at Tourweave 7.5 and it looks pretty good and wouldn't break the bank
Elfstop wrote:
Tourweaver 7.5
do you use this professionally?
I am considering purchasing a virtual tour software package...recommendations???
MT Shooter wrote:
I am already in counseling, AND NOW THIS!!!???
:mrgreen: :shock: :shock: 8-) :shock: :shock: