Are you considering a career in photography
Stage 1 to starting a photography business.
See my personal tips and advise from my journey so far
Many people ask me what is the best way to start a photography business. So if you are serious about going it alone with your passion and your camera please read on where I will share me experience and my do’s and don’t to being a photographer.
Photography will take you to some very interesting places, for example capturing the inner workings of a FedEx distribution hub. Having fish and chips on a very wet and windy beach in Dungeness with Richard Branson. Trying to line up 12 trucks in a yard with drivers and you end up on a high ladder in the middle of the road to get the right angle. I could go on and on so you will have to wait for the book to read all the strange and amazing situations I have gotten myself into. Being a photographer is a great privileged and you get to see many things the public never get access to and get up a personal with so many people sharing moments and times of happiness and sadness along the way.
Ask yourself what kind of photographer will you be ?
There are many different types of photographers out there. Believe me I have tried lots, but there are so many more photography jobs I have not done.
Tip #1 Decide on the kind of photographer you want to be.
Choose whether you are a portrait photographer, fashion photographer, wedding photography, family portrait photographer, event photographer, lifestyle photographer, sports photographer, travel photographer and so on.
Why I say this is when you introduce yourself to people you need to tell them what kind of photographer you are. Networking and referrals will be your main source of business so you need to be clear on want kind of work you will take on. With a focus on a specific type of photography, you will hone your skills and become recognised for your work in the chosen type of photography. The upside here is your kit will be geared to your chosen field of specialisation and you won’t waste money of buying photography kit you only use once in a blue moon.
My chosen field when I started was portraiture and morphed into any type of photography with people. This included running a family portrait studio, wedding photographer, press photographer, events photographer, fashion photographer, product photographer, PR Photographer, property photographer, and school photographer. While all these jobs were not all at the same time scheduling your diary does become a problem and you will start missing many personal family and social events.
Chaos will ensue when you are overloaded and you will become fixed on making the business work financially and take on most things coming your way to keep busy instead of researching, learning and establishing yourself in the given area of photography you want to become top of your game in.
Come back soon for my next post discussing, marketing yourself and growing your brand.
