4 answers
Eileen
Student
Rock Hill, South Carolina
1
Question
Asked
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Photography?
What was hard about starting with business? How did you progress with the process?
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4 answers
Priscilla Cardoso
Product Manager
37
Answers
Cooper City, Florida
Updated
Priscilla’s Answer
I believe the hard part is to build your network of clients, and find your niche. Define what you’re
Good at, and use social media to display your work.
Good luck!!
Good at, and use social media to display your work.
Good luck!!
Thank you!
Eileen
David Wuerth
Freelance Photojournalist/ Sports Photographer
114
Answers
Nampa, Idaho
Updated
David’s Answer
Hello Eileen.
Starting a business in the arts is hard. The journey can be fun and rewarding, but it will be hard.
The basics: you have to be competent with your gear and able to consistently produce images for your clients. You will need a professional looking website that features good images to illustrate what you are capable of producing. You want your website to match the type of images you are looking to shoot for money.(if you want to shoot weddings, don't show landscape photographs)
Decide which genre of photography you wish to pursue: weddings, portraits, sports, photojournalism, editorial, etc.
You have to identify who you future clients are and how to reach them. For my freelance business, I was shooting sports for colleges so I would contact the appropriate decision maker in the sports department and direct them to my website.
I hesitate to suggest you shoot for free. Maybe for family members, not for people you want to establish as clients. If you work for nothing, then that's what you're worth.
Never stop marketing yourself and your business. 80% of your time should be spent on marketing.
I realize this sounds over-whelming, but it can be worth the effort. Best of luck!
Starting a business in the arts is hard. The journey can be fun and rewarding, but it will be hard.
The basics: you have to be competent with your gear and able to consistently produce images for your clients. You will need a professional looking website that features good images to illustrate what you are capable of producing. You want your website to match the type of images you are looking to shoot for money.(if you want to shoot weddings, don't show landscape photographs)
Decide which genre of photography you wish to pursue: weddings, portraits, sports, photojournalism, editorial, etc.
You have to identify who you future clients are and how to reach them. For my freelance business, I was shooting sports for colleges so I would contact the appropriate decision maker in the sports department and direct them to my website.
I hesitate to suggest you shoot for free. Maybe for family members, not for people you want to establish as clients. If you work for nothing, then that's what you're worth.
Never stop marketing yourself and your business. 80% of your time should be spent on marketing.
I realize this sounds over-whelming, but it can be worth the effort. Best of luck!
Cody Reagan
Customer Service Rep
3
Answers
Aubrey, Texas
Updated
Cody’s Answer
The hardest part for me is getting your name out there, you got understand that there other photographers that are competing for your customers. If you live in a city there are probably 100+ different photographers. Start with social media and get your social media started. I would also do free shoots with some clients in return they refer me to some of their collogues.
Thank you! I was thinking of starting off with a social media account and with free clients to promote me. This was helpful
Eileen
Misty Miller
ISM Rep @ AT&T DirecTV
121
Answers
Huntsville, Alabama
Updated
Misty’s Answer
I think probably a few of the most difficult things about getting a photography business up and running are:
1. Finding your niche- do you want to do landscape, people, animals, architecture, open to client suggestion
2. Naming your business- There are so many out there these days, you will want to come up with something that stands out.
3. Contract creation-depending on the type of photography you will be doing, you are going to need release forms and print forms. Those take forever to get right.
4. Getting yourself set up with an LLC- you will want to do this for tax purposes.
5. Getting your name to clients. - A good idea if you are still learning is to create a portfolio of your work. This way you can show potential clients your style and editing style as each Photographer has their own style. Its not just point , click, done.
6. Pricing. - If you are just starting out, your pricing should reflect that and then once you get better at it you can up your price.
It can be alot of fun once you get all the particulars out of the way but its the getting started that is so tedious.
1. Finding your niche- do you want to do landscape, people, animals, architecture, open to client suggestion
2. Naming your business- There are so many out there these days, you will want to come up with something that stands out.
3. Contract creation-depending on the type of photography you will be doing, you are going to need release forms and print forms. Those take forever to get right.
4. Getting yourself set up with an LLC- you will want to do this for tax purposes.
5. Getting your name to clients. - A good idea if you are still learning is to create a portfolio of your work. This way you can show potential clients your style and editing style as each Photographer has their own style. Its not just point , click, done.
6. Pricing. - If you are just starting out, your pricing should reflect that and then once you get better at it you can up your price.
It can be alot of fun once you get all the particulars out of the way but its the getting started that is so tedious.