Last week I got an e-mail from an aspiring photographer in another state. As I though about the way I was answering her e-mail, it reminded me of when I started and the work, and continued work, that goes into owning a business. Here is a snippet of the e-mail in an effort to help any of you aspiring to take your business to the next level!
Good Afternoon Karen,
I was given your information from a friend of mine, and she couldn’t say enough friendly things about you. She loves your work and sees that your photography business is doing well and thought maybe you could lend some helpful information for a fellow photog.
I am an aspiring photographer. I have only been offering my services to the public for approx 6 months and have gotten great feedback. In the beginning I was practically doing the sessions for free to get my name out there, practice, and figure out the ways of how I wanted to run my business. I have some sessions behind me and would love to start making money with my hobby/passion. I was hoping to gain some knowledge and advice from you in reference to how to continue to get my name out in the area and begin to make a profit. Any and all ideas that you have or suggestions would be greatly appreciated.
In effort to grow my business I have volunteered at my local Humane Society and began taking photos of the available dogs for adoption, they allow me to watermark my photos. I have been asked to photograph a Bark for Life Relay Event for the American Cancer Society on April 20th. I have offered mini sessions, discount pricing, gift cards, contests on Facebook but no sessions scheduled at this point for this year and the weather is starting to break.
Again I appreciate any and all help/knowledge that you can share. If you have questions for me to answer to better help you to give me advice I would be more than willing to answer those because I am passionate about photography and would love to make it a full time profession.
Dear aspiring photographer:
Thanks so much for your e-mail and congratulations on starting your business.
Agh, I feel your pain on booking sessions, but don’t give up and keep at it. The market is a fierce one, as there are many photogs that have been around and many, like yourself, breaking through. Business for me has been a slow uphill climb. This is my 11th year in business and as the years have gone by, I find that the years flux with people booking far in advance and then there are years where there are so many last minute bookings that it is hard to keep up with. I think the way you are getting your name out there is fabulous. Keep on shooting, shooting and shooting. Keep looking at sites and continue to glean information where you can get it. If there are any networking places to get involved in, do so. I started in the wedding industry by picking up a Minnesota Bride (a local magazine like the Knot) and flipping through the various photogs and calling and asking them to review my portfolio and second shooting for cheap. I thrird shot, carried bags, loaded film (yes that was 10 years ago!!) and was a fly on the wall for anyone who would let me come watch how the process worked. I interned for free at a commercial studio (and found out I hated that side of photography!!) I worked at photo processing centers like pro-ex and a local processing studio, and eventually landed a job with a documentary photographer who shot a lot for Sports Illustrated, Time/ Life magazine, General Mills and other companies in the Minneapolis area.
After working with him and other wedding photographers, I fond myself to really love weddings, than man I worked for didn’t shoot them, and slowly started booking my own weddings. Eventually we parted ways, and I went into the wedding world. I have to say that my time with him was INVALUABLE. It was a richer, more hands-on experience than the schooling I had received (I was a studio art major with an emphasis in photography in college). So all that said, if you can find someone to intern with or any kind of mentor in your area, it would benefit you greatly. Even if you worked as an assistant in your free time (wait what is that?!!) for free, you would glean so much!!
Even though I have been in business for 11 years, I am still learning and growing and the market continues to change as the trends do.
Hopefully that helps a bit, feel free to e-mail if you have further questions and keep at it. If you are passionate about it and making it a profession, it takes a lot of blood, sweat and tears, but it will come to you!
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