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Question from Shawn: “What is the best advice for someone just starting their photography business and how to get clients and get your work out there?”
John: get a portfolio started if you dont have one already then if you can put a add in the paper or get a photography page on fb
Ronald: Marketing courses….there are various types of marketing and different styles of marketing for each respective style of photography. You need to promote yourself, build yourself a brand and stick with it, time is not in your favour if you expect that things will fall in your lap. You need to promote yourself get out there and be part of the community you want to work in, Marketing is more than just putting up a sign and putting an AD on Crag’s List, or in the latest edition of your local newspaper. A business is based on reputation and performance and Style all part of branding, Bets advice to someone just starting out – Practice, learn, play second fiddle to a more experienced photographer, then while you are learning all of that get your degree in Business administration, 90% of all photography businesses that fail is because of Business reasons not because they are bad photographer’s. There is a reason why you see photography businesses closing all the time but never see the number of photographers drop. And thatis just getting started there is a lot more involved once you get going.
Amanda: Word of mouth is the most efficient way to get clients.
Ami: Definitely word of mouth. Give away a free session on your FB page and donate a free session to a local fund raiser. Those clients will tell friends and family, a good way to get your name out.
Victoria: Great question!!
Andrea: Depending on the type of photography you plan on pursuing there are different ways of going about it… 😉
If you want to shoot models or fashion etc then there are websites where you can work with others for free because most models charge per hour or shoot but you can get great faces in your port and then when you post on your site their friends will see it and then want to have you do their portrait work… Plus that helps if you want to shoot families or portraits because that is how you can prepare the shoot
If you want to shoot products or food go to different places and offer your services for 30 mins 5-10 images for free just tell them you will leave your watermark on there or something so AGAIN others will see your work
Craigslist is a decent option but I’ve had some not so great experiences from there so that one to me is an ok place
And FB has ads where you can set the times you want them available and pay per click or so
There are different options 🙂
Just a way to start out ….
Andrea: But Craigslist depending on how you advertise you can get a crappy crowd or a good crowd…
I offered free services and got a few great clients and mostly terrible clients
But when I offered paid services (like a special) I got mostly good clients. And ones who have reached out to me again and pay for my full service now
Michelle: Hi Shawn – I’m just starting out too. For me, I’m going slow and steady. I reached out to some friends that have children and asked if they wanted to be part of my portfolio building sessions. I currently have 7 families booked. I’ve ordered business cards and thank you cards to deliver to those friends as a way to thank them and to spread the word about my business. I do have a FB page, but will not advertise until I have something to show folks and do not plan to create a website until I know how I want to market my business. I also plan to volunteer my services to school functions/birthday parties for a set number of months in another attempt to spread the word. I’m also shooting a first Communion for a friend so I plan to advertise those photos and leave some of my business cards at the church. I don’t expect to get a full calendar overnight, but I do plan to work the sessions that I have to my full advantage. I expect a lot of blood, sweat and tears in the beginning, but hope the end result will be worth it. Good luck!’
Brandi: I offered free photo sessions, for the a month, really helped alot. reached alot of people who passed my name along. from it I got booked for 2 weedings
Sondra: I have been at it for 2 years and still don’t have steady business. I have done a lot of what has been mentioned above, including running monthly coupons and free contest on my FBpage. Coupons for my website, My local paper publishes my wildlife and nature shots for free with my name and website under them. I gave away free photo sessions at our local community action center (place for help with food, housing, and utilities).I have put business cards everywhere and hand them out in person if I see an opportunity, (cute pet, cute kid, couples, families) My rates are basement but somehow sears and other box stores are still pulling the business away. Sad part as far as print prices and photo CDs I am cheaper. It is the session fee people don’t want to pay, I only charge $25.00 an hour. I have done up to 17 poses in that hour before and this included backdrop changes and clothing changes. If anyone has more suggestions for me please feel free to answer here or message me. Also if anyone know how to get more business to a website please do tell. I have my site through a company, they collect payment and ship prints and merchandise so for me it is better cause I just have to upload, the work has already been done and I don’t have to worry about ordering or shipping prints
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