Tuesday Tips &Techniques
PRACTICING vs. PORTFOLIO BUILDING
This is a big topic that is so often overlooked by new photographers. And it could make or break you as a business.
So often today I see new photographers get their fancy new camera, set up a website, and start charging money. BAD IDEA!! That's almost like buying a table saw and then setting up shop as a general contractor. It takes time and effort to learn a trade - any trade! And there is a right way and a wrong way to go about it.
Even new photographers know there is a stage we like to call "portfolio building", where they charge a minimal fee to bring in as many clients as possible to build up their portfolio. But so often overlooked is the "practicing" stage.
This stage is super important. Practicing means just that. You practice, practice, practice. This is the time to learn everything you can. Lighting, exposure, posing, compostion, etc. If you plan to really make this a business, it is also a VERY good idea (i.e. critical to your survival) to learn all you can about the BUSINESS side of photography as well. If you think you can get by without learning about business, think again. More businesses fail in the first five years (often less), because they did not learn how to run the business. There are tons of classes available, and countless books. Things to look in to include how to set up the business with your city and state, taxes (yeah, I don't like it, either, but it has to be done!), marketing, sales (ooh! a big one!), etc.
During the practicing stage, find whoever you can to practice on. At this point you may not know what you want to specialize in, and that is okay. Ask around and try to include as many different categories you can, and find out what you like doing best. If you don't like it, don't do it! I have many photographer friends who will not do infants or pets, because they can be very challenging and time consuming. There are also many that refuse to do weddings. Did you know that wedding photography has been listed in the top 10 most stressful jobs? If you would like to try your hand and wedding photography, NEVER EVER attempt to do your first wedding alone, especially if you are still in the practicing stage. Remember, there are no do-overs for a wedding, and even the smallest wedding is important to that bride and groom. It is much better to find a well-established photographer you can shadow or "second-shoot" with. This will allow you to get your feet wet and decide if this is what you want to do, without having the huge pressure of getting it all perfect that first time.
When you are practicing, you should not be charging your "clients", except for what it may cost you to give them a CD. Let them know you are only practicing, so they know what to expect. You can put your services for hire on various sites like Craig's List or Facebook, but you should not have an official website at this point.
There is going to come a point when you feel your images have a consistency that is of an acceptable quality. The keyword is CONSISTENT. One or two good image per session is not consistent. Your entire session should have all the important elements coming together. Once you have reached this stage you can being to build your portfolio. You can start charging a little more for your services (because now you know you have really earned it!). You do not want to price yourself too high or you will lose all your clients, but you also want to make it fair for yourself. A lot of work goes into producing great images, and you don't want to sell yourself short!
You can continue to advertise among your friends and family, or through social media sites. You may want to think about starting a website as well, though it is not necessary at this point. Many people start a blog at this point, so they can show off their work, but without paying the high fees of a professional website.
Because you are charging money for your services, you should also be charging sales tax. Even if you are not earning a lot, you are still required by law to pay sales tax. You will also need a business license. Call your state and local agencies to set up your business entity.
So, you have a great collection of images, and business if going well. Now what? Now you can set yourself up as a professional photographer and charge full prices with a full range of products and services available for your clients. Remember to keep learning and growing!
Now, if you are looking to hire a professional photographer, keep this ideas in mind. Ask how long they have been doing photography, and how long they have been in business (remember, these can be two different things). Take a look at their portfolio. Is the quality consistent throughout? Is there a good variety of subjects? Does the photographer have a good grasp of lighting, posing, and composition? Or does it look like the images were merely "fixed" in Photoshop? You know what your personal tastes are, as well as your budget, so find a photographer who suites all your needs.
Well, that's all for today, folks. I hope you have learned a few new things. Tune in next week for more tips and techniques!
This is a big topic that is so often overlooked by new photographers. And it could make or break you as a business.
So often today I see new photographers get their fancy new camera, set up a website, and start charging money. BAD IDEA!! That's almost like buying a table saw and then setting up shop as a general contractor. It takes time and effort to learn a trade - any trade! And there is a right way and a wrong way to go about it.
Even new photographers know there is a stage we like to call "portfolio building", where they charge a minimal fee to bring in as many clients as possible to build up their portfolio. But so often overlooked is the "practicing" stage.
This stage is super important. Practicing means just that. You practice, practice, practice. This is the time to learn everything you can. Lighting, exposure, posing, compostion, etc. If you plan to really make this a business, it is also a VERY good idea (i.e. critical to your survival) to learn all you can about the BUSINESS side of photography as well. If you think you can get by without learning about business, think again. More businesses fail in the first five years (often less), because they did not learn how to run the business. There are tons of classes available, and countless books. Things to look in to include how to set up the business with your city and state, taxes (yeah, I don't like it, either, but it has to be done!), marketing, sales (ooh! a big one!), etc.
During the practicing stage, find whoever you can to practice on. At this point you may not know what you want to specialize in, and that is okay. Ask around and try to include as many different categories you can, and find out what you like doing best. If you don't like it, don't do it! I have many photographer friends who will not do infants or pets, because they can be very challenging and time consuming. There are also many that refuse to do weddings. Did you know that wedding photography has been listed in the top 10 most stressful jobs? If you would like to try your hand and wedding photography, NEVER EVER attempt to do your first wedding alone, especially if you are still in the practicing stage. Remember, there are no do-overs for a wedding, and even the smallest wedding is important to that bride and groom. It is much better to find a well-established photographer you can shadow or "second-shoot" with. This will allow you to get your feet wet and decide if this is what you want to do, without having the huge pressure of getting it all perfect that first time.
When you are practicing, you should not be charging your "clients", except for what it may cost you to give them a CD. Let them know you are only practicing, so they know what to expect. You can put your services for hire on various sites like Craig's List or Facebook, but you should not have an official website at this point.
There is going to come a point when you feel your images have a consistency that is of an acceptable quality. The keyword is CONSISTENT. One or two good image per session is not consistent. Your entire session should have all the important elements coming together. Once you have reached this stage you can being to build your portfolio. You can start charging a little more for your services (because now you know you have really earned it!). You do not want to price yourself too high or you will lose all your clients, but you also want to make it fair for yourself. A lot of work goes into producing great images, and you don't want to sell yourself short!
You can continue to advertise among your friends and family, or through social media sites. You may want to think about starting a website as well, though it is not necessary at this point. Many people start a blog at this point, so they can show off their work, but without paying the high fees of a professional website.
Because you are charging money for your services, you should also be charging sales tax. Even if you are not earning a lot, you are still required by law to pay sales tax. You will also need a business license. Call your state and local agencies to set up your business entity.
So, you have a great collection of images, and business if going well. Now what? Now you can set yourself up as a professional photographer and charge full prices with a full range of products and services available for your clients. Remember to keep learning and growing!
Now, if you are looking to hire a professional photographer, keep this ideas in mind. Ask how long they have been doing photography, and how long they have been in business (remember, these can be two different things). Take a look at their portfolio. Is the quality consistent throughout? Is there a good variety of subjects? Does the photographer have a good grasp of lighting, posing, and composition? Or does it look like the images were merely "fixed" in Photoshop? You know what your personal tastes are, as well as your budget, so find a photographer who suites all your needs.
Well, that's all for today, folks. I hope you have learned a few new things. Tune in next week for more tips and techniques!
Comments