A career (or even a side-hustle) in photography can be exciting. Read on for some helpful beginner’s information.
There are a whole host of specialised styles of photography that often individuals are unaware of, and so this article will depict those styles to give you a helping hand.
Wildlife photography:
This is an extremely challenging form of photography, whilst it may be exciting and intriguing this can often be overtaken by the element danger of terrible conditions. You need to fully understand the animals or the life forms you are taking pictures of in order to aptly portray their habitats and their way of life. It can in fact take many days before you get the perfect shot so you need patience.
Landscape photography:
The most important aspect of landscape photography is finding the perfect spot to take your image, this form also requires patience as weather and alike can often disturb proceedings.
Sports events:
In order to take pictures of sporting events you need to have a knowledge of the sport you are shooting in order to be aware of when to take images and what shots will be most appreciated by viewers.
Photo journalism:
This is completely different to other forms as it requires the photographs to tell a story through visuals, which can be extremely difficult. The person viewing needs to fully understand a story via the view of one mere image.
Fashion pictures:
Fashion photographers need to have a creative and innovative eye, they need to think outside of the box. This form of art absolutely has to be original in order to be considered good.
Black and white treatment:
This can add a unique edge to images and can be extremely rewarding yet it requires an intricate process which must be mastered.
Shooting celebrities:
This can be an exciting job as you get to see famous individuals, yet it is very difficult and high pressured because you need to get a photograph of people who are quite often trying to avoid you. You have to plan ahead for all possible outcomes when attempting to shoot famous people.
What do you need to start your business?
Photography is a fantastic and intriguing form of art and so it is no surprise that so many people seek to participate in it. However, many individuals have trouble when it comes to branching out on their own and starting their own photography business.
As is the case with any business; research is absolutely essential. Before you even consider setting up a photography business you must partake in an extensive amount of research in order to make sure you are fully prepared and know what to expect from the industry you are diving into.
You will also need to decipher which location you will reside your business in. When a photography business is first starting out it must have an assured and settled location in order to proceed and move forward in the future.
If you want to be successful in your photography business then you absolutely must have a credible and impressive portfolio. No one is going to book you if you do not have a wide range of examples of your photography work. An impressive portfolio will instantly gain you the desired amount of customers you require. Try and make sure you have a wide range of various shots; thus displaying your skills, don’t keep every single photo you have ever taken as this will bore the viewer.
An attractive and striking business card is a must; make sure all your details are included yet do not overload individuals with irrelevant information. Your email must be easy to remember and easy to read, so keep it sweet and simple. There are so many business cards that have the company name and the picture extremely large whereas the actual contact information is tiny. Don’t do this – make sure your telephone number is the largest thing on the card.
Finally, an effective marketing strategy is an absolute must. Especially in this current economic climate where competition is rife. Make sure you advertise your skills to the best of your ability and take advantage of the exposure the internet has to offer.
How much should you charge?
Deciding how much to price your photographs at can be a difficult decision as there is no ‘fixed’ valuation or even loose guidelines to give you a rough idea of what you should be charging. In reality the ideal price is the monetary sum the consumer is willing to pay matched with the price you are willing to sell at; yet reaching this point can be easier said than done. To give you a helping hand here are a few things to consider whilst pricing your photographs;
LOOKING FOR PRICING INFORMATION
Photographer’s Market:
This is a book published on an annual basis which includes an array of listings stating types of photos used and approximate price range paid. It is advisable to take a look at the Photographer’s Market merely to get a good idea of what others are charging.
Free Online Pricing:
Free online pricing websites are highly utilised but my advice is to be careful because the figures you get from various websites fluctuate massively.
FACTORS WHICH CAN ALTER YOUR PRICE
Licensing:
The rights the purchaser requires is one of the most influential pricing factors. The level of rights you sell can highly increase the money you receive. Do your research on the variation of licensing terms available before you offer your photograph to someone, as you could be missing out on something substantial.
Your equipment;
This depends on the style of photo you take and whether you shoot in a studio or on location. Also, individual factors, such as whether you need to wear glasses matter, as they add to your budget. This website can assist with the latter.
The Buyer:
As is to be expected; each and every buyer has a different way of negotiating and a different belief of how much they should pay for your photograph. Remember to behave in a professional manner at all times and adjust your negotiation technique in relation to the individual or group you are dealing with.
You;
The final factor is of course; you. Only you can determine how much you are willing to sell your work for; can you afford to knock back an offer in the hope of a better one? Is photography your way of earning a living or merely a hobby?
Being on the other side of the camera
If you have been wanting to make a name in the modelling industry, you really need to have great headshots that you can send out, to tell you the truth, making a full portfolio is very advisable.
A model has to find a photographer and a location where they’ll be able to take good headshots or even a complete portfolio. When, for instance, you want your headshot or portfolio to be taken with a natural background, you can hire a photographer and try finding a location ideal for the concept you want. As another option, you can try doing the shoot in a studio where restrictions on time are lower and you can adjust the lighting without too much difficulty.
Also, one of the best things you will experience when you hire a photo studio is being able to consult their resident photographer. A photographer knows his or her expertise very well and also the ways on how you can make the most of the studio rental.
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