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English: Doggy Star Studios is a Professional Dog Photography business specializing in the Toronto Ontario area but also moving within the GTA. (Photo credit: Wikipedia)
Sooner or later, most photo enthusiasts think a little “how to start a photography business.” Unfortunately, there are several our inability “challenges” that we have is to distinguish between love of photography (re: our enjoyment and passion for photography). Decisions and Business photography (understanding buying and spending habits of those customers photograph).
For example, many of us think that because our photography work is “so good” that should not be much trouble to sell. We sometimes mistakenly think that great art and photography “sells itself.” Big mistake! Great photography does not sell itself. In the business world, nothing sells itself – nothing! Knowing that it is essential to start a photography business.
We neglect the difference between our passion for photography and a desire to be in the business of photography is also evident in the way they try to tell people about what we do. For example, customers do not care what photography equipment you use. No matter how many megapixels you have, or the amount of equipment costs, and the brand of camera you use. Photography customers (current and potential) want to know what we can, and will, produce the highest quality photography work for them.
Think about it, no mechanics to repair our cars tell us what tools they use. Chefs from restaurants that sponsor tell us what kind of pots, pans and stoves that use. In business, it is well established that customers want and what is best for them. In other words, other companies do a better job of understanding their “niche.” To establish a photography business that is consistent and successful growth from a start, we must be clear what niche we offer and how to sell the benefits of our niche customers.
Another mistake that we budding business owners photography Repeated failure to “specialize” (know our photography niche) in what we do. As fans of photography, we like to shoot anything. As photographers, that is fine. But when we start a photography business, which, by mistake, trying to be “all things to all people – we take every photography job offers.
One of the obvious problems with this approach, we are able to recognize that drastically lowers the value of what we do as photographers expert in the eyes of customers. Mistakenly, we want our customers (current and potential) to know that can diminish a bit – after all, we are very versatile photographers! What customers actually see is that we are not “versatile photographers,” We’re someone with a camera to take photos available when called. Serious photography customers (re: those who can afford to spend regularly) want to do business with specialists – photographers know their photography site.
Successful wedding photographers is clear on this, as an example of my point. Its main client (usually the bride) has dreamed of her wedding day for most of his life. She is not looking for a photographer vesatile. She wants a “photographer” that can make it look so good, happy and beautiful as she is in all her lifelong dream of his day – the day of his wedding. There is a knack for this type of photography service. In fact, this place has more to do with a well-developed people skills, “in my opinion. Successful wedding photographers clear on these nuances are more successful in business.
Do your research.
- Inventory your photo collection – Check out your photo collections. Determine what it is that 1) has many, … 2) shoot consistently well, and 3) enjoy shooting .. Identify and classify photos in a variety of niches, ie portraits, sports, glamor, pets, children, landscape, etc.
- Research The Photography Markets – Do internet searches using the words “photography site.” In addition, the type of place that you think suits your photos. For example, “event photography niche,” “wedding photography niche,” etc. Also, a good source to help identify some of the markets in the photo is “market for photographers.” This is a book published annually and maintains contacts photos and purchase information. Online searches are the most useful, in my opinion. Books author and photographer, Dan Heller are great places to have a better understanding of the wide world of photography, without all the “hype-art” in my opinion. He also has a very informative website – DanHeller.com
- Identify the “real” markets – Find out what type of photography (of its specialties) and their customers are buying. What kind of photography is selling? At some point, you need to “balance” the realities of different niches. There may be some factors that are not consistent in every niche of photography. For example, some sites require more work than other periods and “workflow” (workflow is the post-production process of making pictures). Quality portraits normally require photo editing – which is time consuming. Event photography requires the processing, packaging and delivery (presentation) of the photos. True story: I went through my large collection of photos and I discovered that I have many beautiful flowers earrings. I can not begin to tell you my disappointment when I learned that there is virtually no market for photos of flowers – it seems like everyone has them already, everybody! Lesson learned – identify the “real” markets.
Ten tips to help you identify your niche
- Identify specialties that fit your style:
- If you have the necessary equipment for niche
- Have identifiable and specific skills in this area of the site – you can articulate?
- Who is your target audience
- What type of photography that bought most
- Where is your photography business today – the competition
- What would be different about your services
- Do you support you to live your best niche
- Is your niche stock photography “or” photo assignment “- know the difference
- What is the future potential and trends of your niche market
Fortunately, the Internet makes this information just minutes. The information is hard to find and learn. Knowing your niche to boost your confidence tremendously. Really know what your niche and your photography business will follow!
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