starting a small photography business

[jnelson4x4taco]

In the next month I will be out of a job. (what a way to start a post huh?)

Over the past few years I have become increasingly more interested, involved and skilled in photography. I have been asked to do a few shoots and gotten good feedback. I have done engagement photos, family/couples photos, landscapes, wildlife and even asked to shoot a Childrens Hospital event for the past 2 years. While I am out of work, I thought it might be a good time to try a drum up some work for a photography business. This would be very casual, shooting family and friends, sending out some flyers to get my name out. I will be looking for a full time position as well but I feel like I could atleast get a few gigs here and there for a couple hundred bucks income. I did one shoot where the couple gave me $100 in restaurant gift cards just as a thank you. I didnt charge them, it was just a portfolio builder, so I was pleasantly surprised when they gave me that.

I am still thinking things through in my head but my idea is, as I said, to keep it casual and simple. Id charge for my time, equipment and expenses and they would get a CD of images for their own printing. I would commit to processing their top XX number of images or something like that. Not sure but i am open to your thoughts.

So, for those of you who own a business of your own, what advice can you give to someone just getting into it? Like I said, it will be a side project, not my main source of income. I have talked with another photographer in the area who has asked me to do a few weddings this summer which will be great experience. In the future, that might be an option for me but right now id like to start something simple. What are your pros, cons, personal experiences, etc., its all welcome. Thanks everyone.

 

[Dennis David]

Join an organization like http://www.sfbappa.org/ expect to do work for no pay and don't listen to people who say it can't be done! It's all about exposure, gaining experience and hardwork. Learn about the internet and blogging, etc and don't spend, all of your money on equipment.

Go for it!

 

[Michael Slade]

My experience? It's hard.

Good luck to you starting out on your own. I would say NEVER turn down a job...even if it's chump change. I would also say NEVER give away your copyright. You may give a CD of images for the client to print out, but make sure that you retain the copyright.

Start out by word of mouth and even take some jobs as 'practice'. Get some mileage on that camera and refine your technique *before* the real paying jobs come. Your practice sessions will turn into real paying sessions, but it will take a while.

Use any flash lighting as little as you can...hopefully NEVER. Pay attention to light. Get the eyes in focus.

You are asking for a master class in running a business in a single post. That ain't gonna happen.

But, you can start out and learn the ropes and go from there.

Keep us posted how it goes and be sure to show us some samples as it goes along.

Sorry about the employment situation, but kudos for making the best of it.

Good luck!

 

[Colorado David]

If you can part with the money, join ASMP, the American Society of Media Photographers. You will not be able to join as a voting member without being able to prove you have earned your living from photography and have an active member sponsor you, but you can join in a lower membership category. You will then have access to all of their online best practices resources which will include a lot about contracts, delivery memos, copyrights, etc. What you will learn will be worth the price of admission. There is a Colorado chapter that will start inviting you to events where you will be able to learn more.

 

[AveryS]

It can be a tough way to go but as with most things if your dedicated and focused on your goals you will do fine. Best of luck to you.

Just try to avoid shots like these: http://awkwardfamilyphotos.com/page/2/

 

[Dennis David]

Use any flash lighting as little as you can...hopefully NEVER. Pay attention to light. Get the eyes in focus.

I would have said that as well till I met this guy who was a master at using multiple flashes. He would have them pre-positioned as if he was lighting a Hollywood set. But joining a support group is essential. You'll never get anywhere being a lone wolf. It's hard without mentoring.

 

[Michael Slade]

I would have said that as well till I met this guy who was a master at using multiple flashes.

You don't get to be 'that guy' overnight. Stick with natural light. It's free and plentiful.

 

[Fueggia]

Starting a photo buisness

Hi
I am a full time pro shooter, expedition leader (water based/ underwater) and educator and would be happy to advise you.

The only way to do this is to go all out- treat it like a business.
If you do not want to charge and or take this all the way you will not survive the onslaught of the current photo business climate- at any level and in any aspect of pro photography. The cost is high and the stakes are high.

You can always work for free or very little but this will get you nowhere.

As a longterm member of ASMP I would not advice you to join just yet.
Save your pennies for equipment and personal projects.
The entrance fee to ASMP is high unless you are really wanting to treat everything you do as a business. From promotion to your incorporation as such.

If you say you do not need this as your main source of income I would highly advise that you take it seriously just for yourself-
There are no middle grounds in the photo business of today!.

Please contact directly should you want to talk in depth.
I want to encourage you yet I want you to know that there is only one way to do this- half way and working for little or no pay is not the way.
This approach only affects those in the business for a living.

Please Contact me www.handlerphoto.com mauricio@handlerphoto.com

 

[1leglance]

Even though I am not in the photo biz I will chime in here with a gen biz comment.
NEVER, EVER Give it away for free.
That only hurts you and everyone else.

This was true in the cigar biz and is even true I am learning in the non-profit world.

People equate free with cheap...find out what your local competition is charging and maybe you go a little under them as you are new to the game. But not deeply discounted or that will be the way people think of you.

Let's say your local market gets between $100 - $200 a shoot.
Instead work out a system where you let someone know what your "full" rate would be. Let's say $100 for example. Then you say "I am in a market building phase and will give you 50% the shoot and 50% of any prints". That way the person feels they are getting a good deal but they understand your worth.

You can also let someone know that for each referral that references them you will give a $xx credit on print orders.

Another option is when you are talking about the work find out what they do and see if you can exchange services. Of course this only works if you need help with a website, legal fees, copies or accounting or something along those lines. But you never know.

I am finding that even with Disabled Explorers when people learn that I take them out for no charge then they have no worries about late cancels, not calling back or other terrible customer actions.
So I am looking at "no show" charges or refundable deposits, sliding scale fees (based on someones ability to pay) or at least give some sort of idea of the cost upfront so they aren't so willing to blow it off.

 

[Scenic WonderRunner]

I am interested in this.

Two years ago I approached my local smog test only station. Rick is a very nice guy. I offered to take pics of Ricks shop, while smog testing my 4Runner in exchange for a free smog check, the next time I need one. Rick Agreed.

Here is the local Yahoo site and pics.....

Poway Test Only....

Be sure to click on the pics.

http://local.yahoo.com/info-20824306-poway-test-only-poway?tab=photos#photos

So I offered to take pics and give a positive local review. And in return, Rick gave me a free $49 smog check the next time I came in, and he did. I did not even have to remind him! He just knew! I must have helped him.

It was like making $49 bucks! Barter is cool!

I came in later and asked Rick if this simple thing helped increase his business. And he told me that he felt it did. He saw an increase.

I say, that if you can prove that you can honestly help people and improve their lives, at a fair price......it will work. It already did for me on my very first test.

I say.....Go for it!

.

 

[goodtimes]

Be sure to 1099-B that $49.

The IRS is watching.

eepwall:

 

[john101477]

Barter is cool.
To the OP time is never free either it costs you or them. do not expect to make to much (specially right off the batt) but get enough to make it to cover yourself. Do not count photography as your only source of money until you are at a point where you can live on it. Search the do's and don'ts of website design (adobe tv has a great video). Never ever low ball in a community, photographers are a picky but friendly lot. if they feel you are screwing up the industry, they will not be very happy. selling your images for to much can force them to lower prices which cuts into their pockets. You never know when another photog might need a second at a wedding or you might need them.

 

[jnelson4x4taco]

Wow, thank you all for the sincere feedback. You are truly top notch people and I appreciate all of your comments. I have trusted you all with the silly decisions i have made regarding my truck and now I know I can trust you all with my career decisions as well. This isnt just a truck forum after all, this really is a great community of people.

I understand the fact that I have to go all in on this endeavor, my problem is that I dont feel that I am at a point where I feel comfortable doing it full time as my only source of income. I want to approach it full throttle so that in the future, as it grows, maybe I can slowly make the transition to full time. For that, I want it to have a solid foundation. On the flip side, im not sure if i am ready for that. I know that I need to start charging for photos. If there is one thing I have learned through my research and talking to other photographers, its that not charging will only devalue my work. Offering a few discounted shoots and informing clients of the full value will probably be my next step.

I have been researching other photographers in the area to see what they are charging. I want to to be low enough to draw business without undercutting other photographers significantly. I want to be fair and competitive.

I have found another photographer who has offered to let me shadow her on a few shoots and also assist with a wedding this summer. This should really help me expand my portfolio and get experience.

Thank you again for all of your support and great feedbak, keep it coming!

 

[Lost Canadian]

The only good piece of advice that I can offer is that if you're looking to actually make money from this, and you are not yet established, try to carve out a niche market for yourself. I know of one not so great photographer who brings in a good chunk of coin simply by being business savvy. He aligned himself with an outdoor adventure company and he takes pictures of the participants during an activity. When the activity is done he offers participants a CD of "memories" as he would call them, for $25 a pop. Not bad considering he does this with 4 to 5 groups a day, group size ranging from 15 to 20 people. Even if only half bite on a CD that's a good bit of change he's going home with.

If you're looking to do portraits/events you could try to target your services in small rural communities within a few hours of where you live. A lot of times there are almost no established photographers working in these small communities, and putting up one flyer in small local post office may just surprise you.

 

[Colorado David]

Just as a frame of reference, commercial photography colleagues of mine are charging day rates between $1,500 and $4,500.