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Mistakes An Amateur Photographer Must Avoid
Looking back, I didn't have a clue what I was doing when I decided to go from amateur photographer to 'professional photographer.' I confused good photography and good photography skills with good business skills. For example, I mistakenly thought that 'photography marketing' was something that you did 'if you had some spare money and time.' Without photography marketing no photography business will succeed.
My photography was as good as most of what was being sold and published by other photographers. My photography enthusiasm and my excellent customer service skills were my advantages. Other than those two assets, I didn't give full thought to what it takes to successfully run a photography business - even part-time. Not only was I 'not ready' to start a photography business, I had 'no clue' that I wasn't ready.
To be a successful photographer, you have to want to be a photographer. You have to truly enjoy photography. A now-and-then photographer produces so-so work. Quality photographs arent a result of luck. You will have to shoot a great number of images to develop your skills to a proficient level. And, you will have to shoot still more images to have the confidence needed to navigate the turbulent, chaotic and exciting world of professional photography.
By all means, don't underestimate the seriousness of what is required to be a successful photography business owner - even part-time. The media created fantasies of pro photographers that "party with celebrities" while shooting 'valuable' paparazzi style photos are all make-believe. Real photography business includes more serious decisions such as business planning, backup equipment, well developed photography marketing planning.
You can start a photography business on a part-time basis. Keep in mind that part-time photography doesn't mean amateurish photography. Part-time photography is not a reason to low-ball your prices just to get work. And, of course, part-time, doesn't allow you to produce poor photography or have lousy business skills.
Shooting photos of everything is fun, productive and one of the most exciting aspect of digital photography. However, successfully start a photography business by focusing on a good photography niche. You should find a niche that is popular among the audience that you've targeted and that allows room for your business without too much competition. Your chosen niche should fit your available time.
Effective photography marketing is like all marketing: 1.) find an audience; 2.) find out from that audience what it is that they want (what type of photography are they buying currently, for example); 3.) give/sell it to them. Your photography marketing messages will inform your customers why they should hire you and pay your prices.
Photography marketing is needed because photos dont sell themselves. Your marketing doesnt have to be expensive because there are many very good and effective strategies that dont cost you any money at all. Successful marketing is a process " it never ends. Learn it, apply it and succeed in the photography business " full-time or part-time.
About the Author Kalem Aquil offers more tips to photographers looking for effective marketing strategies on his marketing for photographers website. He offers still more marketing for photographers stuff in his free photographer ebook "Freeze, I have A Camera, And I'm Not Afraid To Use It."
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