Starting out

[tehSandra]

Hey everyone,

I'm very new to this forum, only signed up today. I want to pursue photography more professionally but I'm finding it difficult to decide what is needed and what isn't.

I know there are a lot of people on here who earn money with their photography. Would you be able to give me some advice?

Things like:
Is a website needed?
Are business cards a must?
Is it wise to contact PR agencies directly?
Where should I invest money and what can wait until I actually have some money coming in?

I'd really appreciate any advice you guys can give me. I had people telling me for years I should do this professionally but I've always been hesitant, until now.

Thank you everyone.

[candleman]

welcome to the forum

Originally Posted by tehSandra

Things like:
Is a website needed?
Are business cards a must?
Is it wise to contact PR agencies directly?

Yes, absoloutley
Yes, they wont phone you if they don’t have your number
and ....err.. i wouldnt waste my money. go for it if you can afford it.

Originally Posted by tehSandra

Where should I invest money and what can wait until I actually have some money coming in?

Depends.. what kit have you got? And what SORT of photography are you going into?
Weddings, landscape, fine art, portraits, residential/architecture, pets,commercial, fashion... all require very different things


seriously study business, marketing, basic accounting, and do a serious analysis on what this is going to cost you. not only initial set-up, but running costs. without which you probably wont be charging enough..
heres a link to help, as this sort of thing is often asked and has been discussed allot.. so read through some of these posts.

i hope that helps

[Swisstony10]

Welcome to DPS!

Originally Posted by tehSandra

Is it wise to contact PR agencies directly?

Does this mean that you want to market yourself as a photographer serving the needs of PR agencies? If that's the case then yes, you absolutely need to contact them directly.

One piece of advice that I'll give you on that side is this: Be totally prepared beforeyou contact them. Have a website where they can view your work, and an email address that they can contact you on, along with a phone number. Know exactly how much you intend to charge them for your various services before you introduce yourself to them. PR Agency people are usually very busy (if they're not, it's because they're not getting much work in), and they're unlikely to have time to get into a long discussion about what they think is a fair price for anything. Chances are that if they do get work where they use a photographer, they probably already have at least one "trusted" photog that they know they can get on with, and who'll do the job they need with minimal fuss. That doesn't mean they won't have room for another though, and the first thing they'll probably ask is what your rates are, and whether you have a website.

Essentially, if you're aiming yourself at the "corporate" market, you'll be dealing with people who want you to make their lives easy. They'll want to be able to throw an assignment at you and be confident that the next time they hear from you will be when you give them the pictures they need in the format they want ahead of their deadline. They'll also expect you to speak their language (that does go for any client, but if you're moving in a particular corporate world, then you need to be a part of that world) - you can't afford to be an outsider, so if you're going after PR companies for work, then it's worth getting hold of a few PR trade magazines and reading through them carefully, understanding what they're talking about, and what they're doing. Carefully examine the websites of the companies that you're going to contact and know who they are, what they spe******e in, and who their big clients are.

It's a tough competitive world, but it's also great fun, and you'll meet some fantastic people - plenty of preparation is totally key.

Russ.

[Jim Bryant]

Before you contact anybody, what kind of portfolio do you have and how experienced a photographer are you? This is photography sometime you just picked up one day? Are you schooled in photography? Ask and answer those question, if not......keep shooting and getting better. Study the marketplace to see what images being brought and used as ad.
Get John Harrington's book, "Best Business Practices for Photographers", a lot of your questions can be answered there. Join the nearest American Society of Media Photographers (ASMP) Chapter and start attending meetings.

[wildbird]

Originally Posted by Jim Bryant

Join the nearest American Society of Media Photographers (ASMP) Chapter and start attending meetings.

Might cost a bit to go the meetings, seeing as how they are in Melbourne, Australia

[scootermcq]

Originally Posted by wildbird

Might cost a bit to go the meetings, seeing as how they are in Melbourne, Australia

It would show a certain amount of dedication to the craft.... would it not

[Jim Bryant]

If anybody is serious about making money in Photography, joining a pro organization is really helpful. ASMP and others are dedicated to helping photography gain the business sense that one needs in today's marketplace. If you don't want to join or attend meetings get ASMP "Professional Business Practices in Photography". That book will give you enough insight into the professional photography industry. Also purchase the recent copy of "Photographers' Marketplace".

[wri7913]

I'm not sure what the ASMP organizations are like outside the US, but at least in the US we get benefits from being part of the organization. Discounted pricing on software like fotoQuote, photoshop, and many others. You also get discounts from MacMall, B&H Photo out of NYC, discounting shipping through Fedex, offerings in Health Insurance packages and other insurance you need for business and equipment. For my first year it was $70, and will likely go up to normal rate in the second year. It's made back the money I spent on savings I've gained. You will get the ASMP "Professional Business Practices in Photography" for free when you join.

Getting the Photographers' Marketplace book at your local bookstore is a no-brainer if you are involved in selling your images such as stock photography.

[lonni]

I dont think you need a PR agency, probably too expensive. A good graphic designer is all you need as well as twitter, facebook, a blog and a website, and plenty of time to meet people and spread the word.

You definately need business cards, its profesional and no one will trust you if you dont have them.

check out Alpha Colour Print, its where i work, Logo design with images on disk in multiple formats for $150 adn businesss cards from $185.

I can also help you out with a website, there are a few decent hosting deals around, with basic templates that will get you started, but you can definately get started with a wordpress blog, facebook and twitter

email me if you have any questions, the address in on our site, its under construction at the moment so not all our products are available.

Definately Join AIPP, australian institute of professional photographers, asap.