Advertising? errrr

[Verticalways]

I am looking to advertise my services however I am not sure where to start.

I have a small studio in my garage and am looking to get new backdrops (cheap - suggest some) but am rather looking for clients to get my business running.

I would like to do families/headshots/portraiture eventually weddings

How should I advertise?
What should I advertise?
Where?

[BigFuzzy]

I'm just going to warn you now to put on your thick skin.. this sort of "tell me all I need to know how to be a pro-photog" will get some panties in a bunch.

Having said that, there are various (though I'm sure I'll miss many) ways for you to start getting your name out.

1. Website - and not just some shitty freebie, but something that actually looks like you're a pro. For that, you need photos to put up there, so you need to start building a portfolio (whole other subject. Your website should (at some point) incorporate ad tools
2. Other social tools such as Facebook (not just your page, but a one specifically for your business), twitter, Myspace (eck!), et al.
3. Local advertisement which could be anything from dropping off flyers/cards at local businesses (like hair dressers, etc) to actually paying for advertising space
4. Consider signing up for sites such as Model Mayhem because there are always lots of subjects looking to be photographed for free, and I'm assuming you need to build a portfolio.

As for what can you advertise, only you can say that. Can you advertise, yet, to be a portrait photographer? Do you have, again, a portfolio to show clients you can do this work? If not, I'd say you can't advertise quite yet. I didn't dare call myself a portrait photographer until I had 20 different portraits I was happy with (and no, not all can come from one session, i'd say at least 5 sessions).

One step I forgot to say is to try to become another photographers 2nd shooter to get some experience.. then you don't have to worry as much because you're not being relied on as the sole photographer.

Buy lots of books about what you want to do. Since you plan on doing lighting, I highly recommend to everyone who ever wants to be a serious photographer to read Light: Science and Magic.. look it up on Amazon.. the intro (though not easy) to all things lighting.

Otherwise, I'd worry more, right now, about getting experience and a portfolio before you start advertising. If I'm mistaken and you do have a decent amount of experience/photos, then move on to some of those other tools I mentioned. You'd be amazed at how many contacts I get from what little effort i put into advertising myself online through some of the tools I mentioned (plus it helps that I have a diverse and I think decent portfolio).

EDIT: PS any particular reason you're reposting pretty much the same exact question from your previous post HERE? Lots of good advice there already (which you didn't acknowledge or thank )

EDIT 2: Seeing that you provided a link to your website, I would reiterate that I believe you need to work more right now on fleshing out your portfolio. If I were a client and went there, I'd think you've only ever photographed like 2 people.. so get busy asking everyone and their mom to be your subjects, good luck!

[BigFuzzy]

One thing that would really put me off, by the way, as a potential client, is going to your website and seeing that any random stranger can buy photos of me. Do Danielle and Mckenna (not to mention the child!) know that weird creepy dudes like me could buy their images from your site? I'd highly recommend, from a business and privacy perspective, to ensure that photos of people are only purchaseable by the client.. unless they expressly give permission.
Just a friendly tip

[Verticalways]

EDIT: PS any particular reason you're reposting pretty much the same exact question from your previous post HERE? Lots of good advice there already (which you didn't acknowledge or thank )

I haven't been on this website in awhile I am ashamed that I did not thank them. You are absolutely correct in doing so. However I thought I posted that in another forum

thanks for all the tips I will give everything you suggested a shot! Thanks!