Some people think that a photography business is a business based on capital, easily calculated by the total assets owned by the photographer, and expensive when it comes to studio and professional photography equipment. But now that paradigm has shifted, the digital age has carried with it a great change in the development of photography. You now don’t need to own an expensive camera and a studio for developing your film, or even a shop to sell your services.
In general, a photographer is a person that makes a career out of providing photography services. This usually comes in the process of: meeting with the client, photography session, printing, result transactions, and then getting paid for the services provided. But now the scope has widened.
Before starting a photography business, you need to establish a target market segment. Who are your potential consumers? You need to first assess the level of skill you have; because the higher your photography skills, the higher the chance of reaping greater financial rewards.
After establishing your skill level, you can then compile a portfolio. A portfolio is a collection of your personal work. A portfolio may consist of portraits, fashion photographs, photojournalism, still life, and other types of photography that define you as a photographer and your target audience. A portfolio can be printed and compiled into an album, or you can post them up in various social media site on the internet.
Then, start promoting. You can start promoting your services by giving out free photography services or by only being reimbursed for production fees just to get your name out there and to prove yourself. Because once you’ve got fans, mouth to mouth marketing is the most effective and efficient form of promotion.
What are the opportunities available in the business of photography? The following are several opportunities you can pursue in the photography business:
1.Commercial Photography
This business model is the most conventional. You photograph, and then you get paid. You offer your photography services to your clients, execute, and then you charge your clients a sum for the fee. The photography services may be in the form of family or personal portraits, wedding photographs, and products with self-determined rates.
2.Stock Photography
Have you ever randomly taken photographs? Photographing everything around you? Where did all those photos end up? Shelved never to see the light of day again? Did you know that those photographs could make you some money? There are these stock photography agencies out there that can accommodate and sell those photos. You can submit photos of panoramic views or conceptual photos for presentations (such as people shaking hands or a family in a picnic), and these agencies can sell them for you. There are hundreds of these stock photo agencies on the internet. For more information, read my other post on starting your own stock photography business.
3.Photography Books
You can create a photography book. This can be a photography tutorial book, a travel photography book, or a book consisting of a certain photography collection. For this you can look for a publisher. You can start by sending a script to several publishers. You can also print and publish your book yourself, or distribute them on the internet in the form of e-books or e-magazines.
4.Photography Exhibitions
You can start your exhibition by determining your exhibition concept. Concept ideas may be “jump” or “floating,” like the works of the unique Japanese photographer Natsumi Hayashi. You can photograph celebrities doing jumps, then print and show case them. You can rent a gallery or other venues to showcase your work so an audience can enjoy and be interested in purchasing your works.
5.Photography Class
Many photographers now offer classes or short courses and also certified courses. For this, you cannot be just another novice photographer because you’re there to share and teach your expertise and knowledge to others. Also, you must be able to be held accountable for that knowledge. A photography class can be started by creating a photography learning community.
6.Photo Hunting
There are many novice photographers that love these photo-hunting sessions. When creating a photo-hunting event, you will be responsible as the event coordinator and organizer. You can start off by determining the concept. Usually the best sellers are those with the “sexy” concept. You can collect registration fees from participants.
7.Merchandise
Business opportunities in photography can also be kick started from starting a photography merchandise business. To be successful with this type of business, you don’t necessarily need a deep understanding and technical knowledge of photography. What is essential is that you understand the emerging trends of photography. Photography merchandise business most frequently encountered is merchandising in the forms of photography-related t-shirts, photography vets, hats, key chains, and other knick-knacks that are associated with photography.
