| Commercial photography is the art of taking pictures | | | | abilities. For example if you want to do advertising |
| that are marketable, and finding places to sell them. | | | | images, create a couple of made up ad campaigns |
| You can do this on a freelance basis where you | | | | and take some photos that would go with them. |
| shoot a lot of images and then sell them or you can | | | | Then put them on your portfolio explaining how they |
| shoot by assignment where you shoot specific | | | | interact with the campaign and why you selected |
| subjects. No matter where you want to get started, | | | | them. Art directors love a photographer that can |
| you're going to need a strong commercial | | | | think "in theme." |
| photography portfolio. | | | | Pick Your Niche |
| Think About the Market | | | | One of the best ways in which to profit from |
| Understanding what the art buyer wants and needs | | | | photography is by becoming the best photographer |
| is critical in building your portfolio. If you're not sure | | | | at a certain kind of photographs. There are |
| what niche you want to focus on, you should | | | | photographers who focus just one subject matter |
| consider taking a wide variety of photographs that | | | | like food, celebrities, food, animals, bikinis and many |
| will show off your photographic flexibility. This will also | | | | others. Find something you're passionate about, grab |
| increase the chances of a buyer seeing something | | | | a few publications you'd like to shoot for, and see if |
| they like. Remember that any photographs featuring | | | | you can build a portfolio of work that speaks to that |
| people will need to have signed releases allowing you | | | | potential client. |
| to sell the images, so it may be best to focus on | | | | Go Local |
| environments and products when you're first getting | | | | Beginning photographers may find it difficult to lock |
| started. | | | | down work with a major publication, but there are |
| Get Online | | | | thousands of local ones that often get overlooked. |
| There are two reasons that the Internet is your | | | | Find out if there are any local magazines, newspapers |
| most powerful ally in building a commercial | | | | or websites that need images and offer to volunteer |
| photography portfolio. The first is that it allows you | | | | your services. You may not be rolling in the dough |
| to search through the portfolios of thousands of | | | | right at the start, but you will be building a powerful |
| working commercial photographers and see what | | | | list of former clients and a healthy bit of experience, |
| sorts of images sell the best. The second is that it | | | | both of which will enhance your chances of landing a |
| provides you with a low-cost way to get your | | | | bigger and better assignment in the future. |
| portfolio to as many people as possible. Simply get a | | | | Commercial photography is a hard market to break |
| website domain name and upload your photos, then | | | | into, but with the right mindset and an eye for local |
| send the link with any correspondence to potential | | | | needs you may find it easier than you thought. |
| buyers. | | | | Challenge yourself to expand on your skills with |
| Create Your Own Assignments | | | | every shoot and to reach out to businesses and |
| You're not going to have assignments right out of | | | | colleagues and you'll have a powerful portfolio in no |
| the gate, but a good way to get them is to shoot in | | | | time. |
| the vein you're interested in to demonstrate your | | | | |