| Both parents and students are willing to pay a lot of | | | | of mouth is a great form of advertising but it will not |
| money for senior portraits, so getting into portrait | | | | be enough when you are just starting out. You will |
| photography can bring in a great deal of extra | | | | want to set up a website which has both past work |
| income if you know what you are doing. Here are | | | | you have done and contact information. Then you |
| some helpful tips to make sure you get top dollar for | | | | need to drive traffic to that website with articles like |
| the work you do with your digital camera. | | | | this one and social bookmarking and a whole host of |
| First of all, you need to build up your portfolio with | | | | other advertising options. Try putting a post in your |
| great images. Even if you have to do some sessions | | | | local Craigslist classifieds and put an advertisement in |
| for free, it will help to get some solid, quality images | | | | your local newspaper as well. If even one job is a |
| in your portfolio. I have been making money with | | | | results it will be worth your time. |
| photography for 10 years now and I have learned | | | | And thirdly, be creative and relaxed with your clients. |
| that the number one factor in getting the client to | | | | During the senior portrait photo session get to know |
| hire you will be your portfolio. If your pictures stink | | | | the client and get them to open up be showing them |
| or you do not have any sample pictures to show | | | | that you are relaxed as well. If you are nervous and |
| them, you will not be hired. Simple as that. The more | | | | jittery, they will feel the same way, and nothing ruins |
| time and effort you put into creating a book of | | | | a shoot like awkwardness. Tell a few jokes, shoot in |
| photos you are proud of the more money you will | | | | different locations and be interested in your client as |
| earn. | | | | you photograph them. After all, you want them to |
| Second, you need to get some good contacts. Word | | | | look as natural as possible. |