| Here's a question: How do you know when you're | | | | Do your research. Go online and read the available |
| ready to start a photography business? Answer: | | | | research on the business of photography. Read |
| When you 'know' that you 'know' (the doublespeak is | | | | before you buy. Online research is just a click away. |
| for emphasis) the difference between your artistic | | | | Take your time. Take advantage of free and easily |
| photography skills and your understanding of business. | | | | available information online. If you choose to buy |
| Knowing the difference makes the difference | | | | something offered, determine what goals you want |
| between success and failure when you start any | | | | to accomplish and ask yourself will what you're |
| type of business, for that matter. | | | | buying help you to really meet your goals. Avoid the |
| Tip #1 | | | | resources that promise and guarantee you that you |
| Think about it, the art of taking pictures is getting | | | | can make $200 - $300 a day overnight - for obvious |
| easier and easier - especially with the advancement | | | | reasons. Also, there are no "secrets that the pros |
| of technology. Digital technology has made | | | | don't want you to know!" There is information that |
| photography so easy that it appears that everybody | | | | you do not know now. But, isn't information that is |
| and their brothers and their sisters are photographers! | | | | unknowable or impossible to find out - they're just |
| Such ease makes photography a very popular | | | | unknown to you at this time. Do your research. |
| attraction and very compelling to start a photo biz. | | | | Besides, if they're for sale, how "secret" can they |
| But, what many budding photographers fail to realize | | | | be? Do your research |
| and take seriously is that: Business is Business. | | | | In the business of photography, it is more profitable |
| Whether selling teddy bears, cell phones or | | | | to specialize. Specialization (also referred to as your |
| photography, the business principles are the same. | | | | "photography niche") is how your customers will find |
| And they are basic and simple (not easy - simple). | | | | you. Another development of technology is how |
| Successful photographers aren't necessarily the most | | | | customers - those who can afford and are willing to |
| skilled. They understand and practice the basic and | | | | spend money for photography - find the |
| simple principles of running a photography business. | | | | photography that they buy. They look for something |
| They also don't confuse the quality of their | | | | specific (in photographer speak that means |
| photography with the need to plan, market and | | | | "photography niche"). Go online and do a search on |
| operate their photography business. | | | | "photography niche" and take advantage of the |
| Don't be confused! You must consistently produce | | | | information available. Remember, read before you |
| top-notch quality products and photographic services. | | | | buy; there are no "secrets that the pros don't want |
| Constantly improving your skills is critical. So is the | | | | you to know;" and great photography does not sell |
| learning and consistent practice of business principles. | | | | itself. In the world of business, nothing does. |
| If you don't consistently practice the necessary | | | | For business purposes, go online and do a search on |
| business principles, budding photographers that do | | | | different business topics that you want more |
| know the difference and practice the principles will | | | | information about. For example, do a search for |
| get the customers and the business that should be | | | | "photography marketing" or "marketing for |
| yours. If you fail to practice the principles you will fail | | | | photographers" or "amateur photography tips" or |
| at your photography business attempts. Period. You | | | | "how to sell photos online" or "how to start a |
| will be another charter member of the 'starving artist' | | | | photography business" etc. etc. Read before you buy. |
| club! There's a reason why they're 'starving!' | | | | Know And Start Where You Are And Be 'Sincere' - |
| Once you do start a picture-taking business, every | | | | Tip #4 |
| day that you're in business there's opportunity to | | | | Start where you are with the equipment that you |
| grow and prosper, and the chance to stagnate and | | | | have. If you don't have a photography studio don't |
| fail. Your being clear on the difference between | | | | take on photography jobs that require a studio. Don't |
| photography practices and business practices | | | | be all things to all people - remember, specialize |
| determine the success of your photography business | | | | (research "photography niche" - you'll be head and |
| more than your photographic skills and talents. Be | | | | shoulders above the majority of your competition). If |
| sure to spend as much time developing your | | | | you feel that you have to purchase equipment to |
| photography skills as you do your business | | | | take on a job - that's a red flag that you're not |
| (marketing, self-promotion activities, for example) | | | | ready, yet. In successful photography, the profit is in |
| skills and you will find success. | | | | the "photography niche" and your understanding of |
| Compliment vs Reality - Tip #2 | | | | that simple difference. |
| Most budding photographers have this experience: a | | | | Doing your research will prepare you for one of the |
| good friend, family member or neighbor sees a | | | | biggest challenges most photographers have - pricing. |
| photograph and 'raves' how good it looks and how | | | | The challenge of knowing exactly what to charge |
| 'valuable' it 'should' be! Somewhere in their raving they | | | | stops most of us in our tracks. It shouldn't! Do your |
| proclaim, "you should sell that, you'll probably make a | | | | research. Search "photography pricing," for example. |
| lot of money!" Red flag warning! What is given as a | | | | The information is available and most of it is free. |
| compliment of your photograph is instantly translated | | | | Remember, read before you buy. |
| to your having a "diamond" that you can sell and that | | | | In my opinion, there really is no one criteria needed |
| will change your 'status' in life. Here's a test: the next | | | | to start a profitable photo business. However, my |
| time you receive such a 'compliment,' do this: thank | | | | experience has convinced me that self-confidence is |
| them and then ask them how much are they willing | | | | the most significant asset a photographer in business |
| to pay you for the photo? I promise you that the | | | | can possess. You develop that self-confidence by |
| same 'expert' that just raved about your valuable | | | | knowing what you know and knowing what you |
| artwork will pass on the 'opportunity' to grab up your | | | | don't know - and being crystal clear on the |
| 'valuable' artistic photo. In the photography business | | | | difference. Confidence is gained by knowing the |
| value is determined by other criteria than a | | | | necessary criteria needed and knowing that you |
| compliment or two. Knowing the difference | | | | possess the knowledge and skills to consistently |
| contributes to your success in business. | | | | accomplish tasks in a satisfactory manner. |
| Develop your knowledge and skill and your | | | | Research, develop and practice both your |
| confidence as a photographer will dramatically | | | | photography knowledge and skills as well as your |
| increase. Likewise with business: develop and practice | | | | photography business knowledge and skills. |
| basic business principles and your confidence as a | | | | Finally, when vaudevillian, George Burns, was asked |
| successful professional photographer will dramatically | | | | what was the secret to his successful career, he |
| increase. I promise. | | | | responded - "sincerity, be sincere - even if you have |
| Research Builds Confidence - Tip #3 | | | | to fake it! |