| For most photographers, getting a paid gig seems to | | | | that sell jewelry and widgets online. Also, you may |
| be getting increasingly more difficult. With the advent | | | | find goodies you just can't live without and be able |
| of affordable DSLR cameras, nearly everyone is a | | | | to negotiate a deal before it hits eBay! |
| photographer now and the market seems saturated. | | | | 4. Rock Band/musician photographer |
| The savvy photographer, however, realizes that the | | | | Do you know of anyone that is in a band or |
| market is still thriving and well... if you know where to | | | | performing arts? Big name bands pay big bucks for |
| look. | | | | tour photographers. Shrink this philosophy to a local |
| Just as times change, markets change too. Below are | | | | scale and charge a band for a nights worth of photos |
| five markets that are easy to penetrate if you have | | | | that they can use for their demo album, myspace |
| a plan and some drive. The best part? They're all | | | | page, and other promotions. Band photography can |
| hungry prospects looking for photographers! | | | | be tricky, so be sure to do some reading online |
| 1. Corporate functions/Event photography | | | | before you accept a paying gig. It might be wise to |
| Corporations are constantly looking to document | | | | do a few shoots for free just for experience. |
| events. Likewise, events are always taking place. | | | | Find yourself a niche in this market by making |
| Whether it be a fund raiser, a holiday party, a college | | | | contacts at open mic night and larger band |
| graduation, or a mixer for the chamber of | | | | performances. Often opening bands are up and |
| commerce, companies and individuals alike are always | | | | coming in the rock world and if you can get in early, |
| in the need for web photos and even prints. | | | | you might be able to ride on the coat tails to a |
| Find yourself a niche in this market by joining | | | | national tour! Other revenue streams could be: Night |
| organizations, participating in mixers, and using word | | | | club, bar and venue photography contacts, other |
| of mouth to promote yourself. Other possible | | | | bands, fan print to order pictures, and newspaper |
| revenue streams could be: Corporate Head shots, | | | | submission abilities. |
| architectural photos for print ads, and employee | | | | 5. Real Estate Photography |
| events/portraits/weddings. | | | | Due to recent market changes, Realtors are looking |
| 2. Club/Bar Photography | | | | for anything and everything to improve their chances |
| Bars, restaurants, and clubs are always looking for | | | | of selling a home. There is nothing that helps a home |
| photographers to document their hip new locations | | | | stick out on the MLS more than a professional quality |
| and trendy club-goers. They're looking for photos to | | | | listing photo. Take the time to make the home look |
| use in fliers, website promotion, and possibly even | | | | top notch and the Realtor will be nothing short of |
| wall art! | | | | ecstatic with you. Get up early and use the early |
| Find yourself a niche in this market by targeting | | | | morning (or evening) light to work in your favor for |
| restaurants and bars you frequent often. Start small. | | | | exterior shots, and use a tripod or flash system to |
| Ask the owners if they've ever thought about using | | | | light the interior shots. If you can get the hang of |
| photos to enhance sales for their restaurants. Once | | | | this, you won't have time for any other business. |
| you've received a few paying gigs you can use the | | | | Find yourself a niche in this market by making |
| images as promotion to other club owners. Other | | | | contacts in the real estate industry. Stop at real |
| possible revenue streams could be: Fashion work if | | | | estate branches and use morning meetings, fliers, and |
| you see the right person, stock photography (don't | | | | phone calls to get in touch with decision makers. |
| forget a model release!), and abstract art. | | | | Create a couple packages for agents to choose from |
| 3. Ebay Photo Guru | | | | to make the quickest sale with the least headache, |
| Every day, millions of people log onto to find the | | | | then organize a time to gain access to the home. |
| perfect gift, toy, or collectors item. However, many | | | | Realtors are huge on word of mouth advertising, so |
| items go overlooked because they don't have a | | | | make sure to use it the best you can. Also team up |
| photo. Help some people liquidate any items that | | | | with lenders and title agencies (if you have them in |
| might fetch a premium to the right buyer on eBay | | | | your area) for joint marketing campaigns. Other |
| and other classified sites by offering to take photos | | | | revenue streams could be: Office party event |
| of goods using a mobile studio. The mobile studio | | | | photographer and business head shots for |
| need not be extravagant, simply a white poster | | | | promotional materials like business cards and web |
| board and a flash could be sufficient. | | | | sites. |
| Find yourself a niche in this market by working with | | | | Like any endeavor, a business should have a plan and |
| sellers that list items frequently but have poorly | | | | requires follow through and hard work. The reward, |
| designed listings, often with no photos. Use word of | | | | however, can be monstrous and well worth the |
| mouth along with posting ads on popular local | | | | effort. Be sure not to make promises you can't |
| classified sites like craigslist.org and Other revenue | | | | deliver upon, and handle yourself in an ethical manner. |
| streams could be: catalog work for entrepreneurs | | | | Also, always have a spare business card handy! |