| Am I correct in assuming that you have a pretty | | | | stunning samples to show people, an impressive |
| strong interest in child photography just because | | | | business card, work great with kids, but if the paying |
| you're reading this? Well, most likely, right? What do | | | | clients aren't finding their way to your door, then you |
| you think holds you back? | | | | don't have a business. |
| Ok, no more questions, just information. If you knew | | | | But if you operate from your home and the clients |
| how easy it was to start a child photography | | | | don't come in very quickly then it's not a catastrophe. |
| business you might have started a long time ago. | | | | You'll most likely have your regular job to pay the |
| The reason I can make a statement like that is | | | | bills, and build your business without a lot of stress. |
| because I started a child photography business. I | | | | So how do you go about attracting paying clients? |
| didn't stay in business because I made two huge | | | | You probably have this one figured out already: get |
| mistakes. | | | | some stunning samples, only your very best shots. |
| The first big mistake was opening a storefront studio | | | | You can do a few freebies to get these shots, then |
| downtown with the monthly rent to pay plus utilities | | | | load them onto your website. Yes, you really need a |
| and so on. The second mistake was thinking I could | | | | website, but you can build one and it will cost very |
| generate enough paying clients quickly enough before | | | | little. One thing you could do is Google it, "build |
| I went broke. Well, these are big mistakes and I | | | | website." Advertise your website so that when |
| wasn't able to hold on. I really only had a vague idea | | | | someone types into Google "child photographers |
| how to attract clients, and I should have had that | | | | Kalamazoo" your site will display. |
| figured out before I started. | | | | Of course there are dozens of ways to advertise |
| I would like to save you the distress and expense | | | | which we can't get into here because of space |
| that I experienced. If you can find a small space in | | | | limitations. It's just a matter of getting your name |
| your home for a studio and desk and a computer | | | | out there. |
| with photoshop, that's really all you need. It doesn't | | | | If you are passionate about photography and love |
| have to be photoshop, you can purchase cheaper | | | | kids it's a great way to go. Just think of going to |
| alternatives. And when I say a small space for a | | | | "work" doing something that you love. Set your own |
| studio I mean it because almost everything will be | | | | hours and set your own hourly rate also. And, it's one |
| done digitally. | | | | of the few business endeavours that doesn't require |
| If you're like most people the picture taking and | | | | a huge outlay of cash. The camera you use now will |
| editing is the fun part and the easy part. Ok, so what | | | | probably be okay until you can afford something |
| is the difficult part? Attracting a steady stream of | | | | better. Oh, and no more fighting traffic to get to |
| paying clients, that's what. You can take beautiful | | | | work! |
| photographs that are technically very good, have | | | | |