When I began my journey as a photographer, I was overcome with the excitement. I was finally going after my dream. I started with this huge idea in my head of who I wanted to become, and what I wanted my brand to represent. As I was building my portfolio, I received phone calls from friends and family that were also excited about my photography career. The word spread, and I was receiving inquiry after inquiry. I was thrilled! I was photographing anyone, anywhere, anytime, for any price.
Quickly, I felt my excitement disappear. I began to feel unappreciated, unprofessional, underpaid and unable to share what I knew I could really do. I was attracting the wrong type of clients, however, I couldn’t blame them. That is who and what I was displaying to them.
After many sleepless nights and stress-filled days, I decided to take control. I looked back at that original vision I had in my head upon beginning this career. Slowly, but surely I made step-by-step changes. I started again. Following my own inspiration, I began to rebuild my portfolio. I chose to share only the images I loved, the type of photography I wanted to be known for.
While I can’t say it will happen over night, establishing a business reflecting of you is the first step to your success. These 5 steps have helped me in creating a business that not only I love, but my clients do also.
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No.01Photograph what inspires you
The photography industry continues grow and grow. In such a saturated market, it’s important to stand out. Being a photographer, I can’t say enough how easy it can be to get caught up in all of the new photography trends. For the longest time I looked to every other photographer out in the world for inspiration. I thought that if I had the exact blanket, that popular new newborn prop, or used the latest filter in postproduction, I would stand out. How ironic? Instead of trying to be everyone else, why not be you? You are unique, and you have a gift. The moment you decide to photograph what you love as an individual, you will begin to stand out. Individuals will start to recognize you for your one-of-a-kind work. Photograph what inspires you, and clients will wish to hire you for what you do differently than others within the market. As Coco Chanel one said, “Beauty begins the moment you decide to be yourself.”
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No.02Biography
No one wants to hire a complete stranger. Therefore, it’s extremely important to have a page all about you within your website. Your biography page is like a welcoming hug to your viewers, it’s the first point of contact for those looking at your website. Use it to reveal who you are not only as a photographer, but also as an individual. Get up close and personal. Invite your readers in, as if you are chatting over coffee for the fist time. Share all about whom you are and what you love, all with your own little flair. Presenting your personality online will allow clients to feel as if they already know you and that they can trust you. Readers who connect with your personality online are more likely to want to get to know you in person also. Include a headshot for that little extra spark.
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No.03Chat on the Phone
In today’s day and age, all communication is through social media, text messages, or email. Speaking over the phone is like a thing in the past. However, how much more personal is a phone call over a neutral message? Once you receive an email inquiry online, pick up the phone and introduce yourself. Start a friendship from the moment you say hello. This personal phone call will allow consumers to get one step closer to knowing you, and building trust in you.
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No.04Show What You Want to Sell
As business owners, we are told to only show what we wish to sell. Like photographing what inspires you, sell products that too entice you. Selling products that you enjoy or admire will create excitement and confidence within your inner-salesman. Being passionate about your products and service will make your clients in excited in return. You will attract clients by your branding, your service, and your products. Keeping each of these consistent in reflecting your personality will intrigue clients with similar interests, personalities, and goals. They will appreciate you for your work and the gorgeous heirlooms you have provided their family to forever cherish.
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No.05Be Confident
Be confident in who you are, what you do, and what you have to offer. You are unique, and you have a talent to share with the world. Remember that you may not be the photographer for everyone, but to some, you will be the perfect choice. Be true to you, and others will admire and respect you. If you are confident in what you have to gift others, their belief and confidence in you will too grow.
As photographers, we are fortunate to live out our dream daily. Never loose site of who you are as an individual, as an artist, or as a business owner. The key to success is believing in yourself, and staying true to who you are. I believe in you.
I love these tips!! Thank you so much for sharing!! :-)
Thank you, Annie!
Thank you for this article.. It is an inspiration.. and the really truth. Thank you. I love clickitupnotch.com
Thank you, Stefania! Who doesn’t love Click It Up A Notch?! :)
That about page is so important! It can also be really fun to create, share your quirks with the world and they will better connect with you :)
monica-galvan.com
Exactly, Monica! Thank you!
Love this article!
Thank you, Elizabeth!
thank you, this is exactly what i needed. Ive been feeling so let down since business is slow..but i will not give up. i believe in my creativity
Don’t give up, Kami! You can do it :) Thank you for your sweet words!
Wonderful article. I too want to photograph what I love: kids and families in outdoor locations, and stylised kid sessions. But in my country birth photography is very popular and moms generally continue working with their birth photographer. I wonder how I can get clients without building a portfolio in birth photography..
Thank you, Yesim! As I mentioned in the article, I would continue to photograph what you love! Clients will come to you for your unique work, no matter if you are a birth photographer or not. Do you photograph newborns at all? Perhaps if you began photographing newborns differently, such as posed in-studio or lifestyle in-home, your work would stand out differently and draw the attention of those looking for something other than birth photography. Hope that helps some! :)
Great article. A lot of good information as I contemplate going pro. A bit of feedback, you might consider having someone read your article for grammatical errors before publishing them.
Thank you, Rhonda! And thank you for your feedback. I and a few others read and revised the article, but those things can easily slip by!
Excellent advice! Great post.
Thank you, Amanda!