Five years ago I returned to the world of photography after 20 years of absence. So I was a ‘fighter-professional’ photographer. I gave face to the following type jokes:
Question: What is the difference between a professional photographer and a McDonald’s Family Pack Happy Meal?
Answer – Happy Meal can feed a family of four.
I started in photography out of love for her. Eventually, I decided that all I had to do to become a professional photographer was hand out my business cards and wait for the phone to ring. I mistook my love of photography for success as a ‘professional photographer’.
For me, being a ‘professional photographer’ dampened all the joy photography had given me over the years. I took jobs that were neither challenging nor profitable. I didn’t take the time to figure out what type of photography offered the most return for effort, resources, and time investment. I didn’t pay attention to where my best leads were or how to ‘overdeliver’ my services to them. Although I went about operating my ‘professional photography’ business with the best of intentions, plans, enthusiasm and commitment, I had doomed myself to predictable failure. Of course, I recognized this ‘after’ as I ran out of money, enthusiasm, and hope. Hindsight is often 20/20.
Now I’m back and my illusion and enthusiasm is even more intense than twenty years ago. The world of photography is growing by leaps and bounds and changing almost as quickly. As I am now older, I should be more mature and better able to make well thought out and researched business decisions.
The biggest aspect of photography today, for me, is technology. I prefer digital to film. Digital allows me to shoot and practice more than I could with film. Also, I can manipulate the photo to get the best possible image. Technology helps me find information that helps me make business decisions. Technology now helps me target my potential customers and market specifically to them. It is not a hit or miss marketing exercise.
I found photography books that helped me focus on a profitable photography niche. Before I found the books, I had no idea what a photography niche was or how important it is to being a successful photographer. There are many very good books on successful photography businesses. For me, one of the best (after my 20 year absence) was Edward R. Lilley’s “The Business of Studio Photography.” His book prevented me from repeating my costly mistakes of the past.
Twenty years ago I had never heard of stock photography. Now, stock photography is where I spend most of my scheduled time when I’m shooting for commercial purposes (as opposed to shooting for my love of photography). There are many books on stock photography. “Sell and Re-Sell Your Photos” and “Sellphotos.com”, both by Rohn Engh, have been two of the best investments I’ve ever made. I have a clearer understanding of the stock photography business and where I fit in. Stock photography is undergoing many changes. Some longtime stock photographers just don’t like what’s going on. Other longtime stock photographers welcome the changes and adjust accordingly. Since I’m relatively new to stock photography, the changes have little meaning or consequence to me. Author Michal Heron’s books “How to Shoot Stock Photos That Sell” and “Pricing Photography” were invaluable in furthering my understanding of the stock photography business. The latest book also offers pricing information for assignment photography.
One of the best aspects of the world of photography today is technology. I enjoy showing my work. Photography websites allow me to display my work, supplement my advertising/marketing, and sell my work. I had established a number of photography websites before finding one of the internet’s best ‘giveaways’ for photographers. A site called Proimageguide.com offers fully operational photography websites for free! That’s free! Free photography website has no ads or popups! They provide you with a fully-functioning photography website for three months for free and hope you like their service so much that you become a paid subscriber. This free photography website is more functional than the photography websites I pay for. The fully functional photography website offered by Proimageguide.com is flexible for whatever your photography niche is, from hobbyist to professional photographer.
“The Photographer’s Guide to Setting Up a Website” by Martyn Moore, is a great resource to help you understand how to set up a photography website. The book offers free resources for photographers, such as a free website, free photography website templates, etc. The book has a website attached to it that adds to the value of this particular resource.
If it feels good to be back in the world of photography. At first, I was overwhelmed. With the help of all the information available on the internet I was able to learn the current business of photography and share it with others. Without a doubt, the world of photography is massive and growing. I take the time to obtain all the information necessary to make the best business decisions. I have invested my record of entrepreneurial success. In fact, I make money in the photography business. Going back earns me a few bucks and allows me to get paid to do what I love: photography.