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<\/a>\nI describe myself as a multi-genre photographer, but I would say my style in each genre is similar \u2013 clean, energetic and vibrant. Many people have tried to put me off delivering my business in this way but I have now been going for 11 years. Never was it so useful than over the past two years with Covid.<\/p>\n
I currently have a contract to shoot architecture for a local council; have just finished one for documentary work; for another, I take the prospectus images for a local university; and have a few music festival contracts, for example!<\/p>\n\t\t
<\/a>\t\t\tLondon Fashion Week catwalk with Cara Delevingne leading the procession. Image: Denise Maxwell<\/p>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\n
I know a lot more photographers doing well than those struggling. One colleague recently made her biggest sale in newborn photography, worth \u00a32,300. But I have also seen businesses disappear. I think my success is a combination of hard work, social skills and delivering the goods. I also throw out lots of hooks, regardless of the outcome.<\/p>\n
I am always applying for opportunities, exhibitions, practising, networking, keeping busy on social media and living photography \u2013 people need to be constantly reminded about what you do. The main skills the photography business owner needs are adaptability, to understand the different hats you need to wear, and be able to grow into these roles or contract them out \u2013 editing, or social media marketing, for instance.<\/p>\n\t\t
<\/a>\t\t\tLauren Huggins diving for the ball in a PR and marketing image taken for the Commonwealth Games. Image: Denise Maxwell<\/p>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\n
You also need resilience as you will get a lot of \u2018no\u2019s. Understanding social media is key: we need to get our heads around how it works for us, as it is now our advertising. Instagram Reels are big at the moment; you create a video that needs to capture attention in seconds, but from this you can literally get thousands of views, thousands of new eyes on your work and services.<\/p>\n
Denise\u2019s top tips<\/strong><\/p>\n Denise exhibits widely and recommends this as a good way to raise your profile<\/p>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\n tariqzaidi.com<\/a>, Instagram @tariqzaidiphoto or Facebook @tariqzaidiphotography<\/p>\n Tariq is a freelance photographer based out of London. In 2014 he gave up an executive management position to pursue his passion for capturing people. His photography focuses on documenting social issues, inequality, traditions and endangered communities around the world. Tariq\u2019s book, Sapeurs: Ladies and Gentleman of the Congo, can be ordered via the publisher<\/a>.<\/p>\n Seven years ago Tariq Zaidi was working in the corporate world, and it was squeezing the life out of him. \u2018I thought I was going to die,\u2019 he recalls. \u2018I needed to stop, to live and to do what I love.\u2019 At this point Tariq didn\u2019t have a computer or a \u2018proper\u2019 camera, but what he did have was a passion for travel and a desire to share the unique stories of the people he met along the way. As a result, he decided to give freelance photography a go.<\/p>\n \u2018A friend of mine who is a professional photographer in London said to me, \u201cDo you know how hard it is? Here alone there is something like 22,000 photographers trying to make a living\u201d,\u2019 recalls Tariq. \u2018He told me to make sure I had enough money to survive three to five years, because basically nothing was going to happen in that time.\u2019<\/p>\n\t\t A woman makes sure that her child, the eagle hunter\u2019s grandson, is safely secure. Hunting with eagles is practiced by a handful of Kyrgyz and Kazakhs in the Altai Mountains. Image: Tariq Zaidi<\/p>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\n But Tariq needn\u2019t have worried \u2013 it transpired that a career in the corporate world was actually quite helpful when it came to setting targets and budgets. Tariq gave himself five years to make a success of his new career, but within 12 months it was pretty obvious that he had made the right decision. \u2018I was very lucky,\u2019 he says. \u2018I went on multiple assignments, I started teaching, I was getting stories published and people were buying my pictures.\u2019<\/p>\n His target for year one was simply not to lose money, but he actually ended up in the black. \u2018I made enough money to keep going for another year, and then another and another, and here we are today,\u2019 he laughs. While his corporate career is firmly in the past, Tariq still finds himself drawing on the skills he learnt in his previous profession.<\/p>\n\t\t Female residents take the opportunity to socialise at the end of the day at the in-house beauty parlour on the ground floor of the White Building, Phnom Penh, Cambodia. Image: Tariq Zaidi<\/p>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\n \u2018I feel comfortable in face-to-face meetings and I\u2019m not scared of sending off 100 emails,\u2019 he says. \u2018If somebody says \u201cno\u201d I don\u2019t take it personally; it\u2019s just business.\u2019 In fact, Tariq is keen to stress that the skills many of us learn in our working environment (regardless of the profession) can be transferred to freelance photography \u2013 if you know how to pitch an idea, deliver a presentation and carry out research then it seems you\u2019re in a good place to start.<\/p>\n One of the things that Tariq wishes he had known before embarking on his new career is just how much work has to be undertaken before and after a trip. \u2018Pre-travel includes a tremendous amount of research, logistics, budgeting, negotiations and talk between the photographer and the client to find out what they need,\u2019 he reveals. \u2018Post-travel tasks include editing, sequencing, post production, more research, captioning, story writing, sales, social media and meetings.\u2019 In fact, Tariq estimates just 20% of his time is spent on location (with 3% taking pictures), while the remaining 80% is dedicated to more admin-related tasks.<\/p>\n\t\t Men in military uniforms preform martial arts moves at the 2018 Mass Games entitled \u201cThe Glorious Country\u201d at the Rungrado May Day Stadium, Pyongyang, North Korea. Image: Tariq Zaidi<\/p>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\n \u2018That\u2019s a huge reality check,\u2019 he warns. \u2018The glamour lasts a few seconds, days or weeks if you\u2019re lucky; the rest is slogging away and doing the things you need to do to put the story together and prepare it for publication.\u2019 Despite the lack of glamour, Tariq has clearly found his purpose, and obviously delights in sharing stories, lifestyles, traditions and cultures from around the globe. \u2018I want to show people that we live in an amazing world, and while each location is different we are pretty much the same across cultures, boundaries and religions,\u2019 he assures.<\/p>\n \u2018I want my work to show the dignity and humanity of people who have allowed me into their lives, irrespective of their environment or culture.\u2019 It\u2019s a noble cause, and one that Tariq hopes will give rise to greater empathy, respect and understanding \u2013 there can\u2019t be many better reasons to quit your day job and pursue your dream.<\/p>\n Tariq\u2019s top tips<\/strong><\/p>\n thattogspot.com<\/a>,\u00a0@thatdogspotphoto<\/p>\n Jessica McGovern started her photography business when she was just 16, and was soon gaining international recognition for her work. Her photos have appeared on billboards, food packaging, magazine and book covers.<\/p>\n Jessica was just 14 when she was given a DSLR for Christmas and started taking pictures of the family dog, a Labrador named Tess. With her model close at hand, she read everything she could on online forums, blogs and in magazine articles, and began teaching Tess tricks for photographs. The following year she started selling images via Shutterstock and soon after she was accepting bookings for dog portraits.<\/p>\n\t\t This shot of Alfie was taken in the dark depths of a forest, pushing Jessica\u2019s equipment to the limits. \u2018Alfie is my best friend and the best model,\u2019 says Jessica. Image: Jessica McGovern<\/p>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\n For Jessica, the innocence and purity of animals is a big draw. \u2018There is something freeing and unguarded about working with animals that I\u2019ve never felt when working with humans,\u2019 she says. \u2018I enjoy commercial on-location photography too, but it doesn\u2019t make me grin from ear-to-ear like knowing that I\u2019ve got \u201cthe shot\u201d with an unruly dog.\u2019 By the time she passed her driving test at 17 Jessica was running a profitable business, and promptly dropped out of university to apply herself to it full time.<\/p>\n \u2018It was a great test of my grit and resolve, because nobody took me seriously,\u2019 she recalls. \u2018When I started out the biggest challenge was down to my age: it was hard to gain credibility, and landing jobs without word of mouth was tough.\u2019<\/p>\n\t\t Ben is nine and has various health issues. Despite this, \u2018he is the happiest, craziest, funniest little guy on the planet,\u2019 says Jessica. Image: Jessica McGovern<\/p>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\n But Jessica was determined to make it work, and within a few months she was running in-person sales sessions, taking upwards of \u00a31,000 per sitting. Unfortunately, her finances received a serious blow when she moved to a lower economically viable area. \u2018The difference it made to my business was crazy,\u2019 she says. \u2018It became very difficult for me to maintain the average order value, and I ended up switching print suppliers to retain margins.\u2019<\/p>\n A series of personal events left Jessica in search of security and stability, so she decided to take her career down a different path \u2013 entering the world of marketing and design. Now she divides her time between running her own marketing agency, shooting animal portraits and filming her popular YouTube channel. \u2018I love the variety of my life at the moment,\u2019 she reveals. \u2018In the morning I can be on a call with an international brand discussing upcoming campaigns; and in the afternoon I can be in the woods, lying in the mud, photographing a spaniel.\u2019<\/p>\n\t\t Image: Jessica McGovern<\/p>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\n Balancing this diverse workload might be tricky were it not for Jessica\u2019s incredible work ethic \u2013 some days she can be at the computer for 14 hours, spinning multiple plates. \u2018I\u2019m good at organising work, prioritising and maximising productivity, so I can get a fair amount done in short chunks of time,\u2019 she explains. Having launched a business at such an early age, Jessica has learnt a few things the hard way. \u2018I wish I\u2019d listened to people who run successful businesses instead of those who don\u2019t,\u2019 she admits.<\/p>\n \u2018I also wish that I had invested in education to fill gaps in my knowledge when I needed to. There\u2019s a lot of value in well-run workshops from a working professional\u2026 nobody can do it all alone and it\u2019s okay to need help sometimes!\u2019 In fact, training and education is something that Jessica is keen to offer to others. In those formative years much of her knowledge came from generous individuals on the internet, so she\u2019s determined to give something back.<\/p>\n \u2018I\u2019ve never forgotten those people who gave their time to help me, so when I had the technology, skills and knowledge to do the same it seemed like a no-brainer to give back to the tuition space,\u2019 she reveals. Anyone who\u2019s watched one of her YouTube videos will know that she is happy to share her hard-won knowledge. \u2018If I know I\u2019ve helped one person today then today was a good day,\u2019 she concludes.<\/p>\n Jessica\u2019s top tips<\/strong><\/p>\n jrnymag.com<\/a>, @dadfar_photography @jrnymag<\/p>\n Travel photography hasn\u2019t exactly \u2018recovered\u2019 after Covid as things have been declining for years, but since March a lot of magazines, PR agencies and tourist boards are pushing destinations. So there are opportunities. My clients have a bit more budget and are more open to pitches. If you can write as well, that hugely enhances your chances of getting work.<\/p>\n If you want to get into editorial travel photography, it\u2019s about networking \u2013 contacting picture editors and getting on their radar by talking about the coverage you\u2019ve had, your expertise, any awards you\u2019ve won. You need a fantastic portfolio of work and it\u2019s best displayed on a website, so it can be easily browsed by a picture editor or art buyer.<\/p>\n\t\t Mae Hong Son, Thailand. \u2018This was my highest single sale price ever, fetching four figures, and was used in a large size at a travel event in the US\u2019. Image: Kav Dadfar<\/p>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\n Don\u2019t go in all guns blazing asking to get sent to Africa, it won\u2019t happen until they trust you: rather, build the relationships over time and start by selling a few images. Social media works in a different way \u2013 it\u2019s best used to target and tag specific brands that you really want to work with. I don\u2019t know many picture editors who use Instagram to hire photographers: I also co-publish a travel magazine called JRNY and sometimes Instagram pictures aren\u2019t high-resolution enough to use in print. Remember too, the more touristy destinations tend to sell better as they get the most media attention.<\/p>\n Kav\u2019s top tips<\/strong><\/p>\n El Floridita Bar in Havana, another big seller for Kav. Image: Kav Dadfar<\/p>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\n donnacrous.com<\/a>, @donnacrous<\/p>\n Reaching successive finals of the Pink Lady Food Photographer of the Year competition was a great springboard for starting a food photography business. You are taken more seriously. It made me stand out in the industry and it also gave me confidence to charge market prices without feeling like an imposter. My main marketing strategy is to keep my existing clients happy and getting them to return. These are my \u2018gold\u2019 customers. In the food industry it\u2019s much easier to work with returning clients than if I were, say, a maternity or wedding photographer. When it comes to social media, I only really use Instagram and ccasionally Facebook.<\/p>\n\t\t Food portraiture is an important area for Donna. Image: Donna Crous<\/p>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\n Instagram provides a great instant portfolio. If there is a brand that I particularly want to work with, I\u2019ll shoot an image using their product and share it on my account. I\u2019ll also tag them in the caption and on the image. If I don\u2019t have an image to tag, then sending them a genuine message is a great way to get noticed. Some of my oldest and favourite clients have come through this method. There are so many small brands that are desperate for photography and content for social media.<\/p>\n Aligning with a brand that has a similar aesthetic and culture which gives both photographer and brand space to grow is key.<\/p>\n Donna\u2019s top tips<\/strong><\/p>\n A finalist in the Cream of the Crop category, Pink Lady Food Photographer of the Year, 2019. Image: Donna Crous<\/p>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\n madeportraits.com<\/a>, @madeportraits<\/p>\n I got into product photography when I was assisting commercial photographers. I later moved into family portraiture, but started building up the product side again. I was lucky in that a mineral water company was next door to my studio, so instantly I had a client. To branch out, I started going to networking events in the area, particularly with an organisation called BNI.<\/p>\n\t\t Neil has found success working with local drinks companies. Image: Neil Bremner<\/p>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\n It wasn\u2019t cheap but a couple of years of meetings brought in over \u00a312,000 of work. I\u2019ve also found LinkedIn really helpful for product work. Instagram will get images seen and raise your profile, but LinkedIn is where marketing and ad agencies will see you. Smaller businesses are more likely to find you on Instagram. This year I have three quite significant jobs from LinkedIn, one with a company that specialises in security and another that makes gym gear for luxury yachts.<\/p>\n I also won the MPA Commercial Photographer of the Year award in January, and they contacted me on the basis of that. Other regional awards from the MPA have generated interest from clients, too. Awards are great marketing if you post on the social media where your clients are likely to be. In terms of gear investment, I was lucky to have lights for product shoots from my portrait business, but to be honest, my most-used piece of gear for products is a frame over which I attached tracing paper to \u2013 it makes diffusing the light for bottles, jewellery etc, really easy.<\/p>\n\t\t Neil has also got steady work from a sunglasses business. Image: Neil Bremner<\/p>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\n Neil\u2019s top tips<\/strong><\/p>\n tiannajwilliamsphotography.co.uk<\/a>, @tiannajwilliamsphotography<\/p>\n Tianna switched careers from midwifery to photographer just three years ago. Currently focusing on maternity, newborn and weddings (with plans to expand into beauty and boudoir), she relishes the opportunity to share the stories of those she meets via her photos.<\/p>\n When Tianna J Williams was on maternity leave with her first child, Olivia, a friend of hers invited her to join a Facebook group populated with newborn photographers. \u2018It sounds silly now, considering it\u2019s so popular, but I just didn\u2019t realise that you could book a photographer to take pictures of your child,\u2019 she laughs. The pictures she saw struck a chord with her, but when her maternity leave ended in 2017 she returned to her job as a midwife.<\/p>\n\t\t It\u2019s always rewarding for Tianna when a maternity client returns for a shoot with her perfect little newborn. Image: Tianna J Williams<\/p>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\n When Olivia was 18 months old, however, Tianna had a particularly bad shift at work and her frustration came to a head. \u2018I just thought I can\u2019t do this any more, so I picked up my bag and coat, went to the manager and said, \u201cI\u2019m off. I\u2019m really sorry\u201d,\u2019 she recalls.<\/p>\n By now Tianna had been toying with the idea of becoming a photographer for some time, but her original plan had been to run the business alongside part-time work as a disability assessor (a job she had accepted before the shift from hell.) However, \u2018part-time\u2019 ended up being more like 70 hours a week, and Tianna found juggling the role alongside her responsibilities as a mother exhausting. \u2018I was always tired and I just thought, this is not a life!\u2019 she explains. As a result, she \u2018rage quit\u2019 just before Christmas.<\/p>\n Just weeks later she discovered that she was pregnant again. \u2018I thought, okay, you\u2019ve just quit your job, you\u2019ve got another baby on the way and a business you don\u2019t know how to run,\u2019 she says, \u2018so I threw myself into it, and it has gone from strength to strength!\u2019<\/p>\n\t\t This image, which won Gold at the Society of Photographers, is from a personal project about celebrating the beauty of black women. Image: Tianna J Williams<\/p>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\n But Tianna didn\u2019t become a successful wedding, maternity and newborn photographer by hard graft alone; she also utilises the people skills she developed as a nurse and midwife to ensure her subjects feel comfortable, safe and empowered. \u2018Working as a midwife you get to know women in such a short space of time, and they tell you their stories,\u2019 she explains. \u2018It\u2019s a privilege \u2013 for someone to trust you in that way, and to give so much of themselves is just magical.\u2019<\/p>\n Tianna has fond memories of her time as a midwife, and admits that were it not for the politics she might consider returning to the profession someday, albeit part time. But for now she\u2019s thoroughly enjoying the flexibility of working for herself. Tianna has even found a way of conjuring up the feelings she experienced while delivering babies. \u2018I want to capture and show the same beauty I see in women when they are giving birth,\u2019 she reveals.<\/p>\n \u2018I love it. It gives me the same buzz I got working as a midwife, without the added pressure!\u2019 Some clients also take the opportunity to quiz Tianna about all things baby related, and that\u2019s fine with her. \u2018I like to build up more of a friendship with my clients, so I will happily chat about labour and birth from a mum-to-mum perspective and a professional viewpoint,\u2019 she explains. \u2018If I don\u2019t know the answer I\u2019ll point them in the direction of someone who does.\u2019<\/p>\n\t\t Image: Tianna J Williams<\/p>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\n To begin with, Tianna wrapped Zara (her second daughter) in a sling and wore her during photo shoots. To her surprise, this helped to spark conversation and build trust between her and her clients. But not everything came as easily in those early days. \u2018I enjoyed the journey, but it was hard,\u2019 she admits. \u2018Learning how to run a business is probably the most difficult thing I\u2019ve ever done.\u2019 For one thing, Tianna struggled with the realisation that taking pictures was a very small part of the process, for example.<\/p>\n \u2018I just wanted to be creative,\u2019 she recalls, \u2018but it comes second to knowing how you are going to actually survive! Learning how to market herself has been crucial to Tianna\u2019s success, and she urges any photographers who are on a similar path to use their websites and social media to help establish trust. \u2018All of those little bits add up,\u2019 she says, \u2018and that\u2019s what will get you to the creative part at the end.\u2019<\/p>\n Tianna\u2019s top tips<\/strong><\/p>\n lucynewsonphotography.co.uk<\/a>, @lucynewsonphotography<\/p>\n I don\u2019t know many photographers who do what I do, and my clients are varied \u2013 they could be a farmer who\u2019s diversified, rural businesses after promo shots, or a family with a lot of animals and land. I\u2019ll capture formal portraits, lifestyle imagery and business shots \u2013 I offer an all-encompassing experience. I started this side as the pandemic kicked in but it\u2019s going well. Everyone wants the country life, after all!<\/p>\n I learned the basics while working at a photography studio, and have found a great mentor, something I think is really important. Today you need to be able to adapt and diversify, you\u2019ve got to think why clients would want to book you and invest in the camera and video technology you need. You have to be a strong marketer \u2013 the opportunities have grown massively.<\/p>\n\t\t Jess and her first pony, Dotty. Image: Lucy Newson<\/p>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\n But you have to market in the right way. It\u2019s about what I can do for my clients \u2013 I try and solve clients\u2019 problems and save them time, and I changed my marketing accordingly. My target clients are already interested in art and photography, but I\u2019ve found one challenge is convincing them to appear in front of the camera. They are happy with their kids and animals being in, not always them.<\/p>\n My target market is on Instagram, where 60% of my clients come from. I look for organic growth and word of mouth. I used to post every day but I\u2019ve found more success in being \u2018social\u2019 on social media \u2013 doing stories, commenting on posts, direct messaging them in a friendly way, and suchlike. I post Instagram Stories a few times a week \u2013 the algorithm changes so you need to experiment.<\/p>\n\t\t Life of a farrier. Image: Lucy Newson<\/p>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\n Frames and albums are a great way to add value to clients and boost your margins. I look for the highest quality products and market them as family heirlooms. I also enjoy designing photobooks, which helps. This is another way you can add value.<\/p>\n Lucy\u2019s top tips<\/strong><\/p>\n veritymilliganphotography.com<\/a>, @veritymilligan<\/p>\n Most of my income comes from commercial\/corporate work which does sometimes include landscapes, but also can range from architectural photography to interiors, advertising and corporate lifestyle. My urban landscapes are still the most popular in terms of licensing revenue and make up a proportion of print sales too. I\u2019m comfortable working commercially to fund my personal work.<\/p>\n\t\t Make full use of social media and YouTube to help push your landscapes. Image: Verity Milligan<\/p>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\n I don\u2019t really have a marketing strategy as such: I share my work, and what I love taking photos of, and people see my work on social media and contact me regarding commissions. It\u2019s been a completely holistic process. Only recently have I started bidding for tenders which has been a real learning curve. My advice is to get really good at what you do, and share it; if it\u2019s done from a place of joy and authenticity then others will respond. The downside is that those jobs might not always be landscape-based.<\/p>\n Still, If you\u2019re driven and passionate about the landscape, there are plenty of opportunities to create outlets. YouTube is a prime example of how to get your name out there, along with new technology such as TikTok. Social media is pushing towards video, which I know can be frightening, but there are ways to incorporate the two.<\/p>\n As for workshops, they\u2019ve been hit hard by the cost-of-living crisis and it\u2019s not something I can rely on in the same way I did last year. Workshops probably need to evolve to meet the needs of the next generation of participants and I have some ideas. To succeed in business, prepare to always be learning and be prepared to fail. Most of all though, have fun.You have the privilege of sharing this beautiful world with others.<\/p>\n\t\t Verity\u2019s Birmingham cityscapes still make good licensing revenue. Image: Verity Milligan<\/p>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\n Verity\u2019s top tips<\/strong><\/p>\n maddyrogers-photography.co.uk<\/a>, @maddyrogersphotography<\/p>\n There is a shift in priorities for families right now, and everyone is feeling the pinch. But as newborn photographers we have the edge. With the correct marketing strategies, adaptability and making sure I stand out from the crowd, I\u2019m still seeing a steady stream of babies through the door! But business does not simply happen because you\u2019re able to take a good photograph.<\/p>\n\t\t Maddy\u2019s image won her Digital Newborn Photographer of the Year 2021 at The Newborn and Portrait Show. Image: Maddy Rogers<\/p>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\n People too often assume their photos will sell themselves, so all they need to do is be as good as those at the top. So, many invest heavily in newborn photo training (which I also offer) but neglect the business and marketing side of things; others worry too much about creating a business before being ready for it in terms of skill. A large part of it is also creating a style that is unique \u2013 as that makes you irreplaceable.<\/p>\n When it comes to marketing strategies I believe you need someone with in-depth knowledge to help. Your job is being the best at your craft, not being a marketing agency. You must also look at marketing as a whole. The idea that the world is divided in \u2018websites\u2019 vs \u2018social media\u2019 vs \u2018word of mouth\u2019 is not applicable any more. Sure, different platforms give you a different type of lead, but to be ahead of the competition you need to look at how the different pieces of your marketing work together.<\/p>\n\t\t Make the most of the huge range of props, says Maddy. Image: Maddy Rogers<\/p>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\n Ultimately, very few people choose to book with me based on what they see on one page. They will move cross-platform, check my reviews, compare me with others… so you are only ever as strong (from a marketing perspective) as your weakest platform. Word of mouth referrals are very important too.<\/p>\n Maddy\u2019s top tips<\/strong><\/p>\n musselwhitephotography.com<\/a><\/p>\n I\u2019ve worked in a studio so I had a grounding in marketing and pricing. The hardest bit for me has been client acquisition. The photography itself sits relatively low on the pecking order with social photography, like weddings \u2013 people buy people. So a personal connection with seeing your face or hearing your words is crucial. You really need to be able to identify how to quickly grab someone\u2019s attention.<\/p>\n\t\t Mariah May, a lovely portrait shot with just a single light. Image: James Musselwhite<\/p>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\n A lot of photographers don\u2019t appreciate that you need a \u2018scroll stopper\u2019 \u2013 something that stops people on their phones \u2013 and this must come through in your marketing online, after you have worked out who you are trying to appeal to. Joining a business networking organisation makes sense, because most businesses could benefit from commissioning photography at some point.<\/p>\n With social media, we are finding that we are having more success with Instagram through Reels. So it\u2019s a mix between Instagram and Facebook. The key thing is don\u2019t try to do all the platforms at once, as it can be very time-consuming with the scheduling \u2013 think about your customer, their demographic, and work out what platform they\u2019re most likely using. The great thing about weddings is you can add value at every stage through albums etc. You must understand the value of what you are giving customers. It\u2019s an emotive process and you really can add value.<\/p>\n\t\t Professional wrestler Hari Singh. Image: James Musselwhite<\/p>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\n James\u2019s top tips<\/strong><\/p>\n How to make money through alternatives to stock photography<\/a><\/p>\n Follow AP on\u00a0Facebook<\/a>,\u00a0Twitter<\/a>,\u00a0Instagram<\/a>, and\u00a0YouTube<\/a>.<\/strong><\/em><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":" Starting a photo business is a challenge, but don\u2019t be put off. Successful shooters in a range of genres share some hard-won advice to make photography your career<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":7,"featured_media":168601,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_acf_changed":false,"_jetpack_memberships_contains_paid_content":false,"footnotes":""},"categories":[375,36],"tags":[3375],"product-category":[],"class_list":["post-144762","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-expert_advice","category-technique","tag-career"],"yoast_head":"\n\n
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\nTariq Zaidi – People, Documentary<\/strong><\/h3>\n
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\nJessica McGovern – Dogs<\/h3>\n
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\nor people whose work you admire.<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n
\nKav Dadfar – Travel<\/h3>\n
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\nDonna Crous – Food<\/h3>\n
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\nI felt I couldn\u2019t charge what more experienced and professional photographers were asking.<\/p>\n<\/a>\t\t\t\n
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\nNeil Bremner – Products<\/h3>\n
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\nTianna J Williams – Maternity and newborns<\/h3>\n
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\nLucy Newson – Rural Lifestyle<\/h3>\n
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\nVerity Milligan – Landscapes, Cityscapes and Interiors<\/h3>\n
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\nMaddy Rogers -Newborns<\/h3>\n
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\nJames Musselwhite – Portraits and weddings<\/h3>\n
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\n\nRelated articles:<\/h3>\n
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