Welcome to Tuesday Tips with Tonya
I'm back....again!!!! However, this time I'm back to start over. I have always loved taking photos since I was very young. Like most moms, my love for photography intensified with the birth of my daughter.
I had my DSLR, my friends telling me how AWESOME my photos were (I love my friends), I started a Facebook page and I was in business. NOT!!!!!! It has taken me almost three years to admit to myself that YES, I'm not half bad at this photo taking thing and that YES, I do want to become a Professional Photographer. I want to be good...damn good!!!!
I have decided to follow my dreams and I want to take you along for the journey. Every Tuesday I will post the tips I have learned, and am still learning, to make my dream of becoming a Professional Photographer come true.
Are you ready? This is going to be fun!!!!
Let's get started from these 7 tips for starting your own Photography Business. (*Lauren Lehmuth Photography)
1. GET LEGIT: Get your state licence, sales tax permit and insurance.
2. KNOW YOUR CAMERA: Get to know the in and out of your camera. A lot of photographers offer workshops to teach the basic of getting to know your camera. I took a workshop from the talented Wedding Photographer Alyssa Turner of AlyssaPix in Hawaii. Nailing pictures in the camera will reduce your post processing time, allow you to approach any session situation with confidence, and will keep you from impulsively buying equipment. Maximize the equipment you have before upgrading.
3. KNOW YOUR MARKET: Identify competition, target clients and be aware of the market around you. Blindly copying and posting policies, prices, and marketing techniques is a waste of time.
4. USE SOCIAL MEDIA: Networking through social media is critical to the growth of your business and obtaining new clients. Join groups for geographic networking, online forums, and other hobbies.
I started my own local photog group when moving to Kansas.
5. INSTITUTE EFFICIENT POLICIES: This is important and I learned this the hard way. When you start out you will most likely be shooting for friends and family, so you feel you don't need policies. Believe me you do. This is your business. If you do not view it as one know one else will either.
6. GIVE IT TIME: Every thing you do in your business requires time. When new pricing or marketing is implemented you must give it a few months to work. People often wait for sales, seasons, or special occasions to call a photographer. Just because you're slow one month does not mean you will be the next.
7. DON'T GIVE UP: I have been telling myself this everyday lately. That is why I'm here to do it right! Being a business owner is one of the most rewarding and hardest things you will ever do. Keep marketing. Keep at the hustle. Marketing your business NEVER ends!!!!!
