How to take things further.....
Discussion
...and move on from where i currently am.
HI guys, just after some advice really.
I am just a very enthusiastic amatuer but wanting to take one side of my photography further but i am at a loss how to progress from where i currently am.
About me, my main photography for the last few years is mountain biking. A sport myself and my son participate in but also cover when he is not racing.
This keeps me rather busy and i cover a lot of races and just been signed to shoot for a new team at national level for 2017 and this is me below.
https://www.facebook.com/bigmacphotography/
Now, i love the biking stuff and i am part of the scene and its a brilliant sport but very hard work!
But, i love doing people and pets photography and have spent 2016 doing a few shoots for friends and family and building up experience where i think i am at a level where i think i can charge.
The people and pets stuff is so much enjoyable and love the interaction and even the processing is great fun.
Slogging through 2000 pics from a bike shoot is a bit of a chore!
I shall put a few samples of my work below to see what you think.
The problem i have is where do i go from here to get my name out and build up clients. I only have a Facebook page so far which is below.
https://www.facebook.com/Forest-Photography-159110...
The next step from here is where i am lost. Ideally i would like to build this side of things up in 2017 and i would love to realistically have one or two shoots a week eventually.
A few shots that a few may have seen before...
MACK (1 of 1) by nessiemac1, on Flickr
Louise and boys. by nessiemac1, on Flickr
ZIGGY_5TH NOVEMBER 2016 by nessiemac1, on Flickr
RUBY AND SOPHIE. JUNE 2016. HIGH RES JPEGS. (43 of 60) by nessiemac1, on Flickr
SUCHY FAMILY 5 by nessiemac1, on Flickr
Jess and Wizard by nessiemac1, on Flickr
Frensham pond. by nessiemac1, on Flickr
ZIGGY_5TH NOVEMBER 2016_HI RES JPEGS. (39 of 49) by nessiemac1, on Flickr
So, these are fairly representative of the shots i take really which i think are pretty decent.
i just need to work out how to move from friends and family to getting paid clients.
Any advice gratefully received.
Dave.
HI guys, just after some advice really.
I am just a very enthusiastic amatuer but wanting to take one side of my photography further but i am at a loss how to progress from where i currently am.
About me, my main photography for the last few years is mountain biking. A sport myself and my son participate in but also cover when he is not racing.
This keeps me rather busy and i cover a lot of races and just been signed to shoot for a new team at national level for 2017 and this is me below.
https://www.facebook.com/bigmacphotography/
Now, i love the biking stuff and i am part of the scene and its a brilliant sport but very hard work!
But, i love doing people and pets photography and have spent 2016 doing a few shoots for friends and family and building up experience where i think i am at a level where i think i can charge.
The people and pets stuff is so much enjoyable and love the interaction and even the processing is great fun.
Slogging through 2000 pics from a bike shoot is a bit of a chore!
I shall put a few samples of my work below to see what you think.
The problem i have is where do i go from here to get my name out and build up clients. I only have a Facebook page so far which is below.
https://www.facebook.com/Forest-Photography-159110...
The next step from here is where i am lost. Ideally i would like to build this side of things up in 2017 and i would love to realistically have one or two shoots a week eventually.
A few shots that a few may have seen before...
MACK (1 of 1) by nessiemac1, on FlickrLouise and boys. by nessiemac1, on FlickrZIGGY_5TH NOVEMBER 2016 by nessiemac1, on FlickrRUBY AND SOPHIE. JUNE 2016. HIGH RES JPEGS. (43 of 60) by nessiemac1, on FlickrSUCHY FAMILY 5 by nessiemac1, on FlickrJess and Wizard by nessiemac1, on FlickrFrensham pond. by nessiemac1, on FlickrZIGGY_5TH NOVEMBER 2016_HI RES JPEGS. (39 of 49) by nessiemac1, on FlickrSo, these are fairly representative of the shots i take really which i think are pretty decent.
i just need to work out how to move from friends and family to getting paid clients.
Any advice gratefully received.
Dave.
First thing I'd do is get a proper website, not a facebook.
Doesn't cost much to buy a domain, e mail and Adobe Muse is free for 30 days. Sorted.
This costs me about £25 a year: http://SteveCarter.com (built with Muse)
ETA: DaveMcfarlane.co.uk is available at £10.99 for 2 years (from easily.co.uk)
Doesn't cost much to buy a domain, e mail and Adobe Muse is free for 30 days. Sorted.
This costs me about £25 a year: http://SteveCarter.com (built with Muse)
ETA: DaveMcfarlane.co.uk is available at £10.99 for 2 years (from easily.co.uk)
Edited by GetCarter on Monday 9th January 16:30
nessiemac said:
Thanks, that is on the list Steve and have a friend who building one for me now.
So, even then when i have a swanky new website how do i get people to see it?
You get people to link in to your site (that's the key) - that's where facebook/twitter is good, you get your metatags right, you move your way up google over the years and then you are on page one. Same for everyone I'm afraid.So, even then when i have a swanky new website how do i get people to see it?
If you type Steve Carter into google, I hold the top spot, but nobody knows me... so type "photography shieldaig" (where I live) and I hold the top 7 spots. "photography Torridon" the top 2 spots.
You'll never get that sort of coverage from social media alone.
ETA... Google: 'People Pet Photography Surrey' should be your aim!
Current top spot >> http://www.fourpawspetservices.org.uk/home.html
Edited by GetCarter on Monday 9th January 16:47
GetCarter said:
You get people to link in to your site (that's the key) - that's where facebook/twitter is good, you get your metatags right, you move your way up google over the years and then you are on page one. Same for everyone I'm afraid.
If you type Steve Carter into google, I hold the top spot, but nobody knows me... so type "photography shieldaig" (where I live) and I hold the top 7 spots. "photography Torridon" the top 2 spots.
You'll never get that sort of coverage from social media alone.
ETA... Google: 'People Pet Photography Surrey' should be your aim!
Current top spot >> http://www.fourpawspetservices.org.uk/home.html
Many thanks, I'm sure my website guy knows all about metatags etc then as it's all new to me!If you type Steve Carter into google, I hold the top spot, but nobody knows me... so type "photography shieldaig" (where I live) and I hold the top 7 spots. "photography Torridon" the top 2 spots.
You'll never get that sort of coverage from social media alone.
ETA... Google: 'People Pet Photography Surrey' should be your aim!
Current top spot >> http://www.fourpawspetservices.org.uk/home.html
Edited by GetCarter on Monday 9th January 16:47
Face book is perfect for my biking photos as i can tag in and share to all the teams etc and that works really well for me.
So just promote the hell out of the website and in the meantime just practice and practice more.
nessiemac said:
GetCarter said:
You get people to link in to your site (that's the key) - that's where facebook/twitter is good, you get your metatags right, you move your way up google over the years and then you are on page one. Same for everyone I'm afraid.
If you type Steve Carter into google, I hold the top spot, but nobody knows me... so type "photography shieldaig" (where I live) and I hold the top 7 spots. "photography Torridon" the top 2 spots.
You'll never get that sort of coverage from social media alone.
ETA... Google: 'People Pet Photography Surrey' should be your aim!
Current top spot >> http://www.fourpawspetservices.org.uk/home.html
Many thanks, I'm sure my website guy knows all about metatags etc then as it's all new to me!If you type Steve Carter into google, I hold the top spot, but nobody knows me... so type "photography shieldaig" (where I live) and I hold the top 7 spots. "photography Torridon" the top 2 spots.
You'll never get that sort of coverage from social media alone.
ETA... Google: 'People Pet Photography Surrey' should be your aim!
Current top spot >> http://www.fourpawspetservices.org.uk/home.html
Edited by GetCarter on Monday 9th January 16:47
Face book is perfect for my biking photos as i can tag in and share to all the teams etc and that works really well for me.
So just promote the hell out of the website and in the meantime just practice and practice more.
It's getting people to see them that will be the issue.
Good luck.
Well there's nothing wrong with your photos, so all you have to do now is marketing and sales.
Who is so proud of their pet that they'd pay for professional photos? I'd pop into the top dog grooming places within your range and leave a stash of business cards, or if possible a small leaflet dispenser with leaflets (you have to invest to accumulate). Plant as many as you can - breeders, rescue centres etc - and have your sales pitch ready to convert enquiries into business.
A website is essential of course but I can't advise you on how to get traffic other than to put the address clearly on all literature.
You could also advertise on bark.com - it's free to advertise but £10 to reply. There's a category for 'pet photography'.
Who is so proud of their pet that they'd pay for professional photos? I'd pop into the top dog grooming places within your range and leave a stash of business cards, or if possible a small leaflet dispenser with leaflets (you have to invest to accumulate). Plant as many as you can - breeders, rescue centres etc - and have your sales pitch ready to convert enquiries into business.
A website is essential of course but I can't advise you on how to get traffic other than to put the address clearly on all literature.
You could also advertise on bark.com - it's free to advertise but £10 to reply. There's a category for 'pet photography'.
The photos you have posted are fantastic so you obviously know which way round to hold the camera 
Just a thought following on from the earlier suggestion, perhaps attend a few dog shows or perhaps take on a small stall at one of these shows to photograph the dogs and/or owners - bit like a pet version of photographing your kids only probably more controllable.
One of my cousins regularly wins awards for her dogs at these events so I could ask her which shows are worthwhile attending or perhaps find out where the events are posted.
One final thought, perhaps add a signature/link to the photographs you are taking, that way if any pics go viral then so do the contact or website details for you.
Good luck for the future.
Just a thought following on from the earlier suggestion, perhaps attend a few dog shows or perhaps take on a small stall at one of these shows to photograph the dogs and/or owners - bit like a pet version of photographing your kids only probably more controllable.
One of my cousins regularly wins awards for her dogs at these events so I could ask her which shows are worthwhile attending or perhaps find out where the events are posted.
One final thought, perhaps add a signature/link to the photographs you are taking, that way if any pics go viral then so do the contact or website details for you.
Good luck for the future.
Edited by rich888 on Monday 9th January 21:53
Turning it into a business is far more about marketing and sales than skills with a camera. It does help having a good 'product' which you do, so think about what you want to shoot commercially, look around at local competition, and do some appropriate marketing (direct, local area, facebook etc).
Always have a hook - something unique you can offer, which will be based on your portfolio etc
Also nail down your costs and pricing, no point doing it for free, there are a lot of 'hidden' costs in photography - time, processing software, PC, gear, websites, marketing etc etc
Always have a hook - something unique you can offer, which will be based on your portfolio etc
Also nail down your costs and pricing, no point doing it for free, there are a lot of 'hidden' costs in photography - time, processing software, PC, gear, websites, marketing etc etc
Sorry for the delay folks but many thanks for all of you taking the time to reply.
My friend doing the website says it is "getting there..!"
I have sent away to have business cards printed up and i have also contacted several of the more popular dog walker companies in the area, offering a free mini shoot in return for promoting me through their website and that seems quite positive.
I have also contacted a dog rescue centre that I've been to several times and asked if they would like the same, do a shoot for them in return for some promotion.
Dog shows I'm not sure as there wouldn't be enough room or right backgrounds, woods etc really for the sort of stuff i am doing but it is worth investigating.
Signature on the photos i show is a great idea and trying to make something up as i type!
As i have read many times and as Rob put it, the photography side seems a small part of trying to progress so its something i had better work on!
Thanks for all the advice guys, very much appreciated!
Hopefully lots more of this in the future with a good business plan to back it up.
Snowy Mack. (1 of 2) by nessiemac1, on Flickr
Cheers
My friend doing the website says it is "getting there..!"
I have sent away to have business cards printed up and i have also contacted several of the more popular dog walker companies in the area, offering a free mini shoot in return for promoting me through their website and that seems quite positive.
I have also contacted a dog rescue centre that I've been to several times and asked if they would like the same, do a shoot for them in return for some promotion.
Dog shows I'm not sure as there wouldn't be enough room or right backgrounds, woods etc really for the sort of stuff i am doing but it is worth investigating.
Signature on the photos i show is a great idea and trying to make something up as i type!
As i have read many times and as Rob put it, the photography side seems a small part of trying to progress so its something i had better work on!
Thanks for all the advice guys, very much appreciated!
Hopefully lots more of this in the future with a good business plan to back it up.
Snowy Mack. (1 of 2) by nessiemac1, on FlickrCheers
This is a business and sales issue rather than a photography issue. You've got a fairly niche area of interest to people, they're not going to spend megabucks with you but probably will buy a bit of stuff. You're going to need to look at your conversion rate and decide whether you're a £10 for 10 photos guy or a £250 for a canvas guy.
What I would say is to be aware of how you're going to split your time. I'd guesstimate you'll convert 1:15, maybe 1:20 enquiries initially, so dont be put off if people ask you for something and it never materialises into anything. They're likely finding out a price to either dismiss because it doesnt match the figure in their head (and btw it doesnt need to unless you really price yourself out), or they're thinking of using you for a gift. Other times they're just nosey.
Getting out there and infront of people is going to be your main challenge initially. I dont mind Facebook personally, it's a great platform for getting infront of a lot of people who you want to target, and them being able to quickly evaluate what you do and whether it's worth it to them. Then they can contact you.
By all means, decent website, business cards, all that other stuff for reference and so that people have your details, but getting people's attention - Facebook's brilliant. Stick some money into targetted ads as well as engage with prospective punters.
This is a sales job where you quickly need to put people at ease and give them confidence they're going to get value. You dont need to be cheap, and you also dont need to be free. 99% of offers 'for exposure' if you get them are total b
ks
What I would say is to be aware of how you're going to split your time. I'd guesstimate you'll convert 1:15, maybe 1:20 enquiries initially, so dont be put off if people ask you for something and it never materialises into anything. They're likely finding out a price to either dismiss because it doesnt match the figure in their head (and btw it doesnt need to unless you really price yourself out), or they're thinking of using you for a gift. Other times they're just nosey.
Getting out there and infront of people is going to be your main challenge initially. I dont mind Facebook personally, it's a great platform for getting infront of a lot of people who you want to target, and them being able to quickly evaluate what you do and whether it's worth it to them. Then they can contact you.
By all means, decent website, business cards, all that other stuff for reference and so that people have your details, but getting people's attention - Facebook's brilliant. Stick some money into targetted ads as well as engage with prospective punters.
This is a sales job where you quickly need to put people at ease and give them confidence they're going to get value. You dont need to be cheap, and you also dont need to be free. 99% of offers 'for exposure' if you get them are total b
ks Have a look at some of this Joe Edelman's videos on marketing, ideal for people who don't have retail premises and need to use the internet to make sales. Some good stuff on home studios too. Odd looking character but he seems to know his stuff.
https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCwXdraq_EYPD--p1m...
https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCwXdraq_EYPD--p1m...
Great shots!
I think you almost need to somehow target those who know the owners of the animals in question.. Maybe offer a voucher or similar, a bit like Amazon - there's loads of stuff on there that quite often I'd never buy myself using my own 'folding' but if someone gives you a voucher for it or purchases it for you, it's something that people are then willing to pay money for (without actually spending their own money).
It might just be a way of working that out or possibly upselling, e.g. get the photos on a canvas or similar.
I think you almost need to somehow target those who know the owners of the animals in question.. Maybe offer a voucher or similar, a bit like Amazon - there's loads of stuff on there that quite often I'd never buy myself using my own 'folding' but if someone gives you a voucher for it or purchases it for you, it's something that people are then willing to pay money for (without actually spending their own money).
It might just be a way of working that out or possibly upselling, e.g. get the photos on a canvas or similar.
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