Photography News
Avoiding Burnout as a Photographer
Despite our best intentions, few who have practiced photography all their lives can lay claim to have never felt burnt out. Even those who are involved in ‘lucrative’ careers, or industries that might appear volatile and fast paced can get caught up by that flat feeling or uncertainty about what it is they’re doing with their lives. While photographers are often thought of as creative, free-thinking people, exposure to other hobbies, businesses and areas of knowledge can open one’s mind to alternative pursuits. And as is human nature, we tend to think the grass is always greener on the other side. However, the reality is that photography can be tremendously exciting, but every now and then it’s wise to follow some general practices to avoid photographer burnout. Don’t overthink it It’s easy for many photographers to become obsessed with the need to constantly shoot. Known as ‘FOMO’, or… | Read the full article
Submitting Your Wedding Photos for Publishing
One of the difficulties that wedding photographers face is the challenge of having their work published online or in a magazine publication. With so many photographers vying for the limited space available, it’s easy to see how vital this coverage can be. Not only will it showcase your creativity and talent, but it will serve as some of the most effective marketing available – because it is directly targeted to your core audience. Noting these benefits, we offer these tips to wedding photographers looking to have their work published. While we anticipate they will improve your chances, at the end of the day the detail and quality of your photos, as well as the story your work is able to convey, will both be defining factors. Make sure all Parties are on the Same Page One of the first things you want to get right is to ensure that… | Read the full article
New Year, Same Bad Habits
It’s a new year and with that comes a refreshed and energised outlook! No doubt you set yourself some goals and resolutions, both personally and professionally. However, before you know it, you’ve gone back on your promises and fallen into your bad habits. Worse yet, you might not even realise that your old habits are weighing you down and preventing you from becoming a better photographer. So what are some of the bad habits you should be conscious of? You’re Distracted Too Easily Few things inhibit productivity more than electronics and social media. Do you really need to receive, yet alone respond to, those SMS messages while you’re in the middle of an important task? A little bit of trawling through social media can be useful to understand current photography trends, news and even advertise your business, but wait until the end of the day to browse through your… | Read the full article
Alternative Ways to Attract New Photography Clients
As one might expect, with the benefits associated in having a diverse base of clientele, photographers are often competing to attract new clients. While we are accustom to personal websites and online advertising being the norm within the industry, there are still other ways to attract new leads and convert them into clients. What’s more, none of these particular methods rely upon a ‘hard sell’, yet can be just as effective. Networking The photography industry is by no means restricted to operating independently. In fact, networking and collaboration is just one vital way that a photographer can grow their book of clients. For instance, wedding photographers could build rapport with makeup artists, who might then be able to advocate for you with another of their own clients. Similarly, fashion photographers might be well poised to maintain close ties with the designers and/or models they work with, particularly considering… | Read the full article
Telling Clients About Your Other Job
One of the articles that caught our attention recently was written by a UK based cinematographer and videographer for Fstoppers, detailing the dilemma that photographers face in deciding whether to tell their clients they have another full-time job. While predominantly angled towards part-time photographers, the reality is, even full-time photographers might find themselves in a position where they work on other tasks or jobs as a part-time commitment. What one needs to consider in addressing the issue, is that photographers often step into the industry and proceed courtesy of a slow and gradual rise. Rarely, if ever, can a photographer command the sort of work volume that would allow them to commit themselves entirely to a career that often relies upon making a name for yourself and word of mouth. There will also be periods where for a more established photographer there is less volume of work, or personal goals… | Read the full article
A Cautionary Tale on Work Released into the Public Domain
Earlier this year, the photography industry looked set for one of the most high profile legal cases in recent times. Getty Images found themselves the subject of a $1bn claim, with photographer Carol Highsmith accusing the company of copyright infringement by licensing and selling her publically available work without permission. Furthermore, the media company also demanded the photographer pay to use the photos which she had in fact created. Sounds like a pretty clear-cut case, right? Another example of big companies pushing their weight around? The case was indeed clear-cut – but not as you might see it. You see, in this instance, notwithstanding the fact that Getty had no legal right to claim copyright ownership or exclusive licensing, the company did not infringe on any rights by selling the photographers work. And this is exactly how the courts saw the matter when they sided with Getty. Now, let me… | Read the full article
Building Rapport With Your Clients For a Photoshoot
Regardless of the industry one works in, building rapport with your clients is one of the most important considerations. Not only do you increase the effectiveness of your output, but you also increase the prospects of repeat work from said clients. In turn, you’re also positioning yourself well to generate work from new clients, as word of mouth is one of the most effective forms of marketing for any business. How then can one build rapport with their clients? We discuss a few of the considerations that photographers should be mindful of. Pay Attention While the opportunity won’t always be available, any instances you do have to meet your client informally for a quick chat will do wonders to let them know that you’re accessible. This opportunity is also valuable to ask questions and understand the specific requirements of each client. After all, because every project is different, you… | Read the full article
What Role Can Self-Portraits Play to Help You Improve Your Photography Skills
In every professional photographers’ career, they reach a point where they decide to focus their skills on a particular category within the industry. This could range from wedding photography, to baby photography, portraits, or one of many other prominent categories. What’s often overlooked is the benefit that experience within other categories can bring to your chosen field through the insights and techniques that can be gleaned. Perhaps eve n less recognised, self-portraits are one such area that can help a photographer hone their photography skills, particularly with respect to categories that deal with clients. One of the greatest facets that photographers can draw from self-portraits is the difficulty that accompanies their creation. After all, one has to have the foresight to predict what their specific appearance will be at the moment the photo is taken, yet alone gauge the necessary requirements for lighting, focus, timing and many other considerations…. | Read the full article
Why There is Merit in Working with Others
It’s easy to think of photography as an individual industry. After all, you’re likely operating as a sole trader business, while also ‘competing’ for work against others you may never even meet. But behind this façade it’s important to learn that becoming a better photographer is often leveraged through the relationships you form while working with those around you. On the one hand, you might be tempted to view other photographers as competitors. And in some instances, you’re right. However, if you’re looking to attract and sustain the right type of customer – that is, a loyal one – then you’ll learn that these clients often make their decision based on unique facets specific to a photographer. For example, their creative flair or personality. In this sense because imitation isn’t necessarily desirable as a photographer when you’re trying to build your own brand, and you don’t want to… | Read the full article
When Does Travel Photography Become Exploitation
Whether it’s amateurs who love to share their holiday snaps on social media, or professional photographers who make a living going from country to country to document some of the world’s most eye opening sights and stories – many of us share a love for travelling. But this passion to explore the world often calls into question the intent of photographers when they are presented with the dark and depressing side of travelling, particularly in less developed nations. As more and more travellers look to venture off the beaten track, an increasing number of people are bearing witness to poverty and squalor. They often feel compelled to document such conditions via videos or photos, even though this may be a practice going against the wishes of locals who hardly view their living conditions as a tourist attraction. On this point, there is effectively a fine line between travel photography being… | Read the full article
