Forums: Discussions for entrepreneurs and small business.

Hi Aaron, thanks for the ideas - I`ll have to try the "improvement" angle. I do advertise on Craigslist with one response so far. I`ll check out Guru.com.

Real estate in this town is so hot they don`t value good photography at all. The realtors use their own digital cameras and the houses still sell for 20 per cent above asking within a couple of days. (And yes, there is no such thing as "affordable" housing in this town any more.) I have, however, gotten a few headshot type jobs from the realtors and mortgage agents - maybe I should send a referal request card to the ones I`ve shot.

For you, have you tried joining the chamber of commerce and getting on a committee that deals with exporting (which may involve the type of companies you want as customers)? The local chamber is very active like that and has good contacts through the committees. I just haven`t figured out which one I should join as a photographer.


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NeilSpeers. com - Acoutstic blues / electric folk - independent music. Speersphoto.com - Commercial, industrial, corporate, & editorial photography based in Calgary, Alberta. Neil Speers 403 230 4042

Have you researched what trade publications the industry`s you wish to market to frequently subscribe to?  The reason I ask is because you might be able to negotiate with the trade publication`s editor to provide a featured photo in exchange for being mention in an article or better yet submit a press release to the trade publications with a "why it should matter to you" angle which highlights how  your photography enhances brand image, educates consumers/their target market, etc. 

Another options is to visit your local library and ask for reference books on publically traded corporations.  At my local library these reference books are in the finance/investment section.  The information within those reference books typically will tell you who the corporation leaders are, their salaries, their board of directors, etc.  Plus they often name the subsideraries held by the parent corporations.  Once that information is known then you can generally go online to read either the subsidiary or parent corporation mission statements, and value statements.  This would allow you to customize your presentation to fit their public image and market it to their marketing directors/public realtions department. 

Another good source to review would be Crains Book of List or similiar book of lists publications.

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Nicole Champagne
Email: influencialexpectations@gmail.com
Cell: (734) 262-3730
Soar With Influencial Expectations!

I second the sugggestion to look into to the Trade Publications that target the industry that you would like to work with.  This is an excellent resource because it targets your niche market and only your niche market.  If you decide to advertise in the magazine you know that you won`t be wasting a dime on people who are not in your market. 

Second you can stay up to do date on the trends in the market which may give you hints to ways you can tweek your services to meet the particular trend.

*** This is a very difficult task.  Staying relevant to an evolving industry or market is difficult but is essential to your survival and profitability.  So paying attention to trends will allow you to stay ahead of the curve and adapt to your customers needs. 

Last you can find out who is using services like yours and other companies who will want to use services like yours.

Hello Neil,

I have my own design studio and I do hire photographers and illustrators for projects. Before that I worked at a large design agency and hired many photographers for various projects. I choose a photographer based on their portfolio and style of work and if it appropriate for the project.

I get bombarded by so many mailings from photographers that it is overwhelming. I only keep the cards of that catch my eye with an image that moves me and is memorable. I do have a steady roster of photographers I work with but I always look out for new talent. I also keep in touch with artist reps so that I get the latest mailings of new work by their roster of photographers they represent. Have you ever thought of getting an artist rep? They can help expand your market and take care of the marketing while you concentrate on your work.

Also, a lot of the photograpghers I work with do not limit their market to the city they live in. They work all over the world and market themselves in other cities and regions. Another thing they do to generate income is also sign or have some of their photos with online stock agencies (Getty and Corbis) and have usage fee based (not royalty-free) stock photos available on their own sites. I sometimes will ask if one of the images they have shot is available for stock after their initial use for the original client is over. This allows me to get much better image than I would get using straight out of the can royalty-free stock.

Their websites are also very clean and really showcase their work. They all have unique styles and are very conceptual. Here some links to a few photographers I have worked with. If you are in Calgary, maybe you can photograph the Calgary Stampede and use the series as a marketing tool?

www.jeffcorwinphotography.com
www.abramowitzstudio.com
www.fredrikbroden.com

Jeff travels to other cities and makes appointments with art directors to show his portfolio. Fredrik Broden has an amazing rep that travels and shows the work of the artists she represents to design and advertising agencies all over the country. Alan sends new updates of work quarterly.

Photography is a hard business, even more so now that there seems like a flood of photographers out there, ranging from the good, the bad and the ugly.

You really have to keep your name out and constantly evolve your work. All of the above mentioned photographers don`t just shoot commercial assignments but also personal studies and projects which I think helps give their work an edge. Work that is emotional and not flat.

I hope that helps.

Best.




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Mary Hutchison Design LLC design + strategy + counsel 206.407.3460 info@maryhutchisondesign.com