How to Make PHOTOGRAPHY Your CAREER

Eric Floberg
2 Mar 202308:43
EducationalLearning
32 Likes 10 Comments

TLDRThe speaker shares how she built her photography career, starting with learning fundamentals like exposure and composition. She advises shooting for free to build a portfolio and connections. Creating a professional website and using a photo delivery service conveys credibility. Sharing work widely, submitting to publications, entering contests, and serving clients exceptionally helps gain recognition. She encourages developing a unique photographic voice and fully pursuing one's artistic passion.

Takeaways
  • 😀 Learn the photography basics like exposure, aperture, ISO, composition, lighting and editing
  • 📸 Practice by taking your camera everywhere and photographing friends and family
  • 🎁 Shoot for free to build your portfolio and prove your capabilities
  • 💻 Create a website to showcase your work professionally
  • 🖼️ Get a photo delivery service to enhance client experience and enable print sales
  • 📱 Share your work on social media and submit to blogs and contests for exposure
  • 👥 Serve your clients exceptionally by going above and beyond
  • 🎨 Don't just consume, experiment and develop your own photographic voice
  • ❤️ Lean into and own your unique style once you've found it
  • 🚀 Go get them!
Q & A

  • What are some basic photography skills Claire recommends mastering early on?

    -Claire recommends learning exposure, aperture, ISO, composition, lighting, and editing in the beginning.

  • How did Claire start building up her photography portfolio?

    -Claire started bringing her camera to events with friends and photographing everything that happened. As people got used to her as the photographer, they started asking her to photograph their families, engagements, and other events.

  • Why does Claire recommend shooting for free early in your photography career?

    -Shooting for free allows you to build up your portfolio with images that showcase your capabilities. It also allows you to get experience working with clients and different situations.

  • What is an example Claire gives of how shooting for free benefited her?

    -Claire got unique Salt Flats photoshoots while visiting friends in Utah which became standout pieces in her portfolio.

  • Why does Claire emphasize the importance of having a professional website?

    -A website conveys professionalism and shows potential clients you have an established body of work. It also provides opportunities for SEO and attracting new clients.

  • What photo delivery service does Claire recommend using?

    -Claire recommends using Pixieset for professional photo delivery. It provides clients a slick gallery viewing experience and built-in print ordering.

  • How can a photo delivery service help generate additional income?

    -Services like Pixieset make it easy for clients to order prints which can provide additional sales for the photographer.

  • What free marketing methods does Claire suggest to get your work seen?

    -Claire suggests sharing your work on Instagram, Twitter, TikTok, YouTube, photo contests, and submitting to blogs to expand your reach.

  • How does Claire say photographers should treat their clients?

    -Go above and beyond the basics to serve clients exceptionally through empathy, care, and creativity.

  • What is Claire's advice for developing your own photographic voice?

    -Don't just consume content, start experimenting and creating your own style, then lean into what makes your work unique.

Outlines
00:00
📷 Starting as a Photographer: Learn the Basics and Shoot for Free

The first paragraph discusses tips for starting out as a photographer. It emphasizes learning core skills like exposure, composition, and editing and practicing by photographing friends and family. Controversially, it advises shooting photos for free to build a portfolio, using chances like trips and events to create impressive images and demonstrate skills.

05:02
🚀 Elevating Your Business: Make a Website and Use Print Services

The second paragraph focuses on steps to build photography into a professional business. It first stresses creating a website to showcase work and enable SEO and print sales. Next, it highlights using a photo delivery service like Pixieset for a polished client experience and automated print profits. It demonstrates these services by featuring a new film photography blog post.

Mindmap
Keywords
💡basics
The basics refer to fundamental photography skills like exposure, aperture, ISO, composition, lighting, and editing. The narrator stresses mastering these core skills early on as they provide the foundation for developing more advanced techniques later.
💡portfolio
A photography portfolio is a collection of photos that demonstrates a photographer's skills and abilities. Building an impressive portfolio by practicing and shooting for free is key to convincing potential clients to hire you.
💡website
Having a professional photography website conveys to clients that you are serious and established. It allows you to showcase full galleries, enables SEO, and provides a hub for your business.
💡print sales
Selling high quality prints of client photos is a lucrative income stream for photographers. Online print sales can be automated via photo delivery platforms.
💡marketing
Marketing refers to promoting your photography online via platforms like Instagram, Twitter, TikTok, blogs etc. This exposes your work to new audiences and helps attract clients.
💡experiments
Trying new things, taking creative risks and developing your own photographic voice sets you apart from other photographers. The script advises leaning into your unique style.
💡free
Counterintuitively, offering to shoot for free in the beginning can score you portfolio pieces, credibility and new skills. Strategic free work can demonstrate your abilities.
💡connections
Making connections with prospective clients, collaborators and online audiences is pivotal for growing your business and opportunities.
💡deliver
Going above and beyond to serve clients, not just technically but also emotionally, builds loyalty and satisfaction resulting in referrals and repeat business.
💡platform
A photo delivery platform provides clients a polished, professional online gallery for accessing, ordering and sharing photos. This enhances the client experience significantly.
Highlights

Learn the basics - exposure, aperture, ISO, composition, lighting, and editing.

Practice by taking your camera everywhere and photographing everything to build your skills.

Shoot for free to build your portfolio - friends, family, events. Be strategic to prove your skills.

Make a website to showcase your work professionally and allow for SEO to attract clients.

Get a photo delivery service to up the professionalism and earnings from print sales.

Share your work everywhere - Instagram, blogs, contests. Get your work seen by new people.

Go above and beyond for clients - make them feel special and serve their needs.

Experiment and develop your own photographic voice, then lean into it fully.

Learn the exposure triangle (aperture, shutter speed and ISO) to master manual mode.

Use prime lenses for gorgeous bokeh and creative constraints to improve your skills.

Offer discounts on prints to incentivize sales after delivering the gallery.

Submit your photos to contests and publications to gain visibility and credibility.

Send handwritten notes and high quality prints to show clients extra appreciation.

Find your niche by narrowing your focus to a style or subject you feel passionate about.

Stay inspired by consuming work from photographers you admire and reading photography books.

Transcripts

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