Before getting into our current blog post here's an update.
It's been an incredibly busy time from March 20 to now. My show in Houston has been going great. If you live in or around the Houston area I hope you took time to check it out.

If you remember an earlier newsletter I mentioned that I was starting to market to only the high end consumer. 250K and above income. That is starting to pay off. I believe this is a market overlooked by most photographers.  But they have more discretionary income than most. So sharpen up your photographic skills and go for it.

It's Unbelievable

I've found several photography related groups on Linked In and joined a couple of them. They seem to be mostly made up of new photographers.

the questions and comments run from "How do I get the big bucks for my work," to "What's the best camera to buy."

While I'm glad to see that some of the newer photographers seem to be interested in business, they all share a common line of thought.

They all want extremely simple answers to all their questions that they don't have to think about.

When given the formula for how to establish a pricing system for their work not a single one read it. Let alone put it into action. Why, because it required work on their part.

Many don't have any kind of portfolio or web site except for a few snapshots on facebook. They all seem to be concentrating on photographs where they just show up and start shooting with only a camera and lens. No lighting equipment, no knowledge of how to use it if they had it. No understanding of art, color harmony, or composition. Their clients seem to be their friends who they work for free for or for very little.

This is not to put these people down. We all have to start somewhere. The purpose is to give heart to the working pro who knows all the good stuff about creating a portrait. In other words being threatened by these folks is like Tiger Woods being threatened  by a 3 yr old.

Yet, why are so many full time professional photographers feeling pressure from these beginners.
Well, after much research and many interviews with photographers from all over I have come up with the following reasons.

One, not identifying your real market.
Two, not contacting your real market often enough and in the right way.
Three, no public displays of your work.
Four, hidden, your public presence is too limited, you are not visible enough.
Five, Sorry to say it, but a lot of the work of full time professional photographers doesn't look any   different or better than the beginner. You have to develop a style that the photography consumer really goes for and that sets you apart from others.
Six, No solid portfolio that you can point to and say can your next door neighbor do this.
Seven, do not have an accurate chart of accounts so you know how much it actually costs to run your studio.
Eight, do not have an accurate list of you production costs.
Nine, Poor sales skills
Ten, No solid studio policies that make you look like a real pro.

There are a few others as well but these are the big ones. How many are you weak on?

If we all sharpen up on these trouble spots you will see a big jump in your revenue and your worries about the new and part-time photographer will fade into history.

Until next time
Greg

P.S. There is still plenty of room in the paid members area. this is where the basic ideas that are presented here are gone into in detail and you really learn how to get the ball rolling.

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