Own photo business: 10 most common questions

1. From year to year my income remains at the same level, and I am tired of shooting the same thing. Can I do something else?

First of all, you need to understand why you are doing this business. If you come to the answer that you really like working with people, like being involved in joyful events in their lives, then you still need to stay in this area. But you have to revise the goal. If you want to get more revenue and variety of content, you should look at customers with higher solvency. You will be able to sell your services to them more expensively, and they, in turn, will provide you with novelty plots. In this segment of clients, weddings, as a rule, have a higher level of organization.

2. I am going to start my own business: take a loan and purchase excellent equipment, rent a studio and arrange it beautifully – in short, invest. So all the cool photographers work. Hope this will attract customers with funds to me?

First, you should not take a loan if you do not know where your money will be taken from to repay it.

Secondly, business development should be planned and gradual. All major studios did not grow in one year, their client base was formed over the years. You see only the end result of their work.

Clients are attracted not by the interior of your salon, but by the style and quality of your work.

3. I regularly advertise my services in a local newspaper, but during the year only one person called, and even then did not order anything – he said it was expensive. Where should I advertise my services?

Firstly, the newspaper is a source of general information designed for the widest possible public. In such publications, no one is looking for a wedding photographer.

Secondly, first determine your target audience – which clients you want to work with. And based on the parameters of this audience, choose publications and other sources of advertising, as well as the style of presentation of an advertisement.

4. Often potential clients want to see my work before the meeting. I send them a couple of works to the e-mail and give a link to the community in which I publish my work. Why don’t they call back anymore? After all, my work is very like couples, for whom I shot a wedding, and their relatives friends are delighted.

Franchises and Suppliers

Creating your own website is the solution to your problem. Stylish, with a simple navigation system, without annoying music, but with enough information to interest the client and make you want to contact you for more information.
5. On all portals for the newlyweds a lot of photographers advertise their work and I am among them. What should I do to be noticed by clients?

Need to stand out among the crowd. You can write several articles based on your experience with useful information for the newlyweds and invite the portal administration to place them on the site. In addition, regularly participate in the forums, advising newlyweds on photography. Update your offers at least once a month. In general, be creative.
6. I have a lot of orders – I work from morning till night, but I don’t see any real income. Why?

Make an exact balance of expenses and incomes in business over the past year – six months – a month. Consider all expenses in the expenses column: for gasoline, printing, renting, maintenance of a car, etc. Most likely, you will find an interesting thing – the prices for your services barely cover ALL business expenses.

Next, write down the amount you want to earn per hour of work (and shooting and post-production) and, taking into account this important parameter, calculate the new prices. Your income will grow.

7. Many relatives and friends want me to shoot celebrations for them – they really like my work. But when it comes to payment, it puzzles me.

First of all, determine for yourself who you will be shooting for free, and to whom you will make a significant discount of 15-25%. If you recount the discount on money, you will see that the amount will be quite decent, no guest will make the newlyweds such an expensive gift.

So you can adequately respond to your friends and acquaintances. And your customers will be only people who want to get a high-level job, and not save on the services of a photographer.

8. My clients are always very happy with the end result, but for some reason very rarely recommend me to their friends and relatives. What’s wrong?

Place for your business proposal

There is a rule: a satisfied customer will tell a maximum of 3 people about you, and a disgruntled person will tell at least 17 people. According to statistics, only 3%% of people are inclined to enthusiastically tell others about pleasant events in their lives and recommend products, services, etc.

In addition, you need to take into account the difference in tastes and financial capabilities of friends and relatives of satisfied customers.