Learn How You Can Earn 0 a Day Taking Photos
By John Deeprose

When I first heard of this unique photography business I was so impressed at the originality of it that I had to find out more.

In my career as a freelance writer I am constantly bombarded with new home business ideas that to be quite frank.... don't float my boat. I read outlandish claims of earnings and ease of set-up and I don't see how many of them would survive past the hype...not to mention many are re-hashed versions of poor ideas that are unworkable for the average Joe (or Josephine!!)

When a friend in Michigan left the Auto industry and got involved in a unique photography business that is easily duplicated, has a massive appeal, is virtually unheard of and in a growing marketplace I felt excited enough to pen my thoughts on it.

You see my friend Dan runs his photography business with:

· NO Advertising!!
· ZERO Experience as a photographer prior to his first day!!
· Doesn't own a studio or any expensive equipment (his camera was 0 on EBay!!)
· Turns down work all the time... because he is as busy, as he wants to be!!

The business basically works like this...Dan works freelance for several national companies (there are hundreds in this field) and takes photographs of Boats, RVs, Cars, Real Estate, Farm Machinery etc.... anything substantial that can be financed or insured.

Dan has tailored his business particularly towards certain niches that interest him and still knows next to nothing about photography

Company's need constantly updated information on insured and mortgaged entities and there is an extreme shortage of local freelance reps to cover the 43000 zip codes in the United States

Dan simply takes the photographs, fills in a couple of forms and submits the pictures (all online) and gets paid.

I believe this to be an inexpensive, easy to enter business that would suit anyone interested in changing his or her career or simply looking to quickly develop an add-on income to an existing business/job

I particularly like the flexibility of this business as it allows pretty much anyone the opportunity to change careers without having to spend years updating skills and be able to build a very profitable unique photography business in a niche industry that offers many more income possibilities.

A manual, that I endorse fully, has now been published on this niche industry that Comprehensively covers everything you need to know to make a good income with little or no experience in the photography industry. The website from which the manual can be downloaded contains information about the multiple income opportunities within this workable, profitable and easy to operate business.

There is a substantial FAQ section that pretty much covers anything that springs to mind, a brilliant free Hometown Freelancing manual (for a limited time) and a risk-free guarantee that for me gives this business the thumbs up for extra income.

To read more about this fascinating opportunity please visit Easy Photography Business

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10 Tips To Tell You How To Start A Photography Business By Finding Your Photography Niche
By Kalem Aquil

Sooner or later, most photography enthusiast give some thought to "how to start a photography business." Unfortunately, there are a 'few' challenges that "doom" us to failure. One of the biggest challenges that we bring is our failure to make the distinctions between our love of photography (re: our enjoyment and passion for photography) and the business of photography (understanding buying and spending habits of people that are photography customers).

For example, many of us think that because our photography work is "so good," that we shouldn't have that much trouble selling it. We, sometimes, mistakenly, think that great art and photography "sells itself." Big mistake! Great photography does not sell itself. In the business world, nothing sells itself - nothing! Knowing this is critical to start a photography business.

Our failure to make the distinction between our passion for photography and our desire to be in the photo business is also evident in how we try to tell people about what we do. For example, photography customers don't care what type of equipment we use. They don't care how many mega-pixels we have, nor how much our equipment cost us, nor what brand of camera we use. Photography customers (current and potential) want to know that we can, and will, produce the highest quality photography work for them.

Think about it, the mechanics that repair our cars don't tell us what tools that they use. The chefs in the restaurants that we patronize don't tell us what type of pots, pans or stoves that they use. In those businesses, it is already established what customers want and how best to give it to them. In other words, other businesses do a better job of understanding their 'niche.' In order to start a photography business that is consistently successful and growing, we must be clear on what niche we are offering and how to sell the benefits of our niche to the customers.

Another mistake that we budding photography business owners repeat is failing to "specialize" (know our photography niche) in what we do. As photography enthusiasts, we enjoy shooting any and everything. As photographers, that's just fine. However, when we start a photography business, we, mistakenly, try to be 'all things to all people' - we take every photography job offered us.

One of the obvious problems with this approach is our failure to recognize how it drastically cheapens the value of what we do as skilled photographers, in the eyes of the customers. Mistakenly, we want our customers (current and potential) to know that we can photograph anything - after all, we're very versatile photographers! What the customers actually see is that we're not "versatile photographers," we're just someone with a camera that's available to take pictures when they call us. Serious photography customers (re: those that can afford to spend regularly) want to do business with specialists - photographers that know their photography niche.

Successful wedding photographers are clear on this, as an example of my point. Their 'primary' customer (usually the bride) has dreamed about her wedding day for most of her life. She isn't looking for a vesatile photographer. She wants a "wedding photographer" that can make her 'look' as good, happy and beautiful as she has been in all of her lifelong dreams of 'her day' - her wedding day. There's a special skill to this type of photography service. In fact, this niche has more to do with well developed 'people skills,' in my opinion. Successful wedding photographers that are clear on these nuances are more successful in business.

Do your research.

• Inventory Your Photo Collection - Take a look at your photo collections. Determine what it is that you 1.) shoot the most; 2.) shoot consistently well; and 3.) enjoy shooting. Identify your and categorize the photos into various niches, i.e. portraits, sports, glamor, pets, children, landscape, etc.
• Research The Photography Markets - Do internet searches using the words "photography niche." Also, use the type of niche that you think your photos fit. For example, "event photography niche," "wedding photography niche," etc. Also, a good source to help identify some of the photo markets is "The Photographer's Market." This is a book that is published annually and claims to provide photo buying contacts and information. Online searches are the most useful, in my opinion. Books by author and photographer, Dan Heller are good places to get a better understanding of the vast world of photography, without all the 'artsy-hype,' in my opinion. He also has a very informative website - DanHeller.com
• Identify 'Real' Markets - Find out what type of photography (of your specialties) your customers currently are purchasing. What type of photography is selling? At some point, you'll have to 'balance' the realities of the different niches. There can be some factors that aren't consistent across all photography niches. For example, some niches require longer "workflow" (workflow is the post production process of taking photos) periods and tasks than others. Higher quality portraits normally require photo editing - which is time-consuming. Event photography requires the processing, packaging and delivering (presenting) of photos. True story: I went through my large photo collections and found that I had a very large number of outstandingly beautiful flowers. I can't begin to tell you my disappointment when I found out that there is 'virtually' no market of photos of flowers - it seems that everybody has them already, everybody! Lesson learned - identify 'real' markets.

Ten Tips To Assist You To Identify Your Niche

1. Identify specialties that fit your style:
2. Determine if you have the necessary equipment for the niche
3. Do you have identifiable and specific skills in this niche area - can you articulate them?
4. Who is your target audience
5. What type of photography do they purchase the most
6. Where are they taking their photography business currently - your competition
7. What will be different about your services
8. Does where you live support your preferable niche
9. Is your niche 'stock photography' or 'assignment photography' - do you know the difference
10. What is the future potential and tendencies of your niche

Fortunately, the internet makes this information just a few clicks away. The information isn't difficult to find and learn. Knowing your niche increases your confidence tremendously. Truly know your niche - and your photography business will follow!

Kalem Aquil is a 'semi-burnt-out' photographer that dispenses free, unsolicited (yet, very good and accurate) tips and advice to budding photographers that want to take their photography business to the next level. He dispenses such advice to budding photographers such as "where to start," "what to charge," "how to know if you're really, really ready," etc. etc. etc. He dispenses his free and unsolicited advice here. Subscribe to his free ezine, the "Best Amateur Photography Tips Digest," and receive a Bonus Special Report - "How To Build Your Own Successful Photography Website." Click here to subscribe.

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6 'Old-School' Tips To Start A Photography Business With Old School Photography Marketing Strategies
By Kalem Aquil

Too often, these days, photographers planning to start a photography business 'jump' into the 'mix' with all of the 'new' (as in technologically advanced and innovative, etc.) bells and whistles of photography marketing. Of course, in order to start a photography business successfully and on solid ground it is critical to use 'modern tools.' But, many photographers, too often forget (or never knew) that the 'modern marketing tools' are improved 'old-school' marketing tools.

Of course, too many 'old-school' photographers use 'old-school' small business marketing activities and 'refuse' to adapt to the conveniences of 'modern marketing tools.' As an example: there was a time when people were 'confused and mesmerized' with cell phones! Many couldn't conceive how the telephones worked without wires! Many refused to get a cell phone - figuring that they were a 'fad' and they could 'get by' with what they've been 'getting by' with for all of this time! Is this familiar to you?

'Old School' Tip #1'Old-School' Has A Place In 'Modern' Times

Your photography marketing activities should include the 'old-school' basics - with 'modern' adjustments for efficiency and professionalism. To start a photography business without using modern tools is like trying to successfully run a business without a telephone - wireless or 'old-school/wired-to-the-wall' type!

'Old School' Tip #2 - For The Foreseeable Future - 'Technology' Won't Replace People

As advanced as technology is and is getting, and as convenient as technology is making everyday life for people, and as time-saving as technology has become - people 'still' prefer, and gravitate towards, 'other people' - the human touch. Photographers that can remember and build their photography marketing strategy on 'people-still-needing-people' strategies and activities are the consistently successful photographers - no matter what their photography niche.

'Old School' Tip #3 - Cyber-Space Has It's Pluses - But, The Masses Still Prefer Literature

Yes, that's right. Most of the world 'aren't' online all of the time! Oh sure, the numbers (of people online a good deal of the time) are growing, but, an all-time 'old-school' photography marketing favorite is still a favorite of the masses - literature. After all, that's how most photos are seen. Modern technology has made these tools even more effective in marketing for photographers. For example, with the quality of ink-jet printers, I can make business cards on an 'as needed' basis. Also, I can change my business card whenever I need or want to. As a photographer, not only should I leave them everywhere, I should do so regularly. Likewise with other 'old-school' photography business marketing staples such as brochures, fliers and circulars, for example. Ink-jet technology allows photographers to produce 'customer-specific' calendars and greeting cards - that's 'old-school' photo marketing at the next level.

'Old School' Tip #4 - Tie-ins With Other Businesses

This strategy is especially effective these days. I think it's because so many 'old-school' photographers are leaving the photography business and taking successful marketing techniques with them. Tie-ins work with many type 'people' businesses such as hair salons, spas, local restaurants, etc. For example, Photographer, Dan Eitreim, offers the following (and similar) photography business marketing tip in his free 5 day photo marketing course at www.parttimephotography.com. Dan suggest approaching a restaurant owner and propose to come in on Sundays and take family portraits of the restaurant customers. He suggests that the photographer give away the photos and will capitalize from the exposure, the good will and the gratitude of the restaurant owner - after all, his customers will be singing his praises - and returning to spend money at his business!

'Old School' Tip #5 - Show What You Got!

And then, there's the 'granddaddy' of all 'old-school' strategies; the 'never-fail,' 'fool-proof,' 'never-let-you-down' best of the best - "show them that you're the best!" In other words, display your work. Online isn't the only place to display your work.

Your display can be as simple as a few small portraits at a store. You can create large contemporary displays in malls or events or arts & crafts shows or trade shows. What's important is that you only display your best work. I want to offer this lesson learned from me displaying my work without giving consideration to who the audience I wanted to appeal to. I had enlarged some beautiful and finely detailed flowers and had them on display. Many people would stop by, look at the display, and ask for more information. Photo session follow ups were so-so. Then, one day, I stopped displaying the 'finely-detailed' photos and replaced them with great portraits of 'regular' people - business literally exploded. Lesson learned: my target audiences (women) don't want 'finely-detailed' photos - no matter how beautiful the flowers are. They wanted 'softer-focused' photos of very regular people. And they didn't 'tell' me this until after I changed the displays! Changing my 'old-school' displays and practicing 'old-school' human interaction taught me valuable lessons and increased my photography business.

'Old School' Tip #6 - 'Modern Technology' Is Great And Effective - But 'Old-School' Gets You Paid

One final example of the sustainability of 'old-school' photography marketing techniques in the times of 'modern technological advancements:' photography customers don't care how many mega-pixels that your camera has, or how fast your lens is, or the name brand of your equipment, or whether your shooting raw, jpeg, or whatever. They simply want to know - "can you make me look good?"

Long live 'old-school.'

Kalem Aquil is a 'semi-burnt-out' photographer that dispenses free, unsolicited (yet, very good and accurate) tips and advice to budding photographers that want to take their photography business to the next level. He dispenses such advice to budding photographers such as "where to start," "what to charge," "how to know if you're really, really ready," etc. etc. etc. He dispenses his free and unsolicited advice here. Subscribe to his free ezine, the "Best Amateur Photography Tips Digest," and receive a Bonus Special Report - "How To Build Your Own Successful Photography Website." Click here to subscribe.

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