Professional photography…you’ll need a bit more than just a pointer finger and a camera.

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Protecting Photographer Rights…Integrity Starts with You

Protecting your intellectual property as a photographer is one of the most important aspects of maintaining a successful business. 

A recent mis-guided request for an image I shot years ago got me thinking about our individual roles as photographers out from behind the lens, not only for self-preservation, but for the good of all our compatriots, competitors and counterparts across the globe.

Rejection is part of the photo business game…self-pity isn’t.

You can’t please everyone, nor should you try…in life or your photography business.

Even though the ‘approval’ or recognition of your talent is obviously important to building a consistent paying client network, the hard truth is that not everyone will value your contributions as perhaps they should be valued (either in your subjective opinion or the objective opinions of others).

Quite simply, don’t get discouraged and realize that there are more ways to earn money from your imagery than from that one magazine editor or ad agency buyer who doesn’t see the worth in your submissions.

Photo business differentiation: I thought the the ocean was blue. Nope. It’s red.

Whether you’re launching your first independent photo venture or re-visiting an old flame, you’ll end up realizing that most segments are pretty loaded with competition.

How you strategically differentiate yourself as a photographer will greatly enhance your chances for success regardless of specialization.

Photography Business Promotional Strategy – Communications Tools

Two key components to your photo business promotional strategy involve  promotional budgeting decisions and  promotional communications approaches.

Specifically, promotional communications can be segmented into two categories: one-way and two-way strategies.

Photography Business Promotional Strategy – Budgeting Approaches

Re-investing in yourself through sound promotional strategies is an extremely important (and unavoidable) expense that must be incurred in order to run a successful photography business.

When it comes to your promotional strategy you’ll need to consider a number of things, but primarily it comes down to separating your promo activities into two pieces – promotional budgeting and promotional communications.

Competitive Advantages In Photography…being nice or being smart? Sharks and guppies in a crowded pool.

I recently received an email from a friend-of-a-friend whom I never met, nor knew existed prior to receiving the email, asking bluntly “how do I make money in commercial photography?”

So what’s the point?  The point is…I didn’t reply. 

Before you judge my non-responsive tactics, consider the following:  One of the most important components of your photography business involves your networking & interaction skills within the internal framework of global photography professionals, not just the clients/buyers who will directly boost your bank account.