Would like to start small business photography?

2 Comments

1. Dan Roberts says:

   January 3, 2010 at 9:28 pm

   Keep your costs down at least initially forego a space and simply build up a client base.

   Use this basic checklist to make sure all the important steps are taken before you launch your new venture. This business checklist will make sure that you cross all your t’s and dot all your i’s before your business launch.

   Steps to Starting a Business -
   http://www.developer-resource.com/starting-a-business.htm

   Other sites you might find helpful are:
   SBA – http://www.sba.gov/
   SCORE – http://www.score.org
   Small Business Resource – http://www.small-business-software.net
   Business Link – http://www.businesslink.gov.uk/bdotg/action/home

   Goodluck!
2. vicseo says:

   January 3, 2010 at 10:01 pm

   If you know anyone who has a current Mac computer, you
   can use IWeb to create a website showing your recent
   photographs. Set up an .mac account [$99 per year] and
   publish your IWeb webpage(s).

   Acquire from Vistaprint.com a colorful business card
   by selecting from their many templates a suitable one
   that meets your needs. Make sure to list the URL of
   your website along with a telephone answering device.
   Do not place your home address or anything personal
   such as a cellphone on this businesscard. Then when
   you receive the finished business card, pass it around
   to various churches, temples and the like to solicit
   business.

   When you receive a major photography assignment, visit
   your local professional camera store and “rent” the
   necessary camera equipment to fulfill this assignment.
   When starting out, you don’t want to tie your money up
   with a piece of camera equipment which because of ever
   changing technology “becomes obsolete.” Remember, that
   90% of professional photographer are not “buying”
   camera equipment continually which can easily become
   outdated; instead, they merely “rent or lease” the
   camera equipment for set period of time; thereby
   keeping their money for other expenses. Even though
   you may have your heart set on an SLR and film, you
   may have to give up that concept for the moment, since
   digital photography offers the most economic method of
   photo reproduction. Digital imagery is easy to edit on
   a computer and the print quality is often far superior
   to regular film-generated prints.

   You want to buy an “essential/basic” DSLR system which
   has an all-around affordable accessory lenses, then
   consider the award winning Pentax KD series beginning
   with the Pentax K100D 6.1 mp DSLR with “image
   stabilization” built into the camera body. “Image
   stabilization” is essential for allowing you to take
   telephoto pictures at weddings, parties, while on the
   go and you don’t have to drag along a tripod to steady
   your camera. Unfortunately, Canon and Nikon have
   chosen to install their “vibration reduction” devices
   into very expensive auxiliary lenses. But getting back
   to the Pentax K100D which comes in a starter kit
   consisting of two Pentax lenses: a 18-55 mm. normal
   lens and a 50-200 mm. telephoto which sells for $650
   at samys.com. Again, the Pentax K100D starter kit runs
   circles around the D40 Nikon!

   For digital print processing, find a private
   professional film processing lab who can handle all
   your client’s print orders. And with a resale license,
   you will be qualified for considerable “professional”
   discounts on lab fees. A search on the Google and
   Yahoo for wholesale photo albums will connect you with
   various distributors who, again, you can sign on as a
   photography studio and get a dealer’s pricing for any
   number of albums, guest books, etc.

   Instead of renting a studio, take people pictures at
   local parks and beaches and for indoor shots, go to
   the client’s residence or office to set up a photo
   shooting environment which consists of a set of
   lights, reflective screens, background drapery, etc.

   Good luck!