I wish I could say, “back by popular demand.”
After a couple of years, I thought my first blog had run its course, assuming it was even on a course. That blog attracted a number of viewers from across the continent, which led to lots and lots of e-mails asking the inevitable, “how much should I charge for . . .”, “they stole my picture, what should I do . . .”, “what does this contract mean . . .”, and “how do I start my business . . .”
Unfortunately there are no easy answers or shortcuts. If there were, everyone would have taken that route by now. For any photo business to have a chance of succeeding, hard work and smart work are the only tools. I use the word “chance” because there are no guarantees.
Educate yourself
Sure the Internet is full of free advice and who doesn’t love free? But go out and buy a few books. Then, and here’s the hard part, read and re-read those books. If you can find an accurate crystal ball, buy one of those, too, and get one for me.
Go ahead and read a few books on photography but read lots and lots of books on the business of photography. Also learn about accounting and marketing. Read business success stories irregardless of the type of business. Can the success of Starbucks somehow relate to your photo business? Can the way Apple markets its iPods influence how you might market your photography? What can FedEx teach you?
Should you think outside the box? Nope. Don’t assume that a box even exists.
Marketing and business skills are much more important for a photographer than his/her photo skills. Market and promote your business continually and smartly. And cross your fingers.
They say that successful people make their own luck. But luck, or opportunity, can’t knock on your door unless you’ve already cleared a path to your front steps.
Educate yourself.
University and college  programs take two to four years. So why do you expect that your photo business education will take only a couple weeks or just a few mouse clicks?
Also, it doesn’t hurt to buy a few lottery tickets now and again. :-)
Educate Customers
A secondary goal for this blog is to help educate photo customers: how to be a good customer; how to be a happy customer; how and why to hire a professional photographer.
I’m not trying to tell customers how to run their business but, from time to time, I hope to offer suggestions on how to improve their public relations and marketing efforts, especially when it comes to photography and media access.
Thanks for reading.
–Cheers
