Photographers spend a ton of time learning new techniques, improving the quality of their images, and working on new creative avenues. But at the end of the day, all the photographic technique and creativity in the world won't mean much for your financial success without the business skills to back it all up. This excellent video discusses one of those crucial skills: how to approach new clients.
Coming to you from Daniel Norton, this helpful video talks about the process of approaching new clients. Personally, I think Norton makes a great point when it comes to creating an environment of positivity. I've seen photographers who tried to woo potential clients by disparaging other local photographers, and I remember it making me distinctly uncomfortable. Doing that generally just makes you look insecure about your own abilities and can be very off-putting for potential clients. On the other hand, creating a positive environment can help to foster an air of collaboration and excitement between you and a potential client, and that can lead to them feeling invested in the blossoming business partnership, thereby creating a desire to work with you. Check out the video above for Norton's full thoughts.
After photographing weddings for a successful studio for 8 years I grudgingly purchased it from the retiring owner.
I learned a very hard lesson. Her contacts and clients were not MY contacts. When I started networking with her long time contacts and vendors I got the cold shoulder for the most part. Vendors removed me from their lists. When I asked why, I was given reasons which didn't make a lot of sense. I dont want to get into possible racial or sexist reasons but I had my suspicions.
Bottom line was that just because one is a good photographer, it takes more than that to be successful. It takes business acumen, a diverse vendor network and a likeability that one cannot create. They either like you or they dont.
I thought that after all of those years of being " the face" of her studio shooting over 50 weddings a year in the multi county areas I could easily continue the success.
Boy was I wrong. Biggest business mistake of my life.
In addition to the high overhead she had with her lease, employees, business costs, transitioning from film to digital, losing a hug chunk of film reorders which was a large part of the income and buying the business right before the recession of 2008.
A real tidal wave of negative business affects.