Recent Business Articles

Marketing Tip: Demand Social Responsibility

Demanding anything is a scary notion but the trend towards social and global responsibility is growing in 2014, and having the right voice and attitude can result in elevating your brand. As we enter the New Year it is no longer enough to make separate personal and professional goals. The distinction between the two is blurring for many businesses as the global marketplace looks towards feel good solutions. How can you be part of the change?

Should I Pay $100,000 To Learn To Play Guitar

I have always been a huge music fan. A few years ago I bought a guitar and I've had a blast learning the basics. One day I would love to play professionally but I'm not exactly sure how to get paid for my music. I'm considering paying $100,000 for someone to teach me how to play guitar.

5 Tips To Help Your Photography Business Survive And Thrive In 2014

So, it’s two weeks into the new year – how are things shaping up? Booked a ton of new work? Setting up to land your dream client? If, like me, you’re still working out the kinks and wondering how you’ll make it all work, this post is for you. I’ve got five tips to help keep you going, keep you motivated and keep you on track for the year ahead.

This Year Will Be The End of the 'Disc Burning' Era

It all started happening in the early 2000's as the once expensive CD-R disc burners began to heavily drop in price and later came pre-installed in every computer. Then clients started asking, "Can I get a disc with the photos?" and a new era of disc burning began which lasted over 10 years. Fortunately, over the last few years other options have become available, which leads me the prediction. This year will be the very last in the 'disc burning era' and quite honestly I can't be any happier about it.

The Decline Of Facebook Explained

Last week Jaron Schneider posted an inside look at the decline in Facebook engagement. For those of us with Photography pages to promote, this means that now you will have to pay each time you want your posts to reach an acceptable amount of your followers. Youtuber Veritasium created an informative video that explains the situation in even more detail.

Commercial Photography: Recipe For Success

My photographer-friend from Moscow Aleksey Dovgulya is visiting me in Los Angeles right now. We went to the same high school, but only met in 2008 after I got into photography. While I was studying in Australia Aleksey built an impressive list of commercial clients in Russia. In the past few years he has photographed for major brands such as Rolls-Royce, Renault, BMW, Schwartzkopf & Henkel, Benetton, Vogue, Christian Louboutin, and the list goes on and on.

7 Penny Pinching Locations When Shooting On A Budget!

There are many hurdles that a new photographer tries to overcome early in his or her career, one of which is simply that we don’t have the funding and massive budgets that some of our more well established peers might have. When it comes to choosing a location for our photo shoots we often find ourselves restricted. Here are 7 places you can shoot on a budget!

A Free Google Calendar Tool to Meet your Workflow Deadlines

I am a serial procrastinator, I will do it tomorrow is a common theme. However my goal this year is to meet my deadlines! Nothing is more unprofessional than missing a deadline for a client. With Google Calendar and a simple Excel / Google spreadsheet file I am able to schedule a multi-deadline schedule in a few clicks.

Facebook Pages' Updated Organic-Reach-Crushing Algorithm, And What it Means for You

As many of you who have your own photography pages probably already noticed, Facebook drastically changed their Pages organic reach algorithm on December 3, 2013. We have been living with the changes for a month, analyzing the effects on our brand and how it affects you, and the news isn’t good. With dramatic decreases in reach and engagement, our Facebook community is not nearly what it was. So what can you do about your own Pages?

Three Driving Forces That Will Shape Your Photography In 2014

Change is afoot and 2014 could well be the year that completely redefines the photo and video landscape as we know it. It doesn’t matter if you you shoot weddings, fashion, portraits, landscapes, products, food or concerts - these changes will affect us all. Here are three game changers - let's take a look at what they are, what they could mean for you, your photography and your business.

Book Club for Photographers

One of the goals I have set for myself this year is to read and study one non-fiction book each month. I love reading and have learned so much from some great books over the years but just feel like it would be even better if I was able to do this with a group of like-minded photographers so we could read, discuss and learn from each other.

A Year In Review - Fstoppers Most Viewed Posts of 2013

2013 has been exceptional for Fstoppers. Between winning the [F] Award for Best Online Media/News Resource this past March, and having over 45 million pageviews in this past year alone, Fstoppers has become among the largest websites for photography news in the world. So to celebrate, lets take a look at some of the posts you clicked on the most this year.

Lindsay Adler and Brooke Shaden Talk Business and Photography

Here at Fstoppers we featured both Brooke Shaden and Lindsay Adler countless of times for their great photographic work as well as their methods of working and handling business. Today they joined forces once again and did an hour and a half live broadcast answering questions asked by fellow photographers - from inspiration to business and struggles. Bring some snacks, sit back and enjoy!

Fstoppers Answers - How Do You Market To Social Media?

Each week on Fstoppers Answers, we answer a question asked by the photography community. This week, we were asked - "How do you market to social media? (When marketing your photography on social media, is it more effective to always be trickling out content constantly, or less frequently but higher quality and more content at once. For example, if I do a shoot with a model, should I post a photo a day, or a set a week?)"

Five Great Ways To Customize Your 5D Mark III

You finally got that Canon 5D Mark III camera you have been desiring and now you are trying to figure out how best to take advantage of all it's great new features. Here are five ways I have customized my camera to best fit my needs while shooting weddings, events and portraits.

Get Paid More For Your Photography With Value Shifting

Do you have a hard time differentiating yourself from the price anchors of other mediocre photographers? Have you considered taking the Starbucks approach to your products? In this two part series by Spencer Lum, of the Ground Glass Blog, he takes you through the psychology and sales techniques to increase your sales. Check out part two below.

Fstoppers Answers - "How Did You Approach Your First Agency/Client?"

Each week, we ask the public to submit a question to have answered in our segment called "Fstoppers Answers". Last week we asked “When Did You Make the Jump to Full Time Pro?”. This week, we asked the staff of Fstoppers "How Did You Approach Your First Agency/Client?"

Is Adding Boudoir Sessions To Your Photography Business Right For You?

When winter hit and weddings and senior portraits weren't generating any income, Michael Sasser decided to expand his reach by adding boudoir style photography to his repertoire. If you're looking for a way to increase your business through the slow months, this might be just the thing for you. In this interview, Michael explains how his new sessions have been working out.

Do What You Do Best - Outsource The Rest!

Sometimes the one thing holding us back from bigger and better things is actually ourselves. Yes you CAN do everything, but SHOULD you? Many successful photographers have found ways that they can specialize their jobs within their own businesses so that they can do what they love and do best, and outsource the rest.

Fstoppers Answers - When Did You Make the Jump to Full Time Pro?

Each week, we ask our writers a question generated from the public in a series that we call "Fstoppers Answers". Last week, we asked our writers the long "What Is Your Photo Education? How Important Do You Think Formal Education Is In The Field?". This week, we ask our staff "When Did You Make the Jump to Full Time Pro?"

Best $35 You Can Spend Towards Your Education

Many of you might already own a Google Chromecast. If you don't yet I would highly recommend picking one up. They are inexpensive ($35) and it's one of my favorite gadgets of the year. Here are some of my favorite things you can do with Chromecast and why I say it's the best $35 you can spend towards your education.

Fantastic Program For Photographers That Despise Blogging

Blogging is a great way to share a series of photos from your work. Sadly though many of us don't do it any longer because let's be honest; it's a pain in the ass. Fortunately a new web service, Exposure, is out that looks beautiful and is a perfect replacement for those that loathe blogging.

Travel Guide For Photographers

Working as a commercial photographer, I have the opportunity to travel often with my work. In the year 2013 alone, I've flown over 25 thousand miles, and have a few thousand more before the end of the year. Here are some tips I've picked up over the years to help make traveling as a photographer much easier and far less stressful.

What Does Success Look Like For You In 2014?

As the end of the year looms, we begin to look back and reflect on the previous year and think about aspirations for 2014. What will make this coming year successful for you? Getting paid to live and work as a photographer? Producing creative, fulfilling work? Being published? Teaching and helping other photographers? One photographer I've worked with this year did all of these and in this interview, she shares her insights on what success is for her - and importantly, what this could mean for you and your career in 2014.

It's Not All About The Money

Tired of hunting for budgets as if they were unicorns? A few weeks ago I wrapped up our commercial pricing guide which is a great reference IF you can get a paying client. As many of us know, sadly, that can be a pretty big IF. Here are a few strategies to help you turn a client with no budget into a winner!

Why You Should Accept Bitcoin For at Least One Job

If you haven't heard about Bitcoin yet then you really should pay attention to this because in the long run it could make you a lot of money. Before we get into the whys and hows and what it means for photographers though, you need to know what it is in the first place. Bitcoin is a decentralized digital currency designed around the idea of using cryptography to control the creation and transfer of money

How Instagram Brought Me Business After Only One Week Using It

For the past 2 years I refused to join Instagram. I just didn't think it was for me, I didn't believe I need it for my business and I just didn't like the idea of destroying my photos by cropping them and adding weird filters. So many people tried to convince me to join Instagram in the past year or two, and I always said "No chance!" But finally, after continuing insistence by friends, last month I decided to finally give it a try and just one week later, I got my first corporate client from it. Kind of crazy.

Fstoppers Real Estate and Architecture Photography Tutorial With Mike Kelley

Each year Patrick and I work on one extremely large project. Two years ago we created The Art Behind The Headshot with Peter Hurley. Last year we finished our 14 hour tutorial on how to become a wedding photographer. In 2013 we teamed up with Mike Kelley to produce what I believe is the best resource available on How To Photograph Real Estate, Architecture, and Interiors.

My 6 Favorite Travel Tips

As a wedding photographer and workshop instructor I travel quite frequently. In the last couple of years I have been all over the world and throughout this time I have picked up a number of great travel tips. Here are six of my favorites that will hopefully make your next trip more enjoyable.

Entrepreneurial Inspiration: Interview On The Most Popular Camera Of All Time

Anyone who happened to see me speak at Photo Plus this year knows that I am obsessed with both photography and business. I love learning from those who have been big successes in any field because the idea of building something in general is so exciting to me. This 60 minutes interview with Nick Woodman, the creator of the GoPro Camera is the most inspiring video I've seen in years.

Fstoppers Answers - "How Do You Balance Your Personal Creativity in Your Paid Work?"

Every Wednesday, we have a question to ask our writers in a series we call Fstoppers Answers. We encourage the public to ask questions they'd like our staff of professional photographers and videographers to answer. Last week, you asked to hear our worst mistakes, this week you ask "How Do You Balance Your Personal Creativity in Your Paid Work?"

The Must Have Tool For Blogging Photographers

Blogging is essential for photography. Not only does it provide an unique interaction with potential clients and fans of your work, but it’s also essential for SEO purposes. When building web presence, every expert in the field of SEO and Web Development will tell you to blog often, and this tool is essential for the modern day blogging photographer.

Tips For Setting Up Your Home Office Without Breaking The Bank

So I just landed in Colorado, and while working from my laptop on a TV tray worked in a pinch, getting a home office set up quickly and cheaply has been a top priority of mine. I’ve come up with some tips that have helped me now and in the past when it comes to making a functional workspace at home.

Nikon Sales of High-End Cameras Slipping

Nikon has always been the silver medal holder in the High End Digital Camera race behind Canon, but always remained proud with their numbers boasting well above Sony, Fuji or Olympus. With their recent quarterly statements however, Nikon seems to be struggling even more than they had thought, and posted slipping numbers for the third quarter of the year.

Download Multiple Cards At Once With This Workflow Solution

You've been out shooting for 12 hours, you've got 4 cards full of data, it's midnight, and you have another shoot first thing in the morning. Wouldn't it be nice to have a solution that allows you to pop all those cards in a reader at one time thereby getting your download done 4x faster than if you did it with one card reader. Now there is with the new Lexar Professional Workflow Reader Solution.

Five Kind-of-Weird Photography Tips No One Ever Told You

In the past 10 years I was able to work and see the industry from so many different perspectives: as a celebrity shooter, as a photography writer, as a photo-consumer and as an agency photographer. All these years I have heard so many tips and so many "rules." You know, stuff like "know who came before you," or "it's not about the equipment." Now It's my turn to give tips - and mine are way weirder.

Fstoppers Answers - "Why Did You Choose Your Professional Niche?"

Each week, we ask our viewers to submit questions in the comments for our writers to answer in a series we call "Fstoppers Answers". Last week, we asked our writers to give marketing advice to the viewers. This week, we're asking them what made them choose their career with "Why Did You Choose Your Professional Niche (Wedding, Commercial, Sports, Etc.)?"

How to Take Advantage of the Creative Process in Your Own Way

PBS Digital Studios has just released a brilliant video focused on unwrapping the creative process. Throughout the video, an author, a cognitive psychologist, a filmmaker and a computer scientist come together to share their incredibly diverse theories of how to hone your creativity in a multitude of ways.

Day Three of Photo Plus Expo in New York City

This weekend, Fstoppers has been at PhotoPlus Expo in New York City to give an inside look at all the new products being announced to the photography community. Yesterday, we showed off new products from Samsung, Spider Holster and more, and the day before we showed off the impressive DEFY gimbal system and others. Today, we were able to look into Sigma, Canon and Nikon's new product lines.

Fstoppers Answers - "Give One Piece of Advice on Marketing Yourself"

Each week, we ask our writers a question submitted by the public in a segment we call Fstoppers Answers. Last week, we asked "What is Your Cancellation Policy?" and people showed some interest in the marketing side of things. So keeping with that in mind, this week we ask "If you could give ONE piece of advice on how to market yourself, what would it be?"

Why I Quit My Job To Do What I Love, And Why You Should Too

I just quit my full time job of six years as a video producer at a local college. A decent salary, good benefits, and the security that came with it… all gone. I'm now focusing on my dream project called Ascending India (our film trailer is what’s featured) and I might go broke trying to make it. Read on and I’ll tell you why I couldn’t be more excited, and why you might want to consider trying to make your dream project happen too.

The Guide To Pricing Commercial Photography Part 4: License Fees

In the last segment of our commercial pricing guide we will tackle the least talked about and most misunderstood portion of your invoice; the licensing fees. I will go over what they are, why you should be using them, and my preferred method for calculating them no matter who my client is!

Don't Forget To Register For Shoot NYC Speakers - It's Free

I'm all kinds of excited for Photo Expo this week in New York. One of the biggest things I am looking forward to is Shoot NYC just down the street from the Convention. If you are planning on attending the convention this week, don't forget to register for the Hasselblad/Broncolor Shoot NYC. It's packed with free speakers and will be a great chance to get your hands on some of the worlds best gear. Plus it's totally free.

How To Make Money In Photography

Often when it comes to professional photography, I get asked one simple question. That question is - How do you get clients to pay? It’s not uncommon to have some troubles jumping from the TF (Trade For) world into the paid world, so I'm here to share with you the tip that every single Fortune 500 company has used to get payment out of clients and build a successful business.

Low Budget, High Scale - Incredible Action Sequence With BTS

Whether you’re a photographer or you focus on video, this article highlights the high octane visual set piece created by Slaughterhouse Pictures, who successfully combined principles of both stills and motion work to create high impact visual media with zero budget and very limited resources. Read the exclusive FStoppers article and watch the BTS video to get some simple and highly effective little tips that you will be able to apply to all aspects of your own work.

Innovative Way For Friends To Collaborate On Great Shoot Locations

Have you ever been driving around and saw an amazing place that would be perfect for your next shoot? Only to forget all about it later. This evening my friend Jeremy Kester, owner of H.H. Boogie, shared with me an innovative way for photographers to share shoot locations. It's free, it's easy and it's probably already on your phone.