Need Advice for expanding Business from LA

[David]

Hi All! I need some advice if anyone can give it. I am expanding my photo business from LA to Dallas since I am here alot. I specialize in headshots for talent, high end fashion, portfolio work, photojournalism and production stills. My question is that is the photo market over saturated in North Texas does anyone think I have a good chance? Thanks in advance for the replys.

dave

[brad]

To listen to certain people, there is a dearth of good head shot and portfolio photographers in the DFW area... I'm hoping to tap this same market, myself. :)

[David]

Brad,

Thanks for the reply. Do you think there is still room to do business? How is the market here in Dallas? There was TONS of photographers who did headshots and portfolios and I still did good business. Looking forward to your reply. Thanks again!

[brad]

I think there will always be room for Good Work. The market is flooded with mediocre work, which is why I've been doing things like trying to deal with talent scouts, agents, and coaches to improve my own work.

[David]

Brad,

Thanks for the advice. I feel better now. I think you are on the right track on trying to deal with and learn from scouts and agencies. I studied photography in college but what really helped me is that for the past 10 years I have worked with several of the major motion picture studios doing production stills, head shots and portfolios and alot of what I know I learned from watch others, working with seasoned photographers and practice.

dave

[Kathi]

Dave, I agree with Brad's remarks. No matter how saturated your market is, there is always room for good work. If you are looking to expand your business into Texas, consider signing up on OMP if you haven't already done so. OMP is a world-wide forum for models and photographers to network together. They have a small monthly fee for photographers (like $10 or so...) but it is worth it. On OMP, you can list that you work both LA and Dallas areas. Whenever you travel, you can send notifications that you are travelling and looking for models (Paid/TFCD/whatever... you list what you want to list) to work with. When you send the notifications out, all models and photographers in those areas receive an email saying that you are travelling to their area and that you are looking for.... whatever it is you posted. If you have good work to show for yourself, they will answer you. That is how we get a lot of the paid model work that we do. If you are interested, check out their website at www.onemodelplace.com.

Good luck!!!!