What sort of Photography do you do?

[Mira]

As I am (oh so slowly) starting my photography business, I have found this forum to be an invaluable resource (even though I don't live in Texas anymore ) It seems like alot of people on have wedding or portrait studios, so much of the advice really focuses on that. It is helpful, but as someone who would like to do editorial work...are there any other types of photographers out there? (not just editorial either). Photojournalists, wildlife (Russell...), fine art etc. I would love to hear how you got started and a little bit more about how you run your business.

For example - in Fine Art I would love to hear about art shows and how successful anyone has been using them and suggestions they would have. Have you had success in the greeting card/calander/postcard etc market?

For photojounalists and editorial photogs - how did you get started and what tips would you have for getting started while still trying to pay the bills? Do you freelance, are you on a newspaper/mag staff... Do you have any job openings...

Thanks in advance.

[CaptainTom]

I do mostly "on site" commercial photography. This can be anything from taking photos of a product, store interior, signage, staff, race team, head shots, etc. to shooting the annual stockholders meeting, or the dedication of the company flower garden. I have done some PJ stuff, but found that it is more time consuming and not profitable. I have done the occasional wedding, but prefer to have my weekends to myself. I have recently gotten into shooting with stock photo sales in mind.
To get into this area of photography, I suggest you get a portfolio of your best work, whatever it is, and contact ad agencies, PR firms, Corporate headquarters, etc. The more doors you knock on, the more likely you'll find a client.

[photoByJeremy]

lately it has all been personal work and the occasional headshot or two.

I'm with Tom in regards to the lack of $$$ in PJ work as I used to string and freelance. Additionally, he is correct in that the more doors you knock on the better your chances.

Get used to hearing "No." a lot and also get used to saying "I'm a photographer." with a straight face (same goes for quoting your rates).

[loana0320]

I do mostly babies, children and maternity

[Mira]

LOL Jeremy...good advice :) This is good stuff, keep it comin! Also, I would be interested to know if in the line of work you do you have a physical studio/office, portable studio, do all on-site etc...

[Wes]

Sports and Portraits for me. I've made some decent money at both without having to go out and market myself very much. I seem to be doing better at Sports photography and sales.

[kachina]

Anything I can get. Mostly portraits, commercial/product, and events. Hope to add weddings to my list after a little more experience in that arena.

[raevyncent]

I'm alot in the same boat as the OP....I really am good with people, but need to learn to photograph them... hoping I can justify making extra room in house into studio rather than renting it to a roomie... but what I love most is urban night photography, especially skylines. What can a person do with that passion? Oh, well, here's to both of us having success!

[Tom]

Social Issues
3 weeks in Sudan in March
Planning an undetermined amount of time in Southeast Asia (hopefully August-November)

Or anything I can get paid for.

[lscottpht]

I shoot photojournalism and weddings. I've worked for newspapers, magazines and agencies as a freelancer. The pay is not great, so don't get into it for the money, but photojournalism is very rewarding. I actually shoot weddings to help me through the slow pj times. As far as how I got started, I went on my own dime to Haiti, first to do a documentary, second time to cover the uprising that took place when the rebels took over and cast out the president. This helped tremendously in getting me noticed, and I ended going back to Haiti 4 more times, 3 times on other peoples dime. Right now, I currently freelance for World Picture News in NY, the Fort Worth Star-Telegram, and People Newspapers. I would highly suggest doing an internship and a self-assigned project. I'd be happy to answer any other questions you have. Oh, and even though the money sucks, I hope to do pj full time in the future. I absolutely LOVE photojournalism.

[Clint_Smith]

Former PJ. Both print and TV. I loved both. But the time away from family and the crappy money drove me from the business.

Now mainly portrait and weddings. Got a couple of magazine assignments last year.

[brad]

I'd love to do fine art photography exclusively .. but its a market that is all but impossible to break into. It requires massive amounts of images and years of work before you can become an overnight success.

So in the meantime, I do various portrait work.. mostly headshots for actors and corporate.. portraits.. the occasional wedding..

I don't know how to answer the "how did I get started" question.. I've had a camera in my hands as long as I can remember.. shot stuff for school yearbook and newspaper all through high school.. freelanced events in college.. got lucky a couple years ago and found myself in the middle of the acting community..

[JohnT]

I market myself as a portrait, headshot, event, and assignment photographer, but so far I've only shot portraits and events. And by "market" I mean pretty much word-of-mouth; I don't run ads or anything like that. Additionally, I seize every opportunity possible to let folks know that I am a photographer. It also helps that a good friend of mine is a former executive sales, marketing, promotion guy, and he gives me a lot of advice. If I could afford to hire him to secure contracts for me, I'd probably have more business than I could handle. :-)

[adirty1]

I shoot commercial/illustration/editorial. I have just gotten back into weddings and fine art.
If you are looking to do fine art it's like applying for a job. You have to have a resume and enter any contest you can. there are tons out there. You need 12-14 matted images and a couple framed to show a gallery how they look. Mats and Images must be perfect before you show a gallery. A real gallery will take as much at 50 percent from the sale. look for businesses that hang art work like coffee shops and such. I have a salon that shows my work for free and I change out the work when ever I have something new. If you really want to do the fine art thing pm me and I give you lots of pointer to get ready before your first go see.

get on craigslist and take a look around there are always ads for art shows and juried events. I sold 7 images to the austin library through craigslist. You never know what you might find.

[Mira]

Such great info, thanks! Leslie and Adam, I will be sending you both PMs when I get home from work today :)