Position:Home>Visual Arts> I live in a very small town and I would like to know how to make money as a phot

Its easy to think that a market is saturated and that you only live in a small town, no one buys art these days specailly in small towns and all those sorts of thought!. This is just a view point!.

I like the line "its not your photographic skills which will make you the big money, its the marketing of those skills where the big money is made!." But you know if your skills aren't there no one will buy your product no matter how well its marketed!.

I also like the line "hard work and long hours will not make you rich"!. I've worked 60-70 hours a week every week sometimes 100 hours working 15-16hours 7days a week and do you know something, it does work! But it doesnt give you a good balance and a happy life!.

I've found personally, In order to do something we want to do we often need to do something we don't want to do first!. The universe is not always going to make it easy for us because we are nice people!.

You clearly have skills as otherwise you wouldnt be selling stock images!. You also said that your town is small and that the portrait and wedding market in your town is flooded but for most photographers this is one area where there is easy money to be made!. Which then funds other things!.

What I'm thinking is more likely is that you dont really want to do that sort of baby pictures, kids schools, portrait and wedding sort of work And thats ok, but if you need the money you may have to do that in order to do something else later!.

I dont know what you money you have, or areas of photography you most skilled with but my suggestions might be to consider the following

aerial photography of peoples homes and business from a light aircraft its not that hard or expensive to hire and printing 10x8 of houses then getting several door to door sales man working for you is a good earner!. You can even get a giant pole for about ￡2500 which you errect and take images from great for building sites and house sales!.

Other thoughts are teaming up with printers, a web designers/ IT guy, a designer, marketing man and salesmen!. Lots of companies want better websites with good photos!. Which then can be put into print!. It will also give you a good portfollio to build on commercail sales!.

Publishers are also worth approaching!.

The vitual view imaging is quite new on the market but seems to be taking off quite well!. thats where you use a standard camera and a virtual view software to create a full 360 degree of a property, hotel, event or so on which is then turned into a flash play and put on the web!. I have work from a guy who does them for hotels!.

If you do team up with some others its worth looking at your local business directory and then looking at their websites to see if you could promote sales of photography that way!. Its surprising how many people are pleased when you offer to take images of their products for them!.

The web is great as it opens up so many doors and boundaries are nothing on the web!. I have people courier goods 200 miles to be photographed in my studio!.

Other things come back to work you might not want like the horse and car shows, local events!. I have an IT guy who puts images up online for me of local events!. all I do is turn up with a camera and a hi-viz vest with the website and events photographer written on it!. I've had one guy say to me I didnt realise someone had booked me then stand me in the best spot for a motor cross racing event!. no one booked me I just turned up!. made a lot of money!.

It all comes down to having the right people arround you and being able to produce the goods!.

If you dont have the equipment, skill or money to train and buy the stuff you need it may be worth considering doing a few weddings just to give you a decent set of lights and a couple of bits of software!. No decent photographer can be without a good studio lighting set up even if you dont own your own studio which if you need studio space for an afternoon its worth asking the local church hallsWww@QuestionHome@Com

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Taking senior portraits is definitely one route you could go!. (It might also be the best!.) A lot of high school students are wary about dishing out hundreds of dollars for photos, so you could still try to attract them even if there are other photographers out there who offer similar services!. In cases like these, it's all about the pricing!. Charge your clients enough to make a profit but not too much that it drives them away!. also, if you do take someone's pictures, consider putting them on a blank CD instead of giving them the printed versions!. Not only will this save you some trouble, but it'll also give your clients more freedom to do whatever they want with the pictures you've taken!. (A lot of professional photographers prohibit their clients from getting copies of their photos from anyone but the person who took them!. Without enforcing similar rules and regulations, you may interest more people in your work!.)

Money issues aside, if you know someone who's graduating next spring, offer to take their pictures free of charge!. If they like them, they'll spread the word and recommend you to other (paying) customers!. Start a portfolio, and fill it with your work!. Show it to people, and let them see what you're capable of!. After all, you're never going to spark an interest in your photography skills if no one gets to see just how great they are!.

Hope this helps and good luck!Www@QuestionHome@Com

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- Pet portraits at their homes!.
- school portraits (individual children, class portraits)
- You could go around to the funeral parlors and leave your card for the inevitable family reunion at the service or wake!.
- Best bet is online as there really isn't much for a small town!.
- You could approach the other established photographers and explain that you are getting started, so you'd welcome any referrals they can give you!.
- The next small town may not have a photographer!.
- Make a flyer and deliver it to all the families you can reach, makes a good walking project in the evenings!.
- flyers at the local supermarket, post office, and so on!. You never know who will call!.
- a good way is word of mouth, news travels fast in small towns!. Show your portfolio around and leave some lovely biz cards around, gas stations, pharmacies, school bulletin boards!.
- hold a small exhibition to show off what you can do!. Bound to drum up some business and you may even sell some photos!.

All the best!Www@QuestionHome@Com

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Your best bet is to seek work outside your area!. Start offering yourself to the advertising agencies and marketing firms in one or two of the nearest cities, as well as any corporate offices who may need ongoing product photography!. These kinds of places are always looking for fresh new talent, and often choose professionals from smaller communities because the rates are much more reasonable!.Www@QuestionHome@Com

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In very small towns, one traditional way to commercial success has been through lodges: Masons, Elks, Oddfellows, Knights of Pythias, Knights of Columbus, etc!. Members go out of their way to give business to fellow ("brother") lodge-members!. also the business groups: Kiwanis, Rotary and Lions!. This how insurancemen, contractors, even lawyers get much of their business!.Www@QuestionHome@Com

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family portraits, senior portraits things like thatWww@QuestionHome@Com

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