By Lori Peterson
Recently I came across a photography-page about me and the photographer said “I specialize in everything photography.” I couldn’t help but wonder how many other people had stumbled on that particular page and it fired because they wanted someone who had a more defined photographic specialty. If you are looking for a photographer to images of your newborn, family or senior to catch, you are not looking for someone who really knows how to take your images that really grab attention?
Photographers spend so much time trying to figure out what their style is and in that time they shoot what sessions are available to them. If you are shooting weddings, babies, seniors, products, and anything else that you can, you really defines your specialty?
The first thing that you need to find out is what your favorite photo shoots. If you weddings shot and the hated, then you should reconsider posting them. If you think that newborns and small children too much time to be reserved and require patience, then you too much advertising for newborns and children should reconsider. It takes some time, effort and networks, but finding your niche can be well worth the wait, once you get your foot in that door.
If you are new to the photography business and shoot considering weddings that you need an experienced wedding photographer who let you would be their second shooter. (Yes, you must be paid for your time. Not spend hours and hours shooting free!). Do your homework on wedding photography. Look at wedding blogs and even Pinterest for ideas of shots that people often request, you can figure out if photographing weddings would be a good for you. Keep in mind that marriages often long, long days and some photographers don’t really get breaks (or even meals). Meetings before with the bride and groom and a permanent contract are always important items for weddings, even as a second shooter would you like to know ahead of time what the expectations they have for you. Personally, I’ve shot weddings and realized that’s not where I wanted to spend my time and energy and so I stopped books weddings. You will know if it is something you want to continue or not after a few under your belt.
Newborns and small children requires a lot of patience and although that shoots dates not as extensive as a wedding shoot, you still will work without a real break. Children have those rare small Windows of time that are perfect for shoots and if you miss that it’s very hard to get it back. The notice to parents about Naps and feeding schedules you can get into that small window of time and help you keep the nail from the shoot. Shooting newborns requires a lot of props (blankets, pillows, etc.). You will also shoot in all kinds of strange angles that can be hard on your back and limbs.
Adults (models, couples and seniors) are easier can work with because you don’t have to fine tune that window of opportunity for a good shoot. Not take as long as their shoots weddings and generally they any time around a school or work schedule works can be scheduled. They can towards easy and most of the time they are called when getting their pictures taken.
Getting your contracts in order to let us know in advance, meeting with your customers how your shooting and editing work, and know what your customer expects from you all can be huge factors in helping you figure out where the heads of your company. After shooting a few sessions you will get a general idea are those shoots where you want to take the direction of your company. Don’t be afraid to stop the things you don’t enjoy shooting. Many photographers nervous about turning away shoots when the reality is that when you really put your time in shooting what you love that you enjoy what you do and that can only increase your business.
The areas you specialize in must match the best work and it should make you want to get more out of your camera and shoot. If you find it hard to get motivated or excited about shoots, then that may not be where you need to concentrate your energy shoots and creativity. Ask yourself “if I could only take on a more photo shoot and then retired to have my camera, what would it be?” You might surprise yourself with your answer, or you might really understand where to focus more. It’s hard to specialize in everything, so finding the things you love to shoot, the one that will feed your creative soul and run with it. You can do great things once you really start to yourself pointing me in the right direction.
Lori Peterson is an award winning photographer based on the St. Louis Metro Area. Its dynamic creative works range from portraits to very unique art photography. Lori’s work can be seen on www.loripetersonphotography.com and also on her blog at www.loripetersonphotographyblog.com. You can follow her on Facebook at https://www.facebook.com/LoriPetersonPhotography.
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