A few years ago I became interested in digital photography, mainly for web publishing and personal reasons. You know, how nice is it now to NOT have to deal with film, scanning pictures, and the costs of developing all of those "not great" photos that you didn't know were so bad until you paid to have them developed!
So, at the time I got my first digital camera a friend of mine was playing in a rock band, and needed pictures for their web pages and promotional printings and ads. When I first began to do their photography, I had NO IDEA what it all would lead to... and now I will reveal to you some of the MANY ways to make money, part-time, with your love for photography!
Now, at the clubs my friend's band played in- a lot of the time they would be in a line-up of 3 bands for the evening, of which I shot live pictures of my friend's band's performance. Then I got another idea, I'm there already, usually to finish the night with the band, so I started to take pictures of the other bands. Afterwards, as they were breaking down their equipment, I introduced myself as the other bands photographer, and explained that I liked their music and look- and also took pictures of them also.
I got the names of the band members, jotted down notes about which instruments each one played, and then got a mailing address to reach them. I told them that I was going to print up some proof sheets and send them off to them... all were very agreeable and willing (and why not, it doesn't cost them a thing).
Then I printed the proof sheet(s), and selected three of what I thought were the best- of which I made a little bigger on a seperate sheet and used Photoshop to refine and enhance the images prior to printing (all on my little ink-jet printer).
I composed a form letter that I could customize for each mailing explaining details like:
- The first proof sheet was all of the raw digital images
- The second one with the larger images was digitally self enhanced
- I would professionally print any pictures they wanted for XXX cost (considering mailing costs, printing costs at a local printing shop, labor for digital enhancement, and healthy profit margin)
- For any order I would give them a CD with ALL of the photos in digital form for them to use any way they wanted
- Add my contact information
- And finally my availability to book shootings with them in the future
Now I could personalize this form letter and send it with the proof sheets to the band, and when I would call them about a 8 days after I made the mailing to ask them if they recieved the proof sheets and which ones they liked (and I liked)- and I simply asked for an order.
It was amazing how well this worked, and I expanded the idea.
I would go to fund-raising events, marathons, special events hosted by radio station personalities... always getting the contact information for reaching whoever is in charge of promotions and following the same system!
As you go along, you realize some other benefits to you new "business"- like free admissions (and no club cover charges), press passes, exciting opportunities to meet interesting people and celebrities, discount drinks, and much more! It's amazing what people will GIVE you, if you just ask!
Then there are the home-business tax deductions that are eye-opening in themselves!
As soon as you can, upgrade to more professional equipment so you can not only "play" the part, but also "look" the part. Print up business cards, and make up your own porfolio of your "best" digitally enhanced photos of all kinds of subjects and previous shootings.
Seriously, this could turn your love for digital photography into an exciting lifestyle and an income that could surpass your present one!
But then again, I know I have only just scratched the surface with professional digital photography, and I'm sure you now have just entered a "think-tank" that will spur many more ideas for you to make digital photography more than just a love. Make it a great life!
Richard Meredith is the Author of "The BLACK BOOK of Online Business" - An amazing FREE SOURCE ebook for the online business person!
http://www.straight-talkmarketing.com
Feel free to distribute or publish this article conditional only by including the by-line intact.
shuttle from Midway Glen Ellyn ..Ordinary photos of dull subjects do actually sell, but the... Read More
Photos are a great way to share your travel experiences... Read More
Outdoor photographers shoot year round. That includes the hot summer.... Read More
Imagine taking your new digital camera on a vacation and... Read More
Outlined below is a list of genres that call for... Read More
Good wildlife safari photography is not only about composition and... Read More
1. Myth: Digital photos are pixilated or fuzzy. Reality: most... Read More
Demystifying Digital Camera JargonWant to buy a digital camera but... Read More
Almost all of us will have seen this particular photographic... Read More
As you might imagine the paradigm shift from traditional film-based... Read More
So, you have taken lots of pictures with your new... Read More
If you think that digital cameras are for snapshots only,... Read More
It's hard to find sometimes but it's making a resurgence,... Read More
Do you like to take photos? Are you always standing... Read More
Wholesale disposable cameras are disposable cameras bought in quantity. Bulk... Read More
It was widely reported in the press (15 September 1997)... Read More
The business of stock photography has drastically changed over the... Read More
Underwater digital cameras are fun and easy to use under... Read More
A few years ago I became interested in digital photography,... Read More
Get a good face shot: Use Higher quality cameras at... Read More
You've read all the "best digital camera" articles, got the... Read More
Here's the challenge. You have to photograph small items for... Read More
Photography with the aid of a digital camera is beyond... Read More
When buying a digital camera there are many things you... Read More
Kids grow up so quickly and while we are often... Read More
shuttle from O'Hare North Chicago ..Wholesale disposable cameras are disposable cameras bought in quantity. Bulk... Read More
One of the oldest companies, Olympus has had a long... Read More
Why Pinhole Photography?It's fun. It's creative. It's educative about the... Read More
Do you like to take photos? Are you always standing... Read More
Ordinary photos of dull subjects do actually sell, but the... Read More
We all love our animals. They do such funny, adorable,... Read More
Purchasing a digital camera is a wise decision, particularly if... Read More
Having an efficient work flow is essential for photographers. In... Read More
Being a professional digital photographer is a dream many people... Read More
Imagine taking your new digital camera on a vacation and... Read More
Strike one! Strike two! Strike three!Baseball! America's Pastime, and a... Read More
Being such a fascinating device as the digital camera, this... Read More
Portrait is defined as, "A likeness of a person, especially... Read More
If you have hopes of becoming a professional photographer, or... Read More
As you might imagine the paradigm shift from traditional film-based... Read More
One technology that hasn't kept up with the rapid pace... Read More
In the age of home phones and 8x10's we all... Read More
Photos are a great way to share your travel experiences... Read More
You are anxious to purchase your new digital camera! You... Read More
Digital SLR Camera or Digital single-lens reflex (SLR) camera is... Read More
There are a few very important tasks associated with using... Read More
The path to picking a digital camera usually leads to... Read More
Too many people have the idea that being paid to... Read More
Sony was the first company to introduce digital cameras into... Read More
One of the major problems of the larger cities of... Read More
Photography |