How To Make Photography Into Dollars For You

How To Make Photography Into Dollars For You

HOW TO TURN THE HOBBY OF PHOTOGRAPHY INTO

THOUSANDS OF EXTRA DOLLARS FOR YOU

FREELANCE PHOTOGRAPHY AND YOU

Do you enjoy taking photographs? Are you the kind of

person who brings the camera everywhere with you? Do you

never miss an opportunity to take a picture? How good are

your photographs?

If you possess some skill at camera work and love

doing it, then you have a marvelous opportunity in front of

you if you wish to take it. There are many people who have

taken an enjoyable hobby and turned it into a thriving

business. There are others who have simply made a lot of

extra cash doing something they would have been doing

anyway, pay or not. What about you? If photography is

your hobby, your passion, what about exploring the numerous

openings out there for good photographic work? People love

pictures and virtually any occasion for picture taking is

an opportunity for the photographer to earn some extra

money.

Cameras are so sophisticated today, you don't even

have to be an expert at picture taking, just able to read

and follow directions. If you have the motivation, this is

an area that has plenty of room for new blood.

Your advantage over professional photographers is

that you can charge a lot less and still produce some

quality pictures your client will love. At the same time,

you can save that individual a considerable amount of money

for a fabulous result. What could be better than that?

If you organize your time well, you can spend some

nights and especially weekends seeing a lengthy number of

clients. It would not be unusual to earn more in your

spare time with photography than you do in your regular

job. That could be the indication you are in the wrong

profession!

Whether it's weddings, portraits, models, greeting

cards, newspapers, aerial photography or some other form of

photography, the opportunities abound for the person

willing to give it a try.

Photography is here to stay. Even as people cut back

during tougher financial times, the desire for photos

reasonably priced is, and always will, be there. Yes,

there is competition, but if you expand your natural market

of family and friends, there are plenty of jobs to go

around.

You'll probably even find a certain type of

photography that you like best and gravitate towards that

almost exclusively. Who knows what could happen once you

launch your business?

Books are published annually in the thousands, many

of which have a demand for photographs, even if it's only

of the author on the back cover. There are specialty books

that are produced consisting almost exclusively of

photographs and designed for the coffee table.

How about local businesses? They may be doing a

sales Photography piece which requires a photograph. An

insurance plan that's intended to be used as a savings

vehicle for a child's college education likely needs a

photo of a child or a teen in a cap and gown for its cover.

These type of possibilities are limitless.

The more versatile your photography exhibits, the

better chance you have of making a good living. A lot of

photography is seasonal, thus your ability and willingness

to do all aspects of photography gives you year-round

possibilities. While you may have no weddings to shoot in

November and December, you could be filming portraits for

holiday gifts and cards.

The important thing for you is to set a goal and stay

with it. You might want to start out small and work your

way up to more and more types of photography and longer and

longer hours.

You don't need very expensive equipment to get

started. Some great shots can be achieved by a regular

camera you can purchase in a retail store. Add to that a

tripod and maybe a spotlight for certain shots and you're

in business.

A camera is one of the best ways to earn some extra

money for yourself or to transport you from active hobbyist

to legitimate businessperson. The key is your desire to

get the job done.

SHOULD YOU BE IN BUSINESS FOR YOURSELF?

This is a question you must ask yourself and give an

honest and accurate answer to before you can begin your

journey towards part-time work or complete self-employment.

There is a lot to building your own business and you need

to be committed to this action from the start to make a go

of it.

Beginning your business is as simple as establishing

an objective for your work. Is it to do occasional

portraits only? A few weddings on the side? Photography

contests now and then? Or is to do all three in increasing

numbers of hours per week?

Only you can answer this question. Your success

doesn't depend on whether you do this work part or full-

time. The success will come from identifying your end-goal

and working towards it, no matter what it is.

You must believe that you have the ability to

accomplish the end objective you've laid out. If you lack

this self- confidence, there is a better than even chance

you won't make your goal. Positive motivation is the stuff

of winners. Winners can create successful business ventures

on any scale they choose. If it's to earn a couple of

hundred dollars extra per week, great! Go for it! If it's

to earn six figures and working at it full-time and

expanding to a couple of studio locations, then aim for the

goal, think positively and set the wheels in motion. Map

out a game plan that includes daily, weekly and monthly

objectives. The smaller your ambition, the shorter the

list. But it doesn't matter. Strive to achieve the level

of success you know you want. That's the bottom line.

Establish your limits early. Are you willing to work

weekends? Are you able to travel? Do you want to

specialize? These are the types of questions you need to

ask and answer in order to develop a proper game plan.

Without this information, you will be operating without

really knowing where you're headed and what track you're

on.

Do you need any additional training? Do you know how

to photograph a wedding? Are you familiar with light

ranges? Should you take a couple of photography classes

from the local community schools or programs?

Make this assessment carefully, because you may not

yet be ready to proceed if you still feel that you need

some schooling. Build this into your initial game plan.

You may still be able to practice your photography on the

weekends, taking shots which you can submit to newspapers

(perhaps) and photography contests. Knowing what you need

is as important as knowing where you ultimately want to go.

There are a wide range of photography magazines that

you can review at the local library or subscribe to on a

regular basis. Education is as important as anything else

in running a business and you'll need to keep abreast of

the latest developments. Some of these magazines can give

you job ideas as well as important details on new camera

types and techniques. Here are a few of these magazines:

American Cinematographer

A.S.C. Holding Company

P.O. Box 2230

Hollywood, CA. 90078

American Photographer

1515 Broadway

New York, NY 10036

Collector's Photography

9021 Melrose Ave. #301

Los Angeles, CA. 90069

Darkroom Techniques

7800 Merrimac Avenue

Niles, IL 60648

Modern Photography

825 Seventh Avenue

New York, NY 10019

News Photographer

1446 Conneaut Avenue

Bowling Green, OH 43402

Outdoor Photography

16000 Ventura Blvd. #800

Encino, CA. 91436

Photo Lab Management

1312 Lincoln Blvd.

Santa Monica, CA 90401

Photo Marketing

3000 Picture Place

Jackson, MI. 49201

Photoletter

Photosource International

Pine Lake Farm

Osceola, WI 54020

Popular Photography

One Park Avenue

New York, NY 10016

Professional Photographer

1090 Executive Way

Des Plaines, IL 60018

PTN

445 Broadhollow Rd. #21

Melville, NY 11747

The Rangefinder

1312 Lincoln Blvd.

Santa Monica, CA 90406

Shooter's Rag

Havelin Communications

P.O. Box 8509

Asheville, NC 28814

Shutterbug

5211 S. Washington Ave.

Titusville, FL 32780

You have identified your market, set your objectives,

analyzed your educational needs, checked your equipment,

selected the areas of photography that you could start out

with and established daily, weekly and monthly objectives

for a specific time frame, like 6 or 12 months. It sounds

like you're ready to go!

WEDDINGS

A wedding is the most important day in the lives of

several people. For that reason, it is an occasion they

wish to remember forever. What better way than with

pictures to look back on this favored day?

Part of the wedding preparation is the selection of a

photographer. While all couples want to remember this day

in pictures, a number of families cannot afford the

services of a top-notch professional photographer. They

are willing to spend some money, however, which makes it a

good opportunity for the photographer willing to work a

wedding.

The first thing to establish is what the bride and

groom and their families want in the way of pictures. One

would assume they'll want before, during and after

pictures, all dressed out in a memorable album or two when

it's over.

You should know what your costs will be for the film

and albums you'll need to process the photos and complete

your task. You should then add to that an hourly rate

($50, $75, $100?) based on the estimated number of hours

you'll be working. This will help you arrive at your total

costs to charge the family.

They should know this number ahead of time and you

should prepare and sign a contract so that everyone is

aware of what you are charging and what they have to do.

Sample types of contracts should be in your local library

to review. Once you set up a standard contract for your

business, you can use it for most occasions.

Make sure you identify all of the various people who

will be at the wedding. The couple and their parents may

have specific people they want you to take numerous shots

of during the affair. Be sure you ask all the right

questions to find this information out. This album is

important to them and you want to be sure they are getting

what they want to the best of your ability.

Other contract features should include a disclaimer

for photographs that don't come out due to equipment

failure through no fault of your own. In addition, you

should keep the negatives and the contract should contain a

release allowing you to use those photographs in

advertising for other wedding business.

Get as many photographs taken before it all begins.

This way you avoid competing with other "photographers" who

are snapping pictures at the same time. Walk around the

church ahead of time and find out where you can stand and

where you can't to get the pictures you need during the

actual ceremony. Some churches restrict your photographing

area, so know this in advance and plan accordingly.

You should construct a standard list of pictures the

bride and groom would want you to take. This will make it

easier for them to select the pictures they want.

Here's a standard list, put together by various

wedding photographers:

PRE-CEREMONY:

- Bride with her mother

- Bride with her father

- Bride with both parents

- Groom with both parents

- Bride with her immediate family

- Bride with grandparents

- Groom with grandparents

- Bride with maid of honor

- Groom with best man

- Bride with flower girls, etc.

- Groom with ushers

JUST PRIOR TO CEREMONY

- Groom's mother entering church with usher

- Bride's mother entering church with usher

- Groom's father entering the church

- Bride with father, about to walk down the aisle

CEREMONY

- Bride's and groom's attendants as they walk down

aisle

- Bride with father walking down the aisle

- Bride with father approaching groom at altar

- Shots of wedding party at the altar

- Shots (if permitted) of bride and groom at altar

- Bride and groom kissing

- Bride and groom leaving altar

POST-CEREMONY

- Bride alone at altar

- Bride and groom at altar

- Bride and groom with bride's family

- Bride and groom with groom's family

- Bride and groom with minister, priest, rabbi, etc.

- Bride and groom with wedding party

- Bride and groom kissing - Bride's

attendants (all) alone

- Ushers alone

RECEPTION

- Entry of wedding party

- Different shots of guests (table to table)

- Different shots of guests not at tables

- Bride and groom dancing

- Parents of bride and groom dancing

- The wedding cake

- Bride and groom cutting the cake

- Bride feeding groom

- Groom feeding bride

- Best man's toast

- Bride and groom kissing

- Bride tossing the bouquet

- Groom removing bride's garter

- Groom tossing the garter

- The band

- The servers

- The "getaway" car, especially if decorated

- Bride and groom driving away in car

These are the essential choices that usually comprise

a wedding album. Couples and their families will modify

these standard pieces to suit their needs. In addition to

these standard shots, you should try and take as many

unusual pictures as you can, especially those that will add

some humor and/or sentiment to the day. Remember it is a

memorable occasion for the participants and your ability to

capture the moments as naturally as possible will get you

many recommendations and referrals.

You should collect a deposit before you begin work.

This should cover the cost of the supplies plus at least an

hour of your time. The balance can be collected when you

deliver the album(s). You might want to split the payments

up into two even amounts. If the total bill is $750,

collect $375 before you begin and the balance when you've

completed the album.

Speaking of weddings, don't forget wedding

anniversaries. Oftentimes, the couple will come back for

shots on their anniversary, especially the 5th, 10th, 15th,

20th and so forth.

The 25th and 50th anniversaries are often marked by

parties and celebration that may include your services.

Don't overlook the wedding anniversary market as it is a

natural extension of the wedding market for you.

Keep an eye out for anniversary announcements and

contact the couple to see of they'd like a professional

touch to the festivities. They probably will!

PORTRAITS

With so many young families today placing a renewed

emphasis on family gatherings, the art of portrait-taking

is as in vogue as ever. With virtually every household in

your area a potential portrait customer, this portion of

the photography business is too large to overlook.

Families keep portraits forever. Parents use them to

watch their kids grow up and then remember those days years

later. Not only is every household a prospect, but a well-

done first portrait can bring you repeat business from the

same family for years.

You don't need a studio to do portraits. You can

rearrange one of the rooms in your house and accomplish the

same thing for no overhead! Earlier, we suggested a tripod

and a floodlight or two. The only addition to those items

to set up a portrait studio at home would be some kind of

colored background material you can tape up on the walls.

Presto! A home studio!

This is not only a home studio, it can serve as a

traveling one, too! Bring your background material, your

lights and your camera and tripod and you can do your

portrait almost anywhere: a client's house, an office, a

school building. You have to be prepared to hide any

"alien" elements like other lights, tables, pictures,

whatever might distract from the centerpiece: the picture

of the family members/individual.

In portraits, it's important to have everyone doing

the right things. With several people, be sure they are

arranged properly so that no one is blocking anyone else.

Ask the kids to smile, not to make faces. You can take a

serious shot or two as well. You're in charge, although

you must do it in a manner that is pleasant, controlled,

but firm. After taking a few portraits, you will know what

works best, not only in photography, but how to make the

discreet suggestions to clients to better ensure a portrait

the people will be pleased with for years to come.

There are thousands of memories stored away in

pictures and that's a lot of responsibility on you to get

it right. But you can do it! Work with a child to make him

or her happy, even if you know (or it's obvious) they would

like to be somewhere else. Years later, these precocious

young clients will be pleased with the effort you made to

get the portrait right, as they pull down an old album.

If you're in the position of trying to build up a

portrait (or photography) business, you can try an idea

many photographers use to get started. They advertise a

free or low-cost $1.00 portrait special for a family

member. You sign up as many as you can take and then, as

they sit, snap a few different shots of the person. You

then do your free or low cost portrait framed (their choice

of photo) and then you offer the additional shots and sizes

that good pictures are likely to encourage. Not many

people can pass up wallet- sizes, for example, of a good

portrait. Your add-on sales should make up for the

giveaway, generate your own portfolio of portraits you've

done to show other potential clients and get your name

about town as a competent portrait photographer.

Children also have their pictures taken at school.

The school photos are often done by a portrait photographer

-- like yourself! Get down to each of the schools, put a

bid in to do the portraits and leave samples of your past

portrait work. Large towns have several schools as

prospects. In addition, drive out to schools that are off

the beaten track, but within a comfortable driving distance

from you. They may not have someone they use regularly and

your professional approach may attract a few offers to do

the school portraits.

It may come as a surprise, but portraits don't have

to be only of people. Families keep a lot of valuable

items and heirlooms in their homes. Unfortunately, crime

being what it is today, these luxury pieces are often the

target of thieves.

To assist with a potential insurance claim if any of

these precious items is stolen, a good picture with the

current date on it can be critical evidence in not only

identifying the object for the police but in appraising it

for the insurance company. Be sure you get a complete

shot, brand name (if appropriate) and any specific

identifying marks that can help recover the good.

In addition to material things, people often like

pictures of their pets. Humans' obsession with their pets

certainly extends to photography. If people will dress up

a pet or have a special burial plot as if the animal were a

family member, you can assume that a portrait is part of

the process of pet ownership, too. If you're particularly

fond of animals, then it makes sense to pursue this part of

the photography business for yourself.

Along with your normal advertising, you can leave

your card and a sample pet shot or two at pet stores,

grooming places, veterinary clinics, kennels, any place

where a pet owner is bound to turn up. People that have

show-dogs are good candidates for portraits as our breeders

looking to show off their pet, too.

Getting pets to sit for their portrait may require a

special touch. If you have a toy for the animal to play

with or some proper food, that can usually put the animal

into positions from which you can get a good portrait.

If you get some good shots, don't forget to get a

release here, too, from the owners as you can use those

shots in advertising or there are a number of pet magazines

that may be interested in paying you for the photo. Here

are a few:

American Farriers Journal

P.O. Box 624

Brookfield, WI. 53008

America's Equestrian

PO Box 249

Huntington Sta., NY 11746

Appaloosa Journal

P.O. Box 8403

Moscow, ID. 83843

Aquarium Fish Magazine

Box 6050

Mission Viejo, CA 92690

Cat Companion

Quarton Group Publishers

2155 Butterfield #200

Troy, MI. 48084

Cat Fancy

Fancy Publications

Box 6050

Mission Viejo, CA 92690

Cats Magazine

P.O. Box 290037

Port Orange, FL. 32129

Dog Fancy

Box 6050

Mission Viejo, CA 92690

The Greyhound Review

P.O. Box 543

Abilene, KS. 67410

Horse Illustrated

Box 6050

Mission Viejo, CA 92690

Horseplay

Box 130

Gaithersburg, MD. 20877

I Love Cats

Grass Roots Publishing

950 3rd Avenue, 16th FL.

New York, NY 10022

Lone Star Horse Report

P.O. Box 14767

Fort Worth, TX. 76117

Pets Magazine

790 Don Mills Road

Don Mills, Ontario

M3C 3S5 CANADA

Pure Bred Dogs

American Kennel Club

51 Madison Avenue

New York, N.Y. 10010

Reptile & Amphibian

RD3, Box 3709A

Pottsville, PA 17901

Tropical Fish Hobbyist

TFH Publications, Inc.

211 W. Sylvania Avenue

Neptune City, NJ 07753

The Western Horseman

Western Horseman, Inc.

PO Box 7980

Colorado Springs, CO 80933

As with all publications, you should contact them

first with a letter and self-addressed, stamped envelope

requesting writer's/photo guidelines. This will get you

information about their submission procedures and what th

are likely to be currently interested in receiving. You

should also check the library or bookstore (or request a

back issue from the publisher) to see what kind of

photography is typical in that particular magazine.

Understanding the style of the particular publication can

increase your chances of having your photographs accepted

for publication and earn you a decent royalty!

For more listings of potential magazines, check "Th

Writer's Market 1995" or "The Literary Marketpl down at

your local library.

You may reach a point in your portrait photography

career where it makes sense to open your own studio. Many

photographers have progressed beyond their own home studi

to a building in which they can set up a specific portrai

studio.

You would have a foyer with the walls decorated with

previous portraits and maybe one or two rooms used for

portrait photography, complete with a number of varying

backgrounds. You should locate in an area that is

convenient for your customers to come to. Moreover, you

should always maintain your ability to bring your portrai

"show" on the road with you. Flexibility is oft

to success in any business. Photography is no exception.

CARDS

The holidays are great occasions for pictures, not

only portraits but for cards that are mailed out by the

millions. Whether it's Christmas, Mother's Day, Valentine

Day or another holiday, photos and photo-cards are very

much in the mix of holiday mail.

You must be well organized to be sure your card

assignments are completed on time. Pictures must be taken

developed and converted into "cards" (a photo

with this) well before the holiday to leave the client

plenty of discretionary time to mail them out.

Here is an approximate time table in which to prepare

your "card" business:

Holiday Month Pictures Should Be Taken By

Christmas August

Easter November

Mother's Day January

Father's Day February

Valentine's Day October

Birthdays/Anniversaries 4 months prior

In addition to the cards, you should encourage

portraits or other pictures as a holiday gift. There are

many memorable moments when a picture arrives of a

grandchild, a nephew, a niece, a cousin. You can earn

substantially more by processing picture and portrait

orders in addition to the card work.

The other card opportunity is with new babies. Most

of the time, the new parents like to notify their relativ

and friends of the new addition to their family. What

better way then with a birth announcement card, complete

with picture?

This is all part of working with and staying with

families over the years. There are so many special pictur

moments in the lives of people that a good photographer

almost be like a member of the family, having participate

in all of the special memories that dot the landscape for

all of us. Don't ever underestimate this! Remember your

clients on their special days. Sending out cards is

entirely appropriate to commemorate the holidays or a

birthday or anniversary. If you took the wedding photos,

you will know when an anniversary is coming. If you took

birthday picture, you will have that date. Get as much

information about your clients that you can. Not only wil

they appreciate the remembrance, the opportunity to keep

your name in front of them will work to your advantage th

next time an important picture moment arrives.

So, cards have two meanings here. First, you can

build a nice business creating holiday picture cards.

Second, a card and a note to honor special occasions in t

lives of clients can remind them that you truly care abou

them. Both are important!

NEWSPAPERS

Think about it. You buy the newspaper regularly,

don't you? As a photographer, the photos in the paper are

probably of special interest to you. While others linger

over the headline or perhaps even the story, you are

studying the picture to look for technique or maybe how y

would have taken the shot.

Small towns have publications that go beyond the

scope of normal news reporting, preferring to concentrate

instead on the events that affect the local community. It

might be a Friday night or Saturday afternoon football

game, a charity ball, a church bazaar, a historical

commemoration event, these are all local news stories tha

weekly publications will have an interest in covering.

This means pictures! Smaller publications, especially of

the free variety, are not likely to retain a full-time

photographer, so freelance work is relatively easy to com

by. Good pictures often sell these publications,

especially with locals who like seeing their faces in the

local tabloid. Keeping track of school events, whether

it's sports activities, talent shows, plays, dances,

contests and, of course, graduations can keep you busy fr

week to week. There are also important community meetings

which are held such as council or school board events.

Someone will be there with a pen to record the proceeding

but a photograph to accompany the story is always welcome

Many writers would prefer to write and leave the picture

taking to someone who is professional and reliable rather

than have to worry about both story and pictures.

Many editors of small publications don't necessarily

have the time to get to every event to shoot the necessar

Photography film, either. They are usually a one-person

band and need any and all help they can. They probably

have a small budget for pictures and once you develop a

reputation for being there with your camera and getting

good shots, you'll have regular work.

Start by taking a few shots of events and bringing

them in to the editor. An editor will want to see example

of the types of pictures the paper is most likely to want

hence the importance of attending events and snapping

shots. The editor may well be interested in what you've

already taken and you can discuss fees at that point. You

may want to even give a couple of the shots away in

exchange for ongoing work. If you live in a small town, y

will be familiar about where to get information about

events of interest to the paper. The editor may give you

assignments, but you can often come up with your own idea

Visiting the local businesses regularly can get you both

the town gossip and news about potential photo

opportunities. You may even find potential advertisers

for the paper!

Awards ceremonies, neighbors' hobbies, church youth

programs, library-sponsored readings, almost anything you

can think of has the possibility of being a photo-worthy

event. All you need is your camera. Low overhead. Great

potential. What could be better than that?

SPECIALTY PHOTOGRAPHY

Have enough ideas yet? No? You'd like a few more?

There are many other specialty opportunities for ambitiou

photographers.

ATTORNEYS: There is a series of detective novels out that

features the adventures of a private detective who can't

pay his bills, so he moonlights for a liability attorney.

His job: to photograph accident victims and locales to

return to the barrister to see if there is sufficient

evidence for a lawsuit.

These novels may be fiction, but most writing is

grounded in reality. Certainly that is the case here. How

many trials revolved around photographs of evidence or

victims?

Attorneys need this kind of photography. In many

cases, it isn't for the weak stomach. There are car

crashes, fires and other difficult situations into which

you'll be thrust. You have to want to do this type of wor

If you do, there's plenty of it out there for you.

Start by contacting attorneys in town and send them a

resume and samples of your work. While they're not lookin

for great art with these photos, they want reliable

pictures Photography and photographers who will know what

angles to shoot and who can make snap judgments at a scen

Scheduling flexibility will be important here. If

you hold down a regular job and are running your

photography- based business part-time, this may not be a

practical area of specialty. Lawyers can't necessarily

predict when these photos will be needed any more than yo

can forecast the weekend horse races. An accident will

occur and you'll be needed. Expect late night calls and

the need to drop what you're doing (within reason) and ru

to a scene.

Since this information, may well be used as evidence,

you will need to be accurate in your written description

the photograph as well as precise in noting exact time an

date for the record. Sign the back of your photos so that

you can easily identify them if called on to testify in a

court of law. It also prevents other pictures from being

slipped in and misidentified by you as you'll only swear

the authenticity of the photos you signed.

You'll probably be paid (as the detective in the

novels was) on a per scene basis plus mileage expenses.

You might also work out an hourly rate instead as it coul

be time consuming work in some cases.

Either way, there is a substantial amount of legal

photography business. It's another area to explore.

COMMERCIAL: If you've set up a portrait studio in your

home or otherwise, you can likely find work in shooting

products for businesses to use in advertising and sales

brochures. Almost any type of written work published by a

company has some type of artwork to it, at least on the

cover. Often, this artwork takes the form of a photograph

Unlike people and animals, products will sit still.

No need to get the product to smile. Consider it a "

life" shot and arrange the product or subject to pho

in the most appealing manner.

The shots could be for a catalogue, or a brochure, a

manual, a trade show layout, inventory, I.D. pictures.

There are endless possibilities with businesses.

You probably know the larger sized businesses in the

area. Call on them first, armed with your portfolio. They

are usually utilizers of commercial photography. While

they may have a photographer as an employee, there could

well be too much work for one person to handle. It's not

enough extra work to justify hiring a second employee, bu

sufficient to hire a freelancer - you!

Your local Chamber of Commerce can give you a listing

of area companies ranked by size. Work your way down that

list. The need for pictures are there and it's merely a

question of who's going to shoot it.

CHURCHES: Just as school graduations are an excellent

time for photos, so, too are "graduations" in c

Confirmations, bar mitzvahs (in the Jewish faith) are all

important life events for the participants.

If you belong to a church or synagogue, let the

minister, priest or rabbi know that you are available to

photographing. In addition to the "graduations"

youth activities, prayer meetings, bake sales and other

special events that these religious institutions hold tha

are meaningful to them to be remembered in pictures.

These institutions also honor their own memories in

anniversary celebrations. Picture books are often sold as

a means of fund-raising. There is a substantial amount of

photography involved with a commemorative edition type of

project.

As you photograph these events for the church, try

and think about how you might use the photos otherwise.

Remember, local newspaper publications may publicize a

church or synagogue event. This means you can be hired by

both the institution and the newspaper to get the same

photo. Twice the pay for a single work!

You'd be surprised at the number of photographers and

writers who "double up" on their work; in other

paid twice for the same job. It's called using your time

and talent well. There's nothing wrong with this unless

one of the entities has an objection. But, usually with a

public event, this is not the case.

AERIAL: A real specialized area is the taking of aerial

photographs. If you're not someone who likes hanging out

of a plane or helicopter, this isn't the right idea for

you. For those that don't mind the high-wire stunt-like

activity of aerial photography, it can be a well-paid are

of endeavor.

Who needs aerial photographs? Cities and towns, for

one, for land development planning. Engineers, for the

same reason. Real estate agents, to advertise a property.

Newspapers, on occasion, for a story.

If the pilot is unfamiliar with the landscape, you

should have the client accompany you to identify the

correct object for photograph. It's not easy to pick out

your subject from the air. It's definitely not the same a

looking at it from the ground.

You'll probably hover some 800-1200 feet above the

ground and you'll be moving. Practicing this type of

photography first can ensure the desired results. It's no

easy, but if you work at it, you'll make a good living at

it as the pay scales are high.

You may have to pay your pilot and a rental fee for

the vehicle, but you build that into your rates. If you

build a rapport with a particular pilot, all the better.

There is a lot of trust and instinct in this specialty

photography area, so it helps to be working with a famili

face.

The picture postcard business can be a source for

these aerial photographs. Even if you are on another

assignment, there's no reason not to shoot all the film y

have up there. If you get a couple of good shots out of

it, you can get paid twice again: once for the assignment

and secondly if you sell a second shot to a postcard

company or magazine or newspaper. Try to maximize your

time in the air. If you have several assignments, try and

do them all on one trip. That way you only pay the pilot

and rental fee once for several paying jobs. Arrange your

schedule accordingly and work out the flight plans in

advance with the pilot.

Aerial photography can be a financially rewarding and

exciting business -- especially if you like to fly!

There are probably other specialty areas you can work

in, but these are the most common. Almost anything you ca

think of has a need at some time or another for a picture

The possibilities are both endless and lucrative.

MODELS

Fashions may go in and out of style, but fashion

photography never will. The demand is always there for a

fashion photographer, whether it's a catalogue advertisin

clothes or a magazine doing a layout.

Modeling the latest fashions to simply posing near a

featured landmark all present photographic opportunities.

Once you contact local department stores and catalogue

publishers (there are thousands), you should have a lengt

list of prospects.

Since a multiple of shots are requested, the time

spent and the money earned can be sizable. Moreover, you

will meet models who may have portfolio needs of their ow

You may even have a modeling studio in your town. Visit

it! Chances are there are subjects needing photographs

there right now!

If you do a good job on a model's portfolio, he or

she will obtain work and chances increase they'll meet

other models to whom they can refer you for business.

Modeling is a whole network of its own and you can work

full-time in this phase of photography and make an

excellent living.

If you've done portraits, you will have some

experience in posing models. It's somewhat different with

models, but if you keep them moving and keep the camera

snapping, you are very likely to get the photographs you

and the subject both want.

COPYRIGHTING YOUR WORK

When you take a picture, you own the rights to it

unless you have made other arrangements via a contract.

Since you own it, no one else is authorized to use the

photo without your approval. You are also entitled to a

royalty on subsequent usage, unless you waive that right.

A copyright signifies an original work. You own what

you create, namely your photographs. You took them,

they're yours to own, distribute and sell. To receive the

full rights of copyright protection, you will need to fil

the work with the Copyright Office at the Library of

Congress in Washington, D.C.

The copyright protection lasts for the originator's

lifetime. A work is considered protected from the moment

of creation.

The process begins by obtaining an application from

the Copyrights Office (phone number is 202-707-3000). You

then complete the application and make a $20.00 check out

to the Register of Copyrights. Send that back to the

Copyrights Office.

You will then receive notification of copyright

approval. From that point, you will have three months to

supply two copies of the registered work, one for

registration and the other for the Library of Congress.

The major forms are:

TX: covers non-dramatic literary works such as

fiction, nonfiction, textbooks, reference works,

directories, catalogues, advertising copy and computer

programs.

PA: material to be performed, including music and

lyrics, choreography, motion pictures and audio-visuals

VA: visual arts including "pictorial, graphic or

sculptural works, graphic arts, photographs, prints and a

reproductions, maps, globes, charts, technical drawings,

diagrams and models

SR: sound recordings

Formal copyright protection is a good idea for you as

you create more and more works and get paid for it. It is

the only way to ensure full protection under the law.

There are many opportunities for misuse of other works an

this happens. For further reference, check:

Copyrights, Patents & Trademarks

Liberty Press, McGraw Hill

1-800-262-4729

ESTABLISHING YOUR BUSINESS

Are you convinced that there's enough here for you to

make a part or full-time living as a photographer? There

are certainly scores of chances to take photographs and g

paid for it. With this much variety, you're bound to have

an interest in one or more of the various areas of

specialty.

How do you get going?

As mentioned earlier, overhead can initially be quite

low for you. Other than film, a camera, a tripod and a

floodlight or two, and perhaps some material to use as a

background, you're in business. The camera itself can be

regular everyday camera as people would buy in a store.

The models are so good and do so much without your

intricate involvement, you can easily get by with a store

bought camera for starters.

You have equipment. Now you need clients. We've

made several suggestions already, but it comes down

primarily to networking. You have to let people know what

you do and concentrate on getting the word around to as

many individuals as possible.

Networking is often a reciprocal arrangement. You

leave your business cards at a modeling studio and you

refer models to the studio. You take "food" pic

restaurant and you patronize it. That's the simplicity of

it. You build up a group of customers and they do the sam

through people like yourself. Many towns have "Refer

Clubs" for this express purpose. It works well for a

concerned.

Networking is an ongoing job. You are always on the

lookout for new clients. Rare is the individual freelance

that isn't taking on a new client or two whenever possibl

New work is critical to success and can be financially

rewarding when coupled with your repeat business. New

clients are future repeaters, as some of the earlier

clients inevitably drop off for various reasons.

Sending cards to your clients, an earlier idea, is a

form of networking. Anything done in the quest for new

clients can be considered networking.

You can encourage existing clients to bring you new

ones by offering a discount on their next service or

additional copies of photographs you've already taken. Ne

people are the lifeblood of any business and rewarding yo

clients with freebies or discounts is well worth the cost

since it will be more than made up by the new work. It

also encourages continual referrals due to ongoing

discounts you may offer. Keep those clients coming!

You can work part-time of full-time under your own

name for the business, or you can create a "company

for yourself such as "Picture Perfect". If you

to name your business, you will need to acquire a busines

license (usually a simple process). Once you have the

license, establish a new bank account in that name and

"Picture Perfect" is ready to operate.

If you use your home as your studio/darkroom, you'll

need to check with your local city and/or county council

be sure you aren't violating any zoning ordinances by

running a business out of the house. Don't ignore the

codes, especially as you'll be having

house.

If your city/county prohibits your home-based

business, you can either open up yo

commercially zoned site or you can do photography which is

done away from home like aerial, weddings, etc.

If you do run a home-based business, be

acquire liability insurance for the home in the event a

customer has an incident there. Make sur

is safe and free of any objects which a client

stumble over or otherwise come in conta

injury.

You can advertise your business in a number of ways

from leaving business cards at area stores to taking out a

full page advertisement in a local paper. You may be able

to "trade-out" advertising spa

have to spend any money other than on film and develop

which you would have done anyway. This gets your name out

at the lowest possible price.

K

accountant, meet with that professional to set up the

record keeping for your business. You will need to

accurately record all of your expenses as many of them wil

be deductible. This will offset your tax liability on the

earnings you receive for your photography.

Set up separate statements per client. Write down

all especially if you are on an hourly rate. This is the be

and most accurate way to keep track of your time since

depending on your memory recall can be unreliable.

Y

What was once an interesting hobby can be the way you

your living. What could be better than that?