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David asks…
What would be the best photography business for me?
I just graduated in Fine Arts – Studio Photography – I did plan on obtaining a masters in art administration; however, I had a baby in my last semester and that plan vanished. I figure my only option with a new baby and three other children is to start my own business. The problem is since I studied as a Fine Art student my knowledge in digital is very limited. I always had a point and shoot digital and I received a SLR digital a few months ago. My knowledge is growing everyday but I also need to learn color because I’m use to black and white film.
My current (very simple) plan is the following:
(Background knowledge: I do live in a enriched art community – I do not have a lot of money – current equipment- film and digital SLR, clip lamps, white and black cloth backgrounds and no studio just a area in my house)
The plan. Starting out I want to sell my work on the internet and outdoor art markets. In addition,start to take outdoor photos of children, single adults and couples. I do not have expertise with weddings so I’m nerves about that.
Question – Do anyone have any advice for me? How to get started on a small budget? If the plan is going in a good direction? If I should look into another direction? Equipment I need to buy the is not expensive? Advice on marketing is needed. Feel free to give additional advice.
Thank you!
Tom answers:
From my experience, it’s possible but it’s going to be hard and grueling. Photography is a job with hard competition, you have to be extremely good or extremely original. I’m not saying you can’t do it, just keep that in mind. The best thing I can say is to get involved with social networking sites(ie. Myspace, facebook, DeviantART, redbubble modelmayhem etc.) and promote yourself through there. It won’t cost you anything either. You can also sell your photos through deviantart and redbubble but its hard.(I’ve only sold 1 print through deviantart). Modelmayhem is the best way to go if you need models to start off with. They will work for free a lot of the time.
You can also make cheap fliers if you have an understanding of photoshop, print them out at staples or something, not too expensive. Post them around town. (not sure if that’s illegal or not where you live though haha, it is here)
As for equipment I’m not so great on that… I’d say start off with some cheap studio equipment, a softbox or photography umbrella. The backgrounds will be good. You can also depend on the natural areas around where you live for photography, (that’s what I do and it works pretty nicely).
You already have a good camera though so that should be all that’s really necessary until you build up a portfolio. Just be resourceful and use everything around you. 
I hope that helps. I’m not an expert on studio photography, I mostly work with bands and models in the alternative scene(music, underground, metal scene) so I mostly do conceptual/themed shoots and I take pictures at concerts for bands as well as promo shoots. I’m also a photoshopper.
Heres a couple of my pictures if you care to take a look hah: http://i222.photobucket.com/albums/dd10/your_maja/efde2a5ef5af65482763a18ba38d19ca.jpg
and
I hope that helps you out! My style is probably way different than yours though so you may have to take different paths to get to your destination of your self owned business. Good luck though!
Helen asks…
PLEASE help me by answering these questions?
I’m doing a little market research for my up and coming small business.
would you rather shop for baby goods on the internet or high street and why?
What features would a web site have to have to encourage you to buy baby & childrens products from it?
What features would you like a baby & childrens goods web site to offer, eg discount card for returning customers, a cataloge as well as the web site ect?
Tom answers:
- High street because I’d get the full information of the baby products. I’ll know that they are usable and efficient.
- Good full information on the product, and low prices.
- Catalouge, definitely, and coupons for first-time customers, and yes a membership card for discounts.
Best of luck!
Charles asks…
How much should I charge?
I do under the table work consulting a small spa business. I do up ads, flyers, brochures, give her marketing advice, and advertise on the internet. I never know what to charge her, and usually end up getting $20 per job. Is this adequate? She tells me to set a price, but I just don’t know what to charge. I don’t really have any overhead costs, or travel time to get there because I work in the same building as her Spa, and usually end up doing stuff for her there.
Any thoughts?
Thanks.
Tom answers:
Reason: how long does it take you to construct per item? If only an hour; then you are making $20 per hour. If you are taking longer, then I would calculate the extra.
Per job is cheap; should be per hour.
Nancy asks…
What avenue should I take for advertising?
I recently opened a dot.com business on the internet selling diet/nutritional products. The company I am a distributor for has told me they will send me a check to use on advertising and they are in the process right now of determining how large a check they will cut. There is a tremendously strong market in my area for this specific product and I’m already having success. I definetly want to run ads in a few of the small town papers outside of Nashville. The ads are cheap. Nashville, however, is another story. Ads can get quite costly. Should I target the general public and place my ad in the Nashville City paper or should I target parents, primarily women, by placing it in the Nashville Parent magazine? This would be an ad run IN ADDITION to the Nashville Tennessean city paper.
Tom answers:
Honestly i think with the overall decline in print advertising and readership both locally and nationwide, i think the funds you allocate toward the nashville city paper can be best used in another medium. If you have the tennessean, you are pretty much set, unlike the nashville city paper, they have the best distribution and readership BAR NONE. Instead of the nashville city paper, consider possibly using those funds by teaming up with local gyms or even one avenue is using Google AdWords. Google the term “adwords” and you can incorport your website if you have one as a preferred site that comes up. The best thing is that you won’t go broke because you can set limits and you only pay for clicks that people actually make. You control how much you want to spend. I swear i dont work for google. If you dont have a website i’d say thats where your money should absolutely go rather than the nashville city paper. I like the ncp especailly with its vandy coverage but tennessean should take care of your print exposure.
Jenny asks…
I would like to start a sofa manufacturing business what do i need?
I have zero knowledge on carpentry, upholstery and the likes. I just love good sofas, ottomans, footstools and would like to create different designs. Can someone please tell me what i need to get started. The costs involved as well. I am in Africa so i can get labour though i would like to appear as someone who knows what i am doing so i am not taken advantage of. Are there any books that i can get that can give an idea of how that kind of business runs and how to market and advertise the products as well. Is there a way that i can get a ready business plan from the internet and then alter it to my specifications? I need all the the information, does not matter how small, every contribution will count.
Tom answers:
A building, machinery, workers, $$$$$$$$$$$$$ working capital,
Lots of knowledge on what your making,Permit,s health care, trucks, fork lifts
advertisement, a place to sell it from a show room office workers
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