Making money with digital photography and live events
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!
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 someof 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!
ABOUT THE AUTHOR
Contact Richard Meredith at:
richard@straight-talkmarketing.com
He 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
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Eric was finally able to buy a digital camera. Though the price of this was very affordable, the delay was caused by other priorities, which also needed to be dealt with.
The reason why Eric decided to get a digital camera was to see if it was possible to shoot the same images as those seen in the magazines or in the newspaper. This may just be a hobby and not full time but this person wanted to learn and be just as good as the experts.
The first thing that Eric did is being familiar with all of the functions of the digital camera. The individual can make the adjustments or let the machine do it in order to get a clear shot.
There are no limits to the number of practice shots that need to be taken. This is because a digital camera has a huge memory, which can hold up to 300 pictures in one session. When the individual is ready to take real shots, the old ones can be deleted.
Another technique to be just like the pros is to observe proper lighting when taking a shot. Some pictures will look better when a flash is used while others need to be adjusted to get a night shot. Digital cameras have this feature, which are not available in the old 35mm cameras made many years ago.
The individual should also know when to zoom in or out. There are two important factors such as the number of people and the type of background. The focus must be on the subject with the landmark or whatever is behind as the accent for the shot.
A lot of photographers both professional and amateur shoot with the model in the middle. Some have noticed better pictures when this is done with the subject on the side, which may work depending on the location.
The techniques in shooting just like the pros can be self-taught. There are also books and magazines available but it will be better if someone critiques the pictures by participating in a seminar or in a contest. The objective isn?t to win but to improve in the skills already learned by the individual.
The person can concentrate on taking great shots especially when there is no need to worry anymore about buying a roll of film or developing.
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