Getting Clients

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nononadanope

Senior Member
Okay first off, I'm not ready to start a photography business just yet. I still need to improve my skills. However there is one thing I've always wanted to ask and it's been bothering me for awhile so I figured I would just ask other photographers...

For those starting out, how do you find clients? I should mention that I want to mainly focus on automotive photography including automotive racing if possible. Another area I would like to do is architectural photography and also some still-life.

I would go national and not just be a local photographer. Thought I would mention that.

I know having a website is a must along with a good assortment of photographs but I also know that other users finding that site may be difficult if they don't know you.

I know that having a Facebook page and Twitter account is a good idea as well.

Would it be best to offer free photo shoots at first? To get more photographs for the portfolio. Maybe make an ad somewhere? Any tips or ideas would be helpful but as I mentioned, I'm not ready to start a business yet.
 
Browncoat

Browncoat

Senior Member
I'll take those point by point:

ajh86 said:
For those starting out, how do you find clients? I should mention that I want to mainly focus on automotive photography including automotive racing if possible.
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You already know the answer to this. Where are you going to find automotive clients? Wait for it. Wait for it....

Where there are automobile enthusiasts and racing.

Car shows, trade shows, county fairs, customizing/detail shops, parades, etc. You show me any guy (or gal) who takes pride in their wheels and I'll show you a potential customer who would love to have a huge ass photo of their ride hanging in their garage or man cave. These people are some of the easiest targets for photography because of the vanity factor. Show some interest in their car, tell them you'd love to shoot it sometime, flip them a business card. Easy peasy.

The racing photography scene can be very competitive. Odds are, the local track already has an entrenched 'tog. You may have to grease the wheels with the track owner to get a spot. This is also very lucrative. I know a guy who does this for a living, and he's successful enough that he is also able to sponsor a race team. ALL of these drivers/owners/pit crews/fans want photos of their races. There are all kinds of amateur circuits that you can get into. You can also set up a printer on-site and sell 5x7's for $5 all day long.

I've done racing (motocross) and it's fun, but it's also grueling. The heat can get downright unbearable because it's always at least 10-20 degrees hotter down by the track. Frankly, all the sunburns and heat exhaustion just wasn't worth it for me.

ajh86 said:
Another area I would like to do is architectural photography and also some still-life.
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Still life isn't going to make you any money. You might sell a few prints here and there, but there's just no money in it.

Architectural photography on the other hand, is a whole other beast. Shooting for the local real estate agents can net you some coin, but going big time in this genre is highly unlikely. There is an art and science to this and a lot of experience is needed to really nail it down.

ajh86 said:
I would go national and not just be a local photographer. Thought I would mention that.
Click to expand...

Good! You have to have that mentality.

ajh86 said:
I know having a website is a must along with a good assortment of photographs but I also know that other users finding that site may be difficult if they don't know you.
Click to expand...
100% of potential customers are unable to find you with no website. Food for thought.

Get a website. Build a portfolio. Worry about the rest later.

ajh86 said:
I know that having a Facebook page and Twitter account is a good idea as well.
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Good idea, yes. Necessity, no. Not at this stage of the game.

Get a website. Build a portfolio. Worry about the rest later.

ajh86 said:
Would it be best to offer free photo shoots at first? To get more photographs for the portfolio. Maybe make an ad somewhere? Any tips or ideas would be helpful but as I mentioned, I'm not ready to start a business yet.
Click to expand...
If you're shooting for free, you're not in business. If you're not in business, you don't need an ad.

Get a website. Build a portfolio. Worry about the rest later.
 
N

nononadanope

Senior Member
Browncoat said:
I'll take those point by point:


You already know the answer to this. Where are you going to find automotive clients? Wait for it. Wait for it....

Where there are automobile enthusiasts and racing.

Car shows, trade shows, county fairs, customizing/detail shops, parades, etc. You show me any guy (or gal) who takes pride in their wheels and I'll show you a potential customer who would love to have a huge ass photo of their ride hanging in their garage or man cave. These people are some of the easiest targets for photography because of the vanity factor. Show some interest in their car, tell them you'd love to shoot it sometime, flip them a business card. Easy peasy.

The racing photography scene can be very competitive. Odds are, the local track already has an entrenched 'tog. You may have to grease the wheels with the track owner to get a spot. This is also very lucrative. I know a guy who does this for a living, and he's successful enough that he is also able to sponsor a race team. ALL of these drivers/owners/pit crews/fans want photos of their races. There are all kinds of amateur circuits that you can get into. You can also set up a printer on-site and sell 5x7's for $5 all day long.

I've done racing (motocross) and it's fun, but it's also grueling. The heat can get downright unbearable because it's always at least 10-20 degrees hotter down by the track. Frankly, all the sunburns and heat exhaustion just wasn't worth it for me.


Still life isn't going to make you any money. You might sell a few prints here and there, but there's just no money in it.

Architectural photography on the other hand, is a whole other beast. Shooting for the local real estate agents can net you some coin, but going big time in this genre is highly unlikely. There is an art and science to this and a lot of experience is needed to really nail it down.



Good! You have to have that mentality.


100% of potential customers are unable to find you with no website. Food for thought.

Get a website. Build a portfolio. Worry about the rest later.


Good idea, yes. Necessity, no. Not at this stage of the game.

Get a website. Build a portfolio. Worry about the rest later.


If you're shooting for free, you're not in business. If you're not in business, you don't need an ad.

Get a website. Build a portfolio. Worry about the rest later.
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Thanks for the tips and points! You're absolutely correct when you say, "Get a website. Build a portfolio. Worry about the rest later."

I do plan on going to car shows this summer. I'll go the car show, trade shows, parades, etc before going to a track and speaking of tracks, I'm well aware of the heat being hotter there as I participate in track day events every now and then.

As far as Architectural, I wasn't aware how difficult that niche was to get into.

But I will improve my photography, get photos taken, and go from there.
 
P

pedroj

Senior Member
Here's a couple of images that I used to do,I charged $100 for an 8x12 photo in a 16x20 frame and a couple of 6x9s

The frames cost $12 and the prints were less then $5...Did the same type of thing with MotoX...Not a lot of work

averil.jpg

Alison.jpg
 
S

STM

Senior Member
First off, you might try sitting down with your nearest Small Business Administration office.They are more than happy to talk with you and I am pretty sure there is no charge. They can give you all kinds of hints on how to promote yourself

Also, pick your best auto racing (or whatever) image and get business cards made. Image on one side and your name and contact info on the back. VistaPrint does a great job and they are very reasonable.I use them for my business cards. Start handing out cards to EVERYONE who might be interested in your services. Honestly, you really cannot over promote yourself if you put out a quality product.
 
N

nononadanope

Senior Member
@STM Thanks for the idea about going to an SBA office. That may come in quite handy. Also, thanks for the tips on business cards. You're right when you say, "Honestly, you really cannot over promote yourself if you put out a quality product." You can promote/market yourself but if you don't have quality work then why would anyone want to have your business.
@carguy When the time comes, I will definitely network with other photographers in the area.
 
C

carguy

Senior Member
ajh86 said:
@STM Thanks for the idea about going to an SBA office. That may come in quite handy. Also, thanks for the tips on business cards. You're right when you say, "Honestly, you really cannot over promote yourself if you put out a quality product." You can promote/market yourself but if you don't have quality work then why would anyone want to have your business.
@carguy When the time comes, I will definitely network with other photographers in the area.
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Do not limit yourself with networking with other photograhers. Network with other professionals from all walks. This is the most powerful tool you have :)
 
R

RocketCowboy

Senior Member
carguy said:
Do not limit yourself with networking with other photograhers. Network with other professionals from all walks. This is the most powerful tool you have :)
Click to expand...

Exactly right! See if you can find a local networking group who needs a photographer. A lot of the groups here will have a mix of different professionals; lawyers, accountants, real estate, web design, etc ... and they all send each other business. Having "ears" outside of your usual circles is a good thing.
 
J

John P

Senior Member
Car guy is right. Network with other professionals. They will refer you to their friends and associates.

Last year I went to a carshow almost every weekend. I handed out buisness cards to every car owner. I sent a couple of pics. To the owners of the cars that I really liked. That got me some paid work over the winter shooting those cars with controled lighting and non cluttered backgrounds. This summer I have been asked to be the photographer for 3 car shows. I will be able to have a place for the cars to pull up to, and have a non cluttered background at the show.
Networking is key. Also talk to the carshow organizer.
 
N

nononadanope

Senior Member
Ah okay, thanks for that clarification. I thought you were just talking about networking with other photographers. Basically if someone likes your work, they'll tel someone else, then if that person likes your work, they'll tell someone else, and so on...
 
Browncoat

Browncoat

Senior Member
Networking with other photographers can be hit or miss, in my experience. The mentality SHOULD be:

If you meet another X photographer (auto, portrait, commercial, etc) who is successful, that means that YOU can be successful. It means there is a demand for this kind of business. It means that if you work your ass off, you can do it. Some pros embrace this mentality. Unfortunately, others don't. They view you as a threat and/or competition.

Networking has to be mutually beneficial for both parties. If X photographer doesn't shoot automotive, you want that guy to refer those people to you. Conversely, if you have someone ask you to shoot a wedding, you would refer that client elsewhere. You have to bring something to the table, or your peers won't want to network with you.
 
E

Eyelight

Senior Member
All good info. A couple extra thoughts:

The SBA idea is huge, in that they will help you line out the business details like Income Statement, Balance Sheet and Cash Flow Statement. These 3 statements are snapshots of business health.

If you are certain of your intent, there is no reason not to start tracking your expenses and income using QuickBooks or similar software. Should consult an accountant on this, but you don't have to make money in order to count expenses (income tax) as you get things going and getting this lined out now will make for a smoother step into self-employment and tell you if your business methods are viable.

The best advertising is your work hanging on someones highly visible wall or in this day, on someone's highly visible Home Page.
 
N

nononadanope

Senior Member
@Browncoat - That makes perfect sense. In a way, it's like saying that photographers should be looking out for one another. As far as finding another photographer who does the same niche(s) as you; I think that is a great idea but as you said, some may find it a threat or competition. The ones I've talked to so far, have been helpful and haven't told me to F-off...yet.
@Eyelight - When the time comes, I will definitely talk to someone at the SBA and consulting with an accountant would be right up there as well.

Now, I know if you do a model shoot that you need the models to sign a model release. Would I need the owner of the car to sign a property release being that it's his/her property?

I just want to say Thanks to all those who gave advise and opinions. I know that it seems like I'm thinking a little bit far ahead by asking the question but I've been trying to figure this out for awhile and I'm glad that people chimed in. The photography books that I have, don't talk about getting clients. They just talk more about running a business and choosing a niche. Figured it was best to ask others who are in the field.

Hopefully this post made some sense (allergies are making it hard to think/concentrate due to head stuffiness)
 
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Browncoat

Browncoat

Senior Member
Generally speaking you don't need a property release unless:
  • The property will be used for a commercial shoot (IE: for profit)
  • The property will be used to earn any kind of profit (IE: mugs, t-shirts, prints for sale)

There's a bit of a grey area here also. In the US, you can shoot private property from public property without too much concern. For example, shooting someone's house from the street.

Use the forum's search feature when it comes to releases, we've discussed it here at length multiple times, and there's no cut and dry answer. It's all circumstantial. While it's not necessary to walk around with a wad of releases in your pocket, you should be prepared.

There's a really cool app for the iPhone (unfortunately no Android yet) called Release Me.
 
wud

wud

Senior Member
I was at your place just last year :) I made a homepage, a facebook page and then I photographed some friends/their family/their dogs, but did it like it was a real shoot - asked what they wanted, found a perfect spot for it, concentrated as much as I could and snapped away in 1-1,5 hours. And asked for their honest opinion afterwards (they were happy). Did 5-6 shootings like that, I think.

Then I offered a few shootings for a very cheap price, signed up and posted it on a few forums (like baby forums when I offered pregnant or kids shooting for a cheap price in July month) and after that, I slowly raised the prices as I felt more confident getting on a higher level - which I got okay fast, as I learned so much from every shooting.

I put my logo on all my images (everybody gets web sized files) which means people put it on Facebook and give me some free advertising. But it also mean, I sell less prints for some, I think, but I'd rather get the advertise.



This is from one of my very first shootings (where I didn't even have a logo yet ;)):

tara_5917_web.jpg
 
E

Eyelight

Senior Member
On releases, people or property, there are two considerations:

1) If in doubt, get one.

2) If in doubt, get one.

These two will cover every need you have and you will always have a release if you need it.
 
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