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Young photographer starting first business, one minute of your time for market research?

danny_goodwin

By danny_goodwin
in Casual Photo Conversations

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danny_goodwin

danny_goodwin

Posted
Posted

<p>Hi all,<br>

Its a pleasure to make my first post on the forum. I've been following alot of you guys for a few months now on the forum, I have to say I'm impressed with the talent, professionalism and eye for good photography forum members possess. I hope one day I will be able to reach the same standard.<br>

I'm a amateur photographer/photo-journalist, 18 years old from London UK. Currently studying business and enterprise activities at the Peter Jones National Enterprise Academy, I have a huge ambition for my photography to be seen all over the world, particularly seeking out real life sub cultures around the world and sharing their stories.<br>

I am setting up my first micro business, dealing in a variety of photography, mainly portraits. <br>

This is where you guys come in. If you can take a minute to answer a few simple questions for some of my primary research, it will be much appreciated. Every response is going into a anaymous database and my business will evolve around what you guys say, believe me, I think you guys are going to give me the most credable answers. Thanks! </p>

<p>How much would you be willing to pay to allow a amateur photographer, without a portfolio to do professional portraits for you or your friends and family?</p>

<ul>

<li>£0-£20</li>

<li>£20-£40</li>

<li>£40-£60</li>

<li>£60-£80</li>

<li>£80-£100</li>

<li>£100-£150</li>

<li>£150+</li>

<li>Depends on quality</li>

</ul>

<p>Would you be interested in allowing for the portraits to be finished and then paying what you think they are worth afterwards ( small deposit included)?</p>

<ul>

<li>Yes</li>

<li>No</li>

<li>Maybe</li>

</ul>

<p>Would you allow photography of yourself to be used afterwards on a public website and promotional leaflets to help with advertising?</p>

<ul>

<li>Yes</li>

<li>No</li>

<li>Maybe</li>

</ul>

<p>Would you be intersted in following my business on social networking sites such as Facebook, Twitter, E-blog?</p>

<ul>

<li>Yes</li>

<li>No</li>

<li>Maybe</li>

</ul>

<p>Do you believe you would be more inclined to pay for my photography if a share was given to a recognised charity?<br>

 

<ul>

<li>Yes</li>

<li>No</li>

<li>Depends on charity</li>

</ul>

<br>

If you are looking for a professional photographer for portraits, where would you look? (e.g yellow pages)</p>

<p>Lets say your getting married, where would you look for a wedding photographer? (anybody who is married, please share your insight on where you found your photographer?)</p>

<p>Lets say you are getting married soon. Aswell as hiring a professional photographer for your special day, would you be interested in taking on board an amateur like myself to do photography alongside the professional, absolutely free with the option to buy the work afterwards for what you believe they are worth? (all photography used for promotion)<br>

 

<ul>

<li>Yes</li>

<li>No</li>

<li>Maybe</li>

</ul>

<br>

(if no, why not?)<br>

If you own a business yourself, would you be interested in allowing a young photographer like myself to get involved with the photography for the same deal as the one above (pay what you believe its worth)?<br>

 

<ul>

<li>Yes</li>

<li>No</li>

<li>Maybe</li>

</ul>

<br>

(If no, why not?)</p>

<p>Thanks a million guys, if there are any professional portrait, wedding etc. photographers out there, please, please, please get in touch and give me some advice and share your experience with me. If I can get 10 or more replies from forum members, with the forums permission, I will share a link on my business website.<br>

Once again, Thanks.<br>

Danny</p>

<div>00V0cG-190641584.jpg.9cdb99a9c1bc5be3c27b111c7d4e85a8.jpg</div>

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lex_jenkins

lex_jenkins

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<p>You'll get better data by using on online survey tool such as Survey Monkey. Discussion forums don't lend themselves well to accurate surveys. However, the replies you receive here may help you to refine your survey technique.</p>

<p>For example, as Dave's reply indicates, a well designed survey will anticipate the need for optional or background information and allow the participants to offer that type of information without need to justify or explain to the person or organization collecting the data.</p>

<p>I'm moving this to the Casual Photo Conversations forum. This particular question would work better there.</p>

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lex_jenkins

lex_jenkins

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<p>I'm not a pro so some of my replies are moot, but...</p>

<p>How much would you be willing to pay to allow a amateur photographer, without a portfolio to do professional portraits for you or your friends and family?</p>

<ul>

<li>£0</li>

</ul>

<p>But put together a small portfolio of a few portraits and we'll talk payment. Even if it's just snapshots of your family or friends, you should always have something you can show in a portfolio.</p>

<p>Would you be interested in allowing for the portraits to be finished and then paying what you think they are worth afterwards ( small deposit included)?</p>

<ul>

<li>Maybe. But that's not a good business plan. Working on spec is a pain in the neck. But for barter, sure, why not, your services in exchange for their services or goods. I've done that myself. </li>

</ul>

<p>Would you allow photography of yourself to be used afterwards on a public website and promotional leaflets to help with advertising?</p>

<ul>

<li>Yes. If I was a working pro I would stipulate such usage in my contract. If the client declined then I would not use their likenesses. </li>

</ul>

<p>Would you be intersted in following my business on social networking sites such as Facebook, Twitter, E-blog?</p>

<ul>

<li>Maybe. I'm not much into social networking sites, blogs or routine text message type communication. Too busy with other stuff. But it's obviously an asset that shouldn't be ignored by a working pro. </li>

</ul>

<p>Do you believe you would be more inclined to pay for my photography if a share was given to a recognised charity?</p>

<ul>

<li>Depends on charity. Unusual arrangements for compensation should be considered negotiable. </li>

</ul>

<p><br /> If you are looking for a professional photographer for portraits, where would you look? (e.g yellow pages)</p>

<ul>

<li>I'd start with photo.net.</li>

</ul>

<p>Lets say your getting married...</p>

<ul>

<li>Let's not. I still have nightmares from my first two. </li>

</ul>

<p>Lets say you are getting married soon. Aswell as hiring a professional photographer for your special day, would you be interested in taking on board an amateur like myself to do photography alongside the professional, absolutely free with the option to buy the work afterwards for what you believe they are worth? (all photography used for promotion)</p>

<ul>

<li>Maybe. I've shot weddings free, as gifts for family and friends. I've seen many snapshots by untrained amateurs whose happy snaps at weddings were better than my own. </li>

</ul>

<p><br /> (if no, why not?)</p>

<ul>

<li>Because I'm a grinch. </li>

</ul>

<p><br /> If you own a business yourself, would you be interested in allowing a young photographer like myself to get involved with the photography for the same deal as the one above (pay what you believe its worth)?</p>

<ul>

<li>Maybe. Depends on the laws regarding such arrangements. </li>

</ul>

<p>Are you really only 18? You sound much too sharp. I actually wondered whether this was a clever troll post. But it seems sincere.</p>

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jpo3136b

jpo3136b

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<p>You can put together a portfolio of something that looks like what you are doing in a couple of weeks. So, the "no portfolio" problem; there doesn't seem to be a good reason for that. The portfolio is a sampling of capabilities. If you are going to sell a service to someone, it helps to show them something that you've done.</p>

<p>Paying for them afterwards: this would be paying on spec; that is, you make the photo, and then charge for those items. This is not an outrageous idea for a beginner; but, the better way to put this would be to outline your prices up front, but develop a simple policy for what to do if things don't go according to your customer's satisfaction. Explain that to the people who might be interested in hiring you before you get going with the photographing.</p>

<p>Use the photos for advertising: when it's said like that, it sound like you want to take someone's photo and sell it to the Blender Corporation of America. Meanwhile, it's common for photographers to use copies of photos made in the past to market their services to someone else. Using the photos for ads may not be a good idea; using the photos, not for sale, within your portfolio, may go over better. A lot better. </p>

<p>Social networking sites, for marketing, are in some ways like preaching to the choir. They're based on the success that intimacy and personal referrals can have on bolstering business. If you ask 29 million people who have no idea who you are if they want to follow you on Social Site XYZ, you will probably see a low return of positive responses. The guy who does your dry cleaning or your next door neighbor might say yes; and, later, after months, that can build you fan base; but, the average complete stranger is more likely to say no than yes.</p>

<p>Lastly, I think it would be more helpful to you right now to make some more photos; read up on all this a lot more; plan ahead some more; and, refine this model before you launch your business. </p>

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danny_goodwin

danny_goodwin

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<p>Thanks for the feedback, you are all right in many ways, certainly alot more research to be done. I am still working on a portfolio, I attend alot of marches and protests in London which I shoot for my portfolio. Perhaps I asked in the wrong place, I'm hoping for some more feedback from people who have been in my position before. All answers are still accounted for however, so please keep posting them in.<br>

Perhaps I asked in the wrong place, I'm hoping for some more feedback from people who have been in my position before.<br>

Lex - I assure you I am for real, thanks for your detailed answers.</p>

 

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clark_yerrington

clark_yerrington

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<p>How much would you be willing to pay to allow a amateur photographer, without a portfolio to do professional portraits for you or your friends and family?</p>

<ul>

<li>£0-£20 </li>

<li>£20-£40 </li>

<li>£40-£60 </li>

<li>£60-£80 </li>

<li>£80-£100 </li>

<li>£100-£150 </li>

<li>£150+ </li>

<li>Depends on quality </li>

</ul>

<p><em>[how much is that in US dollars?] i don't know, i'm guessing it would be in the lower half of the range but not rock bottom. but it's only a guess. the thing is, i'd be unlikely to enter into the portrait sessions 'cold' -- i wouldn't pick the photographer out of the blue, but rather i'd find my way to you through a recommendation from a friend or colleague, or your reputation will have preceded you in some way -- maybe an exhibition or an article someplace about your work. so to an extent i'd already have an idea of the value and thus what i would expect to pay.</em><br>

Would you be interested in allowing for the portraits to be finished and then paying what you think they are worth afterwards ( small deposit included)?</p>

<ul>

<li>Yes </li>

<li>No </li>

<li>Maybe </li>

</ul>

<p><em>sure, but it sounds like a bad deal for you -- because you might find that people weren't honest in their assessment of the work, to say the least. i think you'd have an idea whether the work is any good or not, and shouldn't spend too much time on the idea of a 'trial period', or intentionally underselling services in order to get a foot in the door. although, hard times do demand more creativity, eh.</em><br>

Would you allow photography of yourself to be used afterwards on a public website and promotional leaflets to help with advertising?</p>

<ul>

<li>Yes </li>

<li>No </li>

<li>Maybe </li>

</ul>

<p><em>yes.</em><br>

Would you be intersted in following my business on <a href="http://www.photo.net/bboard/#" target="_blank">social networking</a> sites such as Facebook, Twitter, E-blog?</p>

<ul>

<li>Yes </li>

<li>No </li>

<li>Maybe </li>

</ul>

<p><em>yes. but i'd drop you later if the updates weren't first rate -- witty, topical, compelling, all that. life's too short.</em><br>

Do you believe you would be more inclined to pay for my photography if a share was given to a recognised charity?</p>

<ul>

<li>Yes </li>

<li>No </li>

<li>Depends on charity </li>

</ul>

<p><em>i feel sort of wishy-washy about that. maybe there are better ways to make charitable contributions and talk to people about it? not sure. </em><br>

If you are looking for a professional photographer for portraits, where would you look? (e.g yellow pages)</p>

<p>Lets say your getting married, where would you look for a wedding photographer? (anybody who is married, please share your insight on where you found your photographer?)<br>

Lets say you are getting married soon. As well as hiring a professional photographer for your special day, would you be interested in taking on board an amateur like myself to do photography alongside the professional, absolutely free with the option to buy the work afterwards for what you believe they are worth? (all photography used for promotion) (if no, why not?)</p>

<ul>

<li>Yes </li>

<li>No </li>

<li>Maybe </li>

</ul>

<p><em>see answer above about how i'd find you. i pride myself on having my ear to the ground about creative people in my community. i've never been married and i very much doubt it will happen, so no opinion about wedding photography. the idea of tagging along at a paid photographer's gig but working independently is interesting, though. i wonder if you'd have a harder time with the other photographer accepting the arrangement, than the clients? </em><br>

If you own a business yourself, would you be interested in allowing a young photographer like myself to get involved with the photography for the same deal as the one above (pay what you believe its worth)? (If no, why not?)</p>

<ul>

<li>Yes </li>

<li>No </li>

<li>Maybe </li>

</ul>

<p><em>N/A.</em></p>

 

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