How Many Photography Business Types and Model Exist?

Hi all, I've been taking photos for over 50 years. It has only been recently that I considered doing it for a living. I love taking nature, landscape, and architecture photos, but I don't think there is much business in these areas. So, my question is how did you find your niche or the type of photography on which you built your business? If this has been asked before, please direct me to what has already been answered. Thanks much for helping me work through this.

. . . my question is how did you find your niche or the type of photography on which you built your business? . . .

 

I was studying and I needed more money and I had very little business experience. In 1970s W&P Studios were looking for (good/reliable) part time Photographers to work on the weekends. That marriage worked for me. I worked for that particular Studio owner for about 18 months, often doing three weddings per week.I studied his business and his studio set up and I learned much.

 

Thinking that I knew "enough", with my business partner we built our first W&P studio: we learnt a lot more about business doing that.

I was fortunate to have some sustained related work in Cine, TV and Sound, especially througout the teething period of the first studio, it didn't make any money for a few years. I did a couple of business courses, I was very choosy looking for those with practical aspects and not those slanted toward accounting and business theory.

 

Armed with experience and several mistakes we built our second W&P Studio and that was much more successful: that was the 'niche'. It was important that we defined that 'niche' before we began even planing how to build the business - I talk about that now as "knowing exactly what business that you are in" - and I think for a successful business it is important to be able to articulate that in one or two succinct sentences.

 

A third studio later was built and we sold that around 2004 but I stayed on to manage the cut-over to digital.

 

Since then I have continued to teach a bit and move into other related aspects of Photography and our Company is involved in other businesses as well.

 

The bottom line is: when I was studying for my tickets in Photography, Cine, TV and Broadcast I was very hungry for my own business to succeed - Weddings were hard work but very satisfying - I guess that I was lucky to have the personality and the endurance to make a good fist of what was an opportunity in front of me - I did some newspaper stills, some photo-journalism, but nothing ever clicked with me as much as Weddings - so there's a bit of luck somewhere in that too, I think.

 

WW

Edited March 14, 2018 by William Michael

There was a good overview article on photography sectors, in one of the photography magazines recently. I think it was January 2018.

 

The article addressed growth prospects, annual income and other facets of a variety of photography sectors (genres).

 

To be successful at a photography business, you need business skills, which means you need people skills. Are you confident in your people skills?

Greg, I hope you don't have to do this for a living at this stage in your life. Extra spending money ok. As far as niches goes, that usually ends up being a particular interest that one already has and generally already has good experience doing. The other is to find a particular area in photography that few people are doing and make that your niche.

One research item you probably will find useful is Michael Chadwick's book "Balancing the Art and Business of Wedding Photography". Chadwick is a member here.

 

Although the book primarily addresses Wedding and Social Event Photography as viable businesses, the principles he addresses are universal. I have no association with the sales of this publication, other than buying the book myself.

 

Here is a LINK

 

WW

how did you find your niche or the type of photography on which you built your business?

The business isn't mine and it's third left hand happened to know me as a student into photography and eager to earn an extra buck for even more gear. So I ended becoming an employed products shooter (with ups and downs and a different journey man diploma acquired in between). Since they haven't found a new customer I am down to 20% or less photographer now. But if health permits I'll stay there forever.

So one model is surely: Be known as "that photo guy" + shoot what you are asked to shoot.

 

Considering the experience you should have by now: Why not market it & yourself by rambling on YouTube? - Seems to work for some folks and English speakers apparently have a clear advantage in that eco system. <- I can't figure out who earns money as either youtuber or as educator (via workshops) or by selling their photography either as results or service. I am sure monetized YouTube videos' add revenue (or maybe even sponsoring) will buy you an odd lens cap once or twice each year. The whole thing is also a great way to get known and hired plus a chance to sell calendars or prints.