I had a break between classes this afternoon, so I decided to take a walk down the UA mall to take in the sights and sounds of my soon to be alma mater. At the far east end of the UA mall a tent was set up where graduating seniors could sign up for caps and gowns, announcements, etc, and I met some very helpful volunteers who happened to asked me what degree I was graduating with. I told them how I was a journalism major and that I was focusing on photojournalism, and they seem interested..
So I kept the conversation going, and started talking about the other kind of photo work I do. Within minutes one of the woman mentioned how she had always wanted pictures of her children. “Well what a coincidence,” I said smiling, “I love kids, I just took pictures of a family friends children a few weeks ago for a Gap contest. Why dont you take my card and check out some of my work.”
Its all about making moments like that. You always have to be promoting yourself, always presenting your product with the quality and passion it deserves.
Its all about making moments like that. You always have to be promoting yourself, always presenting your product with the quality and passion it deserves.
When people ask me what I do, they always seem to be impressed with the fact that I’m a journalism student ..So I always follow up my introduction with the ultimate one-two: not only am I a journalist, I’m also a photographer! :::Pause while the crowd oo’s and aa’s::: BOOM. I’ve instantly become the most intriguing oddity in the crowd...it seems that everyone wishes they could be a photographer these days.
I used the exciting momentum from my one-two blow to lead into my two-part sales pitch (if you will)..“Yeah I love it, it’s such a great profession! I want to do a lot in life, and my camera is going to open all the doors I could ever want to walk through.” And then I come in for the close...“It’s fun too because in my free time I can do things like family portraits and senior portraits and stuff like that.” By establishing the fact that I LOVE what I do with all my heart, and that it’s the end-all-be-all life choice, I establish a professional, yet personal report..and thats the key my friends.
Joel Grimes once told me, “there’s always going to be work out there for photographers who want it..you just gotta go out and find it. No one is going to come to you and say, ‘I need a photographer for this event, think you’re free Mr. Photographer that I’ve never heard of before?’ That’s the difference between photographers who make it and those who don’t, you have to constantly market yourself and find work.”
I can’t agree with that enough...Get your guerilla marketing on people.
I think it’s this kind of mentality that sets me apart from others my age that are in my field. I’m always trying to meet new people and promote my trade..Whether it be through facebook, fliers, personal referrals etc. Like my work? Sweet, tell your friends about me then. Saw the status on my facebook about my recent photo shoot? It was even more bad ass than you could imagine, wanna hear about it? Some one you know need work done? Send ‘em my way. PROMOTE YOUR LIFE. You never know what one thing can lead to, trust me.
I'll let you know if this post leads to a photo shoot..
I'll let you know if this post leads to a photo shoot..
