Photography is an artistic endeavor first and foremost. As an artist, many photographers struggle to make the transition from lone artist to thriving business owner. But this process of entrepreneurial growth doesn’t have to be painful. There are a few things to keep in mind when working with others and building your business. If you take the time to work a few of these tips into your business you’ll find yourself not just more business success, but also more artistic success.
Style is Substance
Photography is an artistic endeavor. It continues to take a lot of technical knowledge to make it really your own. With the rise of point-and-shoot technologies and camera phones, it has never been easier to take decent quality photographs with little to no experience. For those who have true expertise and talent, you have to present something truly unique to stand out. Having a unique style is a very difficult thing to do, but is well worth the time and effort it takes to develop. An easy way to start is by scoping out your competition and taking a critical eye to their portfolios – what are they doing? What can you do differently?
Don’t Lose Your Subject
Photographs aren’t just images of moments – they’re supposed to capture the emotions that are present. Portraits are supposed to do more than just show a person, they should capture the essence of the subject – their personality and style need to shine through. It’s important to develop a relationship with your subject as you go through the photography process – talk to them and ask them questions if you’re taking portraits, wander the grounds if you’re taking landscapes. Use your connection to find what makes them unique and highlight it.
Be Clear With Expectations
As an artist, it’s not unlikely that you have a particular view of what the end product will look like. It’s critical as an artist and entrepreneur to have a clearly defined style, but unlike most artists, you will have to directly work alongside your subject to make it work. It’s not always easy to communicate your ideas in a way that makes them manageable for both of you to work out, but it’s important to at least work out the expectations you both have – a foundational part of every working relationship