A few years ago I became interested in digital photography, mainly for web publishing and personal reasons. You know, how nice is it now to NOT have to deal with film, scanning pictures, and the costs of developing all of those "not great" photos that you didn't know were so bad until you paid to have them developed!
So, at the time I got my first digital camera a friend of mine was playing in a rock band, and needed pictures for their web pages and promotional printings and ads. When I first began to do their photography, I had NO IDEA what it all would lead to... and now I will reveal to you some of the MANY ways to make money, part-time, with your love for photography!
Now, at the clubs my friend's band played in- a lot of the time they would be in a line-up of 3 bands for the evening, of which I shot live pictures of my friend's band's performance. Then I got another idea, I'm there already, usually to finish the night with the band, so I started to take pictures of the other bands. Afterwards, as they were breaking down their equipment, I introduced myself as the other bands photographer, and explained that I liked their music and look- and also took pictures of them also.
I got the names of the band members, jotted down notes about which instruments each one played, and then got a mailing address to reach them. I told them that I was going to print up some proof sheets and send them off to them... all were very agreeable and willing (and why not, it doesn't cost them a thing).
Then I printed the proof sheet(s), and selected three of what I thought were the best- of which I made a little bigger on a seperate sheet and used Photoshop to refine and enhance the images prior to printing (all on my little ink-jet printer).
I composed a form letter that I could customize for each mailing explaining details like:
- The first proof sheet was all of the raw digital images
- The second one with the larger images was digitally self enhanced
- I would professionally print any pictures they wanted for XXX cost (considering mailing costs, printing costs at a local printing shop, labor for digital enhancement, and healthy profit margin)
- For any order I would give them a CD with ALL of the photos in digital form for them to use any way they wanted
- Add my contact information
- And finally my availability to book shootings with them in the future
Now I could personalize this form letter and send it with the proof sheets to the band, and when I would call them about a 8 days after I made the mailing to ask them if they recieved the proof sheets and which ones they liked (and I liked)- and I simply asked for an order.
It was amazing how well this worked, and I expanded the idea.
I would go to fund-raising events, marathons, special events hosted by radio station personalities... always getting the contact information for reaching whoever is in charge of promotions and following the same system!
As you go along, you realize some other benefits to you new "business"- like free admissions (and no club cover charges), press passes, exciting opportunities to meet interesting people and celebrities, discount drinks, and much more! It's amazing what people will GIVE you, if you just ask!
Then there are the home-business tax deductions that are eye-opening in themselves!
As soon as you can, upgrade to more professional equipment so you can not only "play" the part, but also "look" the part. Print up business cards, and make up your own porfolio of your "best" digitally enhanced photos of all kinds of subjects and previous shootings.
Seriously, this could turn your love for digital photography into an exciting lifestyle and an income that could surpass your present one!
But then again, I know I have only just scratched the surface with professional digital photography, and I'm sure you now have just entered a "think-tank" that will spur many more ideas for you to make digital photography more than just a love. Make it a great life!
Richard Meredith is the Author of "The BLACK BOOK of Online Business" - An amazing FREE SOURCE ebook for the online business person!
http://www.straight-talkmarketing.com
Feel free to distribute or publish this article conditional only by including the by-line intact.
bathroom cleaning service Northbrook ..Last month we bought the Canon Powershot A80 online for... Read More
Ordinary photos of dull subjects do actually sell, but the... Read More
Disposable digital and film cameras (also called single-use cameras) provide... Read More
Photos are a great way to share your travel experiences... Read More
There are a large number of digital camera accessories available... Read More
IntroductionModern cameras are highly automatic in operation. They have auto... Read More
There is a wide world of photography. It touches each... Read More
Most serious photographers and all professionals use a Single Lens... Read More
Here's the challenge. You have to photograph small items for... Read More
One of the biggest debates in the photography world is... Read More
There are also some excellent online courses available and some... Read More
Some of the best images can be captured during the... Read More
Dots Per Inch is a useful measure of relative resolution.... Read More
One of the oldest companies, Olympus has had a long... Read More
Like many people who've made the switch from film cameras... Read More
Underwater photography's is primarily focused towards entertaining and informing the... Read More
Photography 101 Part One Equipment: camera, meter, flash, tripod This... Read More
Digital photography promises much. Store your photographs on your computer,... Read More
Every Mom wants to take great photos of their babies... Read More
Outdoor photographers shoot year round. That includes the hot summer.... Read More
Being a professional digital photographer is a dream many people... Read More
Composition is defined as the combining of distinct parts or... Read More
When buying a digital camera there are many things you... Read More
Digital Imaging is a process where an electronic photograph, scanned... Read More
Before you are able to take the kind of photos... Read More
insured cleaning company Wilmette ..You may have joined the photo-sharing craze to share your... Read More
With modern technology in the form of SLR digital cameras,... Read More
As you might imagine the paradigm shift from traditional film-based... Read More
1. Myth: Digital photos are pixilated or fuzzy. Reality: most... Read More
It's hard to find sometimes but it's making a resurgence,... Read More
Like most folks you have probably have organized and sorted... Read More
About Personalized Photo Calendars:Photo Calendars are 12-month, wall-hanging calendars that... Read More
Tight BudgetsTight budgets are common these days. But the demand... Read More
Digital photography promises much. Store your photographs on your computer,... Read More
Too many people have the idea that being paid to... Read More
Demystifying Digital Camera JargonWant to buy a digital camera but... Read More
Elephants in the Sky[1980s, Lee Evens in Mali, Timbuktu/Africa]Advance: Lee... Read More
The digital camera is not something of a magic box... Read More
Some compact cameras are small enough to fit in your... Read More
Choosing a digital camera can be a daunting task with... Read More
Family vacations, summer weddings and family reunions are in full... Read More
Using a tripod is essential when taking photos - and... Read More
ContentEven if you feel that you already know what kind... Read More
When I promised readers that I was going to do... Read More
When you're driving through the mountains somewhere, and you... Read More
Most serious photographers and all professionals use a Single Lens... Read More
So your picture came out less then perfect. Blemishes or... Read More
What have you done with the photos you've taken with... Read More
The digital camera is not meant only for capturing images... Read More
We all love our animals. They do such funny, adorable,... Read More
Photography |