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I need some serious professional advice in my studio photography career?

Since my beautiful baby girl has been born, I haven't found a job that can actually support me working AND paying for a babysitter. I've had several years of studio photography experience, and that is primarily what I've done for the last several years. I have a few Paul C. Buff Alien Bees lights that do the trick for most lighting situations, although... I wish I could afford better equipment. My husband got out of the military last July, and since then, I've done a few freelance photography jobs on my own. Mainly family and maternity/newborn studio. My main problem is that I'm not a salesperson, and that I SUCK at marketing myself. We moved to a new state. I had 5 or so family shoots around Christmas time that made some money, but since then have been unable to pick up shoots off of craigslist alone. I had a job offer the other day to be an apprentice to a studio that is in a (somewhat) nearby mall. I know that I can take better photos than those that are on this private mall studios website. Should I go with it, in the interest of keeping in practice, or do you think that I MIGHT have what it takes to make it on my own? Here is my website: http://www.yourportraitsbydesign.com/ I SUCK as a salesperson. When I shoot on my own, I generally sell the whole session on disc for $100. I really thought I'd get better responses, but then... I just post on craistlist and don't really know anyone around here in order to spread by word of mouth. In your opinion, am I better off bettering my marketing/salesmanship skills and shooting on my own, or should I join as an apprentice to an already established studio? FTR... I just had a beautiful baby girl. I'd like to be at home with her as much as possible. If you think I could find a 40 hour per week job that could pay for her care AND make some extra money, I'd do it. In fact, I have an interview soon with a company that has a place in a mall. I know that my photography is better than the photos that they showcase on their walls, so I'm slightly hesitant to even go to the interview. What do you think? Should I stick it out on my own? Advertise more, in different places other than just craigslist?! Or just give it up and go to the interview? Thanks :-)

Public Comments

1. wow. you have really good skills with photograph! i wish i could take photos like that!!!!! I think you should go solo, I think you should go to the inverview though. it's worth a shot and you could get lots of money. goodluck!!!
2. The pictures are good, but the reality is that if you can't sell yourself, it's gonna be hard to make a living at it. Take the studio job, learn their sales pitch, and keep an eye out for when it's time to leave. A tip on websites for Google, you can get better results with thumbnail images and more pages. Having a scrolling photo stream limits the number of pages on Google's index. Keep the current site, and build a second site, as time permits, with galleries and pages. I call one the Business Card Site, your current site, and the other the Google Site, designed just for Google results. The Google site links to the Business Card Site, but not vice versa. Craigslist is a good place to get cheap customers, so it's not really the best source. If you have a valid business license, and a studio location, put your business out on Google Maps, Yelp, Citysearch, Kudzu, Yahoo Local and any other local diirectories. Here's how I did my Google site: http://cgipix.com/Portfolio_Photographer_Wildlife_Scenics_Landscapes_Sports.htm Making money as a photographer is not about photography it's about marketing, sales and business.
3. Forget the mall studio, those jobs are all about selling. Look for a business incubator or an artists coop in your city. Start networking with other moms. Where I live there are local websites and chat rooms for moms. Get involved in the community and it will lead to work. Check with area studios about assisting part-time. Most photographers can always use help on a location shoot. Take everything you can get to build a businees of your own, you have the skill. And, your website is fine. Having a domain name is professional.
4. Considering your talent and your new child I would stay away from the mall and work on your own business. Possibilities: get a partner who can sell. Approach charities about using your work for fund raising (I had very successful family portrait business this way)
5. You have to start thinking like an entrepreneur. You do have the skills to work on your own, you just need to learn some sales techniques that will enhance your business. -Facebook and Twitter are really great for networking. You need to find people in your area and your industry to connect with. -Mommy groups - join them, let people know that you take newborn/pregnancy/family portraits. Offer a discount for the group where everyone shows up at a park on a designated day and you can shoot their families. Then give them referral coupons to give out to their friends. -Write a blog offering tips like, ways to take your own great pictures at home. -Do a drawing at a local preschool for family portraits, all of the people who enter will be contacts for future newsletter or when you are having a special. You will only be limited by what you are unable to dream up. Find an entrepreneurial womens group to help you figure out what to do. You can trade work for work - you take new headshots for marketing professional and they will help you out.
6. Hi Shara, I have had a look at your website and there are some great photos. Have you considered doing stock photography as a second source of income? It's a great way to earn extra money and I know some people that have it as their only job and make a great living out of it. I have written a basic article on it. http://quazen.com/arts/photography/stock-photography-sell-your-images/ Hope my answer helps a little. Cheers, Shortkut