So now want to get more clients, gain recognition for your work or build your photographic business. Or maybe you just want to increase your profile as a photographer, even if it’s just a hobby.
In this episode, the tables are turned and Gina interviews Valerie on how to build your profile as a photographer. Valerie regularly mentors creative entrepreneurs and teaches workshops on how to build your profile and grow your business. You’ll discover what to write in your bio, what kind of website you need at different stages of your photography, how to use social media, what to avoid, and much more.
Click play to listen to the podcast or find it on iTunes here. If you don’t use iTunes you can get the feed here, or listen to us on Stitcher radio.
Show notes
Shout outs
Listener question
Hello Gina, how you goin?
Please explain the difference between Fashion and Glamour photography, and the difference between retouching each genre.
Thanks so much,
Kevin Mahoney
Check out the answer in this week’s episode.
Cool Link
How to build your profile as a photographer
1. Where do you start when you want to build your profile as a photographer?
Determine what you first need to determine what you want to achieve?
Do you want to showcase your work just because you love it – or do you want to get revenue from it?
Remember, you’re not stuck, you can always change your niche.
2. Do you think that it’s important for photographers to have a website?
- If you’re brand new, you don’t need a website with all the bells and whistles. You just need a way for people to find you online – and be able to contact you.
- You can even just have a one page business-card style website with contact information because these days you can showcase your portfolio on any number of photo sites e.g. Instagram.
- Once you get more established, you might want to invest in a proper website but don’t get hung up on this.
- Remember to choose a website theme that makes your photos easy to share in case clients want to show colleagues etc.
- Some old-fashioned themes designed for photographers are not user-friendly and use frames (which make the individual pictures impossible to share).
3. Portfolio
- Gallery on your website
4. What should your bio say?
What does your bio say about you?
Mistakes I see:
- Chronological – no!
- Focusing on statistics or memberships in the first line
- Replicating your resume as your bio
- Including broad statements instead of specific achievements
- Not tailoring your bio to your target market
Remember you can always tweak you bio for different jobs.
So your bio should contain:
- First person or third person?
- Four core points:
- Who? What?
- How?
- Why? When?
- Your point of difference
- Four supplementary points:
- How you got started
- Understanding client struggles
- Client success
- Achievements and credentials
- Conclusion
5. What’s your advice on how photographers should use social media
Again, it depends on your goals.
* Connecting with peers
* Connecting with industry
* Connecting with potential clients (entrepreneurs, weddings, pets)
6. What are some mistakes you see photographers who use social media make?
- Don’t sell all the time
- It’s about connection not promotion
- Use the platform you’re going to enjoy the most
- Don’t try to spread yourself too thinly across many platforms
7. If I wanted to start a blog to attract more clients what do I write about, how often and how much?
- Blog pictures
- Behind the scenes at shoots
- Client stories (get a system)
8. What if I can’t write or don’t have the confidence?
- Stuff what your English teacher told you – just write like you talk
- A picture tells a thousands words – don’t think that you need to write an essay. Instead, post a picture and provide a caption that tells people: where it was shot, what you were trying to achieve and why you wanted to shoot this picture.
