Business Trends

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Business Trends
“Lifestyle” Photography For Stock & Assignment: Channeling Your Inner Director/Producer Skills
Maria Piscopo  |  Jul 04, 2014  |  First Published: Jun 01, 2014  | 
If you ask a dozen photo buyers to define lifestyle photography you’d get a dozen different answers. The most common reply might be “people doing everyday things, at home and at work.” Lifestyle images are valuable in stock, but what about assignment work? Our contributors this month validate the market for assignments—under certain conditions. The images should be natural and the models and situations realistic and believable. They should tell some kind of story or depict an emotion. As with any stock or assignment work, topnotch production values are critical as well as diversity in models of gender, age, and ethnicity. Whether stock or assignment, lifestyle photography is in demand in today’s market.
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Business TrendsPro Techniques
The State Of Stock Photography Today: Still A Viable Option? These Pros Think So
Maria Piscopo  |  Jun 20, 2014  |  First Published: May 01, 2014  | 
What is “stock” photography, and how can it be a source of revenue? First, let’s define some terms. In most cases, rather than selling an image in the stock photo market think “license,” as stock images are not really sold—they are licensed for a particular use. The larger agencies all license Rights Managed (RM) images and many Royalty Free (RF) agencies will offer a “removal from market” option if an exclusive license is needed by the client.
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Business TrendsPhoto How ToPro Techniques
Model Releases: Your Best Protection: Plus An Important Update On Social Media Image Usage
Maria Piscopo  |  May 15, 2014  |  First Published: Apr 01, 2014  | 

While you as the photographer own the copyright to images you create, this does not negate the privacy rights of any recognizable individual in your photo. Knowing when you can sell or lease that image with or without a model release is important. In this article we cover that ground as well as the impact of social media and new technology on privacy rights and model releases.

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Business Trends
Thinking Of Getting Into The Wedding Biz?: Insider Tips From Today’s Top Pros
Maria Piscopo  |  Apr 18, 2014  |  First Published: Mar 01, 2014  | 
While Uncle Ned might be bragging that he can take care of the photography at his niece’s wedding with his D-SLR with built-in flash, amusing and sometimes bitter experiences have taught prospective brides that there’s nothing like an experienced photographer to do the job right. But getting yourself and your work in front of that group of brides and wedding planners can be a challenge, and that’s what this month’s column is all about. We’ll take a look at changes in the business model, including portfolios, marketing materials, networking with wedding vendors, and bridal shows.
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Business TrendsPhoto How ToPro Techniques
The Working Photographer’s Portfolio: Prints, Web, iPad…Or All Of The Above?
Maria Piscopo  |  Mar 21, 2014  |  First Published: Feb 01, 2014  | 

As technology changes so do methods of presentation. In this article I set out to discover what type of portfolio photographers have found work best and, from the buyer’s perspective, what type or types they prefer. As I conducted the interviews among art directors, photo reps, and photographers it all began to boil down to this: how do you get your work seen by potential clients and how do you craft an effective portfolio that makes sense to them and represents your craft and passion?

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Business Trends
The Family Portrait Business: Getting Going And Then Growing
Maria Piscopo  |  Feb 24, 2014  |  First Published: Jan 01, 2014  | 
The past few years have witnessed many challenges to those who want to earn money with their photography for both full-timers and those who use their talents to earn extra income. One area that has remained strong, indeed grown, is the family portrait business. Photographers have seen the need to adapt to changes in their clients’ expectations and tastes and, as importantly, the changing pace of technology. In addition, there are important marketing considerations that contribute to success as well. In this article I talk with Kim Campbell, Orit Harpaz, Vonda Hussey, and Michelle Tricca to gain their insight on the family portrait business. Please use the “Web Resources” listed at the end of this article to help you visit their websites so you can see more of their dynamic and exciting work.
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Business Trends
eBooks And Photographers: A New Publishing Vehicle & How To Make It Work For You
Maria Piscopo  |  Jan 10, 2014  |  First Published: Dec 01, 2013  | 
The book publishing business is experiencing huge upheavals and transformations of late. “Physical” bookstores are closing, and for many photographers eBooks are an exciting option. While eBooks may become a preferred delivery system for creative content, with them come questions about creation, preferred content, and, perhaps most importantly, how to market your work. In this article we’ll look at how three photographers are working through this change and how it has altered the way they show their work to the world. Thanks go to Jeff Colburn, Bret Edge, and Guy Tal for their expertise and wisdom in this regard. Please check our links and contact information at the end of this article to see their work, and more.
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Business TrendsPro Techniques
Pro Bono Photography: Doing Well By Doing Good
Maria Piscopo  |  Nov 22, 2013  |  First Published: Oct 01, 2013  | 
There’s a long tradition of photographers doing pro bono work for charities. Now, with social media and the Internet in general, the marriage of photography and doing good for others has grown even more. NGOs (Non-Governmental Organizations) have been around since the mid-1940s, but in the last few years some amazing photography has further helped communicate their mission.
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Business TrendsPortrait Photography How ToPro Techniques
Photo Social Media Marketing: Blogs, Tweets, Postings & More
Maria Piscopo  |  Sep 10, 2013  |  First Published: Aug 01, 2013  | 

Does using social media as a marketing tool work for photographers? That’s what we aimed to find out by interviewing five photographers who have successfully used this particular marketing technique in very specific ways. Unlike advertising and direct mail, where you send out your material and wait for a response, and sales calls, which are more time-consuming, social media is a unique technique that can breed success, but only when properly and fully utilized. Many thanks to our photographers for taking the time and attention to share their thoughts and experiences (websites at end of column): Liz Cowie, Clark Dever, David Alan Kogut, Brad Mangin, and Chuck St. John.

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Business Trends
Copyrights, Model Releases, And Contracts: What Every Photographer Should Know!
Maria Piscopo  |  Jul 16, 2013  |  First Published: Jun 01, 2013  | 
“Imagine that you shoot something ‘fine art’ or ‘personal’ that you yourself think no one will ever want to use commercially.

You don’t bother to get a release…”

There are legal issues that concern all photographers—copyrights, contracts, and the law concerning privacy rights (model releases). In this article we’ll go over these matters with a panel of experts in the field, but of course not every issue can be covered completely, so I’ve included a host of web resources for further exploration and education.

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Business TrendsPro Techniques
Professional Associations: Are They Right For You?: The Benefits Of Membership
Maria Piscopo  |  Jun 28, 2013  |  First Published: May 01, 2013  | 
I have always been a big supporter of joining and participating in professional groups. The growth of my career as a photo rep, teacher, and author all came from joining and participating in groups that brought together like-minded individuals. For photographers looking to enhance or initiate their careers there are numerous professional associations worthy of attention.
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Business Trends
The Real Deal On Fine Art Photography: Where Creativity Meets Sales And Marketing: An Interview With Mary Virginia Swanson
Maria Piscopo  |  Apr 30, 2013  |  First Published: Apr 01, 2013  | 
Gallery exhibit openings, fine art collectors calling, fine art book sales—all of these are every photographer’s dream for their personal work. Some even dream of fine art photography as a career. While creating art photography is one topic, selling the work is quite another. For as many high-tech changes as there have been in the art field (selling prints online!) there are still traditional marketing techniques such as research and print presentation that can make a difference. For this year’s focus on fine art we talk with an expert in the field, Mary Virginia Swanson.
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Business Trends
Portrait Photography Marketing: Portrait Photography Marketing
Maria Piscopo  |  Apr 16, 2013  |  First Published: Mar 01, 2013  | 
The world of portrait photography is defined by its differences—all potential clients, whether they are individuals, families, or professionals, are different people with different imaging needs. There is a difference in style and approach in making commercial, professional, and social (family) portraits. Commercial clients have something to sell or someone to influence; consumer clients have something or someone to remember. And, at any point in time, a photographer’s style may be so strong or special that it transcends these categories and enters the “fine art” field.
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Business Trends
The State Of Stock Photography Today: Is It Still A Viable Route For Earning Income With Your Images?
Maria Piscopo  |  Mar 07, 2013  |  First Published: Feb 01, 2013  | 
Since my first explorations of the stock photography industry, there have been many changes and upheavals in the business. In this column, I hope to sort out some of the most important changes that have occurred. One is the relationship of the photographer and the stock agency and the changing nature of the agency business itself. Indeed, many stock agencies are now called stock distributors since they no longer work as agents to “represent” photographers. For photographers, there is an even higher degree of specialized subject knowledge and/or access to a subject required for a reasonable sales return on the work.
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Business Trends
Marketing Your Work: What Works In Today’s Photo World
Maria Piscopo  |  Jan 10, 2013  |  First Published: Dec 01, 2012  | 
In my workshops and classes the most common concern is about marketing and getting business. It’s a sign of the times, and folks are asking: “Everything seems different these days in the photography business, what should I do?” My first and foremost answer is to have a business plan and then work that plan. It is simply not enough to put up a website, send out a few mailers, and see what happens. The best advice I can offer is to study up on creating and implementing a marketing plan and make the effort as important as learning and improving your craft.
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