- This topic is empty.
Product & Food Photography
-
I was wondering if someone could help me with a query i have on working as a product/food photographer
I am just out of photography college in canada and am back home in ireland, my main interest is product and food photography, I have been told that it is a small market here, so i am finding it difficult to find work with a photographer who deals with this line of photography, I have a portfolio prepared,
what is the best way to find work in this area
and also, would it be wise to set up my own product photography business, as i have high end digital, 35mm, and 4×5 monorail cameras, so i should be competitive in that sense, I will be working on other aspects of photography too, this is my main area. Apart from building up a client list, where is the best place to start with all this :)Ken just found this link to a website which lists photographers by their specialisation
http://www.barkerphotographic.ie
Click on the “Find a Photographer” link on the left. This will bring you to a web site which (for a fee) will list you under whatever area you want.
This is an area I’m interested in myself.
Advertising, such as placing your name on a links site, is certainly one way to go but most professionals will tell you that they gett very little of thier work through advertising and that most of it is generated by networking.
A few things you could try – go to some of the better established restaurants or cookery schools and tell them that you’re a new photographer offering to take some complimentary professional food shots to use in their promotional/advertising work. Just get your name out there! But do make sure that you place some limit on this complimentary (not free!!!) work, i.e. you’re only doing it for a single month or your only doing it for the first 5 clients – otherwise word might get out and others will want it and also without a limit there is no incentive for the client to take up the offer in a limited space of time. You do need to do you’re research in advance however – are they changing their menu’s or courses. Alternatively you could try and find out if there are any new restaurants being opened and target those.
The same applies to product photography. But you need to start small. Don’t even think of taking on the well established advetising/product photographers such as Vinnie O’Byrne. They’ve been at it for years and know what they are doing and have built a sound reputation for themselves and will of course charge accordingly. You need to start by going after the smaller client – once you’ve got the first few jobs under your belt (even if they are freebies) you should find that word of mouth will do all the advertising you need, if you’re any good (and not just good at photography, but good at communicating and easy to work with, etc., etc.)
– Thorsten.
Thorsten is correct. The best way to get business is through networking and contacts. But what if you’re recently returned after a few years away? I this this is the case here.
Why not try a business networking organisation like BNI. It costs around a grand per year and you have to attend weekly meetings but it’s a fantastic way to get your name around. Most chapters have between 20 and 30 business people as members so you can tap in to their network immediately. The organisation is built on business referrals, passing business to other members within the chapter. I was a member when I was starting out in my Graphic Design business. I found it an an excellet way to get to people directly, not through the brick wall of secretaries.
You can find a list of chapters through out Ireland here http://www.bni-europe.com/indexir.htm
I had heard of something like the BNI but wasn’t sure if this was something that was still going or to what extent the concept was even in practice. I think that’s an excellent idea. Might also be worth checking with (and joining) your local Chamber of Commerce. They often organise business breakfasts and such things for the sole purpose of networking and developing business amongst it’s members.
Unfortunately, success in the professional photography business has more to do with who you know and how well in touch you are with your local business scene than it does with the quality of your photography. Research the work of your competition – I’m sure you’ll find several good examples of people who’s work is quite poor but who are nevertheless very successful. Being able to create good images sure makes the job a lot easier but it’s not necessarily the most important factor when it comes to making a success of this game (depending on how you measure sucess!).
– Thorsten.
Hey Mark
Yes indeed BNI is def the way to go,well worth the grand or so,but if there is already another photographer there you may need to join a second chapter if it exists in yor area. Talk to PR companys and tell them about yourself and your interests,i recently did a shoot for suicra with a whole new product range and got it through BNI in Kilkenny,the shot made it to the Front of the business page on the Times..Nice earner and everyone was happy campers..
Dont forget about selling your images to stock companys like gettys etc…
Benben wrote:
Hey Mark
Yes indeed BNI is def the way to go,well worth the grand or so,but if there is already another photographer there you may need to join a second chapter if it exists in yor area. Talk to PR companys and tell them about yourself and your interests,i recently did a shoot for suicra with a whole new product range and got it through BNI in Kilkenny,the shot made it to the Front of the business page on the Times..Nice earner and everyone was happy campers..
Dont forget about selling your images to stock companys like gettys etc…
BenGood job Ben. I love hearing success stories like that!
You must be logged in to reply to this topic.
