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Stating your own freelance photography business can be a simple and fun thing. All you really need is a good camera, film, and good public relations. The best way to get started is by getting your name out among the local small businesses in your town. Printing flyers to be displayed in store windows or on counters is a great way to do this. When printing the flyers, be specific about the type of photography work you wish to do. Be sure to include a price list and a phone number where you can be reached to set up an appointment.
Having good public relations is a must. Word of mouth can make or break a new business. Therefore, it is very important to follow through on an appointment that has been set, to show up on time, and to deliver the finished product on the promised date. Customers who have experienced bad service will tend not to frequent your business.
When setting up an appointment, be specific about with the customer about how you want the appointment to go. Find out what they want and make suggestions on how you think you can provide the best quality. Personalization in a photograph always causes a beautiful effect. Suggest they bring a favorite prop, or wear a sentimental article of clothing. A lot of customers like to have family photographs done in their home. Make suggestions as to how acheive the most natural look with posing. Either around a favorite armchair or in front of a fireplace cause a great effect. An outdoor photo is also a beautiful thing if done in front of the right scenery, ie. flower bed, porch swing, etc.
If expenses make it impossible to start your own studio in the immediate future, suggest on location sites. Parks and lakes make beautiful backgrounds. When doing on location photography, make sure to pose your subjects so as not to show any buildings or automobiles in the background. When posing under trees, be sure to watch for shadows on the faces of your subjects. It is very important to watch for shadows. Various times of day require different posing techniques. If you see a shadow when you are looking at the subjects, the shadow will be prevelent in your photograph.
The opportunities for photography are endless. Creativity is a key source. The more creative you are, the more likely the customer will be pleased and refer you to their friends and family. Patience is a must. People tend to have portraits taken of their children more often than anything else. If you feel uptight and uncomfortable when working with children they will pick up on this and in return feel the same. Have fun and let your imagination take over. Remember, you are capturing memories that people will hang on their walls for a very long time.
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