Share client’s photos in website for high google score & referrals
SEO Matters (or use fiverr.com)
Copywriting matters, I got a professional to write my website
You can take inspiration https://www.sameyeam.info/
Show your character & who you are
People work with people they like and can connect with
Show what they get if working with you
My example: https://www.sameyeam.info/incl
Google Maps
Add your services ([Niche (Wedding/Event/Family)] Photographer to the your area or consider moving to a main city (amazing also for networking)
After Free / discounted / late clients photoshoots ask for a google review
Social Media
Show your why not only what
Show your why not only what (don't just show your photos, show why you are obsessed over photos, why it changed your life, your clients reactions and so, how it impacts your clients, photography qoutes
Show How you helped other with their problem
Use all formats videos & photos
Make it visually interesting + audio / voice over interesting + Text interesting to get the most attention
Ads:
First post many reels and see what goes the most viral
Make the top viral reels as ads - ideally a reel where you provide value to your audience (here are the best wedding locations in Amsterdam) while showing your photos
To build connection & excitement Ideally Send them to a longer video where you explain & show how you helped people like them solve their problems in the best way or how you can solve it for them (it can be in your profile feed pinned and in your bio link - Website or YouTube)
At the end invite them to contact you (DM / Phone Call / Whatsapp)
more info in the Instagram Course
Emails / Dms
Send emails & messages to companies you care about
Find events / conferences in your area -> contact the companies that are working with them, conferences booths are amazing clients
Use the Outreach Email Template
Networking
Where
On Google you can find many communities / entrepreneurs meetups / co working spaces
On google maps search for Hotels and filter to the highest price
to avoid guards I often walk fast with confidence or on a phone call and if they ask I say to the restaurant
Go sit at their coffee / restaurants
work there with your laptop & camera, you can edit photos/ videos /website so people can see you are a photographer and can see your photos before even speaking to you
you can also take photos / record video to get even more attention
Many rich people hang their and most of them need to work on their personal brand / need photos so there is a big chance they will approach you. this method is amazing to get clients while traveling, Especially in Asia its easy to get in those places
Don’t try to sell: try to find problems & help solve it, even if you are not the solution
Don’t saying “I’m a photographer” when someone asks you what you do, this is like saying I’m a guy with a hammer, people don’t really care, but if you say, I fix roofs with my hammer, then people will be like oh I have a roof problem! Can you help me? So instead of saying im a photographer say, I help men get more matches on tinder by making amazing photos of themselves, or I help websites make more money buy changing their portraits, ideally you want to first ask them what they do so you can personalise what you do to help them and saying it with excitement :)
Luxury Weddings
You send a message to a castle or beautiful place that hosts luxury weddings saying you are interested in working together but you are still building your luxury wedding portfolio so you want to take photos of the location / make free portraits of the staff & maybe other vendors and just get to know them.
Then you get partly luxury portfolio + the best connections with the location that already have those luxury clients that pay millions for their weddings
Local/natural Communities
Example: Facebook group: Amsterdam mama's
Example: Paris Entrepreneurs
Your neighborhood whatsapp group
Huge opportunity, If you need portfolio you can go viral in those communities and make people love you if you write that you are building your portfolio and looking for people to collaborate with, make a mood board with your ideal photos (Pinterest)
Example: Hi, I just moved here and I'm building my wedding portfolio and im looking for people to collaborate with :)
I'm looking for:
- A beautiful couple with wedding cloths,
- Make up artists
- Beautiful natural location (villa/castle)
I'm offering free photos that will normally cost [your daily rate] here is what I do - [your website/Instagram]
If anyone know's people who can be a good match people feel free to connect :)
This can make people know who you are and how you can help them + love you because its not needy/sales its collaborative. probably you will get many followers / requests and to make them pay you just say "I'd love to help but I'm just too busy to do free works"
Ask in those communities for help with your photoshoots
Examples:
anyone has a beautiful villa for a photoshoot? you will get free photos :) [share your website/instagram]
Hi I'm new here and I'm a photographer looking for new beautiful natural spots to make photoshoots at, anyone ideas?
Mindset
Most photographers look desperate like they need jobs to survive and there is nothing else going on for them, thats huge pressure & risk for the potential client
The right mindset: I don't need this job, but I could help you and it could be nice to work togehter, I'm doing really nice jobs already anyway.
When networking at jobs and events I often said: "yes I can definitely help, I know exactly what you need but I'm over booked so I'm not sure if i'll have time" - I remember seeing their eyes light up every time and they get more curious and desire to work with me (when something is sold out people value it more)
Pricing
How much?
Based on clients request / Inquiry
How much do you want this job?
I really want it!
If I really want to work with someone / a project, It means I get other value from it like, a new interesting client / portfolio photos / dream clients / potential new connections and so.. I give a discount or do it for free, I mostly do communicate before how much people usually pay to make sure they do value what I do
I want it
Charge what people usually pay you / other photographers in your level
I don't want it
For me, something needs to keep it exciting for me, if its not the project / client and I don't need this job, i raise my prices (my way of saying no.)
I started at $25/hour of taking photos, then $50/hour, then $100/hour, then $200 first hour + $100/hour, then $200/hour, then $300/hour and now more then $500/hour
Public Prices
Most photographers keep their prices hidden, which make clients question if they over pay & lowers truest. sharing your prices publicly is a great way to build a lot of truest + makes it much easier to work with you. huge advantage
You can still have high prices publicly but give discounts in private groups / ads or in private. people will value it a lot.
Tip: always have a deadline, so people will take action quicker and most people love indecisions, so this forces a decision
If I were to start from 0, i would build an insane portfolio for free then charge what the below a bit below other photographers at the same level as i don't have experience or clients yet ($100/Hour -$300/hour) as a start
When to share my prices?
If its normal prices then you can get much more clients if you share them publicly everywhere, it will make people truest you much more, and remember you.
High prices or Private
After they know exactly the value of what they get, you can also get on a call with them.
Or if they insist then when they ask for it. but have a link like I have after the prices - https://www.sameyeam.info/incl
Raising Prices
Say you love working together but you just don't have time anymore
Bonus if you share that you invested a lot into your business [courses/education/new gear/new software] and because of it your clients results are gonna be better so they know working with you now is more valuable for them.
Example: Hi [boss] I love working together and I want to continue but because I have too much work lately and other are offering / paying me higher amounts I don't have the time to work together any more, I also invested a lot of money lately into an [instagram course / a video camera / videography course] so now also help my clients with going viral on instagram / making ads / sharing their stories online which takes even more time.
You can ask for more money in general but you can also make it risk free for your clients and a fun challenge by making them only pay for results + then you can even ask for more money
You can pay 30% more only if your posts get 10K views using this new instagram strategy that I learned
Photography
Taking Photos
The Experience
Lead them
Make a moodboard
Find the best locations
Come up with photo for ideas
Buy accessories
Pose them
Show them how you would pose in a funny way
Tell them their best angles & features
Bring fun music
Make them feel amazing (“Omg those photos look so good!”)
Jokes
Give photos on location
Maybe Film photos
Maybe Polaroids
Maybe prints
Lighting
Use hand trick to see the light direction
Shoot during golden hour or in shade
If external flash: place ~30 degrees from the from on the face to get the triangle on cheek and sun from behind to get back light & heir light
Camera settings
Backround
Try a far away background or that goes further to make the subject stand out
Forground
Use objects from the environment to put close to the camera (leafs, flowers, candles or even walls)
Gear
Cameras
My fav: Nikon Z7ii & Nikon D850
Lenses
My fav: prime lenses -> 85mm F1.4 & 35mm F1.4
Lights
My fav: Profoto B10
Role of Thirds
Lines guiding to the object
This will make your clients love you and recommend you to their friends as people speak most of the time about experiences they had
Selecting
I select what I would select if I was the client
Free / low budget photoshoots: maybe give minimal photos and say it took you a long time to edit & up-sale photos. Better to mention before.
Editing
Crop for the Role of thirds
Straight lines: Transform panel
Use a RGB Tone Curve Preset to create a consistent editing look
Correct white balance (My preference: warmer)
Make them more attractive (depending on culture)
Less Attractive (Depending on the culture & situation):
* Dark circles under the eyes: Lighten or remove
* Smile lines (when not smiling): Soften or remove
* Temporary imperfections (spots): Remove
* Veins: soften or remove
* Wrinkles: Smooth or remove
* Eye veins: Minimize or remove
* Orange Lips: Make red (Biggest mistake with Orange & Teal Presets)
* Dark teeth’s: Lighten & reduce color
Make Them More Attractive (Depending on person & situation):
* Highlight cheekbones: Enhance with light.
* Nose highlight: Add a subtle glow.
* Reflection highlight: Accentuate natural light.
* Make eyes more white: Brighten eye whites.
* Make eyes pop with light reflection: Add sparkle to the eyes.
* Enhance eyes color.
* Smooth the skin: Enhance overall skin texture.
* Eye lashes / Eye browses / Hair: Contrast or add if needed
= Can be outsourced for $5 an hour
Is it ethical?
where?
Onlinejob.ph
What I mostly use, it costs around $70 to find someone but after that there are no fees / contracts or middleman. its only for finding people in the Philipines, they have an amazing YouTube Channel where the owner of the platform teaches everything and why its so amazing to work with Filipinoes
Fiverr.com
Probably the most known place to find freelancers all over the world for a project
Upwork.com
Second most known place to find people for long term help
Facebook groups
Instagram / TikTok search
Example: Photography Video Editor
Example: Filipino Video Editor
Example: Bali Video Editor
Flying and finding on location
I usually ask all the locals who work at resturants / hotels / gym's "Hi I'm looking for a video editor / personal assistant for a content creator
Starting From 0-100
Learn about cameras & lenses
Get / rent a camera
Build your portfolio: Shoot friends, post in Facebook groups and your social media that you are building your portfolio in weddings / your niche and you are looking for the people to build your portfolio with.
be specific to what is your ideal portfolio photos + add inspiration photos. the better the insparational photos to more viral it will go.
Photoshoots: make the experience super fun. get a friend to make behind the sence videos of you making it super fun, making jokes, funny poses & prompts, bring a speaker for fun / funny music
POST EVERYDAY!
behind the senses + results reels & posts
Why you do what you do
Boost as ads on instagram the best preforming posts + add a good limited time offer, Example: Christmas family photoshoot 1 hour photoshoot $200 at - [pretty & decorated location]
Add value and show proof (take videos / clients reactions)
At Weddings the responsibility is very high so to build experience & confidence, join a experienced photographer as a second shooter (You can find them on Facebook groups / google / maps / Instagram. networking with other photographers is always good) or shoot a wedding where the couple knows and is ok with you shooting your first wedding
Build a big high value offer for high value problems (Weddings - Huge responsibility for most people, Business events that costs a lot, marketing material)
Communicate it everywhere
Pay someone on Fiverr.com to make you a website with a page showing what is unique about you so you can charge more - https://www.sameyeam.info/incl
If you're getting good results and more requests, it's time to charge more.
The Confidence Trap
I have no work!
Panic!
I say yes to everything
no matter how bad it is/pays