[robski]

A warm welcome to you Alison.

It will be very interesting to see if the pros and semi-pros among our membership throw any light on this topic. They often appear very guarded on giving tips on how to break into this market and drum up business. Maybe you’re suffering from the economic downturn where many are cutting back on extravagant items. I know countless people now working a 4 day week and facing redundancy in a few months time including myself.

I am a hobby wildlife photographer who is out and about in the countryside. Many folk mistake me for a Pro when they spot the gear. In the course of conversations which strike up during our meeting often the topic of somebody who takes family or pet portraits comes up. You typically hear figures quoted of say £75 - £100 for the shoot including a few prints and extra prints in the order of £20 - £30 each. I have never heard anybody say they thought it was good value for money and it appears most declined the offer.

I believe the secret to success is having the right network of contacts who can feed you the work. For example a photographic studio that uses specialist freelance photographers to cover a wide range of subjects. Pros are often seen hanging around local camera shops keeping their ear to the ground and hopefully pick-up some contacts of business.

You often hear the term what is your USP (unique selling point) which brings to mind a photographer’s studio I saw in Bergen Norway. The guy was using large plate camera to make very large canvas portrait prints (at least 3 to 4 square metres) which must of been very expensive but he must of had a market to supply.

To make a living it is not uncommon for your work to be not exactly what you wanted to do or planned. It is a case of getting the needle in the vein where the money is.