After years of taking picture for my own self gratification I find myself in a predicament. One where I am soon going to have to make a decision.
In recent weeks I have been approached by several businesses and individuals interested in my services. This is flattering as it shows that the hard work that I have put in over the last 5 years learning and developing new skills is paying off. But I don't want to loose that sense of enjoyment and have pressure put upon my shoulders to deliver on a commitment.
I find myself most evening sitting at my computer or iPad thinking of new ideas for shoots, playing with lighting effects and editing images that I have previously taken.
I would really like to take the bull by the horns and take on new opportunities but find myself alone in my interest. Having attended a few photography society group meeting described by the members as having members of all ages. Yeah right, all ages with a bus pass and claiming their pension. I often find myself using social networks to communicate with fellow photographers across the globe.
but why ....
Almost everyone has a digital camera of sorts, could be a mobile phone, a point and shoot or a DSLR. However finding someone who is willing to learn how to user there camera is a difficult task, many people I have spoken to say I would like to use my camera more and learn what it can do but this is just not a priority, just you wait till you have kids and all the photos you have of them are in the front room or of them on holiday. Where the background is too bright, out of focus or has crap filling the background, then you find yourself splashing out for studio shots to go on the wall that to be quite honest most people could learn to take in a matter of hours and gain more satisfaction from it in the process. To use the phrase from a national DIY chain 'I did that' is much more rewarding than paying someone else to do it. Many people are more concerned with the quantity of what can only be described as $@!& that they upload on to their Facebook page.
I am aware it is Summer and 29'C outside but the latest idea is to photograph Christmas Parties for Corporations, offering my services as a portrait photographer. Capturing guests in their best evening wear, uploading the images to an online server for guests to download at their convenience, these can then be put to print or use digitally as a profile image.
How to do this ... Do I:
Leaflet drop local businesses?
Approach Hotels that throw lavish events each year?
Email businesses a proposal?
Join forces with an established business, to offer a range of services?
All of the above.
