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Index
About the Author
Copyright
Contents
1. Specialize in a genre
2. Make the most of your abilities
3. Don’t try to fit a square peg in a round hole
4. Consider unexpected specializations
5. Develop a unique style
6. Plan for success
7. Impress yourself
8. Promote your work to those around you
9. Bring in volunteers as models
10. Clearly define your fees when you become a paid professional
11. Compare your work to that of other artists
12. Know what a technically correct image looks like
13. Master your craft
14. Practice is the cheapest training
15. Make yourself worth your fee
16. Build a resource library
17. Learn more about photography online
18. Photography conventions are well worth the investment
19. Buying does not equal learning
20. Keep your head about you at the trade show
21. Industry magazines keep you current
22. Find a mentor
23. Get advice from the store where you purchase your equipment
24. Join local professional photographers’ groups
25. Test your mettle in photography contests
26. Attend or enter national print competitions
27. Photography safaris and short-term photo schools serve as vacations
28. Don’t jump without a parachute
29. Join a professional photographic organization
30. Create a business plan
31. Develop your brand
32. Know your cost of goods
33. Raise prices instead of lowering them
34. Put off hiring until you can afford it
35. Sign on an intern or mentor an assistant photographer
36. Trade for services
37. Secure your capital reserves
38. Equipment may not be your most important investment
39. Consider renting equipment
40. Triage your equipment shopping list
41. When you get new equipment, thoroughly learn to use it
42. Save money on small purchases
43. Assemble a small “tool” kit to accompany your camera gear
44. Less expensive imaging software is available
45. Don’t waste time fixing poor captures
46. Use plug-ins to save time—and images
47. Don’t steal software (but don’t pay full price either)
48. Use actions or digital filters to lighten your workload
49. Use image manipulation as a sales edge
50. Create an “old fashioned” image in a flash
51. Paint in Photoshop (without additional software)
52. Graphics tablets and other hardware can be acquired for less
53. Learn new imaging techniques with free tutorials
54. Master natural light—it’s free
55. Don’t purchase studio lighting without a hands-on trial period
56. Inexpensive daylight-balanced bulbs are a great option
57. Save time by mastering your camera’s white balance settings
58. Use a gray card to ensure correct color rendition in your images
59. Try a white-balancing lens accessory
60. Use software as a backup for perfecting color
61. Find lighting looks you enjoy, then learn to emulate them
62. Pop-up flash creates an amateur look in portraits
63. External flash is an excellent first lighting investment
64. Make a light diffuser for less than $1
65. Build your own external-flash shield
66. Invest in light modifiers. You’ll never outgrow them
67. The most clever light enhancer ever—for under $15
68. Use whatever is handy to add or subtract light
69. Build a small light tent
70. Create an inexpensive background light/hair light
71. Use a mirrored acrylic panel as a strong reflector
72. Try the freestanding “hunk” reflector
73. Paint nonmoving subjects with a spotlight
74. Nuts and bolts help create ingenious lighting solutions
75. Build a “take apart” scrim for studio and location work
76. Use an affordable shop light as a studio light source
77. Take lighting workshops to save time and money
78. Where studio lighting is concerned, compare apples to apples
79. Do you really need a light meter?
80. Marketing is an investment in success
81. Show only your best work
82. Be a card-carrying photographer
83. Business cards are a waste of money if the type and pictures are too small
84. Create specialized business cards
85. Order small batches of business cards with different images
86. Print business cards after each session
87. Post a web site as soon as possible
88. Get on the blog bandwagon
89. Postcard advertising pays off
90. More spending doesn’t equate to greater success
91. Build a resource file of marketing ideas
92. Track your results to determine your success rate
93. Send out periodic (not weekly) e-mail announcements
94. Follow up with past clients to keep them coming back for more
95. Offer gift cards
96. Partner with retail stores
97. Learn to say no
98. Reach out to an untapped market
99. Create public service/community awareness displays and volunteer your services
100. Get free publicity instead of, or before, buying it
101. Look for free display opportunities
102. Arrange speaking engagements
103. Get free marketing advice
104. Marketing workshops are good investments
105. Improve your people skills
106. Use skits to encourage subject interaction
107. Go on a “no cheese” diet
108. Learn to inspire great expressions
109. Collect verbal “smile catchers” and mood makers
110. Always be on the lookout for great images
111. A trained eye is the most valuable tool
112. Don’t take all the advice that comes your way
113. Explore the “unseen” in your photograph
114. Think quick, save a shot
115. Save your leftovers
116. Don’t open a studio until you are certain you are ready
117. Think hard before opting for a storefront studio
118. Consider a quaint or artsy studio location
119. Make good use of your studio’s surroundings for shooting areas
120. Be on the lookout for objects you can adapt for photographic purposes
121. Effective print displays sell larger wall art
122. Build a “portrait pen” in your studio or garage
123. Construct portable studio risers
124. Create a studio on wheels
125. Use the great outdoors as you would a studio
126. Create a studio setting in your client’s home
127. Small items can be photographed in small spaces
128. Photojournalistic photography doesn’t require a studio
129. Don’t underestimate the important role the background plays
130. Seek background inspiration from the masters
131. Create a custom background that suits your subject
132. Hunt for public areas that look like expensive designer sets
133. “Cool” backgrounds are easy to create using found items
134. Create a canvas-like background, starting with only two colors of paint
135. Old window frames have many uses
136. Get friends and relatives to do “background checks”
137. Save money on high-end photographic costuming by skipping sizes
138. Take a seat (or not)
139. Only portions of objects are needed to hint at a “set”
140. Soothing a fussy baby with a vibrating pillow may help you avoid rescheduling
141. Wearable art serves as mobile advertising for the photographer
142. Offer photo handbags that can be updated as the child grows
143. Consider the high return framing brings
144. Don’t stock up on frames—no matter how good the deal
145. Canvas wraps bring in extra profits
146. Albums are expensive. Always collect payment up front
147. Printed books can be impressive sales incentives
148. Make a statement with your packaging
149. Develop a “hand-over ritual”
150. Use the money you’ve saved
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