Hopefully this inspires someone out there. I have heaps of passion for taking photos and videos. However, creating ads and so forth on your computer without experience was really hard to get any work at all. So I created a flyer, printed it at a local print place, then hit the streets walking and talking to businesses. The first day, first 20 minutes ended up getting a client to take photos of their food and put it up on social media. Almost every place I door knocked on had not had any social media present. What this means for you is that it's a bloody gold mine out there. Good luck, get out of your comfort zone and simply ask and put an offer forward. You'll be amazed how many people say yes.
Martin, I don't know about the UK, but here, in the US - You are a national treasure! Thank you for your amazing experience and willingness to share your knowledge.
Absolutely sound advice. I still do the occasional free job if it's a style or area I haven't done much of before. Cheers for another great video mate, all the best.
I also think to start a good way is to do some jobs for free for small local businesses but to get them to remember you forever I would send them an invoice afterwards, what they wouldn't expect. But in that invoice just charge them 0 € (or whatever currency you use) and also offer a 10% discount for their next shooting. So they will get nervous when receiving the invoice and get reliefed when finding out it's basically just a voucher. This way they also have your contact information again in case they lost your business card.
Yes, connecting through referrals is always the best way in any business. Plus, the more you get, the more you get. I've had referrals that have gone 6 or 7 deep and it was always quality business. Not as a photographer, I may add, I'm crap at that. Sound advice from an expert, yet again, thanks Martin.
Great advice and info! My pro photographer friend, who started shooting professionally in the late 90s, basically only does video now. Bought a real cine camera, but still uses his 5d4 for photos. Shot with the 5d2 up until 2017! Still has it.
No reason a 5d2 couldn’t do this work today, more than capable. Video is really becoming a thing though so it wouldn’t be up to standard for that unfortunately
@@MartinCasteinHi Martin great content as usual. I’m still getting to grips with my D800 and wanted your advice on which AF mode (af-s/af-c) to use and also is it best to stick with centre focus point. I use the 50mm f1.8d and a Nikon 70-210 F4. Thanks in advance.
A painter (painting houses, not pictures) once told me he loves painting and hates driving. So he tries to build a good reputation locally to find customers who know former customers. I think that is also implicitely mentioned in your video.
Very insightful. I’m just a hobbyist but who knows sometime in the future I could earn some money from this passion thanks to this video! Thank you and cheers!
27 comments year after? WTF. Your advice is very good. I know it because I see it with my photography teacher. He started shooting for e.g. defense industry, with the very same approach. Make targeted portfolio, send it, profit.
Sir, when buying used old DSLR with 50K Shutter count is safe to buy, and should I avoid with 100K shutters, as you know shutter replacement is expensive,
Shutter can break at any time but more likely as it gets older, expect to have to replace a shutter at some stage. Having said that just buy the camera and use it. Too easy to worry all the time about what might happen.
Erm businesses spend a fortune on advertising and photos and videos are at the front of every single advert. So spending a bit on professional photos will be worth it economically and make your company look better. Look at adverts from the big companies like apple,sony samsung etc there is no way some employee shot them on an iphone.
Yep agree they don’t need a photographer ! They need images that get them what they want - normally selling something or building reputation. Easier if you flip the conversation and provide an image solution for their problems.
@MartinCastein I AM A BEINGER I HAVE A CANON 5D MARK 2 HOW WOULD I BE ABLE TO MAKE MONEY WITH MY Camera BECAUSE I TAKE A LOTS OF PHOTOS AND PPL I KNOW TELL ME THEY ARE GOOD AND I HAVE A GOOD EYE BUT I WOULD LOVE TO MAKE A LIL MONEY TAKEN PHOTOS
start with doing some outdoor family photos maybe. do a couple of shoots for free then charge a small amount and build from there. Family photos are probably the easiest to get going in and get used to running a photography business. You will naturally pick up weddings from that as well if thats something you want to do. Family and weddings is where the money is.
also headshots as an alternative, that pays really well too so have a think about that too and you will get loads of people in for some free headshots. id do about 10 shoots free to get a portfolio or do more if you find the shoot 10 is a lot better than shots 1 2 and 3 and then when you have a consistent portfolio start charging. advertise on instagram and facebook in your local area, pay to advertise.
Hopefully this inspires someone out there. I have heaps of passion for taking photos and videos. However, creating ads and so forth on your computer without experience was really hard to get any work at all. So I created a flyer, printed it at a local print place, then hit the streets walking and talking to businesses. The first day, first 20 minutes ended up getting a client to take photos of their food and put it up on social media. Almost every place I door knocked on had not had any social media present. What this means for you is that it's a bloody gold mine out there. Good luck, get out of your comfort zone and simply ask and put an offer forward. You'll be amazed how many people say yes.
Martin, I don't know about the UK, but here, in the US - You are a national treasure! Thank you for your amazing experience and willingness to share your knowledge.
hahah thank you, my audience is overwhelmingly from the US haha. thats very kind of you!
Thank you for devoting time to this channel! You are such a wonderful resource.
you are welcome im glad you like it and find it useful!
Absolutely sound advice. I still do the occasional free job if it's a style or area I haven't done much of before. Cheers for another great video mate, all the best.
I'm a business owner and this is great advice. It's also what I've been doing to get started and build cilentel.
thank you
I also think to start a good way is to do some jobs for free for small local businesses but to get them to remember you forever I would send them an invoice afterwards, what they wouldn't expect. But in that invoice just charge them 0 € (or whatever currency you use) and also offer a 10% discount for their next shooting. So they will get nervous when receiving the invoice and get reliefed when finding out it's basically just a voucher. This way they also have your contact information again in case they lost your business card.
Yes, connecting through referrals is always the best way in any business. Plus, the more you get, the more you get. I've had referrals that have gone 6 or 7 deep and it was always quality business. Not as a photographer, I may add, I'm crap at that. Sound advice from an expert, yet again, thanks Martin.
Thanks Eric!
Great advice and info! My pro photographer friend, who started shooting professionally in the late 90s, basically only does video now. Bought a real cine camera, but still uses his 5d4 for photos. Shot with the 5d2 up until 2017! Still has it.
No reason a 5d2 couldn’t do this work today, more than capable. Video is really becoming a thing though so it wouldn’t be up to standard for that unfortunately
@@MartinCasteinHi Martin great content as usual. I’m still getting to grips with my D800 and wanted your advice on which AF mode (af-s/af-c) to use and also is it best to stick with centre focus point. I use the 50mm f1.8d and a Nikon 70-210 F4.
Thanks in advance.
What I like about this video is that it applies to a lot of other business areas as well. Just think about someone who does web design, for example..
A painter (painting houses, not pictures) once told me he loves painting and hates driving. So he tries to build a good reputation locally to find customers who know former customers. I think that is also implicitely mentioned in your video.
It’s really important to build something you aren’t trying to escape from. Making the right choices like your painter friend makes things sustainable
Very insightful. I’m just a hobbyist but who knows sometime in the future I could earn some money from this passion thanks to this video! Thank you and cheers!
Thanks!
thank you!
This is an extremely helpful video for me, thank you.
Glad it’s useful
27 comments year after? WTF. Your advice is very good. I know it because I see it with my photography teacher. He started shooting for e.g. defense industry, with the very same approach. Make targeted portfolio, send it, profit.
Thanks I think just most people have no intention to make money from photography
Very motivating and helpful video! Thank you!
Brilliant information Martin
Great! Thank you so much!
Very informative. Good, effective suggestions.
It's like a cliffhanger at the end there. Now I want to hear what you have to say about doing client video work.
Fantastic video 👍🏽👍🏽
Thank you 👍
Great!
Sir, when buying used old DSLR with 50K Shutter count is safe to buy, and should I avoid with 100K shutters, as you know shutter replacement is expensive,
Shutter can break at any time but more likely as it gets older, expect to have to replace a shutter at some stage. Having said that just buy the camera and use it. Too easy to worry all the time about what might happen.
Where can you find models?
Facebook search for model groups in your nearest city, Instagram, print some cards and hand to anyone you see you might like to photograph.
Sorry, but very few businesses need a photographer.
Yeah they do loads do
Erm businesses spend a fortune on advertising and photos and videos are at the front of every single advert.
So spending a bit on professional photos will be worth it economically and make your company look better.
Look at adverts from the big companies like apple,sony samsung etc there is no way some employee shot them on an iphone.
Yep agree they don’t need a photographer !
They need images that get them what they want - normally selling something or building reputation.
Easier if you flip the conversation and provide an image solution for their problems.
@MartinCastein I AM A BEINGER I HAVE A CANON 5D MARK 2 HOW WOULD I BE ABLE TO MAKE MONEY WITH MY Camera BECAUSE I TAKE A LOTS OF PHOTOS AND PPL I KNOW TELL ME THEY ARE GOOD AND I HAVE A GOOD EYE BUT I WOULD LOVE TO MAKE A LIL MONEY TAKEN PHOTOS
start with doing some outdoor family photos maybe. do a couple of shoots for free then charge a small amount and build from there. Family photos are probably the easiest to get going in and get used to running a photography business. You will naturally pick up weddings from that as well if thats something you want to do. Family and weddings is where the money is.
also headshots as an alternative, that pays really well too so have a think about that too and you will get loads of people in for some free headshots. id do about 10 shoots free to get a portfolio or do more if you find the shoot 10 is a lot better than shots 1 2 and 3 and then when you have a consistent portfolio start charging. advertise on instagram and facebook in your local area, pay to advertise.