Yes, yes and yes. Same as people why say 'never give away free photos'. It's a long a story, but I am where I am today because I shot for free and gave my photos away for free. I tried for years to break into the paid events photography scene here in Perth, Western Australia. They are mostly run by one lady - she is the promoter for most of them. I used to hang around the edges of her events, feeling like a scab and often getting kicked out by security. My wife used to nag me and say I was embarrassing and humiliated myself. However, I never gave up. One day she saw me and asked for some samples - I gave them to her for free. I had expectations she would pay me or reward me, but she never did. This went on for a few years - I'd see her, give her samples with her making promises, but nothing eventuated. I never gave up and about 2 years ago, I turned up at one of her events (to hang around the edges and take more photos). However, this time it was all different. Her main photographer had let her down for the day and did not turn up. Because she knew me, and liked my images, she asked me to shoot the day for her. She paid me well and loved my images. Forward to now, I am her only photographer (she got rid of the rest), and I regularly am the only paid photographer at all of the main Government and social events here in Perth. I love my job, love working for this lady and we are great friends now (she tells me she loves me - he he). If I had listened to the naysayers, I would still be an amateur dithering around the edges. The thing now is that because I mix with her dancers, entertainers, buskers and professional people that provide the entertainment, I have contacts with them and get lots of other bookings through those contacts.
Great story and that is exactly what it’s all about! We have clout and a reputation now and you and I both know it doesn’t mean shit… we will do it all over again tomorrow to get the next job.
@@kaskoPhoto Yes - you are such a breath of fresh air compared to most of the 'gear fiddlers', here on YT. You are a paid, working pro, who is where you are because of hard work. Keep pumping out the vid's - you are an inspiration to many (though with my bad eyes, I could never shoot MF like you do)!!
I remember living in NYC mid ‘80s. The Limelight would once a month put on what they called Industry night as a place to network for film, broadcast and entertainment people. I probably spent $100 in cover charges before it dawned on me this is nothing but a club packed with other out of work actors, musicians and filmmakers. No industry professional of any significance would ever show their face in there. This ties in with an article I read of a photographer who paid to advertise on FB. In the end the clicks he paid for were mostly other photographers sussing up the competition or photo enthusiast looky-loos. You are absolutely correct about working with your local civic organizations and sometimes offering your services as a donation.
This whole Instagram/Facebook etc. thing is to keep you busy the whole day. Oh I’m on UA-cam right now 😁 Same story. Keeping you busy with „content creation“ and content consumption. This is a whole political scheme which is behind it but you can research this for yourself 😊
Excellent advice and yes you are correct on going out there and meeting people in person and handing out your cards but I believe Instagram photos aren’t so good at projecting your business but it’s all about video and a photographer has to make a few videos whilst on the shoot and upload a few photos in combination is way better than just photos on Instagram
I do think BTS video is a nice idea for attracting clients - and will help. But the personal handshake or fist bump in todays world will always be the number one client getter.
Word of mouth is the best way to get business you won’t make a lot of money but you can make a good name for yourself what you might do is make a living in something you enjoy doing !
I purchased my first digital camera in 1999, a Nikon Coolpix 950 with a 2.1 Megapixel CCD sensor. If 2.1 Megapixels were too much, there was two lower resolutions 🤣 Shot some of my most treasured images of my kids on what I had available at the time but I love them!
Can you talk a bit more about the printed products? Do you print yourself? How do you do it. If you can make a video about it, it would be nice. Thanks
Great idea for the subject. But no, I do not print myself. I use prolabexpress for my printing. It, in the long term, is equally cost effective and they use wet process and do an amazing job.
Had to google to find your website :) Do you watermark event photos you share freely, or just rely on the fact that they were published on your own website?
I do not watermark any of my images. With events I give them freely without watermarks - I want people to enjoy the images and use them. It’s an advertising expense to me. As much as people think they are saving their images from unauthorized use or to advertise their name… it’s not how it works in the real world. It’s more of an image distraction (which just pisses people off) or an extra step for some to remove or crop it out. Just my opinion.
Agree 95%. I have probably a thousand business cards people have handed over the years. Never look at them. Nobody looks at them. They go into a pile and out of sight forever. Instead I ask "Do you have Instagram?" "Of course". "Add me". "Sure, add me back". "Sure". They see my posts, they comment, I comment, they invite me to parties. And yes, often I get a gig out of it. Because they don't have to dig into their massive unsorted pile of cards to find my number. But yeah, do the work.
Business cards are mini billboards and because so many people think like you- they are not used as often as they use to be. Like a print in hand, I business card is something tangible - and that means more today then ever before. Create a card that doesn’t get lost in the shuffle- one that stands out from the crowd. And make them want to keep it on top of the pile when they meet you.
Yes, yes and yes. Same as people why say 'never give away free photos'. It's a long a story, but I am where I am today because I shot for free and gave my photos away for free. I tried for years to break into the paid events photography scene here in Perth, Western Australia. They are mostly run by one lady - she is the promoter for most of them. I used to hang around the edges of her events, feeling like a scab and often getting kicked out by security. My wife used to nag me and say I was embarrassing and humiliated myself. However, I never gave up. One day she saw me and asked for some samples - I gave them to her for free. I had expectations she would pay me or reward me, but she never did. This went on for a few years - I'd see her, give her samples with her making promises, but nothing eventuated.
I never gave up and about 2 years ago, I turned up at one of her events (to hang around the edges and take more photos). However, this time it was all different. Her main photographer had let her down for the day and did not turn up. Because she knew me, and liked my images, she asked me to shoot the day for her. She paid me well and loved my images. Forward to now, I am her only photographer (she got rid of the rest), and I regularly am the only paid photographer at all of the main Government and social events here in Perth. I love my job, love working for this lady and we are great friends now (she tells me she loves me - he he). If I had listened to the naysayers, I would still be an amateur dithering around the edges. The thing now is that because I mix with her dancers, entertainers, buskers and professional people that provide the entertainment, I have contacts with them and get lots of other bookings through those contacts.
Great story and that is exactly what it’s all about! We have clout and a reputation now and you and I both know it doesn’t mean shit… we will do it all over again tomorrow to get the next job.
@@kaskoPhoto Yes - you are such a breath of fresh air compared to most of the 'gear fiddlers', here on YT. You are a paid, working pro, who is where you are because of hard work. Keep pumping out the vid's - you are an inspiration to many (though with my bad eyes, I could never shoot MF like you do)!!
yup, work smart, hard, be patient, pray the key words to success
Exactly. You don't need "followers", you need paying customers. That never changed.
I remember living in NYC mid ‘80s. The Limelight would once a month put on what they called Industry night as a place to network for film, broadcast and entertainment people. I probably spent $100 in cover charges before it dawned on me this is nothing but a club packed with other out of work actors, musicians and filmmakers. No industry professional of any significance would ever show their face in there. This ties in with an article I read of a photographer who paid to advertise on FB. In the end the clicks he paid for were mostly other photographers sussing up the competition or photo enthusiast looky-loos. You are absolutely correct about working with your local civic organizations and sometimes offering your services as a donation.
This whole Instagram/Facebook etc. thing is to keep you busy the whole day.
Oh I’m on UA-cam right now 😁 Same story.
Keeping you busy with „content creation“ and content consumption.
This is a whole political scheme which is behind it but you can research this for yourself 😊
Doing the work and word of mouth, nothing beats this.
Great video! I’m just a casual hobbyist and even I know that those programs, courses, seminars, workshops, etc. are a waste of time and money.
Excellent advice and yes you are correct on going out there and meeting people in person and handing out your cards but I believe Instagram photos aren’t so good at projecting your business but it’s all about video and a photographer has to make a few videos whilst on the shoot and upload a few photos in combination is way better than just photos on Instagram
I do think BTS video is a nice idea for attracting clients - and will help. But the personal handshake or fist bump in todays world will always be the number one client getter.
@@kaskoPhoto yes absolutely you are correct the meet and greet via handshake and fist 🤛🏼 will always be number 1
Word of mouth is the best way to get business you won’t make a lot of money but you can make a good name for yourself what you might do is make a living in something you enjoy doing !
Respect
Meeting people and handling cards works for all types businesses
Human interaction and leaving impression still is relevant
Thanks! I really appreciate your comment. See you next time!
Great video and channel 🙏
Thank you
agree :) you have to do the work, clients do not fall from the sky
Truth.
I purchased my first digital camera in 1999, a Nikon Coolpix 950 with a 2.1 Megapixel CCD sensor. If 2.1 Megapixels were too much, there was two lower resolutions 🤣 Shot some of my most treasured images of my kids on what I had available at the time but I love them!
Can you talk a bit more about the printed products? Do you print yourself? How do you do it. If you can make a video about it, it would be nice. Thanks
Great idea for the subject. But no, I do not print myself. I use prolabexpress for my printing. It, in the long term, is equally cost effective and they use wet process and do an amazing job.
🙏
GET OFF YOUR ASSS AND WORK IT, FULL STOP, thanks for sharing,
I bet if you offer to pay for google ads for one month and show them the difference, they will thank you later.
How do you make a million dollars in photography? Start with two million... and soon you'll have a million, if you're lucky!
😂
Had to google to find your website :)
Do you watermark event photos you share freely, or just rely on the fact that they were published on your own website?
I do not watermark any of my images. With events I give them freely without watermarks - I want people to enjoy the images and use them. It’s an advertising expense to me. As much as people think they are saving their images from unauthorized use or to advertise their name… it’s not how it works in the real world. It’s more of an image distraction (which just pisses people off) or an extra step for some to remove or crop it out. Just my opinion.
@@kaskoPhoto Thanks for sharing your outlook
Agree 95%. I have probably a thousand business cards people have handed over the years. Never look at them. Nobody looks at them. They go into a pile and out of sight forever. Instead I ask "Do you have Instagram?" "Of course". "Add me". "Sure, add me back". "Sure". They see my posts, they comment, I comment, they invite me to parties. And yes, often I get a gig out of it. Because they don't have to dig into their massive unsorted pile of cards to find my number.
But yeah, do the work.
Business cards are mini billboards and because so many people think like you- they are not used as often as they use to be. Like a print in hand, I business card is something tangible - and that means more today then ever before. Create a card that doesn’t get lost in the shuffle- one that stands out from the crowd. And make them want to keep it on top of the pile when they meet you.