This is seriously one of my favorite videos ever! I've been told by so many people "pitch to them" or "just try reaching out" but with no real knowledge of what to say. It's extremely helpful to have you lay it out step by step like this.
Man ! This is probably the best video about photography not being about "photography" that I ever saw. And perfectly in time for me, almost 3 years after you posted it. Thanks mate and hope it goes well for you!
This is year one for me in travel photography and although I'll be visiting plenty of places, I needed a little help on the commercial side. So thank you so much for this and all you do for us guys and gals trying to turn a passion into something that can also feed and clothe us.
Holy crap. This was one of the most exciting vids I've watched in years. I'm not pitching, I'm not a salesman(old term), but I sure respect people who know how to make a living selling their product. I know sellers. Some of them are really good. They know the psychology of people. They work their butts off(yes, 95% are rejects, but it only take one). I have watched a couple of van Son's vid's(via Thomas) and now I see the energy and intelligence(Hey, when the last time someone quoted Greek to you?). Say what you want, Jarod Polin inspires me the same way.
Just a side idea Brendan for a small segmant of your vlog that you could do maybe once every few weeks or once a month is to collect different images from fans via facebook, instagram, twitter, or email and give constructive criticism on them. Tell them what they did good and what they need to work on. Like you said it is hard to find people who are willing to provide constructive criticism, and what better way than to learn from someone who is a professional photographer themselves. As for a way to prevent theft from anyone watching your video? Maybe just throw a quick generic watermark (not relating to anyone) on top (or bottom) of the corner of the image.
Great advice amigo. Key among the gems is to produce great work and be driven. Bad work simply won't sell. Thanks for taking the time to share your experience and offer advice.
I think that you are a truly great person and an inspiration to me. I am an avid photographer who wants to improve their skills and you have helped me learn a lot about photography
I've never heard a truth like in this video. I'm a web developer and, in the video, you were describing my day by day life. It's so hard pitching and to get new clients that sometimes I feel like giving up... Anyway, great video and great bits of advice. Thank you!
This was a good v log I sent it to both my daughters. One is taking photography in college the other going into drama. Great advice at 19:05 mark for any endeavour challenge yourself and work hard. Good advice on the pitch. Thanks
this video in now in my playlist for photography tips, and bc i love what your doing so much i watch the full added before your video to help support you in how ever i can to make sure you are able to keep making great videos!
Thanks Brandon! I've started pitching this year and landed my first (albeit small) commercial client! This inspired me to keep pitching. Gonna do it everyday now!
Thanks Brendon. I watched this video when it first came out and didn't pay much attention to it (don't know why, long day?), but the second time inspired me. You did such a good job of explaining the process. I even downloaded the template (I think I might already be on your mailing list). Thank you for doing such an excellent job and inspiring me to make an attempt at some local publications. (Sorry for all the parenthesis, I used to be a LISP programmer!) :)
thank you for this tips Im new to your channel, I saw you in Thomas channel at the lake district , I believe my skills are at a point that I can start making some money out of them but I have no idea where to start or who to pitch to. but your video has giving me a staring point. I just want to say thank you so much for giving back and giving value to all of us that watch your videos
Hey Brendan, great video, I'm rather rusty as my last pitches were in the form of a prepared article & set of original transparencies! Will be using your advice for future pitches. I have a ''pet project'' for which I have been seeking funding, but now realise I should probably divide it up into a set of pitches.
I like you Brendan !!! Thank you soooo much for this video! Feels like it came all out of your heart. Thank you again (I needed that boost... and advice) :)
Thank you so much! I am still unsure how to show credentials if my photography so far has been pretty much birds and some landscapes. Mostly local. Going to Tenerife in a few months, might get some dope city shots and landscape as well. PS! Idk if it was intentional or not, but it made me laugh that u wrote "grammar" wrong 😂😂😂
Thanks Brandon, very useful video. I find the videos you do on the business aspect of things the most interesting. Despite of (or maybe thanks to?) you drawing skills :)
Hello Brendan. Muchas Gracias for this vid! So when pitching your travel photos is ok to send potential clients over to places like CNN and Lonely Planet that are/have used your photos on their websites even though they purchased them via a micro-stock site? Again thank you for the videos, really much appreciated.
Wow, after your "bitching" segment, I'm like, um, I must suck even more than everyone else. I mean, I know I need a lot of improvement, but you're saying friends and family just give out too much positive reinforcement... I can't even get my friends and family to share or even like my photos on FaceBook!
Little bit OT, "pitching" is just phrase or literal word? :D Btw thanks for your tips. I just found your channel and Im starting photography bussines. The vision is to be able to make a decent living from that. Wish me good luck :)
Hi Brendan. Thank you for this video, I found it helpful. I was wondering if you could give some rough ballparks of what you might put in the cost section if you were trying to pitch a set of photos to a commercial client or tourism board if you aren't making a trip just for that. I've been working more as a portrait and art photographer, but am taking the next 4-6 months to travel Nepal, India, Thailand, Vietnam, Cambodia and Laos. My plan is to make targeted location or brand specific galleries and to pitch them... but I honestly have no idea what is a reasonable amount to ask. Any help is appreciated!
Thanks for the video! One question, I assume that you normally pitch before but are there times where you've found pitching images to the brand after you've already shot to be successful?
Wow, I didn't even know that there was a McKale sandwich :) Just kidding, another great lesson and very good presentation as well. Constructive, to the point, emotional, and good identity with the van Son brand.
Hey, fantastic series of videos, so helpful! One question though: you say we have to present our costs/rates in the pitch. Can you please elaborate on that? As each assignment will vary depending on logistics, etc... talking about costs seems a bit odd to me? Thanks for your time and good luck for 2017
Yeah, sure. Basically, when I mention costs I mean how much it will cost the client for the project to happen. IE: how much they'll have to pay you. Your costs are irrelevant. But if you're pitching a project to a brand for a campaign, you're going to want to include the estimate of what they'll have to pay you. For example, a 3 day project with a tourism board that will garner them 20 images might cost: $1200, $40 a day meal allowance, flights to/from xxxxx, and accommodation.
Basically, it's "shipping and handling". No one likes it. And I hate to quote a figure on a product and then have to mention "additional costs" which is just shipping and handling. You need to get over it. I need to get over it. It's a real cost. I'd rather take a solid punch in the cheek than mention costs, but it gets easier with practice. Just get it out there and chances are no on will squirm. Fact it; if you write up your contract in a professional manner it buries(there's a better word but I can't come up with it) the details like costs.
how do you know if your photography is at the level required? i find that different people like different things making it subjective. eg. canon are doing urbany looking things, a little grungy and hip, but nike are doing bright and in your face, or yorkshire tourist board want traditional hovis bread ad type shots, but lancashire want modern street looking shots, the tech aspect could be down but the ideas you shoot are not working......
I'm just going to jump in even tho this is 6 years old. I just found this vid. Make a portfolio of what you love to shoot. Look at the client that you want to pitch too. Would they like it? If you don't know, then do some research on the client. :)
Great video! I realized halfway that there's too much good stuff to remember, so I restarted it just so I could take notes. 11:11 Just a heads up that those methods of appeal are from Aristotle, not Socrates: en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Modes_of_persuasion (yeah, you found the Philosophy major... ;)
When I was into music photography, a good bit of professionals always preached networking above everything and learn photography as you go. Can't really blame them for that b/c that's really how people find success, but it's irritating seeing mediocre photographers getting amazing gigs right off the bat.
Good tips! Where in the Philippines your going? I'm a Photographer from the Philippines but currently now based here in North Carolina, USA. Let me know your itinerary I may help you to get some good spot for your travel there. Good luck!
just email me if you have your itinerary, I may able to help you with some local photography clubs. I'm from south (Cebu Philippines), a tourist destinations in the Philippines.
1) Depends on the nature of the deal you make. Exclusive vs. Non-Exclusive. So, sometimes yes other times no. 2) I name them: Location, Country - Brendan van Son - year.
Another response from me on this thread. My friends told me my pictures were wonderful. That's because they don't know much about great photography. Foolishly, I believed them and joined a photo club. The members in this club REALLY know what they are doing. Some of them have been "published" whatever that means. Hey, it was a shock to me, but I have learned a little and get to hang around with some talented folks. I'll always be half-assed because I'm lazy, but I may have improved some. My friends probably can't tell the difference.
It depends on what you're doing, but the cost for a travel photographer is the travel. The cost for me of going somewhere like Košice or Zadar (flights, food, Airbnb and transport while there) is maybe £100 for a weekend. Plus Car hire/paid tours or whatever else you spend while there to capture your images/do your writing. You could add in something for the cost of your gear or software, but really, that's the cost of being a photographer. Earning money means you can ultimately upgrade your gear, but unless you're buying new filters or a new camera specifically for a trip, I don't think it's relevant to the cost of the trip.
Your costs are your costs. Wherever you're going to shoot your photos/video or to get inspired to write, that's the cost of doing business. The profit is anything more than your costs that you can get from the brand or publication for your content. As Brendan has said in the past though, the goal for the first year (and maybe longer) is to break even. So if you sell some images and get to cover your costs (or just under) consider that a win, because the next pitch you do, you can say that your content has appeared in or you've worked with some publication or brand.
This is THE best resource regarding pitching clients. Thank you!
My pleasure!
This is seriously one of my favorite videos ever! I've been told by so many people "pitch to them" or "just try reaching out" but with no real knowledge of what to say. It's extremely helpful to have you lay it out step by step like this.
One of the best videos on this topic I've seen!
This was insanely insightful!
Thank you
Man ! This is probably the best video about photography not being about "photography" that I ever saw. And perfectly in time for me, almost 3 years after you posted it. Thanks mate and hope it goes well for you!
More experience sharing, more success. I got many lessons from this video, even though I'm not a photographer. Thanks a lot.
This is year one for me in travel photography and although I'll be visiting plenty of places, I needed a little help on the commercial side.
So thank you so much for this and all you do for us guys and gals trying to turn a passion into something that can also feed and clothe us.
so powerful advice dude!
Holy crap. This was one of the most exciting vids I've watched in years. I'm not pitching, I'm not a salesman(old term), but I sure respect people who know how to make a living selling their product. I know sellers. Some of them are really good. They know the psychology of people. They work their butts off(yes, 95% are rejects, but it only take one). I have watched a couple of van Son's vid's(via Thomas) and now I see the energy and intelligence(Hey, when the last time someone quoted Greek to you?). Say what you want, Jarod Polin inspires me the same way.
Also, thank you Brendan for taking time and making this video.
Just a side idea Brendan for a small segmant of your vlog that you could do maybe once every few weeks or once a month is to collect different images from fans via facebook, instagram, twitter, or email and give constructive criticism on them. Tell them what they did good and what they need to work on.
Like you said it is hard to find people who are willing to provide constructive criticism, and what better way than to learn from someone who is a professional photographer themselves.
As for a way to prevent theft from anyone watching your video? Maybe just throw a quick generic watermark (not relating to anyone) on top (or bottom) of the corner of the image.
Magnitude Reviews +1 Brendan please do photo critiques!!!
Magnitude Reviews say
Thanks so much for this information you delivered a clear message and now I am working on my pitch for my photography class.
Great advice amigo. Key among the gems is to produce great work and be driven. Bad work simply won't sell. Thanks for taking the time to share your experience and offer advice.
As a daytime sales person, evening musician, and rest of my free time photographer, this is going to be ridiculously helpful in many aspects.
I think that you are a truly great person and an inspiration to me. I am an avid photographer who wants to improve their skills and you have helped me learn a lot about photography
here's manifesting the brands i want to work with !!!
I've never heard a truth like in this video. I'm a web developer and, in the video, you were describing my day by day life. It's so hard pitching and to get new clients that sometimes I feel like giving up... Anyway, great video and great bits of advice. Thank you!
I just found this vid, I hope you didn't give up?
Man, that was an awesome episode! Thank you for some really top advice.
I wish you did this video a few months ago... I guess it's better than never. Thank you so much for sharing your work, tips, advices. It's great!!
This was a good v log I sent it to both my daughters. One is taking photography in college the other going into drama. Great advice at 19:05 mark for any endeavour challenge yourself and work hard. Good advice on the pitch. Thanks
Thanks Brendan, this is the most value giving video I've watched on your channel so far.
this video in now in my playlist for photography tips, and bc i love what your doing so much i watch the full added before your video to help support you in how ever i can to make sure you are able to keep making great videos!
Thanks Adrian, I appreciate it!
Thanks Brandon! I've started pitching this year and landed my first (albeit small) commercial client! This inspired me to keep pitching. Gonna do it everyday now!
Congrats on your first gig!
wow! straight to the point! clear mindset.. honest, helpful approach...THANK YOU!
Brendan you're a legend, dude! Thanks so much for taking the time to help us with this, this is exactly what I needed! You rock brother
Thanks Brendon. I watched this video when it first came out and didn't pay much attention to it (don't know why, long day?), but the second time inspired me. You did such a good job of explaining the process. I even downloaded the template (I think I might already be on your mailing list). Thank you for doing such an excellent job and inspiring me to make an attempt at some local publications. (Sorry for all the parenthesis, I used to be a LISP programmer!) :)
thank you for this tips Im new to your channel, I saw you in Thomas channel at the lake district , I believe my skills are at a point that I can start making some money out of them but I have no idea where to start or who to pitch to. but your video has giving me a staring point. I just want to say thank you so much for giving back and giving value to all of us that watch your videos
+Brian rodriguez my pleasure, Brian. Glad this was helpful.
Ohh this is interesting I have an interview with studio today and your video came on my profile on the right time! Thank you so much
Clap, clap, clap, clap well done Brendan.
Hey Brendan, great video, I'm rather rusty as my last pitches were in the form of a prepared article & set of original transparencies! Will be using your advice for future pitches. I have a ''pet project'' for which I have been seeking funding, but now realise I should probably divide it up into a set of pitches.
This was a great video! I have a high school class where we're learning about the business side of videography.
So much good advice. Challenge accepted! Thanks
Good luck!!
Thanks!
Thank you for making this video! Really helpful and actionable content.
My pleasure.
Love the video...took away lots of great tips and can't wait to start!
Thank you for sharing your knowledge and experience! I love your drawings :D
hey mate finding the videos super helpful and motivating :) was wondering if you could possibly put a link to a mock pitch you would typically do
I like you Brendan !!! Thank you soooo much for this video! Feels like it came all out of your heart. Thank you again (I needed that boost... and advice) :)
Thanks Brandon,
for keeping the/my dream alive !
Peace 😊
Thank you so much! I am still unsure how to show credentials if my photography so far has been pretty much birds and some landscapes. Mostly local. Going to Tenerife in a few months, might get some dope city shots and landscape as well. PS! Idk if it was intentional or not, but it made me laugh that u wrote "grammar" wrong 😂😂😂
Oh yeah, the "Bad, Grammer" had 3 grammatical errors in it. I think it's a record for a 2 word sentence.
This was such an interesting video! Thanks for sharing. I learned a lot!
Thanks Brandon, very useful video. I find the videos you do on the business aspect of things the most interesting. Despite of (or maybe thanks to?) you drawing skills :)
Great video, man! Thanks a lot!
Hello Brendan. Muchas Gracias for this vid! So when pitching your travel photos is ok to send potential clients over to places like CNN and Lonely Planet that are/have used your photos on their websites even though they purchased them via a micro-stock site? Again thank you for the videos, really much appreciated.
appreciate your time in sharing here what's taken years and time and struggle to earn, thank you thank you thank you
ok... I definitely understood everything you just said. thank you!!!
Thanks for this! HUGE help. :-)
Wow, after your "bitching" segment, I'm like, um, I must suck even more than everyone else. I mean, I know I need a lot of improvement, but you're saying friends and family just give out too much positive reinforcement... I can't even get my friends and family to share or even like my photos on FaceBook!
Nope on friends and family. My hubby doesn't even like my work, BUT I don't care hahaha just go for it, right, it's better than doing nothing at all,
Thank you so much for making this video!
Great Vid Brendan. Some very wise words indeed, Thank you.
Thanks so much for this man. Really really appreciate it.
Little bit OT, "pitching" is just phrase or literal word? :D
Btw thanks for your tips. I just found your channel and Im starting photography bussines. The vision is to be able to make a decent living from that. Wish me good luck :)
Thanks for watching!
Hi Brendan. Thank you for this video, I found it helpful. I was wondering if you could give some rough ballparks of what you might put in the cost section if you were trying to pitch a set of photos to a commercial client or tourism board if you aren't making a trip just for that. I've been working more as a portrait and art photographer, but am taking the next 4-6 months to travel Nepal, India, Thailand, Vietnam, Cambodia and Laos. My plan is to make targeted location or brand specific galleries and to pitch them... but I honestly have no idea what is a reasonable amount to ask. Any help is appreciated!
Wow! This has really helpful! I took so much notes. 😀
Very interesting video!! Thank you for all the informations.
Thanks for the video! One question, I assume that you normally pitch before but are there times where you've found pitching images to the brand after you've already shot to be successful?
Yes. But, it really depends on the client.
You got me at WU TANG! Great video keep it up and greetings from osaka
thanks so much, sooo helpful
Wow, I didn't even know that there was a McKale sandwich :) Just kidding, another great lesson and very good presentation as well. Constructive, to the point, emotional, and good identity with the van Son brand.
Hey, fantastic series of videos, so helpful! One question though: you say we have to present our costs/rates in the pitch. Can you please elaborate on that? As each assignment will vary depending on logistics, etc... talking about costs seems a bit odd to me? Thanks for your time and good luck for 2017
Yeah, sure. Basically, when I mention costs I mean how much it will cost the client for the project to happen. IE: how much they'll have to pay you.
Your costs are irrelevant. But if you're pitching a project to a brand for a campaign, you're going to want to include the estimate of what they'll have to pay you.
For example, a 3 day project with a tourism board that will garner them 20 images might cost: $1200, $40 a day meal allowance, flights to/from xxxxx, and accommodation.
Basically, it's "shipping and handling". No one likes it. And I hate to quote a figure on a product and then have to mention "additional costs" which is just shipping and handling. You need to get over it. I need to get over it. It's a real cost. I'd rather take a solid punch in the cheek than mention costs, but it gets easier with practice. Just get it out there and chances are no on will squirm. Fact it; if you write up your contract in a professional manner it buries(there's a better word but I can't come up with it) the details like costs.
thank you for advice
ive actually been waiting to hear about this topic :P Going to see it now ! :)
Thank you for your advises man! For me pitching is the most difficult part of job, I'd prefer have an agent to pay him for this sh*t))
Very good advice!
Great vid! Thanks for this!
The hard truth part needs to be heard by lots of people lol. Especially people pitching weddings for a paycheck lol.
how do you know if your photography is at the level required? i find that different people like different things making it subjective. eg. canon are doing urbany looking things, a little grungy and hip, but nike are doing bright and in your face, or yorkshire tourist board want traditional hovis bread ad type shots, but lancashire want modern street looking shots, the tech aspect could be down but the ideas you shoot are not working......
I'm just going to jump in even tho this is 6 years old. I just found this vid. Make a portfolio of what you love to shoot. Look at the client that you want to pitch too. Would they like it? If you don't know, then do some research on the client. :)
Great video! I realized halfway that there's too much good stuff to remember, so I restarted it just so I could take notes.
11:11 Just a heads up that those methods of appeal are from Aristotle, not Socrates: en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Modes_of_persuasion (yeah, you found the Philosophy major... ;)
Hahhaha, I knew I'd mess that up. I was too lazy to research. Took political philosophy in school, but that was so long ago.
No worries man, as long as the concepts came across :)
love this episode!!!
Thank you so much :)
Man this is so damn helpful, thankyou!
When I was into music photography, a good bit of professionals always preached networking above everything and learn photography as you go. Can't really blame them for that b/c that's really how people find success, but it's irritating seeing mediocre photographers getting amazing gigs right off the bat.
Thank you!!
lol so true about everyone telling you the truth about your art.
perfect
this is great but wheres the template? i entered my email for the link and i dont see it
+Mind of Who Productions, LLC strange. You should have gotten an email with it. Shoot me an email at brendanvanson at gmail and I'll send it to you.
thanks so much :)
I love this. Thank you for laying the groundwork for me! I owe you a solid. *fist bump*
My pleasure. Glad it was helpful.
Where can we see some of your work?
That Wu-Tang line.... Nice!!!
Good tips! Where in the Philippines your going? I'm a Photographer from the Philippines but currently now based here in North Carolina, USA. Let me know your itinerary I may help you to get some good spot for your travel there. Good luck!
Honestly, I'm sitting in the airport planning it right now. Haven't exactly sorted it out yet, haha.
just email me if you have your itinerary, I may able to help you with some local photography clubs. I'm from south (Cebu Philippines), a tourist destinations in the Philippines.
ls Photoshelter the "Go to" when starting out?
I've never used photo shelter ever, to be honest.
2 questions I forgot to ask. 1) Can u sell one image to multiple clients? 2) How do you name ur image files when you send them off to clients?
1) Depends on the nature of the deal you make. Exclusive vs. Non-Exclusive. So, sometimes yes other times no.
2) I name them: Location, Country - Brendan van Son - year.
Brendan van Son thanks! You're the best!
But grandpa loves my work! LOL
Another response from me on this thread. My friends told me my pictures were wonderful. That's because they don't know much about great photography. Foolishly, I believed them and joined a photo club. The members in this club REALLY know what they are doing. Some of them have been "published" whatever that means. Hey, it was a shock to me, but I have learned a little and get to hang around with some talented folks. I'll always be half-assed because I'm lazy, but I may have improved some. My friends probably can't tell the difference.
Maybe family but my friends are very critical
the verb 'to carpent'.
Challenge accepted...
How'd it go?
13:15
but how can you calculate your costs.
It depends on what you're doing, but the cost for a travel photographer is the travel.
The cost for me of going somewhere like Košice or Zadar (flights, food, Airbnb and transport while there) is maybe £100 for a weekend. Plus Car hire/paid tours or whatever else you spend while there to capture your images/do your writing.
You could add in something for the cost of your gear or software, but really, that's the cost of being a photographer. Earning money means you can ultimately upgrade your gear, but unless you're buying new filters or a new camera specifically for a trip, I don't think it's relevant to the cost of the trip.
+trent Archer is your profit also in that number or does that come in when the brand has accepted your pitch.
Your costs are your costs. Wherever you're going to shoot your photos/video or to get inspired to write, that's the cost of doing business.
The profit is anything more than your costs that you can get from the brand or publication for your content. As Brendan has said in the past though, the goal for the first year (and maybe longer) is to break even. So if you sell some images and get to cover your costs (or just under) consider that a win, because the next pitch you do, you can say that your content has appeared in or you've worked with some publication or brand.
ok thnx
Costs. Well, I think that's a whole new video all together haha. Depends wildly project to project.
Damn right i'm first
I'm second!! Oh... wait.