Thanks to the increasing amount of visual social sites such as Instagram, we all see ourselves as amateur photographers, and with our phones fitted with a higher pixel camera than most traditional digital forms, there really is no stopping us.
Imagery has become increasingly important in all aspects of our lives, with businesses spending more of their marketing budgeting on visual aids since the introduction of TV advertising.
But what do you do when you want your point and shoot hobby to become your way of life, when there are so many likeminded amateurs filling up our timelines with their creative shots?
The Following
Growing a strong social following is essential for trying to gain clients.
Using various image sharing sites such as Flickr, Tumblr, and Instagram you can start to share your photography style with the world.
Even unique snapshots from everyday life can gain you some interest, as people will flock to those who think outside the box and create unique visuals that they can share with others.
Jumping on trends through your social sites will gain you exposure and may even help you to gain contracts with big brands.
There have been many case studies where someone’s Instagram picture has been purchased by a company because it encompasses their current campaign.
With the help of social, the world truly is your oyster.
It’s All Online
If you don’t have a huge budget to polish up your photography skills, the internet will become your best friend.
There’s nothing you can’t learn online in our modern age, and there is a whole host of free tutorials available across the web that can not only show you the basics, but also teach you some of the more creative styles.
Using these tutorials build a portfolio up of the different styles you can do, and don’t be afraid to add in variety.
As a freelancer you will need to find your income wherever possible, so to start with you could be doing anything from corporate photo shoots to weddings.
Use this time to gain as much experience as possible and ensure they give you a testimonial in return for your time.
Despite the more techno advances in lead generation, word of mouth is still one of the biggest forms of marketing.
Get Techy With It
As a photographer you will have a wealth of tools at your disposable that can make life all the more easier.
Systems such Photoshop can enhance your imagery, but if you don’t have the funds for professional software such as this, there are many free tools now available.
Once you’ve done all the hard work send off your images in a stylish way that represents you, putting photos on a branded USB stick such as these, will ensure your set-up looks professional from start to finish.
