It’s not uncommon for photographers to get their start by doing photo shoots for weddings, social events, and individuals. These are all great ways to get in some practice and make a name for yourself, but most photographers have larger dreams, like becoming a commercial photographer. Making this kind of jump isn’t easy, but if you follow our tips for working your way into the commercial photography world, we’re sure you’ll be able to achieve this goal in no time.
Figure Out Exactly What You Want
If you weren’t already aware, “commercial photography” is an umbrella term that pertains to various opportunities photographers can pursue. Before jumping into this industry, you need to set some guidelines regarding what you’re looking for.
Do you want the brand you shoot for to have a certain vibe or feel, or is that irrelevant as long as you like the people you take photos for? Obviously, a lot more will go into your decision, but this is an excellent place to start.
Separate Your Photography Businesses
Many commercial photographers like to continue operating their previous businesses while pursuing commercial photography. There’s nothing wrong with that as long as you separate the two—this will cut down on confusion for both you and your customers. If someone wants to schedule a family photo session but sees a bunch of commercial pictures on your website, they’re likely to get confused as to what you offer. The same thing can happen in the other direction.
If you create a separate company and website for your each of your businesses, much of this confusion will disappear. Of course, it will also help you keep things straight on your end.
Reach Out to People You Know First
Just like with any other business, the connections you make are vital. If you already have a solid network from your years in photography, you should start your push for commercial clients by reaching out to those people first. They can either help get you started with a company that needs a new photographer or point you in the direction of someone better equipped to help you out.
If you haven’t made those types of connections yet, there’s no need to worry. Another avenue you can follow is reaching out to a local business that you frequent and asking them if they need any professional photos taken. If they do, then you’re in business. Slowly but surely, you’ll be able to build your commercial photography business from the ground up, attracting more notable clients as you go.
Buy the Right Equipment
At the end of the day, one of the most vital steps to getting into commercial photography is buying more professional equipment. We’re sure you already have high-tech stuff, but when it comes to working for larger companies, they’ll only want the best of the best.
On top of equipment upgrades, you might want to look into buying gear for a home studio as well. Wall cycs, in particular, are a must-have for product photoshoots. If you need a cyc wall kit for your studio, look no further than our online website.
