articles/Profiles/richard-bradbury-page2
by Richard Bradbury Published
Is it getting harder or easier to make a decent living?
It got a lot harder after 2008 because the world fundamentally changed its relationship to the accessibility of photography. The market value dropped. Once I had realised that it became a lot easier to formulate a marketing plan to take advantage of the market as it really is and my business has grown consistently every year since.
How do you stay ahead of the game?
I have a marketing strategy that has taken me a decade to perfect. It is called R.O.A.R. and it has never let me down. I can literally analyse the market for any new product or venture and then apply one or several marketing techniques to the business to get appropriate results. Marketing is a process its not about shooting in the dark.
How do organisations such as The Societies of Photographers help?
The Societies is a fantastic group. It brings photographers together and gives access to the great and the good from around the world. Its competitions encourage the very best in creativity and technical skill and The Convention is the highlight of the professional photographers calendar. I cannot put into words just how important The Societies is to me and all the members. If you are a professional photographer you need to be a member.
Why is The Societies of Photographers Convention such a big deal for photographers?
The Societies Convention is the largest single photo organisation expo in the UK. It brings together the very best equipment and service suppliers and offers the best and most expensive series of seminars available anywhere. It’s also a great place to catch up with old friends in the business and meet some new ones.
Is it primarily about the chance to learn from the experiences of imaging icons?
The Societies is a chance for everyone to learn from Imaging Icons from the UK and around the world. It is the perfect place to develop your photographic and photo business skills for the year to come.
Your own mentors (living or dead)?
David Kilpatrick was my first employer, he gave me my first camera and I still regard him as the last word in photography…Genius!
Who today is leading the way in creative social photography and why?
In the world of creative social photography there are some amazing photographers working today. Internationally I love the work of Roger Tan, Johnson Wee and Brett Florens. In the UK Panikos Hajistilly, Lisa Visser and Paul Fowler are both at the very top of their games.
If you could pick just FIVE seminars (other than your own of course!) to attend at The Societies of Photographers Convention whose workshops would you attend?
Anything by the following: Panikos Hajistilly, Brett Florens, Melissa Love, Trevor and Faye Yerbury and well damn it…you’ve just got to come to my seminars…you need to come to my seminars!
What do you think will be the next big thing in the industry?
I hope it is cameras with a greater dynamic range and low grain hi ISO settings.
Would you want your own children to take up the reins of your empire (or have they)?
I would love them to but it looks unlikely. Its really important to encourage your children to write their own story and be the best at what they want to be. If you want to be an insurance salesmen then be the best insurance salesman their is. You can’t ask for more.
Your plans for the next five years?
Having just finished my first book ‘Rich Photographer Poor Photographer’ about how to be a successful professional photographer I will be promoting it and spreading the word. I have been asked to write two more books so Ill be working on those and I want to hold some workshops and seminars in the USA so watch this space.
The Societies' 2018 London Photo Convention
Richard will be speaking at The Societies' 2018 London Photo Convention. For more information on the Convention please see http://swpp.co.uk/convention/
There are 0 days to get ready for The Society of Photographers Convention and Trade Show at The Novotel London West, Hammersmith ...
which starts on Thursday 1st January 1970