articles/Portraiture/wendynewmanheart-page3
by Wendy Newman Published 01/10/2011
We're not out of the woods yet; the uncertainty of the economy continues to loom. However, I have found a few ways to rekindle my optimism: The first step in taking control was to realise that the decline in my business wasn't about me or my abilities as a photographer or marketer. That may seem obvious, but I have found that many of us are putting on a happy face, trying to appear as if we have everything under control. No one wants to look like a failure. But we aren't failures; we are struggling in truly difficult and unpredictable times.
The second step was to reach out to my peer photographers - people I could trust and have heart-to-heart discussions about what is really happening in our lives and our businesses. What I started to realise was that I was not alone. This has been one of the most powerful and profound things to help raise my spirits and give me encouragement. Working cooperatively with these few key people to share ideas, existing marketing pieces, and other resources has really energised me to tackle this tough market.
And finally, the economy, competition and consumer demands are forcing us to consider a business model that incorporates selling digital files. Open your mind to the possibility and opportunities this can present, and don't let this digital dilemma be an albatross to your business. Remember, people are paying for the entire portrait experience, which includes your artistic vision and technical mastery. The media on which you produce the image is irrelevant! Work hard to differentiate yourself on as many levels as possible to add value to the whole experience of working with you, making price and digital files very small factors in the whole equation of why people come to you for their photography.
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