Start a Photography Business | Pro Photo Guru | Your Home for
Photography Business Success
*
*
*
*
*
*
*
*
*
*
*
*
*
*
*
*
*
*
*
*
*
* Products
*
*
*
*
*
*
*
*
*
PRO PHOTO GURU
Your home for photography business success
IF YOU'RE LIKE ME, you've sat in an office working 9 TO 5, wondering
if there's more to life than slaving away in some uncreative job
working for a wage. You've been an amateur photographer, perhaps a
serious amateur, for some time, and you've fantasized about making a
living as a PRO PHOTOGRAPHER, but have no idea how to turn that
fantasy into a reality.
_Anyone with a camera and a bit of creativity can take great
pictures._ In order to make a living from you photos, though, you must
also be a savvy BUSINESSPERSON. To really succeed as a photographer,
you need to know the art AND business of photography.
Hi - I'm MICHAEL MESSNER. Not too long ago I was working at a steady
job that paid the bills and offered a bit of security and a steady
paycheck. I had just finished earning my MBA and had a pretty cushy
job in middle management at a FORTUNE 500 SOFTWARE COMPANY. I felt
like something was missing, though. I had a SIX-FIGURE SALARY, but
every day I felt like my creative side died just a little bit, and it
got harder and harder to work for someone else when I knew I would
only ever be happy STRIKING OUT ON MY OWN.
Today, I own a very SUCCESSFUL AND PROFITABLE home-based photography
studio. I set my own hours, I make good money, I get to do something
creative that I love, I work with fantastic people, including other
very talented photographers and beautiful models, I get to travel the
world (writing off most of my expenses along the way) meeting new
people and exploring new countries, and I'm about A THOUSAND TIMES
HAPPIER than I was working at a desk job.
BUT LET'S BACK UP. A few years ago, I had thoughts of being a pro
photographer, but it seemed like a pipe dream. I wasn't too keen on
doing the "STARVING ARTIST" thing, and I had no clue where to begin.
But then I started doing some research, and discovered a few secrets
about the photography industry that gave me hope. _I'D LIKE TO SHARE
THESE WITH YOU._
Many "pro" photographers are just scraping by, or have started a
photography business on paper in order to justify writing off a bunch
of nifty cameras and equipment. There are a handful of photographers,
though, that earn _tons_ of money by applying a few CORE BUSINESS
PRINCIPLES in their work. I've learned these principles through a
combination of trial and error, networking, and dumb luck. These
principles CAN be taught, and you don't need a degree in economics to
learn them. In fact, they're SO SIMPLE and POWERFUL that once you you
put them into practice, you'll wonder how anyone could go about doing
business any differently.
Have you ever seen a famous work of art or photograph and thought _"I
COULD HAVE DONE THAT. HECK, A KID COULD HAVE DONE THAT."_ Often, what
sets successful artists apart from the pack is not technical skill or
even hard work and determination. Often it's little more than a
certain attitude, a little bit of self-promotion, and, again,
knowledge of how the industry _really _works.
Now, I'm not saying that I'm going to turn you into the next MODERN
ART SENSATION, OR that you should start taking photos of your toenails
and try auctioning them at Christie's. I _AM _saying, however, that
you don't need to have an MFA and many years of experience in the
field to become a successful photographer, whether you're shooting
weddings, stock, architecture, fine art, or whatever. That's in part
because
_TIME FOR YOUR FIRST LESSON._ The next time you're shooting photos,
take a lot. Get creative, try different angles, but most importantly,
take _A LOT_ of photos. Then, when you get home, THROW OUT 98% OF
THEM. That's right. Look through your hundreds of photos and choose,
say, the _3 OR 4_ that you really like. Then trash the rest, or at
least make sure that no one ever sees them. Only show the 3 or 4 that
really "SPARKLE." The "KEEPERS" that really showcase your work. There
- You just increased people's perception of your talent by
_APPROXIMATELY 1,000%_.
There's a misconception that every time a great photographer clicks
the shutter release, a piece of art is created. HORSE PUCKY.
_Professional photographers are talented, but typically they only
show clients 2% of the photos that they actually take. The thousands
of photos taken at a wedding will be distilled into the handful of
final proofs for the album. The images from the nature shoot will be
culled down to the very best. Many top photographers' entire careers
are encapsulated in ONE ICONIC IMAGE._
If you think that you can take one real "KEEPER" for every 50 photos
you take, then you have the talent necessary to do this for a living.
If you don't, _YOU CAN BE TAUGHT!_
I DIDN'T START OUT AS A GREAT PHOTOGRAPHER. In fact, looking back at
my early work, it's amazing that I got ANY paid jobs at all. After
spending time learning from some of the best photographers in the
field, however, something became very clear: _WITH PRACTICE AND THE
RIGHT GUIDANCE, ANYONE CAN LEARN TO TAKE GREAT PHOTOS._ It is simply a
matter of learning the "RULES" of photography (you'll see that these
rules have applications in many other art forms, as well as in life in
general), and then learning the right times and methods to creatively
"BREAK" these rules.
_(If you want to learn more pro photographer secrets, be sure to sign
up for your FREE guide:_ 10 SECRETS PRO PHOTOGRAPHERS DON'T WANT YOU
TO KNOW_ at the top of the page.)_
_YOU DON'T NEED TO KEEP SLAVING AWAY WORKING FOR SOMEONE ELSE._
People really do venture out on their own and start home businesses
that help them realize their full artistic, financial, and personal
potential.
LACK OF JOB SECURITY: You're typically one round of outsourcing
away from a pink slip. UNFULFILLED POTENTIAL: Did you say "I want to
be a customer service associate for an auto insurance company (or
whatever the heck it is you do) when I grow up" when you were a kid?
SOUL-CRUSHING BOREDOM: Do you find yourself looking for mundane tasks
to do just to distract you from your even more boring REAL job? YOUR
BOSS: Do you get your work done _DESPITE_ your boss' interventions,
rather than _BECAUSE_ of them? The BOTTLENECK is always at the TOP OF
THE BOTTLE.
ALLOWS YOU TO PUT YOUR CREATIVE TALENTS TO WORK YOU'RE THE BOSS:
I know that's half the reason you're here. WORK FROM HOME: Spend
more time with your family, ditch the commute, and work in your
pajamas. THE PHOTOGRAPHER'S LIFESTYLE: Work with brides, fashion
designers, models, and other creatives. Get paid to travel and always
have the best photography equipment. A QUICKLY GROWING INDUSTRY: With
the growth of the Internet and smartphones visual media is syndicated
everywhere, and talented photographers are in _VERY_ high demand right
now. GREAT TO TALK ABOUT AT PARTIES: "So what do you do?" "I'm a
photographer." Just try saying it once. FEELS GOOD, RIGHT?
YOU BRING PEOPLE REAL HAPPINESS: Think about a news story you've
seen about people surviving a fire or other natural disaster. What is
the one posession many people try to save? Eight times out of ten it's
a PRIZED PHOTO ALBUM.
When people are feeling nostalgic for their wedding day, for their
child's first birthday, for a time when their dog was just a puppy,
where do they turn? _PHOTOGRAPHS._
BEAUTIFUL PHOTOS MAKE PEOPLE HAPPY. Isn't that what it's all about?
Inspiring people with your work? How many careers allow people to say
that they give _LIFELONG HAPPINESS_ to their clients? The first time
you make a client cry with happiness, I promise you'll remember
reading this and you will hear me saying _"I TOLD YOU SO"_
If I have one passion equal to or even greater than photography, it's
TEACHING. That's why I've put together _THE ART AND BUSINESS OF
PHOTOGRAPHY_, the most comprehensive photography business course
available online today.
THIS IS NOT JUST AN EBOOK: This is a full course and set of
business tools, not just information you can find online. THIS IS
NOT A GET-RICH-QUICK SCHEME: You will have to work at this, just like
any business. THIS IS NOT A BUNCH OF EMPTY PROMISES: _"Success is
where preparation and opportunity meet." _ - Zig Ziglar. I can only
give you the tools and the inspiration. It is up to you to take action
and take ownership of your own success. _I DO PROMISE TO HELP YOU GET
THERE,_ though.
THIS IS A FULL ONLINE COURSE, complete with quizzes, personalized
feedback, video instruction, presentations, a full suite of business
tools and, yes, _HOMEWORK_ (not too much, I promise).
I will be your PERSONAL GUIDE AND ADVISOR, available to hold your
hand when you need it and offer encouragement when you don't.
Everything you will learn here has been FIELD TESTED. I made all the
mistakes (MANY OF THEM EXPENSIVE) so that _YOU DON’T HAVE TO_.
A "REALITY CHECK" ASSESSMENT TEST: This will help you know exactly
where you stand. Is your understanding of the photography industry
accurate? How much do you already know about photography? About
digital retouching? About marketing? The results of this test will
help you know what to focus on in the course ahead.
THE 8-WEEK, 8-STEP GUIDE TO LAUNCHING YOUR PHOTOGRAPHY BUSINESS: This
150+ page resource guide will be your day-to-day guide to launching
and running your business. It includes dozens of interactive lessons,
including:
* WRITING A BUSINESS PLAN: Find out whether you need a business plan
at all, and how to write an effective one if you do.
* PURCHASING EQUIPMENT: You're going to need equipment to get
started, but probably less than you think. This lesson will teach you
what's essential and what can wait as you get started.
* PRO VS. PROSUMER EQUIPMENT: What’s worth the extra money, and
what isn’t. This is valuable information, folks. Just this info is
well worth the cost of admission.
* RENTING VS. BUYING: Get the very best equipment for pennies on the
dollar only when you need it, and avoid the costs of depreciation.
* COMPUTERS AND SOFTWARE: This lesson will show you what kind of
computer and software you need to run a successful business. Updated
monthly, it contains the latest info on computer hardware and the
latest versions of Photoshop, Lightroom, Aperture, etc.
* STORAGE AND ARCHIVING: Protect your work from theft, accidental
deletion, hard drive crashes, fire, and other natural disaster with
this automatic and cheap method of backing up your work. Infinitely
scalable, you won't even need to buy external hard drives.
* FINANCING YOUR BUSINESS: Unless you're being financed by a rich
uncle, you're going to need some funds to get started. Whether you
self-finance, take out a loan, or look for an investor, this lesson
will give you guidance.
* HOW TO PRICE YOUR WORK: Learn about cost-plus, target return, and
value-based pricing and how to put exactly the right price tag on your
work.
* HIRING ASSISTANTS, CONTRACTORS, AND EMPLOYEES:Occasionally you're
going to need help, and this lesson will teach you where to find free
assistants and interns to help you.
* WORKING PRO-BONO: Why working for free can help build your
business and help return dollars in the end.
* INSURANCE: How to protect yourself without breaking the bank.
* CREATING CLIENT EVANGELISTS: Much of your paid work is going to
come from the recommendations of your clients. Ignore these lessons
about word-of-mouth advertising at your own risk.
* POWER NETWORKING: Build your business by networking with other
photographers and vendors.
* THE EDUCATION OF A PHOTOGRAPHER: What books, seminars, etc. are
worthwhile, and which are a waste of time and money.
* TIME TO GET SOCIAL: How to use Facebook, Twitter, Stumbleupon, and
blogs to book yourself solid.
AND MANY, MANY MORE.
-------------------------
COURSE WORKBOOK:This workbook will synthesize the lessons learned and
distill all the information into a set of executive summaries,
checklists, mind maps, and more.
You'll also find a set of SHORT QUIZZES to test your knowledge as
you go. By taking these quizzes you'll instantly know what aspects of
your business you'll need to focus on in order to succeed.
ALREADY RUNNING A PHOTOGRAPHY BUSINESS? This workbook contains a few
quick and easy financial tests taught in every MBA entrepreneurship
class to evaluate the financial health of your business and learn what
steps to take to maximize your profits.
LIFETIME ACCESS TO THE PRO PHOTO GURU COMMUNITY: Network with other
aspiring photographers, trade strategies, get help, and hold each
other accountable. THIS IS A JOURNEY THAT WE’RE ALL ON TOGETHER. I
am in the Pro Photo Guru forums every day, answering questions and
offering advice. We also host FREE monthly webinars based on topics
that Pro Photo Guru members vote on.
You’re going to work hard at this, but you _WILL_ succeed.
That's why I'm not afraid to offer a _zero-risk, ironclad_
If you don't _ABSOLUTELY LOVE_ this course, I'll BUY IT BACK FROM
YOU. Give it a test run for 60 DAYS. Heck - you may have already
_LAUNCHED YOUR BUSINESS_ 60 days from now. If you're not happy, for
whatever reason, let me know and I'll give you a full refund - NO
QUESTIONS ASKED.
IT WAS HARD TO CHOOSE A PRICE FOR THIS COURSE. I thought back to
when I started my own photography business and all the time and money
I wasted searching for this kind of information, all the money I blew
through on equipment that I ended up not using, and the hours I spent
creating marketing campaigns that accomplished nothing except DRAIN MY
BANK ACCOUNT. I also thought about the OPPORTUNITY COST: all the money
I missed out on by not getting started on the right foot.
There was only one conclusion I could draw: This information is
virtually _PRICELESS._
If you promise to contribute to the PRO PHOTO GURU COMMUNITY, to
remember us when you're a successful photographer and share your
success story with the group, to offer hints and tips and let people
know how this course helped you get there, I will only charge the
remarkably low price of $49 for the ENTIRE course.
_THAT'S RIGHT:_ Only $49 for information that's literally worth
THOUSANDS OF DOLLARS and HUNDREDS OF HOURS of saved time. This course
will save you hundreds on books ALONE. A quick look at Amazon.com will
reveal entire books on writing a business plan, on lighting, and on
financing. You can take weeks to read all these, filtering the
valuable info from the filler, or you can get all the info you need -
NOTHING MORE AND NOTHING LESS - with
*
*
*
*
*
*
*
*
Pro Photo Guru © 2010-2012 | |
