₦airaland Forum

Tvaddict:
A number of people see photography as just taking pictures and keeping them for archival purposes, but it’s more than that – it definitely goes beyond just taking pictures. My own definition of photography is simple, I believe it is the art of capturing priceless moments – moments that cannot be caught twice but once in a lifetime, therefore it is expensive! Many Nigerians see photography as a mediocre kind of job, but it’s surprising now that photography is the “In Thing” and people make thousands of naira and even millions taking pictures.



Although, there’s one major thing you should have if you want to start a photography business – Passion! It is very important to have a passion for the art of photography. A photographer is not just someone who takes pictures; a photographer is an artist because he or she has to tell a story from every picture he or she takes. Every work of art has a story behind it and should not be underestimated. There are things one should know when starting up a photography business:




1. Explore Your Options: When I say this, I don’t mean to look for another other than photography; what I meant to say is, choose a specialization. Choosing an area of specialization in photography is one of the best ways to distinguish “yourself” from other photographers. You have to find an area of specialization that you love and at the same time, are better in. You can start by learning about and also trying various types of photography like: Landscape photography, wedding photography, baby/child photography, travel photography, portrait photography, fashion photography, food photography, commercial photography, and the list is endless. Once you get an area of specialization, you can start working on giving yourself a brand.




2. Equip yourself, but don’t clutter yourself with equipment you don’t need: The problem some photographers have is that they just buy what they see someone else using or what they see online. They don’t carry out enough research on what kind of equipment they need for their particular area of specialisation. For example, a nature or landscape photographer doesn’t necessarily need a beauty dish for his pictures but he or she goes on to purchase it rather than investing money on a better range of wide-angled lens.




3. Get Professional Experience: Working alongside a professional photographer is a great way to show your prospective clients what you can do, and also to get some experience and start to build a portfolio of your own. You can work as a photographer’s assistant while starting your own business.



4. Choose a Business Name and Logo: You need to get a name for your business as well as creating a cool, unique logo that depicts you. If you can’t create a logo on your own, you can get professional help from a graphic designer.
“A brand is not just a logo, it’s the overall impression and experience you give to your audience and customers. Your brand expresses the value you provide. It’s YOU!” – Amy Locurto



5. Create a Price Plan: If you want to be taken seriously as a professional photographer, you need to come up with a price plan. What and how much will you charge your potential clients? If it’s per hour or per day; you need to carry out thorough research on that aspect to know the price range of what other photographers charge. Let me warn you though, when you just start, you might have to bring down your prices a bit just to attract clients that may end up being lifetime clients that can refer you to others.
kelechi-Amadi-Obi




6. Create a Cool Website & Photo Blog: A website shows the world what your business is about, what you do and what your clients expect from you. Your work should obviously be showcased on your website and your blog. Your website should have your contact details; must be well structured and organized. Both your website and blog must be very impressive so as to attract clients. I’ll advice that you get a professional to work on your website design but you can handle the blog on your own. The blog is a way of communicating with your clients or potential clients; you don’t only post your pictures on the blog, you also tell the story behind those pictures. Make sure the quality of your pictures are top notch.




7. Be Aware of Marketing Techniques: As a photographer, you need to market yourself and your work by setting up official pages on social media platforms such as: Facebook, Instagram, Twitter, Google +, LinkedIn and Ads. Let people know more about you and what you can do by showcasing your work on these pages. You can also print out business cards with all your contact information on it; from your official email to your phone numbers, website, blog and other social media platforms you’re on. Referral programs are also an easy, affordable and effective marketing plan. A referral program is a way to thank your happy clients for recommending you to their friends.



8. Learn to Shoot in Manual Mode As Soon As Possible: When shooting in manual mode, you’re in control of the camera. The aperture, white balance, shutter speed and ISO are all under your control so you have to learn and know how to set them right on your camera. Make your camera your best friend; eat, breathe and live it. Keep practicing with it in your free time and if possible, play with it just to know the “in and out” of it. Don’t get too comfortable with other modes (such as aperture priority, shutter priority, auto, sports, portrait modes…) that will give you limited results as they have “already set” themes which cannot be changed unless you change to manual mode.




9. People Skills: These are the most important skills a photographer should have; not only should you know how to handle the camera but you should be able to communicate well with clients. Also, try and keep a good relationship with your clients and be prepared to refund money sometimes. As much as you need to be friendly and approachable, you also have to be strict when it comes to some funny clients who want to take you for granted.







10. You are Not Just a Photographer: Always have it at the back of your mind that you’re not just a photographer; you’re a businessman, a CEO, CFO, photo editor, social media administrator, web designer, treasurer, secretary, customer service representative and any other business title you can think of. So you have to be business savvy, well informed and equipped when running a photography business of your own. "Take charge!" As your business grows and expands over the years, you can begin to employ new staff to take the work load off you; you can't be in the same position forever.



As a photographer that is new to the business, you have to be patient because as the popular saying goes: "Rome wasn't built in a day." It takes time to build a great business and clientele; you just need the right preparatory tools. You can start by covering family/friends' functions for a token or at times for free, just to get referrals and prospective clients as well as to build up your portfolio. Remember, it is a competitive market out there; quite a large number of photographers are emerging by the day and you need to "up your game" by distinguishing yourself from others. Find what makes you unique; think "out of the box"; come up with a style or setting of photographing, and make it your signature (your brand), such that when people see your pictures anywhere, they'll know it's you without even sighting your logo. At the same time, don't be too predictable; try surprising your clients with amazing pictures once in a while.



Stay Strong, Never Give Up on Yourself and in Your Dreams! You'll Definitely Succeed!



Source: http://www.quickjobng.com/2015/08/10-powerful-tips-to-note-when-starting-a-photography-business

ConfessionsNgr:
Had I known all my labour on her would be in futility, I wouldn’t have spent my hard earned money on her. I looked forward to a bright future with her but my dreams have been shattered by the very one I gave true love. I’m an OND holder but into a lucrative business which is doing very well. I met my girl online four years ago, though that notwithstanding, people can meet anywhere. I was already done with my OND while she was in 200L in the university. She told me of how her mother died during the delivery of their lastborn and her dad had to remarry leaving her to cater for herself most times. I felt the urge to render the little assistance I could and I started giving her money for her upkeep that was like six months after we met. I can even remember paying her tuition fees one session. Now four years down the memory lane, after her graduation and NYSC, and getting a job in an ICT firm with a good pay, it suddenly dawned on her that she can't marry an OND holder because of the gap in education. I told her it is the love between us that matters most but she said she loves me but we are not compatible education wise as she still want to further her education. All these years she was “gulping” my money, calling me sweet names, she didn’t see the incompatibility. When her future was in disarray I was her messiah (am not boasting here) but now that she can look forward to a bright future I’m no more in the picture.


Posted anonymously on www.confessionsnigeria.com
http://confessionsnigeria.com/post/222/i-saw-her-through-school-now-im-no-more-qualified-to-marry-her

olasquare22:
It all depend on which career path you wish to tread. Academic or professional? If academic, pls go for ur Msc, afterwards, PhD. But if professional path, pls go for ur professional courses but that doesn't preclude the fact that you would still need your masters when you attain a certain level on the rung. As for me, I prefer being in the class.

lurther:
Chai! MUMU....

Check the difference between parliamentary system of government and presidential system of government. Come back and thank me later.

Go to school, you say No. Chai.... Imagine a person saying someone was just a prime minister and not president, when they are obviously to title leaders in different system of government. I guess David Cameron, the prime minister of Britain cannot be regarded as the leader of Britain because he is not a president.

Or are you now trying to tell us that Tafawa Balewa should be expunged as one of the leaders of Nigeria because Nigeria practised parliamentary system of government then, that gave powers that today's president have, because he was a prime minister?

Bollove:
Why do you people always tagged Saraki whenever Tinubu's name is mentioned.
Ohhh, You think Saraki is a small boy right You think say leadership na by age right
You think Tinubu is powerful than Saraki right ....

na today , what is Tinubu as BOT Chairman.
even Jonathan forced Obasanjo to resign as BOT Chairman only for Obasanjo to be damned frustrated till he tore his PDP membership card. Jonathan lost later though but only to Buhari not to Obj !!!

Many ignorant always overrate Tinubu .... This is National Politics nat Regional Politics.

Saraki, the Senate President till Tinubu learn National politicking

olad99:
Hello, am writing this with a saddened heart, am a young guy at the early
stage of my life and a student to be precise. am faced with a social death
disease(halitosis) I have been battling this for about 6 years now but all to no
avail.

here are some of my ordeals;
just about 4years ago(just finish my secondary education then), i met a
dentist, was advised on washing, in which i did it but seems the condition
remain the same. i was advised on regular wash every 6 month but couldn't
met the condition due to cost #5000/wash. Little did i know that this is just
the beginning of my social arrest.

in about two years ago 2014, i visited one of the government dental hospital @
Ibadan(Oyo state), was placed on dental routine, tongue scrapping
mouthwash, sugarless gum Among many option. I tried all this round but
seems none work for me. A year ago visited another private hospital @ Ibadan
was asked to pay for #3,000.00 card fee, what a gorgeous amount in the mind
of low income student but i manage to pay it (borrowed) for the sake of my
social freedom. to my great surprise they only recommend most of mouthwash
and mouth spray i have once used before. what a disappointment, it seems
they let me down even with their huge card fee.

I have no option other than to take to online solution to my problem it's then
that i now discover that my problems lies on group of bacteria that reside @
the back of the tongue that produce bad smelling chemicals (sulphide)
through online consultation from THERABREATH.COM . a renowned US based
dental organisation. I was recommended their product (therabreath
mouthwash) and their toothpaste which is fluoride free. Now the problem lies
in getting the mouthwash which is (#42,000) equivalent in naira with shipping
cost. No doubt it would work for me due to a lot of people's testimonies.
Right now am on hydrogen peroxide, which do not only suppress for FEW
hours(2) but with a known side effect( corrotion and lung irritation). as i write
now i don't even know what next as a solution to my problem.

i'm excluded from social gathering, don't have money to do the necessary, in
fact this has become an every seconds of my thinking.

IF YOU ARE A DENTIST READING THIS SAVE SOMEONE SOUL, I DON'T MIND
BEEN OFFERED A FREE SERVICE/ SERVICE @ GREAT DISCOUNT. OR IF YOU
ARE A PHILANTHROPIST SAVE MY SOUL, CASH OR DRUG DONATION WOULD
BE WELCOME.

I pray Almighty Gods makes you not witness this social killing disease. Amen
ADVISE IS WELCOMED and my number is 09031821353. God bless you as you.

Mykevp2p:
Do you know that Goodluck Jonathan also declared his assets the same way Buhari did his? The problem with small minds like you is that you don't read.. you just attacking and calling Jonathan names for something you don't even understand

Cutehector:
Mtcheww.. U be yusuf buhari weda u like it or not!

tosyne2much:
Lemme keep the ball rolling

**He's my HOD and also a lecturer, that man is just damn wicked**

During my first year, when our first semester result was pasted, I went straight to the board and after checking my grades, the not so tall ones who couldn't see the board due to height ish didn't allow me go thereby disturbing me to help them check theirs

# Fast-Farward#
My HOD came out of his office and saw students clustered around the result board, he went into his office and came back few minutes later. When he came out, he looked at me for a few seconds because I was the centre of the result checking stuff and he said " hey you get out of there! " Inwardly I was like, ahn ahn wetin happen ?, are you drunk? I was just looking at him as if it mistakenly slipped out of his tongue. He repeated the same thing and that was when I knew it wasn't a slip of tongue, he said " you are happy checking your result now abi ?, when second semester result is being pasted you will not be happy with your grades.. Woooooow !

I couldn't believe my ears, at that instance, it was as if I should move close to him and squeeze his ears but for where ? Only if I wan re-write JAMB

** Needless I say, when second semester was pasted, I dropped 32.5 points **

**Share yours**

The old principal gave me "" in his course and as a graduating student and made me come out with the grade "2.99"{lower credit} as against 3.00 {upper credit} i planned and struggled to cum out wit during my year in the polytechnic ## ###very annoying....######

chibwike:
Modified...i was thinking he has ruled nigeria b4..u knw a nt into politics

Lobsan Rampa: kindly send it to my mail (ubna@gmail.com)
Thanks and God bless.

ichommy: Is it possible? Plane crash affect ATM.

dont8: Because it's higher secondary school and it's not recon with.