Even though we're still languishing as the economy comes out of the recession, it should be fairly easy to find customers - pet lovers are almost always willing to make exceptions for their beloved critters. What's more, if your customers are happy, it's likely to result in repeat business and great referrals.
You'll need to establish yourself and build a good reputation. There are lots of ways to get exposure. Visit one of the websites below to sign up and create an online photo gallery. This will allow potential clients to browse through your portfolio:
How to sell your services
As with any business, be prepared to start out small. Once you've built up a regular client list and recovered your capital costs, you'll be able to reach a wider customer base. I suggest doing the usual like placing business cards and flyers wherever you can, but you should also use more of a direct approach with this. You'll definitely want to get in contact with vets, animal trainers, animal shelters, pet shops, dog clubs, bird clubs, etc. You can also offer them a commission for any business they send your way.
From the research I've done, you can easily charge between R350 and R450 an hour, depending on your level of experience.
Here's a look at how much you could make:
Printing costs:
.......................................................Printing Cost...............Mark-Up....................Profit
Jumbo Prints...............................................R4..........................R10.........................R6
20cm x 30cm Prints.....................................R30.........................R40.........................R10
40cm x 60cm Prints....................................R175........................R200.......................R25
Total......................................................R209.......................R250.......................R41
Profit:
...................................................Cost to you...................Cost to Client.............Total Profit
1 hour of photography................................R0...........................R350.......................R350
5 Jumbo Prints.........................................R20..........................R50..........................R30
2 of 20cm x 30cm Prints............................R60..........................R80..........................R20
1 of 40cm x 60cm Prints............................R175........................R200........................R25
Total.....................................................R255........................R680.......................R425
Now, imagine what you'd earn if you had ten clients like this? A whopping R4,250 profit!
There are also ways you can add value for your customers, e.g. by putting the picture in a nice frame. I'd advise you not to give customers the digital file since this would allow them to reprint as many copies as they want at no cost - unless of course they're prepared to pay for it. I know photographers can charge about R4,000 for a CD.
Handy hints
Pets are pretty unpredictable when it comes to photographing them. It's a good idea to practise on your friends' pets and your own if you have any. You need to work fast if you want to get good photos because animals are easily distracted. It's very helpful to have a digital camera with a fast shutter speed as well as a fast memory chip. I also advise doing shoots in the best natural light possible because your flash will likely frighten the animals. Don't stand still either - move with the pet.
Here are some helpful tips to perfecting your photos for each different animal:
* Cats - These furry friends are pretty difficult to photograph. It's not easy to get them to co-operate or stay still for very long. I suggest using a long lens and shooting from a distance. That way, they can relax in their own environment.
* Dogs - What with their playful and fun-loving nature, they're quite easy to work with. That doesn't mean they're going to sit still the whole time, though. I recommend using a fast shutter speed to get great pics.
* Birds - The smaller the bird, the harder it'll be to photograph. Parrots and other large birds are easier and more co-operative. You'll want to do close-ups of them since all their beauty is in their detail and colouring.
* Horses - It's really important to think about your safety when photographing these beauties. If you're not used to handling horses, it's best to have the owner or handler around when you're doing the shoot.
What are you waiting for? If you've got a camera handy - get started today!
Oh, and as mentioned above, sign up and create an online photo gallery with the two websites below;
rel=nofollow [
http://www.greatstock.co.za]www.greatstock.co.za
rel=nofollow [
http://www.snapstock.co.za]www.snapstock.co.za
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My name is Chris Densley and for the last 5 years I've worked for an international publishing company that generates millions in profit every year. We make this kind of money because we have access to some of the most forward-thinking people in the world today. And it's these "goldmine of industry experts" that I talk to on a weekly basis to bring you the best business opportunity advice available.
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