Event Photographer
Event photography can be a rewarding career or a fun side job. Either way, it takes persistence and self-promotion to break into the field. If you take great photos of family reunions, the office party and the high-school track meet, you already have the base to get started as an event photographer. Be prepared to do some work for free in the beginning. Get organized, get excited and follow these steps to get started in event photography.
Instructions
1. Apply for a short-term internship with a wedding photographer. Offer to assist in wedding events for little or no money. Prepare to learn pre-planning, on-site photo shoot protocol and post-production activities directly from a professional photographer.
2. Join the Society of Event and Sport Photographers when finances permit. Read articles on the society's website for free and participate in the forums.
3. Order business cards. Include your best event-related photo on the front of the card along with your name and contact information. Include a title line like "Event Photography" or "Custom Photography for Your Special Events."
4. Identify upcoming public community events to attend and take pictures for your event photography portfolio. Take a notebook with you to each event and collect the names of people involved in the events. Sort through the finished photos promptly after each event and add the best to your portfolio. Set appointments with the individuals from the event to show them your portfolio, give them your business card and ask for work.
5. Learn all you can about your competition. Pay special attention to how professional events photography is priced so that you can be competitive. Watch for how other photographers advertise their services to learn about marketing your own event photography business.
6. Take a class about small business set-up at a local community college or through the US Government Small Business Administration. Decide what structure you want your business to have and file the appropriate paperwork.
7. Target potential clients and contact them via mail or email. Follow up with a phone call. Include a broad range of prospects for corporate event photography, sports event photography, entertainment and special events photography.
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