Good at Pet Photography? Start a Pet Photography Business
If you love animals and you are interested in photography, why not consider starting a pet photography business? Professional pet photography is rewarding, fun and lucrative. Today's pet owners spend generously on their companion animals. Increasing numbers turn to professional photographers to create treasured keepsakes. Posed portraits as well as action shots of dogs, cats, horses, rabbits, birds and other beloved creatures are in great demand.
If you think a pet photography business could be in your future, then consider the following:
What Species of Animal Will you Photograph?
Pet photographers report that dogs are the most frequent subjects. Cats come in a distant second.
Requests for pictures of other animals are few in number. Not everyone is willing to photograph snakes and rats, so that is a choice you can make. However, if you decide against it, you will not lose a lot of business as a result.
On Location
Generally speaking, pet portrait photography is conducted in one of two places: in the photographer's studio or on location.
Taking pet photographs in a studio is similar to photographing humans in a studio. Remember, however, that animals are unpredictable. Be prepared to deal with frightened, angry, rambunctious or shy pets. Keep a supply of treats and toys to distract a stressed out terrier or kitty.
Photographing pets on location means travelling to the pet owners' home, or perhaps to some other spot like a beach or park. On location shots can be posed or action. In such a case, you must bring specialized equipment such as a tripod and various lighting effects. If you are planning to do a lot of action photography, you may need to invest in a special telephoto lens to get the results you need. These lenses do not come cheap. For example, the Canon EF 70-200mm f/2.8L USM Telephoto Zoom Lens for Canon SLR Cameras is highly rated, but runs at around $1300 at the time of this writing. This lens allows considerable light to enter the lens in the shortest possible time. It's so good that professional rodeo photographers use it to photograph horses in full motion.
Your Startup Costs
A camera with the features you need plus other basic equipment will cost approximately $1000 (in the US).
You will also need some money for marketing and advertising. Allow approximately $200 for this. Your can cut down expenses by shopping wisely and using the Internet. For example, you need business cards, which can be expensive. Instead, order 250 free business cards from Vistaprint. They're matte paper, not glossy, and there is a single line of Vistaprings advertising on the back. Nevertheless, where else can you get 250 business cards for the ten dollars shipping fee?
Training and Education for Pet Photography
It goes without saying that you must be capable of using a camera and of taking good quality pictures. There are numerous guides and books available to help with this, such as the well reviewed New PortraitBiz - Photography Business Plan. It's also a good idea to get a little business training.
Marketing Yourself
Your first move should be to start building a portfolio so you can show customers samples of your work. Without these pictures, you are unlikely to get a contract. Lucky, its an easy thing to build a portfolio of animal pictures. Photograph your own pets, if you have any, or ask family and friends to let you photograph their animals.
While you are compiling your portfolio of animal pictures, it's a smart move to include a selection of other pictures you have taken -portraits, birthday parties, weddings, for example. Showing potential customers these pictures may get you some additional work in another area.
Compiling a portfolio helps you in more ways than one. First, its your marketing tool that you use to generate business. Secondly, its an opportunity for you to practice and gain experience.
What about Amateur Competition?
You may be wondering how you can make money as a professional pet photographer when most people have a camera of their own. Pet photographers are in business for two reasons. First, their photos are likely to be better quality than most people can manage on their own. Secondly, there is a status involved with using a professional photographer.
After all, most people can cook, but restaurants and delis still do a booming business.
This is just one money making suggestion. Check the article list for more ways to make money with digital photography.
Thank You!
June Campbell
P.S. New to digital photography? Find out how you can take spectacular photographs with your digital camera in thirty minutes or less. Visit StartMyDigitalPhotography.com. If you want to move your photograhyto the next level, try Digigal Photography: Beyond the Basics.
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