Spring Roundup: Your Questions Answered

Spring Roundup: Your Questions Answered

In case you missed any of our Question of the Week videos lately, here’s your spring roundup. We talked to photo reps, photographers, social media experts as well as some of our knowledgeable PhotoShelter staff to answer your questions.

Check out the videos below to find out how to increase your Instagram following, find your niche, estimate client jobs, how personal projects can be lucrative, and even the difference between archive and portfolio.  

Photographer & Designer Saunak Shah dives in with all you need to know to up your Instagram following.

Sanauk’s POV:

  • Be true to your style and be authentic.
  • Go out and meet people. Put down your device, get out there and collaborate.   
  • Get involved with a community.
  • Don’t forget about hashtags – there’s a method to the madness.

PhotoShelter Marketing and Design Associate Erin Choplin tells us how you can stand out and specialize as a photographer.

Erin’s POV:

  • Even if you shoot “a little bit of everything” it’s still important that you have a niche.
  • A niche doesn’t need to be based on subject matter, it can be anything you want to be known for. Your unique style.

Photo Rep and founder of The Photo Closer, Frank Meo reveals tips on how you can estimate a job for a client.

Frank’s POV:

  • Congratulate yourself – you broke through! Something worked in your marketing.
  • Consider who can help with this process and give you guidelines: friends, colleagues, assistants, APA, ASMP, etc.
  • Break down what it is you need: casting, scouting, prices, etc.
  • Write down questions you have and begin putting together a framework.
  • Be prepared. Do your homework beforehand so you’re coming to the table with real knowledge.

Client Services Associate Le’Andra LeSeur discusses the differences between the PhotoShelter Archive and Portfolio, and how they should be used.

Le’Andra’s POV:

  • The portfolio:
    • A curated selection of your images – your best work.
  • Archive
    • A more complete and extensive library of images.
    • A place where your clients can go to download and/or purchase your images.

Editorial and Documentary Photographer Amy Lombard shares from experience how personal projects can be lucrative – and where to get started.

Amy’s POV:

  • A personal project can make you money. Absolutely.  
  • Passion trumps all. This will reflect in your work, and will ultimately be what gets you jobs.
  • Don’t take on a personal project with expectations that it’ll lead to your big break. Do a personal project for yourself first. Regardless of the outcome, you’ll learn things along the way and enjoy doing doing it.    
  • Sometimes, though, a personal project can be the thing that really kickstarts your career.

Looking to have your photo/tech question answered? Ask us and we just might pick your question next.

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