Creating A Six Figure Photography Studio

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By Lori Osterberg

What does it take to create a Six Figure income in your photography business?

 

The average photographer will never achieve it.

According to salary.com, the average photographer in the United States makes $50,733. 75% of photographers make $61,978 or less per year. Which means very few photographers will ever achieve the Six Figure income level with their photography.



 

So what does it take?

Six Figure photography studios typically share four characteristics.

1. They have a passion in one individual field of photography, and focus on becoming the best in that field.

If you think of some of the best photographers in the world, chances are they have narrowly defined their niche. They have chosen what they are passionate about, and made that the entire focus of their photography business. They focus on what they love: landscapes, babies, weddings. Chances are you can think of names for each of these.

People are willing to pay more for specialization. If you have a heart condition, are you going to go to a general practitioner? The more specialized you are, the more you know about your area of expertise, and the better known you can become in that area.


If someone says they're getting married, you may think of a few general photographers to refer. But if you know one who specializes in weddings, and is constantly featured in Wedding magazines, and has been in the news and on television shows, wouldn't you be more excited about referring them?

2. They are leaders, not followers.

When a new photographer starts out, the only way to get into the business is to copy what others have done. You read magazines, look at portfolios, and browse the web in search of photographs to imitate. These beginners are followers. Which is a good place to start - everyone has to begin somewhere. But once you know what you do, you begin developing your own style. That's when you have the opportunity to become a leader.

A leader knows their field so well they begin photographing in entirely new ways. They take chances and give their clients things they've never seen before. And people are willing to pay more for things that are special; things that are unique.


 

3. They have unique ways of marketing their business.

Once a photographer becomes a leader, marketing comes easily. They no longer go looking for business; business comes to them.

They can use things like referral marketing - having people and other businesses refer them frequently.

They use websites and Internet marketing daily.

They realize that their clients can be found anywhere in the world, not just within a 10 mile radius of their businesses.

4. They share their passions.

Once a person creates a Six Figure studio, they start sharing their knowledge with others.

They teach. They write books. They share their knowledge to help others fulfill their dreams as well.

http://sixfigurephotographer.com

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Darien profile image

Darien  says:
6 months ago

Can't wait to get started. Here's some of my work so far http://hubpages.com/hub/My-walk-to-CVS

mare/marmalade  says:
6 months ago

great read. many of the points are so true...niche marketing yourself is integral to your success & livelihood as a photographer.

thanks.

susanzheng profile image

susanzheng  says:
6 months ago

I was thinking maybe someday I will be a photographer, but don't know where to start and not sure whether its too late to start for me.  This hub makes me think I should try.

Cherie Renae  says:
6 months ago

When I started my business three years ago, I called it a 'boutique' studio. I had a different vision for how my business would look and feel to my clients - warm & friendly, relationship and experiential-based, rather than a slick professional presentation. I attended a conference of well-known women photographers about two and a half years ago. We all shared about ourselves, and I was asked many questions about my 'boutique' idea. Guess what? Now that idea is sweeping the industry! I'm proud that my vision resonated so strongly with so many.

The point being, I agree. We need to specialize. We need to follow our own passion and our own dreams. (And if they're good ones, others will follow!) :)

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