How to Promote and Market Your Photography

Promoting and Marketing Photography Business Awareness

How to Promote and Market Your Photography

"Marketing and promoting your photography is essential for building a successful photography business and gaining recognition as a photographer. Here are some strategies and tips to help you effectively market and promote your photography:

• Define Your Niche: Identify your specific area of expertise and passion within photography. Whether it's portraits, landscapes, weddings, wildlife, or something else, having a niche will help you target your marketing efforts more effectively.

• Build a Professional Portfolio: Create a high-quality portfolio that showcases your best work. Your portfolio should be easily accessible on your website or through social media platforms like Instagram, Flickr, or 500px.

• Create a Stunning Website: Invest in a professional website to showcase your portfolio and provide essential information about your services, pricing, and contact details. Ensure that your website is mobile-friendly and easy to navigate.

• Optimize for Search Engines (SEO): Implement SEO techniques on your website to improve its visibility on search engines like Google. Use relevant keywords, optimize image descriptions, and create engaging, keyword-rich content related to your photography niche.

• Use Social Media: Utilize social media platforms like Instagram, Facebook, Pinterest, and Twitter to share your work, engage with your audience, and build your brand. Consistent posting and interaction with followers are crucial for success.

• Collaborate with Influencers: Partner with local influencers or bloggers who can help promote your work to a broader audience. Offer them a photoshoot or photo content in exchange for promotion on their platforms.

• Email Marketing: Build an email list of potential clients and previous clients. Send regular newsletters with updates, special offers, and new work to keep your audience engaged and informed.

• Networking: Attend photography events, workshops, and meetups in your area to network with fellow photographers and potential clients. Building relationships can lead to referrals and collaborations.

• Offer Promotions and Discounts: Periodically offer promotions, discounts, or special packages to attract new clients. Limited-time offers can create a sense of urgency and encourage bookings.

• Get Published: Submit your work to photography magazines, blogs, and online publications. Getting your work featured can increase your exposure and credibility as a photographer.

• Invest in Paid Advertising: Consider running targeted online advertising campaigns on platforms like Google Ads or social media platforms. Pay-per-click (PPC) advertising can help you reach a specific audience.

• Collect and Showcase Client Testimonials: Encourage satisfied clients to leave reviews and testimonials on your website and social media profiles. Positive feedback builds trust with potential clients.

• Attend Trade Shows and Exhibitions: Participate in photography trade shows, exhibitions, or art fairs to showcase your work and connect with potential clients, galleries, or art collectors.

• Keep Learning and Growing: Stay updated with the latest photography trends and techniques. Continuous improvement in your photography skills will reflect in your work and attract more clients.

• Be Consistent: Consistency is key to successful promotion. Maintain a consistent style, posting schedule, and branding across all your marketing channels.

Remember that building a photography business takes time and dedication. Be patient and persistent in your marketing efforts, and over time, you'll see your photography business grow and thrive." (Source: ChatCPT 2023)

How to Make Money with your Camera and Photography 

Additional Information Links how to Market and Promote Your Photography

Clever Marketing Tips for Photographers

Clever Marketing Tips for Photographers

Creating a Digital Marketing Strategy for Your Photography Business
Creating a Digital Marketing Strategy for Your Photography Business

How to get Photography clients for your Business

How to get Photography clients for your Business

How to Manage a Photography Business
How to Manage a Photography Business

How to Market Your Photography Website
How to Market Your Photography Website

How to Promote and Market Your Photography Business
How to Promote and Market Your Photography Business

Marketing Your Photography Business: Strategies for Attracting Clients
Marketing Your Photography Business: Strategies for Attracting Clients

Strategies to Promote Your Photography Business
Strategies to Promote Your Photography Business

The Impact of Photography

The Impact of Photography

 

Top 10 Tips For Promoting A Photography Business

Top 10 Tips For Promoting A Photography Business

Using the Media to Promote your Photography Business

Using the Media to Promote your Photography Business

Images Source: Pixabay (Open Source)

The Theory of Photography

Updated: Analytical Education to Creative Training Journey

From Intel Corporation, Founding of Blu-C, Neuropsychology and Photography

“Don’t be encumbered by history, just go out and do something wonderful.” ― Robert Noyce, Intel

It took many years as student and lecturer (and quite a few academic / training tours through Europe / UK) to eventually appreciate the art and science of creative image making.

To press the shutter button on any of my cameras (in various genres) in a ‘conditioned, but lately, peaceful / mindful state’ became part of an essential treasured natural nature connectedness.

To appreciate every new / developing photographer's learning journey in my presence (through a workshop or one-on-one training), is in my opinion one of the greatest humanistic honours a teacher or trainer could ever be trusted upon.

All I really miss from this journey is my friend, fellow photographer / lecturer and business partner, Joseph Inns. I suppose it’s part of the journey to learn to live without some of those closest to our hearts and daily being.

Image Credit: Steve Williams during a landscape / seascape VCP workshop practical session @ Milnerton beach.

Source and Reference>> Mental Health and Motivation

Long Exposure Photography at Woodbridge Island

Canon EOS Long Exposure Photography : Woodbridge Island, Cape Town

Canon Long Exposure Photography : From Woodbridge Island, Cape Town 

Canon Long Exposure Photography : Woodbridge Island Cape Town

A couple of images during an impromptu long exposure photography training session at Woodbridge Island, Milnerton, Cape Town last night.

It was a beautiful evening, in Milnerton,  with little wind to explore long exposure photography opportunities in terms of changing light and various vantage points around Woodbridge Island.

This was also my first images of the new Milnerton / Woodbridge Island ‘wooden bridge’. I much preferred the old wooden bridge bridge for its (dilapidated) aesthetic and architectural value for the Milnerton long exposure photographer.

Above all, it was an enjoyable and social evening learning more about the quality of light, environmental variables and Canon camera settings.

Canon Long Exposure / Night Photography Equipment

• Canon EOS 6D (Full Frame) Body
• Canon EF 16-35mm f/4L IS USM Lens
• Canon Remote Shutter Release

Focus / Exposure / Lens Settings

• Manual Focus
• Aperture Priority (Av) Mode 
• Aperture: f/16
• ISO 200
• Shutter Speed: 1/30s
• Zoom Range (23 - 32mm)
• Manfrotto 190 Tripod

Image Post-Processing
Adobe Lightroom Classic (Version 13)

Using Canon EOS 6D for Bulb Mode | Long Exposure Photography >>

Copyright Vernon Chalmers Photography (Please Read before Using images without Permission)

Canon Long Exposure Photography : Woodbridge Island, Cape Town

Canon Long Exposure Photography : Wooden bridge / Woodbridge Island, Cape Town 

Canon EOS 6D Long Exposure Photography : Woodbridge Island, Cape Town

Vernon Chalmers Photography Training Intaka Island | Kirstenbosch Garden | Woodbridge Island

Lighthouses South Africa Using Three Images Without Permission

Copyright Infringement : Vernon Chalmers Images Used Without Permission 

Lighthouses South Africa website using Two Vernon Chalmers Photography Images Without Permission

Photography Copyright / Intellectual Property Infringements

Lighthouses South Africa : Using three Vernon Chalmers Photography images without permission.

• The Old Wooden bridge / Milnerton Lighthouse
• Woodbridge Island / Milnerton Lighthouse from Arnhem (Milnerton)
• Reed Cormorant flying past the Milnerton Lighthouse

Important: At least on of the Images the images were manipulated by removing the Vernon Chalmers / Vernon Chalmers Photography Watermarks. 

It came to my attention that the Lighthouses South Africa website on the Milnerton URL at  https://www.lighthousessouthafrica.com/milnerton.html are using three Vernon Chalmers Images photographed that were published by Vernon Chalmers without permission- ignoring the Vernon Chalmers Copyright and Intellectual Property Policy published on the following URL: Copyright / Vernon Chalmers Photography Copyright | Intellectual Property Policy at the following URL: https://www.vernonchalmers.photography/p/vernon-chalmers-copyright-policy.html

When visiting the Lighthouses South Africa website the following three images are clearly copied / used from Vernon Chalmers website on the Lighthouses South Africa Milnerton URL at https://www.lighthousessouthafrica.com/milnerton.html

The images posted here are the originals removed from the Vernon Chalmers website (with the copies from Lighthouses South Africa Milnerton Pages directly posted below each of original images:

Vernon Chalmers Photography Original Image (Old Wooden Bridge / Milnerton Lighthouse) 

Vernon Chalmers Photography URL: https://www.vernonchalmers.photography/2016/05/update-restoration-of-wooden-bridge.html

 Lighthouses South Africa Copied Image Without Permission

 

Lighthouses South Africa URL: https://www.lighthousessouthafrica.com/milnerton.html

(Image Accessed between 15 - 18 March 2024)

Vernon Chalmers Photography Original Image (Woodbridge Island from Arnhem, Milnerton) 

Vernon Chalmers Photography URL: https://www.vernonchalmers.photography/2023/05/the-crispness-of-early-morning-light.html

 Lighthouses South Africa Copied Image Without Permission

Lighthouses South Africa URL: https://www.lighthousessouthafrica.com/milnerton.html

(Image Accessed between 15 - 18 March 2024)

Vernon Chalmers Photography Original Image (Reed Cormorant flying past the Milnerton Lighthouse) 

Vernon Chalmers Photography URL: https://www.vernonchalmers.photography/2017/08/woodbridge-island-milnerton-lighthouse.html

 Lighthouses South Africa Copied Image Without Permission

Lighthouses South Africa URL: https://www.lighthousessouthafrica.com/milnerton.html

(Image Accessed between 15 - 18 March 2024)

Vernon Chalmers Photography Copyright Policy

Vernon Chalmers Photography Copyright Policy

Copyright Infringement Warning to South African Photographers

Copyright Infringement Warning to South African Photographers

© Symbol Image: Copyright Free from Pixabay

Special Rainbow over Woodbridge Island…

Natural Moment of Beauty and Grace over Woodbridge Island, Cape Town

I left at dawn for a client visit this morning. While there I received this image from a friend of mine captured from our building overlooking Woodbridge Island / Table Mountain.

His message to me: “Thought you would like to see what a great God we have – taken this morning”

Captured with Smartphone © Kenny Wilson, Arnhem, Milnerton

Published with permission from Kenny Wilson

What is a Rainbow?

"A rainbow is a meteorological phenomenon that is caused by reflection, refraction, and dispersion of light in water droplets resulting in a spectrum of light appearing in the sky. It takes the form of a multicolored circular arc. Rainbows caused by sunlight always appear in the section of sky directly opposite the sun.

Rainbows can be observed whenever there are water droplets in the air and sunlight shining from behind the observer at a low altitude angle. The most spectacular rainbow displays happen when half the sky is still dark with raining clouds and the observer is at a spot with clear sky in the direction of the sun. The result is a luminous rainbow that contrasts with the darkened background.

The rainbow's appearance is caused by dispersion of sunlight, which is separated into its component colors when it enters the water droplets. The process is called dispersion. The light is first refracted, or bent, when it enters the water droplet, then is reflected off the back of the droplet, and finally refracted again when leaving the droplet. The overall effect is that the incoming light is separated into its component colors, forming a circle of colors in the sky." (Source: ChatGPT 2023)

Vernon Chalmers Professional Canon Broker Service 2024

Re-selling of Used Canon Camera / Lens / Accessories Gear

Cape Town / Cape Peninsula

Vernon Chalmers Photography Camera Broker Service

From January 2024 I will commence with a professional brokerage service between local photographers (selling and / or purchasing) any Canon EOS / EOS R (Full Frame / APS-C) and Canon (and compatible) lenses / other Canon accessories (From Arnhem Milnerton, Cape Town opposite Woodbridge Island).

The goal is to personally test and recommend any pre-owned Canon cameras / Canon or compatible lenses / Canon accessories which are made available for sale.

I have already started testing this service (discreetly) with since Q3 2023 with satisfactory results and will be structuring a detailed brokerage strategy to be implemented from 2024 that should be beneficial towards all parties involved (seller / buyer and VCP as broker).

All Canon bodies / lenses and compatible lenses (i.e. Sigma / Tamron) will be field tested and the VCP brokerage service will facilitate recommended value, pricing and related promotional services.

Any other accessories (i.e. Speedlite Flash / Extension Tubes) to be Canon only.

The service will not be available for any Canon SLR film cameras.

Cape Town photographers interested in this service are welcome to message me from the Vernon Chalmers Photography Facebook Page me or contact me via the Vernon Chalmers Photography website.

Top Image Copyright : Vernon Chalmers Photography

Bottom Image Copyright : Pixabay Copyright Fre

Introduction to Canon Photography Training Cape Town

Introduction to Canon EOS / Canon EOS R Photography Training Cape Town

Private Photography Training Courses / Sessions

Introduction to Photography / Canon EOS DSLR Training Cape Town

Photography / Private Camera Training Courses

This one-on-one beginner training programme / lessons in Minerton, Cape Town  is designed for assisting the developing Canon EOS photographer with mastering the fundamentals of photography and the introduction of the settings and menu system of the Canon EOS DSLR camera.

Learning Objectives and Outcomes
The Introduction to Photography / Canon EOS DSLR Training programme is facilitated over three sessions / lessons (of up to five hours each) with specific reference to the following objectives and outcomes:

• Suited for new / beginner photographers with Canon EOS cameras
• Understanding and applying photography fundamentals (Aperture / ISO / Shutter Speed) 
• Understanding and applying the Canon EOS menu and Autofocus systems (and related settings) 
• Opportunities for practical exposure in various genres (Birding / Landscape / Macro / Portraiture)
• Introduction to photography challenges and composition guidelines  (for various genres)
• Future support / recommendations on possible future Canon Camera / Lens / Accessory purchases

Learn Photography from the Comfort of your own Cape Town Home / Garden More Information

Bird Photography at Kirstenbosch Botanical Garden More Information

Adobe Lightroom / Post Processing Training
A short orientation / overview lesson on Lightroom as as an post-processing / editing suite will also be demonstrated as part of a specific genre training (if required).

High Academic Standards and Learning Environment
Each session / lesson is started with a detailed agenda and camera manual / handling notes (specific to the learner's) EOS camera, available lenses and specific photographic interests). Vernon Chalmers Photography Training Mission / Philosophy

Requirements: Canon EOS / EOS R Body / Canon or Canon compatible lens for Canon EOS / EOS R and a memory card.

Cost: R2 300 per delegate - Up to three sessions (up to four hours+ each) - in Milnerton, Cape Town.

Contact me for more information

Example Session 1 Agenda / Assessment (To be adjusted for level of experience / Canon EOS body)

• Introduction
• Current camera gear / challenges
• Current workflow / post-processing
• Exposure (Aperture / ISO / Shutter Speed)
• Canon EOS Menu System / Configurations 
• Exposure Settings / Shooting Modes
• Autofocus / Manual Focus Settings
• Specific Genre Application / Settings

Bird / Flower Photography Training Kirstenbosch More

Canon Photography Private Training Courses Milnerton, Cape Town

• Canon EOS / EOS R Autofocus / AI Servo Master Class More
• Bird Photography Training Kirstenbosch More
• Birds in Flight / Bird Photography training More
• Canon Speedlite / Ring Lite Flash Photography Workshop More
• Macro / Close-Up Photography Workshop More
• Landscape / Long Exposure Photography Training Sessions More
• Real Estate / Interior Decor Photography Training More
• Digital Workflow / Lightroom Post-Processing Training Sessions More

Photography Training Gift Vouchers

Introduction to Photography training is available as a Birthday / Christmas Gift training voucher option with a one year validity period. It could also form part of general Canon camera training option as well. More information>>

Self Catering Accommodation Milnerton

Vernon Chalmers photography training is facilitated from a self-catering apartment in Arnhem, Milnerton (opposite Woodbridge Island) with an option for local and international photographers to overnight during the various training sessions. Optional accommodation will be calculated at reduced rates into the Photography Training Proposal / Invoicing. More Information

Long Exposure Photography : Introduction to Canon Photography Milnerton, Cape Town

Cape Teal Duck : Vernon Chalmers Photography Training Woodbridge Island, Cape Town

Canon Photography Training Milnerton Woodbridge Island | Kirstenbosch Cape Town | Around the Cape Peninsula

Different Views Towards the Same Body of Water

Using Different Canon Camera Equipment : Milnerton Lagoon / Woodbridge Island

Image 1: Woodbridge Island from Arnhem, Milnerton

Image one: The Milnerton Lagoon from Arnhem (in which I do my photography training on a lower level and live, on a higher level). This image was captured just after 06:00 one morning (during summer). With the main bridge going to Woodbridge Island on the left and the wooden bridge towards the right. @ f/16

Image 2: Arnhem from Woodbridge Island, Milnerton

Image two: The Milnerton lagoon from Woodbridge Island towards Arnhem (the building in the centre). This image was captured just after 18:00 one very cold afternoon (during winter). This image was captured while positioned closer to the wooden bridge and the canoe club (as seen in image one). @ f/16

Both images on tripod with different Canon cameras / different wide-angle lenses.

The difference in camera gear
Image one was captured with an entry-level APS-C / Crop Canon EOS  700D camera / consumer EF-S 18-135mm f/3.4-5.6 IS STM lens. Image two was captured with a full frame Canon EOS 6D body / EF 16-35mm f4L IS USM lens. Does this really matter? Perhaps, but not so much to me anymore...

The only real substantial difference is the quality and availability of light – and positioning.

Using a tripod in image two was more important than image one due to the lower light at the time (using f/16). If I had used the entry-level equipment in capturing image two the result would have been close to identical – as long as I was using a steady tripod.

Woodbridge Island | Cape Town Photography >>

Flamingos Milnerton Lagoon / Woodbridge Island, Cape Town

Flamingos Milnerton Lagoon : Woodbridge Island

Greater Flamingo Woodbridge Island, Cape Town

Canon EOS 700D / Canon EF 400mm f/5.6L USM Lens
All Greater flamingo photos by Vernon Chalmers in the Milnerton Lagoon / Woodbridge Island with Canon EOS 700D and Canon EF 400mm f/5.6L USM prime telephoto Lens (Manual Mode / Fast Shutter Speeds / Handheld).

Objective
First 'stationary' practice shots with my new Canon EF 400mm f/5.6L USM super telephoto prime lens paired with Canon EOS 700D Body.

Post-Processing
Images processed in Lightroom 5.7. Converted from RAW to JPG. Lens profile correction. Crops and minor adjustments.

Cape Town Location
Milnerton Lagoon Woodbridge Island, Cape Town

Canon EOS System / Equipment

• Canon EOS 700D SLR camera body 
• Canon EF 400mm f/5.6L USM telephoto prime lens 

Aperture Priority / Manual Mode Settings

• Shutter speed: 1/500 - 1/2000s 
• Aperture: f/5.6 - 6.7 
• Focal length 400mm 
• ISO 200-400 
• No Image Stabilization 
• Autofocus mode (Centre AF point)

Continuous shooting mode / AI Servo
Handheld

(Click to Enlarge)

Greater Flamingos Milnerton Lagoon / Woodbridge Island, Cape Town

Greater Flamingos Milnerton Lagoon / Woodbridge Island, Cape Town

Greater Flamingos Milnerton Lagoon / Woodbridge Island, Cape Town

Greater Flamingos Milnerton Lagoon / Woodbridge Island, Town

Greater Flamingos Milnerton Lagoon / Woodbridge Island, Cape Town

Greater Flamingos Milnerton Lagoon / Woodbridge Island, Cape Town

Greater Flamingos Milnerton Lagoon / Woodbridge Island, Cape Town

Greater Flamingos Milnerton Lagoon / Woodbridge Island, Cape Town

Canon EOS 7D Mark II - Birds in Flight Photography Gallery

Canon EOS 7D Mark II - Birds in Flight Photography Gallery