Photography Tips For Capturing Authentic Holiday Moments

From capturing the food to showcasing the decor, from snagging a quick family portrait to freezing that sparkle in grandma’s eye, Thanksgiving is ripe with creative possibilities for photographers.

But add in a group of people who haven’t see each other in a while, social distancing, indoor lighting, and eating entirely too much turkey, and Thanksgiving photography isn’t exactly simple point-and-shoot photography. To make the most of the holiday, we’ve put together some photography tips to capture the best memories of the day.

Don’t forget the behind the scenes

The camera shouldn’t stay tucked in the bag until that dinner call. What happens pre-turkey often makes up many of the family memories. Record Grandma making her infamous recipe, the mid-cooking jokes, and all the work that goes into that big meal. 

Find a window

Thanksgiving photos are often tricky because, frankly, November is too cold to eat a nice dinner out on the patio in most areas. Indoor lighting means using wide apertures and higher ISOs, but you can also improve your shots by using natural light from a window.

Look for details.

What are your favorite memories of Thanksgiving? Often, the smaller details make up some of that list. Take a macro shot of the whipped cream curling on top of that pumpkin pie. Create a still life of that gravy river through mashed potato mountain. You can’t photograph the smell of Thanksgiving, but you can get pretty close to capturing the sense of it by getting up close.

Watch for distractions.

The little things make great photos — and they also break them. Check the frame for anything distracting from the subject. Adjust the table setting to get a shot that focuses on just one element. Move the dirty dishes out of the background. Work to make sure everything in the photo is supporting the main idea rather then taking away from it by moving objects, adjusting the crop, or changing the angle.

Capture the not-so-perfect.

Distractions are one thing, pretending you have a magazine-worthy family Thanksgiving every year is another. Maybe family tradition requires that someone always burns those rolls. Maybe (or rather, probably) the kitchen looks like a war zone at the end of the meal. Capture the tears clinging to eyelashes when the toddler can’t eat dessert first. Maybe the dog makes off with one of those rolls. You’ve captured the food, now capture what makes that day belong to your particular family.

Mix it up with different angles and focal lengths.

I know it’s hard to move around with all that tryptophan pumping through your system, but avoid shooting every photo from the same height. To create variety, shoot from different angles. Shoot that food photo from both that popular top-down spread and using a side angle. Get a tall shot of everyone around the table, and an eye-level shot of family members together. Changing the focal length, if you use a camera with interchangeable lenses or a zoom lens.

Capture what you are thankful for.

Thanksgiving photos don’t necessarily have to be about turkey, cooking, and family gatherings. Try a different angle on Thanksgiving photography and photograph what you are thankful for. Maybe that’s a person (or people). Maybe that’s an item that’s important to you. Or, maybe you’re thankful for something a little more abstract. Ideas that aren’t things are tricky, but with some creativity, you can capture that abstract thing you are thankful for.

For more guidance and details please contact Golden Camera experts.

Photography business

Tips For Developing Your Photography Business

It’s the drive to showcase their innovation or helping people eternalize what is special to them, that tempt photographers to turn their passion into a business. If you are running a photography business or plan for a photography startup, it pays to know what can be done to ameliorate your enterprise so you can establish a firm foothold in the photography industry

#1. Act Like A Professional

Growing your photography business requires a lot of hard work, determination, commitment, and enthusiasm. Professionals follow through on their allegiance and deliver their products and services on time. They show up on time and always deliver great customer experiences.

They answer their phone on time, return calls and are easily accessible. Mentor young people and provide internships with professionalism, this is the only way to generate good reviews and future business.

#2. Write A Business Plan

A successful business begins with building a perfect plan, a design draft that will guide you in creating a strong foundation of your firm which is a solid support. The simple act of writing down your vision and working on it accordingly gives you a outline of how the business will operate.

It is very helpful to assure that your idea is conveyed more effectively and all your customers are on the same page. You will find a clear path to your destination, if you set your business goals and work according to that outline .

Looking For a Photography Logo Design?

We have helped thousands of business owners from all around the world with their graphic design needs such as a logo design, website design, social media posts, banner and much more.

#3. Have A Professional Looking Website

Once you’ve come up with a idea to start a photography business, you’ll need an attractive and impressive website as your website is like your store front. So, it’s best to take guidance from professional web designers as they have a huge amount of innovative and creative photo website design templates that better suits your photographic style.

Your website is like a showcase of your work which your customers will visit to see your sample work. It should include samples of your work and a page that describes your background and experience. It’s a good idea to list your pricing details. It will help in managing customer expectations and keeps people from trying to negotiate for a lower price. Contact information is also mandatory.

Your photography website is the most powerful tool to propagandize your brand to a global audience. In today’s digital era, usually most of the clients will find out about your business and interact with you through your website.

#4. Engage In Social Media Marketing

Social media is the best platform for promoting your brand especially when it comes to photography so you must add a social icons at the top of your website. Social media is a best platform where you can join social media groups and online forums that are involved in your industry so that they can help you in promoting your business and reach new heights of success. Apart from posting your own work, you can hire a graphic designer to create amazing social media content for your business.

You can also learn a lot from fellow photographers and other experts of your industry and you can use that knowledge to further take your business to next level. You’ll be astonished to know that many people in the social groups are actually eager to know you. Introduce yourself, share your working experience, give some useful photography marketing tips, provide exhilarated opinions, or connect with industry experts all over the word.

#5. Expand Your Network

Expand your network of customers, experienced photographers, and other people engaged in the field of photography. They offer indispensable help in the form of knowledge, constructive advice, referrals, and much more. You can expand your network by attending valuable seminars, joining photography networking events and photo shoots.

You can also grandstand your work by organizing a photo exhibition, whether on your own or with a group of photographer friends. Exhibitions attract a lot of forthcoming clients and professionals whom you could add to your network.

#6. Clearly Define Your Service

A mistake that most embryonic photographers make is that they fail to identify themselves as experts in one circumstantial niche. Always Remember that potential clients need to know the type of photographer you are, your photography style, what kind of best mirrorless cameras you use and your ability to aspire their specific needs.

#7. Come Up With A Pricing Plan

The most challenging question for every photographer is- How much will you charge for your services? Especially when you have just started your Photography business. Figure out the worth of one hour of your time.

For every hour you spend while shooting, you’ll spend about three hours editing the photographs. You need to include all the factors in your pricing. Of course, your pricing pattern is your own, this is just a way to come up with a starting point. Therefore, Clearly state the price of your service in your photography to avoid any future complications.

Wedding photography business

How to Start a Wedding Photography Business In Pakistan

As it is all the more a known fact that with the passage of time the demand and popularity of the photo shoot business is getting high in success and popularity! Almost each single wants to know that how you can easily get on with the starting of the business on the easiest terms that is related with the photo shoot.

Well, when establishing the photoshoot business, there are so many minor and major things that you do need to keep in mind. You should know that whether you want to start the business from home or from the assistance of the team members. This is an important question to learn it all through!

Right below we will be explaining out with some of the important guidelines which you should be discussing around when it comes to the start up of the photography wedding business in Pakistan.

Types of Services You Will Offer

You should know the varied types of the services that are to be given away in the wedding photography business. Almost all the business sectors and so as the individuals are always in want to get the photographer services as meant best for so many of the reasons. Business sectors do want to take the services of the photographers just for the purpose of promotion of their products for the side of the brochures. Most of the time realtors also take the services of the photographers too as where they can find it easy to sell their homes.

Create a Business Plan

In the next step, you should be heading on with the creation of the business plan to bring the development aspects in it. You should be adding the business plan with the features of the services you are offering, details about your business and financial aspects too. You should be highlighting your mission and vision too. You should not be missing out giving a quick timeline details about the pricing structure as well. This is an important thing to look out for!

Create an Attractive Business Name

Now it’s time to give a name to your business! Always remember that your brand name is very much important in order to make your business identified inside the marketplaces.  You should be setting it with something that is really inspiring and should be targeting the audience too.

Start Establishing your Business Officially

In the next step it’s time when you should be thinking about giving your business with the establishment of being official on terms. As you are all set with the name of the business and so as its settings, you should obtain business license or permits as required by your city or county. You should be clear much in giving your brand name with the legal registration inside the marketplaces.

So, these have been few of the important and main points which you probably do need to keep in mind when it comes to the successful establishment of the photography business in Pakistan.

Follow the guidelines carefully! All the Best!

photography gears Pakistan

Photography as a Business in Pakistan

Starting your own photography business is a great way to add a second income or a main income if you work hard. While the photography market in Pakistan is competitive, many photography business owners have been able to find their niche and build a sustainable career. Like most creative endeavors, you need to balance your passion for photography with real business skills in order to be successful.

To build and grow your business, you need both raw talent and a knack for marketing. You should continually be working to improve your craft and evolving your product and work consistently on your own branding, online marketing, and people skills. Without the two, the results will likely just be an expensive hobby rather than a viable full-time business.

The Cost to Start a Photography Business in Pakistan

The cost varies greatly as a photographer whether you’re starting out or looking to grow your existing business into something larger.  

According to professional photographer Austen Diamond, “building slow and smart” will help you stay nimble. Allow the organic growth of your business to fund gear improvements, and avoid debt if possible, he said.

You should make budget for these checklist:

  • Two cameras
  • Multiple lenses
  • Two flashes
  • Multiple memory cards
  • Two external drives
  • Computer or laptop with sufficient memory
  • Website
  • Business licenses:
  • Business cards

Optional expenses:

  • Business training
  • Photography workshops and classes
  • Stylish camera bags and straps
  • Second computer
  • Printed marketing materials
  • Studio and office space

Other things you’ll need to do (that may be free or low-cost):

  • Market your business via social media (Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram, to start)
  • Create your business name and logo
  • Research the best business structure (LLC, S corporation, or other)
  • Acquire sales tax permit and employer identification number (EIN)
  • Set up business bank accounts
  • Find a way to manage client contact information and emails
  • Choose a spreadsheet and scheduling solution (Google Docs is free)
  • Establish a referral program

1. Choose your Photography Startup Idea

Every successful startup needs a unique business idea. But photography is a broad niche. So, if you want to start a successful photography business with no money and experience?

You will have to explore several best photography business ideas and target the specific niche.  Here are some photography startup ideas you can think about.

  • Wedding Photography Business
  • Lifestyle Photography
  • Tourism Photography
  • Pet Photography Business
  • News Photography
  • Aerial Photography
  • Real Estate Photography
  • Photography in Trade Shows
  • Stock Photography
  • Freelance Photography

After selecting your specific niche, now you will have to name your startup company. In order to name your startup, you will have to do some brainstorming and think about unique photography business names.

Explore different photography business name ideas and select the right one that exactly matches with your niche.

2. Creating a Photography Business Plan

For many people, writing a business plan is a complete waste of time. But several biz professionals have already recommended that startup business planning always helps the aspiring entrepreneurs to set the specific goals and objectives.

With the help of startup plan, you can easily fulfill startup dream and reach the final destination. All you need is to write a one-page startup business plan and answer the main questions such as your

  • Goals and objectives
  • Strengths, weakness, skills and experience
  • Targeted ideal clients or customers
  • growth hacking strategies
  • Financials, startup expenses, and revenues

Don’t waste your time in writing a 5-year detailed business plan. Just go for a 1-page photography business plan and cover the main things.

3. Choose your Business Location

Right business location always plays an important role in business growth and sales. If you want to start this business in your local area then you will have to select your specific location so people can easily find and hire you.

Alternatively, if you have a low budget and can’t afford an office, then you can use the internet to start a business online.

To get potential clients, you will have to join social media sites and freelancing platforms. Furthermore, you can also start a website/blog to showcase your skills and attract customers online.

4. Get Photography Business License

In some countries, registration and licensing are mandatory for some businesses. Registration or getting a license is also a good way to secure a startup business.

If you want to secure your business and get started legally, you will have to register your sole proprietor business. All you need is to visit your local registration office, submit your startup details and get the license.

5. Startup Financing

Financing is a bitter reality of every startup business. To run your business successfully, you will have to do some financial planning. Calculate how much money you need to start your business. For example, calculate your projected

  • Expenses
  • Sales
  • Revenues for next twelve months

If you have enough funds then it’s great. But if not think about how much money is required and how you will raise it?

Writing a Financial plan summary will help you to manage and control expenses in the initial startup phase. You can also track your financial performance on regular basis. If you find something wrong. You can fix it easily.

How to Promote Your Business in Pakistan?

To some extent, promoting a photography business is little bit a difficult task. But thanks to the social media sites, you can promote your startup to thousands of online audience.

Join these sites especially Instagram, Facebook and Twitter and create official pages to promote your startup. Further, you can also promote your photography business via sharing wedding invitation with photos.

After following all the aforementioned steps, hope so you will be able to launch your new photography business easily. Launch it and track your progress.

photography business

Thinking To Start Photography Business?

If you are thinking about starting a photography business, then first of all congratulations you have made a good decision but you have probably got a lot of questions in your mind.

What are the pros and cons of the photography business? Is this career worth the work? How much money can you make? What equipments you need? Should you specialize in a specific type of photography? How can you run it successfully to get clients? There are lot of aspects to cover and things to consider.

If you love taking pictures and you are willing to start it as a career then it is possible to earn a good out of your passion. In this article, we will help you go through how to start a photography business step-by-step.

Advantages & Disadvantages

5 Advantages of Starting a Photography Business

1. Make Money from Your Fascination

If you choose to start a photography business, you will have the opportunity to spend a lot of your time doing the thing you are passionate for i.e. taking photographs.

2. Find Meaning in Your Work

Photographers; job is to capture and save special moments forever with their clients. Whether the subject is family portraits ,nature, sports, weddings, or etc, photographers will find much meaning in their work.

3. Meeting New People

If you are a social bee then this job is fun. Whether you meet people at studio, wedding or on location while taking wildlife images, photography can be a good way to meet lots of new people daily. Most studios even have active meet up groups, where they meet regularly to socialize.

4. Flexibility

Unlike a traditional nine-to-five job, running a photography business can provide a lot of flexibility in work as you are in complete control of your work schedule. This makes it easier for you to prioritize your work and personal life balance like childcare, vacations, and time.

5. Travel Opportunities

Are you the person loves to travel and experience new places every now and then? Traveling is a regular part of photographers work.

5 Disadvantages of Starting a Photography Business

1. Expensive Equipment

Photography business needs equipments that need investment. Depending on which equipment you already have, it can be costly to purchase everything from start if you need to start a photography business.

2. Fickle Customers

Some clients can be difficult to handle or drain your energy. Also, some events can be burdenized and bring out the worst of people. Example, if you decide to cover weddings, you may come across the wedding “bridezilla.”

3. Unsociable Working Hours

Where time flexibility is there, but in many photography events happen out of normal working hours like during the evenings and weekends.

4. Inconsistent Income

Any small business does not promise consistent income, and it takes time to build a regular flow of income and work. In starting, you will likely experience dips and surges in your income.

5. Passion can be Spoiled

As we know, business and hobbies differ in many ways. Converting  your hobby into a business can take the fun out of it, and photography could end up feeling like pressurized and tedious work.

The planning stages

1. Write a photography business plan

Any entrepreneur will guide you that you need to organize your thoughts on paper. This detailed document will describe your roadmap, what your business is and how it will be successful. It also breaks down items like expenses,  cash flow, investors, and competitors.

2. Assess your photography business startup costs

As part of photography business planning process, you will also need to calculate your startup costs. What are the essentials that you will be needing before you can formally and officially launch your business?

Also, do you plan to start with a particular studio space or work from home? If you need dedicated space, then investigate rental properties and figure out the expenses accordingly.

3. Secure startup funds

You may not need to borrow money from your circle if you have enough money in the bank account to start your business successfully. But many entrepreneurs need financial assistance. People who are starting a business for the first time initially ask for financial aid.

4. Buy photographic gear

When it comes to the camera or photographic gear, you will need two cameras, two flashes, two high-quality lenses, and Photoshop and Lightroom for editing the images.

5. Create your own brand

You need to create brand of yourself apart from others. Start by identifying your passion and target market. Do you prefer to do wedding shots? Newborns? Senior portraits for high wildlife photography? 

WRAP UP

You will have ups and downs with any new start-up business, but if you are passionate about your work to give each customer a great and new experience, you will definitely gain a solid reputation as a go-to photographer of people.

For more guidance on this topic or camera gear please contact us at: [email protected] or call: +923122951169.