How to Create a High Profit Photography Business in Any Market [Paperback]

James Williams (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: April 1, 2006

Recognizing that technical ability and studio space are only the initial components of a portrait photography business, this guide to building a thriving portrait studio focuses on successful customer service, networking, diversification, and business management strategies. From setting long- and short-term goals for a business to creating an elegant studio atmosphere that impresses clients (while respecting the budget), this handbook breaks down each minute consideration in the growth of a successful business. Smart managerial decisions regarding portrait-pricing strategies, employee training, telephone skills, positive relationships with suppliers, and responsible delegation of duties are complemented by practical advice on networking within a community, creating demand for high-quality portraiture, and diversifying clientele by catering to the unique needs of each client subset.

Editorial Reviews

Review

"James Williams guides the reader through business strategies, the importance of diversification, and the power of marketing your work. . . . In this book, he discusses strategies that he has developed in his own business, from budgeting to the importance of good people skills. If you have interest in marketing your photography, you'll find some helpful advice on these pages." —Photographic Society of America

About the Author

James Williams operates a high-end wedding, family, and high-school-senior portrait photography business. President of the Society of Professional Photographers of Ohio, he is certified through the Professional Photographers of America as well as the Professional Photographers of Ohio, and has earned the degree of accolade of Photographic Mastery from Wedding and Portrait Photographers International. He lives in Warren, Ohio.

Product Details

• Paperback: 128 pages
• Publisher: Amherst Media, Inc. (April 1, 2006)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1584281820
• ISBN-13: 978-1584281825
• Product Dimensions: 11 x 8.5 x 0.4 inches
• Shipping Weight: 8 ounces
• Average Customer Review: 4.3 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (16 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #1,207,818 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

41 of 50 people found the following review helpful:

1.0 out of 5 stars This book is not worth the paper it's printed on., August 15, 2006

By 

Thomas G. Plummer "plum" - See all my reviews
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This review is from: How to Create a High Profit Photography Business in Any Market (Paperback)

I bought this book because of other readers' reviews. I was deluded. I want to start a photography business, and except for some very flimsy public relations information and a few general suggestions about business practices, it gave me nothing. Nada. As soon as it came today, I plowed into it looking for help. I don't need a lesson on lighting, thank you very much. I don't need to know that the author has a high end studio that I can't afford yet. I don't need to know that telephone manners are important. Not yet. I want to know how to get launched, how to set up accounts, what I need for permission forms, what copyright issues I'm facing, and there's only a meager dry crust of bread in this book.

14 of 17 people found the following review helpful:

3.0 out of 5 stars Selling to an Upscale Market Only, November 5, 2006

By 

Orangegirl31 "orangegirl31" - See all my reviews

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This review is from: How to Create a High Profit Photography Business in Any Market (Paperback)

While there are some very useful suggestions in this book no matter what type of business you have, it is mostly geared to selling to an upscale crowd at extremely high prices. I was looking for other suggestions and ways to be profitable in my photography business - not just charging high prices and targeting the rich. If you are established in the photography business, have a fancy studio, and already have a large customer base, this may be the book for you to push you over the top. But if you are just getting started, want to keep your overhead low, and are targeting a larger clientele, this is not the book for you.

8 of 10 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Insightful perspective on photography business, May 2, 2006

By 

Amanda Lyons (Chicago, IL) - See all my reviews
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This review is from: How to Create a High Profit Photography Business in Any Market (Paperback)

James Williams has a talented ability- he is able to express in meticulous, yet straightforward terms, how to start and maintain a successful photography business. What sets this book apart from the others is Williams' skill in maintaining a balance between the "how to business" and the "how to photography". This is the best book to give you a photography 101 course, with underlining principles of business, management, and marketing. Williams utilizes his expertise in understanding the nature of effectiveness and efficiency, and he does such without flaw.

In other photography books, writers come off as arrogant, or they try to lure in consumers with cheap parlor tricks, such as "with my simple, fail-safe technique, you'll make $100,000 by the end of the year!" Williams avoids these gimmicky tactics, thus he is evidently a photographer and writer for the every man. Instead, he divulges useful and important skills such as proper lighting and posing techniques, as well as large groups and family sessions. Then he dissects the anatomy of the consumer process- from the very start (the telephone call and mailings), to the session (how to make a comfortable atmosphere for your client), and finally to the ordering (how to "sell the sizzle").

Being in the market myself for about 4 years now, I was able to retain a lot of useful tips. Other books are devoted often times to special topics, and to me they read like manuals more than helpful guides.

His book may be slim (weighing in at only 120 odd pages), but the scope and range are wide, and the thought is deep. While some portions of the book seem redundant, you will defiantly come out ahead, with a broad knowledge of maybe not how to thrive and dominate, but certainly how to be a success in the photography market.