The Photographer's Guide to Marketing and Self-Promotion [Paperback]

Maria Piscopo (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: July 1, 2001

A veteran photographer's rep reveals how to find more clients and make more money. This newly revised third edition has been brought completely up-to-date to reflect current photo market trends and the latest techniques for using the Internet. The book explains how to build a marketing plan that incorporates self-promotion, advertising, direct marketing, public relations, and the Internet. Promotion pieces, portfolios, researching and winning clients, negotiating rates, finding and working with reps, computers, and the ethics of good business are just a few of the topics covered.




"Piscopo's book is full of specific, practical information. Promotion pieces, portfolios, advertising, public relations, rates, reps, . . . are just a few of the other topics covered in this excellent manual." —Popular Photography



"As a veteran photographer's rep, author Piscopo knows what she’s talking about. . . . With this book, you can get the benefits of Piscopo’s 20 years in the business for less than $20."—Studio Photography

Editorial Reviews

Amazon.com Review

If you're a photographer trying to earn a living from your work, The Photographer's Guide to Marketing and Self-Promotion may be the best investment you make. Maria Piscopo has been a photographer's representative for more than two decades, and she has honed her message at innumerable industry conferences and workshops. In brief but information-packed chapters, Piscopo explains how to define the type of work you do, research different categories of clients, and persuade them to hire you. She deals with the nitty-gritty of portfolio presentation (how much do you show?), writing the selling "script" (what do you say and how do you tailor it to your audience?), and negotiating costs. Other chapters discuss how to work with a rep and a marketing coordinator. Throughout the book, first-person accounts by successful photographers add welcome practical details. While the level of detail on most topics is unusually thorough (where else are you likely to read about how to leave a voice mail message for a potential client?), a few areas could profitably be expanded or tweaked. There is a lot more to be said about styles and pitfalls of Web marketing, and the chapter on press releases could use the cautionary advice of someone on the other side (a newspaper or magazine editor). And maybe the next edition could lose all those distracting exclamation marks. Piscopo's cheerful, down-to-earth style is plenty persuasive without them. --Cathy Curtis

Review

"Full of specific, practical information that takes into account today’s difficult economic climate for commercial photographers." -- Popular Photography

"Her advice is clear and very targeted . . . a formula for success in this business.” -- Diane Padys, photographer

“Maria’s insight into the working photographer is incredible. She helped me understand the process, and how to grow with it!” -- Nick Vedros, Vedros & Associates Photography

“The thoroughness of this step-by-step approach is also its greatest strength.” -- Photo District News

See all Editorial Reviews

Product Details

• Paperback: 192 pages
• Publisher: Allworth Press; Third Edition edition (July 1, 2001)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1581150962
• ISBN-13: 978-1581150964
• Product Dimensions: 9.8 x 6.7 x 0.5 inches
• Shipping Weight: 14.4 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.1 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (11 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #803,743 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

More About the Author

Born in New York, raised and educated in California, Maria started her business as a creative services consultant and art/photo rep twenty five years ago. She has been an instructor for creative professionals at the Art Center College of Design in Pasadena, Laguna College of Art & Design, Brooks Institute of Photography, California State University Long Beach and Calumet Photographic.

Maria has presented professional workshops for associations including: American Institute of Graphic Arts, American Medical Illustrators, Canadian Association of Photographers and Illustrators in Communications, International Association of Business Communicators, American Society of Media Photographers, Advertising Photographers of America. She has been a speaker at industry conferences since 1985 including: HOW Design Conference, Illustration Conference in Santa Fe, Golden Gate School, PhotoPlus Conference, Professional Photographers of California and Photo Marketing Association.

For current workshops and seminars, find her on Facebook or Web.

Maria has written magazine articles and columns for industry publications such as HOW Magazine, Applied Arts (Canada), Digital Output Magazine, Foto Forum (Mexico), Rangefinder, Step inside design, Shutterbug and Communication Arts.

Her book, Graphic Designer's and Illustrator's Guide to Marketing and Promotion was published by Allworth Press.

Her most recent book, 4th Edition PHOTOGRAPHER'S GUIDE TO MARKETING AND SELF-PROMOTION, was published by Allworth Press.

Maria is a member of Society of Photographers and Artist's Reps and has served on the Board of Directors for the University of California at Long Beach Arts & Humanities Board, Visual Artists Association, Women In Management, Orange Coast College, Graphic Artists Guild, Women In Photography, The VICOM Conference and The PhotoPlus Conference Advisory Board and is a volunteer for Medical Reserve Corp and Project Cuddle.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

57 of 68 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars A business tool for the professional photographer, July 31, 2000

By 

I. Richardson (Philadelphia, PA USA) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: The Photographer's Guide to Marketing and Self-Promotion (Paperback)

If you are new in the photography business or you are looking to overhaul your marketing strategies, Maria Piscope book "the guide to marketing and self promotion" will help. In todays rapid change of the photography business good self promotion is the key. Maria Piscope leads your from the basic to the more advanced marketing strategies of the industry. A must read for the beginner as well as the established photographer. The modern artist has to be a good business person this book will be a good start.

18 of 20 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Practical, Sane Advice, October 6, 2004

By 

John P Bernat (Kingsport, TN USA) - See all my reviews
(VINE VOICE)    (REAL NAME)   

This review is from: The Photographer's Guide to Marketing and Self-Promotion (Paperback)

If you are committed to making photography your life's work, this book is essential. Maria knows how to get your work noticed and sold.

There are a great number of gifted photographers who abandon the work because of seeming lack of success. Maria shows you, in clear, straightforward terms, how to organizae your approach and make clients rave about your insights.

If you want to get the best advice from someone who knows what she's doing, read this book.

10 of 11 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Useful and sound guidance to help you go Pro!, January 13, 2005

By 

Ryan Shapiro "digitalfotopro.com" (Gaithersburg, MD) - See all my reviews

This review is from: The Photographer's Guide to Marketing and Self-Promotion (Paperback)

This book offers sound practical advice that will help you take your business to the next level. Sure... you may be a great photographer, but effective marketing will get your work in front of the right people.

This book will help you achieve this goal. I occasionally re-read it and it's invaluable.