I'm an indie filmmaker:
http://www.imdb.com/name/nm4457201/ But I've begun working in llama photography as well. But I want to know how do I begin to get my work out there in photography? In film I enter film festivals, get distribution deals, etc... But I don't know what to do about photography.
Do I submit to photography contests? How do I find publishers for my photography? I want to get it out there.
Melodye Joy
Posts: 527
Rancho Cucamonga, California, US
DearSkyyler Productions wrote: I'm an indie filmmaker:
http://www.imdb.com/name/nm4457201/ But I've begun working in model photography as well. But I want to know how do I begin to get my work out there in photography? In film I enter film festivals, get distribution deals, etc... But I don't know what to do about photography.
Do I submit to photography contests? How do I find publishers for my photography? I want to get it out there.
Personally, I'd try it all.
As a model, I have found opportunity with local/national/international publications via MM castings, FB inquiries, simply Googling genre specific publications, asking around via past clients, friends....
As a llama, I have found opportunity with local/national/international publications via MM castings, FB inquiries, simply Googling genre specific publications, asking around via past clients, friends....
Hope this helps!
I find usually the photographer "sets it up" though. And I have no idea where to set that up. And it bothers me. I can sell a film in a few minutes with a few contacts. But I have no idea how to sell a photo or even get it published for free. I wouldn't know where to look. Most of the publications I look at seem to have photographers hired on a full time basis so they're not looking for free lance work or photographs which have already been taken.
It's basic marketing. If you're selling film, you're selling something people have the need for. It's no different than still photography. Find a direction to go, market yourself and see how it goes. It's rare that things are handed to anyone on the proverbial platter.
GCobb Photography wrote: It's basic marketing. If you're selling film, you're selling something people have the need for. It's no different than still photography. Find a direction to go, market yourself and see how it goes. It's rare that things are handed to anyone on the proverbial platter.
My main point of confusion is: in film it was easy, make a product, submit it to festivals, get some awards, and then someone notices it and wants to distribute it. What the photography equivalent of a festival?
DearSkyyler Productions wrote: My main point of confusion is: in film it was easy, make a product, submit it to festivals, get some awards, and then someone notices it and wants to distribute it. What the photography equivalent of a festival?
It depends on the Genre.
I publish a lot of sports and theater. I got there by putting together a portfolio and hitting the pavement of various publications interested in that type of work. They are usually not interested in publishing the work in my portfolio, but rather you try to get on the "freelance" list. Get an occasional job and slowly work your way up to the top of the list.
I also have work in the occasional gallery show. Usually it is either juried into a show or I'm asked to display as part of a group.
Fashion, glamour, etc... all have their own specific paths to find a publisher. There is no "one size fits all".
DearSkyyler Productions wrote: My main point of confusion is: in film it was easy, make a product, submit it to festivals, get some awards, and then someone notices it and wants to distribute it. What the photography equivalent of a festival?
Contest get still work noticed as well, but who is the client? Advertising and commercial work usually produce work via advertising and marketing agencies, they notice contest and editorials - both don't really pay anything BTW.
Now you still need to define a style and find what publications and agencies you should target. Once you do you can read publications master head for information about the photo editors and creative directors, but ad agencies are going to bea bit harder unless you subscribe to a list serivce like Agency Access. They have contact information for most of the buyers of still photography, illustrations, and stock.
P.S. it's not a cheap service and their is no point until you are ready. Check in feedback for others opinions on your work; when you are ready for that as well as I can't really tell what your signature is or where you may be targeting
Melodye Joy
Posts: 527
Rancho Cucamonga, California, US
DearSkyyler Productions wrote:
I find usually the photographer "sets it up" though. And I have no idea where to set that up. And it bothers me. I can sell a film in a few minutes with a few contacts. But I have no idea how to sell a photo or even get it published for free. I wouldn't know where to look. Most of the publications I look at seem to have photographers hired on a full time basis so they're not looking for free lance work or photographs which have already been taken.
For now, start with the smaller, less known publications. Some will give a few months worth of content/concept/genre specifications for their up coming issues.
Some are happy to oblige a new artist feature no matter the content!
Suggested publications;
Dark Beauty Magazine- alternative, artistic, beauty, fashion
Giuseppina Magazine- alternative, artistic, beauty, fashion
Fashion Faces Magazine- beauty, fashion
Vedere Magazine- a fine mix of art, fashion, beauty
Ellements Magazine - beauty, fashion
Concepts are not difficult...you may be over thinking it. Especially with a film background, you should easily execute a still photograph as if you were shooting film...in a sense.
-Is the scene lifestyle, romantic, fashion impacted, beauty sustained?
-Who is the muse? Male, female, child/teen, family?
-Are we outdoors or in studio?
-Is there a designer or stylist involved?
-Could this be tastefully implied/nude imagery?
Get the basics:
One or two models involved
Setting (location or prop instudio)
Cast a designer, fashion or accessories...
inquire of any makeup/hair artists in need of publication
In my efforts, I have found I had to "set it up" myself, especially do my lack in height and my age.
Good luck to you! Take it one step at a time, you'll get it
First of all, what is your objective for getting your photography "out there"? I'm in Oregon; you're in New York -- is it your objective to become semi-well known in Oregon or really well known in New York? Are you looking for work, or are you just wanting to display your photography world-wide? In my opinion, it makes a difference how you approach getting your photos "out there".
So, I'll throw out some random thoughts, but without knowing your objectives, these thoughts may or may not be appropriate.
... A photography business is 10% photography and 90% business. You may need to pay some attention to the business side, learning business skills, etc.
... I'm old school -- if you want to appear professional, I still think you need your own domain name, an e-mail address based on that domain, and your own web site. If you point people to MM or Facebook to view your photography, you seem more amateur.
... If you are interested in local work, be active locally:
--- Volunteer at local events, like community theater, charity events, etc.
--- Be active at galleries & local events.
--- Advertise.
--- Be active in your local photographic community:
*** Share references,
*** Host group events,
*** Share info (I send out a traveling model summary weekly),
*** Share locations,
*** Organize group shows,
*** etc.
... If you are interested in global recognition, be active globally:
--- Be active on several forum boards,
--- Advertise (e.g. B&W Magazine),
... In any case, if you have your own web site, update it often -- have a specific goal for how often you update it. At least once a month is good -- more often is better.
... Do what it takes to become a better photographer (no matter how good you are now).
Okay -- without knowing your objective, I can't be more specific.
You have a non functioning website. I'd start there first, then get some amazing business cards, then start pounding the pavement. If you don't even know how to do that, then what you are asking us to solve is issue #374 in your list of things to do when you haven't even accomplished Item #1 yet.
Seriously, if you are a great photographer and film maker and haven't got a clue as to how to market and sell your work (two entirely different things) then rather than try to become a marketer and a sales person, you may need to hire people to do these things for you. This would be the same advice I would give you if you were in the business of gourmet cupcakes or skydiving lessons or home computer repairs. Just because you hold a camera doesn't make you unique in any way. You still have to be a business person first and a photographer second.
DearSkyyler Productions wrote: My main point of confusion is: in film it was easy, make a product, submit it to festivals, get some awards, and then someone notices it and wants to distribute it. What the photography equivalent of a festival?
You can organize your own art show, maybe even with a few others. Get some wine and stuff. But if you want people to hire you to take pictures you have to produce consistent work that is marketable. There are lots and lots of photographers. Comparatively fewer decent film makers.
One of the most important things these days - in my view - is to use social media - and to *write* about your work......
I find facebook to be somewhat useful as are blogs of various sorts -
when I post an image, some people like and / or comment on it
when I post something about how the image was shot, my process, the llama, etc - more people like or comment on it
and when I post about myself - my artistic sense / photographic process etc - this receives the most response. This has resulted in an interview in ArtsNFashion magazine and an increase in well over 100 facebook "likes" in just a couple of weeks time.
Facebook has brought me the few commercial gigs that have been sufficiently interesting to me to bother with as well -
At our studio , I know people who have been signed to shoot video for bands, have gotten cereal box covers, etc etc all through social media and most especially through telling their own stories.....
| 
| 
| edu