Social Events Photographer - Sydney

[AussieCat]

Hi.

1 year ago I started a small local business in Social Events Photography. (officiall abn and tax registration...)

I own a Canon 400D with a standard 18-55mm lens and standard 75-300mm lens as well.

The business venture I have started basically caters to clients who live in Sydney, Australia who may wish to hire a photographer for a social event or fucntion that may be conducting.

Birthday parties, Work corporate functions, Baby christenings ... the service also includes images being iploaded to a professional web site where they can view and share and download there images directly
and also a music dvd slideshow comes with package.

To my great surprise I have managed to get paid work on a semi regualr basis over the last several mnths. (one gig every 4-5 weeks) from this line of work / word of mouth ....

To help build my web site portfolio and gain experince in media in some way - I also managed to get my foot in the door and have been to several media events as a freelance photographer. Such as MTV Video Awards,
FOX-TEL TV AWARDS, ARIA Music Awards, Big Day out ......... (at first - these gigs have been unpaid but i have promoted my web site at special events - which has generated over 3000 hits on my web site in the last 6 months- allowing people to view images of their fav media stars / or private events they have been to....- in turn it has given me good exposure to potential clients for private social events photography jobs. - NOW - i am gtting some paid jobs for the media work as well.

The reason I am writing this is - I am started to become overwhelmed by the amount of work i am getting. I am actually getting paid jobs to take photographs at social events, whether it be posh private birthday parties or whether it be a tv launch industry function or a red carpet arrivals awards show....

NOW - i am feeling the pressure to become better at what i do.

I cant help feeling that even though i have worked hard to build a web site and offer my services as a "freelance photographer" - i feel the need to be better at what i can do for clients.
i dont feel lik a pro at all, but for what i have been doing, people and clienst seem to be happy enough to wanna use me and pay me...) am i just lucky or must i be relatively ok at what i do or both??)

i know there is an old saying, its not what you know, its who u know - well, i guess i have been lucky and have met some influencial people who i am slowly getting work form on ocassions. (media agencies, event managers, clients direct)

now i guess i am hoping for some advice by people who are currently working in the industry who can possibly relate to me at all and give me some advice and guideance to how i can better apply myself for what i have been doing.

its all been such a learning curve for me - all alone - with no real help from other people. in terms of knowing how to invoice clients . how much to charge clients / how to approach people when taking pictures at fancy functions / making sure i get good exposures on my shots / knowing what the best settings /getting the best lens / how to keep networking with potentioal clients and event managers ....etc

im still not 100% sure i know this all - in th best way possible for the line of work iv been doing.

please - anyone who can give positive advice / gestures would be appreciated.

also - id love to meet with a photographer who might work in a similar field of photography. if u live in sydney please feel free to contact me directly about a paid consultation.

but anyone who can help in general id love to hear from u or writ e back in here.

cheers.

[Kyl3]

Good on you for not being afraid to market yourself person to person, that takes guts.

I'm also from Sydney, but shoot motorsports mostly.. though that's changing.

I'd suggest looking at better lenses/camera if you want to shoot a lot of night events and the such..

Good luck :D

[AussieCat]

thanks mate

yeah its kinda challenging

dealing direct with some event managers / media co-ordinators is a bit daunting as a soul trader.

but some of them seem to like the idea that they can purchase images direct from me for thier own press.

Good on you for not being afraid to market yourself person to person, that takes guts.

I'm also from Sydney, but shoot motorsports mostly.. though that's changing.

I'd suggest looking at better lenses/camera if you want to shoot a lot of night events and the such..

Good luck :D

[Inspired Photography]

Hi AussieCat,

Firstly, good on your for making a go of it.

I am from the Central Coast, and make half my living from photography, the other half from web/graphic design, all from my own business.

Feel free to shoot me any questions you have and i'll do my best to answer them.

I shoot everything from theatre and events to portraits, and have been involved on the editorial side of magazines for some time.

My email is in my profile, or you can submit a form through my website that will come straight to me.

Thanks

Rob

[tghaines]

It's good to see the Ozies making a go of it. Well done AussieCat.

I too am part time, but pretty busy. It seems just about everyone I know in the industry is part time. I shot the City to Surf with 11 other togs and all bar 2 were part timers!!!

My suggestion is to always challenge yourself with your shots and customers. Never take a backward step and keep fighting. Look at others work and see if you can do that they did. Set-up remotes and get some different angles, invest in gear. Keep moving. drop lesser paying clients once you have snared better ones.....but ALWAYS be nice ;)

If you are looking at selling your work on-line the look at EOS template (http://www.eostemplate.com/eos/index.html). It's not too hard to use and very easy to sell from. I have make loads of sales from it and will continue to do so.

Good luck and keep going,

[blackshadow]

AussieCat maybe you should look into signing up with one of the photo agencies as well if you are covering newsworthy events.

[AussieCat]

hi black,

how can i do this?

this i am not sure off?

do i have to be a real pro in all lines of photography

or might they take me on based on my assisgment

i.w.

red carpets - sell pics to agenices

insteda of direct to one or 2 mags ...

AussieCat maybe you should look into signing up with one of the photo agencies as well if you are covering newsworthy events.

[blackshadow]

Try both - depends on the TOC of the agencies I guess.

I'd suggest you try Getty Images, Reuters, Icon Images and Big Pictures - if you are good enough to be published in magazines chances are you are good enough to do celeb photos for agencies.

[bpmorris]

Hi Aussie,

Just sent you a PM on asking if your interested in allowing me to tag along as second camera for you. Either way I would love to network with other photogs in Sydney to help me with getting some more shooting opportunities for fun and experience.

Cheers

Ben

[michael_]

Another sydney tog :)

I am putting myself through a small business management course atm wwith my main assesement being a business plan, I envy the fact you are already out there doing it, i am so excited to finally get out there and promote myself more and set my plans in to place.

To your question what exactly are you after? i can certainly see the position you are in, perhaps as you said the best thing now is to find another tog who is intrested in your line of work to work with you on a recipricall basis, OR contract the work out whereby you get paid for the work then pay someone else and make a small fee, thats what i plan to do, you still want your clients you just need to find someone who will produce the same quality work as you.

btw hey trent see you on PSS soon hopefully :) warren is going through my members app as we speak :).

[AussieCat]

thaqnks mate

i dont know if iv been good enough

i think iv just been lucky a few times as womans day or new idea has bought images direct of me cause i was cheap and i was there at right time

.

i tried getty ages ago and she said i had potential

but to get more photo journalistic experience behind me.

i wish there were egncies that just had u on their books for the odd

pic purchase instead of having to proove yourslf bu whoing a whole full portfolio ..

Try both - depends on the TOC of the agencies I guess.

I'd suggest you try Getty Images, Reuters, Icon Images and Big Pictures - if you are good enough to be published in magazines chances are you are good enough to do celeb photos for agencies.

[AussieCat]

hey buddy t
thanks for u all writing ...


its all good.

if anyone here wants to chat in person or feed ideas of one another
who is in sydney

email me direct


digitalocean@optusnet.com

Another sydney tog :)

I am putting myself through a small business management course atm wwith my main assesement being a business plan, I envy the fact you are already out there doing it, i am so excited to finally get out there and promote myself more and set my plans in to place.

To your question what exactly are you after? i can certainly see the position you are in, perhaps as you said the best thing now is to find another tog who is intrested in your line of work to work with you on a recipricall basis, OR contract the work out whereby you get paid for the work then pay someone else and make a small fee, thats what i plan to do, you still want your clients you just need to find someone who will produce the same quality work as you.

btw hey trent see you on PSS soon hopefully :) warren is going through my members app as we speak :).

[PhotosGuy]

drop lesser paying clients once you have snared better ones... If your "I am started to become overwhelmed by the amount of work i am getting." It's better to raise your rates to reflect your current worth. Some "lesser paying clients" will go elsewhere, some "lesser paying clients" will go elsewhere & come back when they get crap, some will stay. This is why some wedding people get $500 & some get $5,000. im still not 100% sure i know this all - in th best way possible for the line of work iv been doing. You're getting paid to get the "Standard" stuff, & know how to catch the challenging surprise non-standard shots when the situation presents. It seems that you can do that. Always try some experimental stuff when you know you have what the client needs in the can. It will separate you from the crowd of wannabes. ;)

[tghaines]

btw hey trent see you on PSS soon hopefully :) warren is going through my members app as we speak :).

Cool Michael....see you on the PSS list.

[AussieCat]

interestingIf your "I am started to become overwhelmed by the amount of work i am getting." It's better to raise your rates to reflect your current worth. Some "lesser paying clients" will go elsewhere, some "lesser paying clients" will go elsewhere & come back when they get crap, some will stay. This is why some wedding people get $500 & some get $5,000. You're getting paid to get the "Standard" stuff, & know how to catch the challenging surprise non-standard shots when the situation presents. It seems that you can do that. Always try some experimental stuff when you know you have what the client needs in the can. It will separate you from the crowd of wannabes. ;)

[AussieCat]

anyone esle have any suggestions?Cool Michael....see you on the PSS list.