Can't decide on areas to focus in photography business

How did you decide to stick to one (or more?) areas of photography and run a successful business? Can one actually run two or more successfully? I feel like I want to do everything and as much as people have been happy with my work, I really need to focus on certain areas. But I'm not sure if doing two or more is a good idea.

Any input?

Unless you have a particular talent, or access to a particular part of the industry you need to be realistic and follow the money. Lots of folks here want to be concert photographers or sports photographers but the actual number of paid jobs in those fields are few and lots of folks are chasing them. Portrait and wedding work are your best bet simply because thats where your biggest pool of customers is.

I followed the money. What I decided to sell was based on what was worth my while selling.

Okay, that's the answer I was looking for. I dipped my feet into areas like wedding (not my area of interest yet) and areas I know will take much longer time to gauge if it will be worthwhile or leave it at hobby/free time. I do like the 'following the money' idea.

Besides simply "following the money" to wedding photography you need to ask yourself if you have all the skills necessary. You'll not only need to be able to deliver a top notch final product but you need to have the patience and personality to deal with demanding, stressed out, and often pushy young women and their moms, plus a whole lot more. I'd never even consider such an endeavor because I don't have the patience to deal with Bridezilla, but a lot of people thrive in that situation.

groundloop wrote in post #17383500
you need to have the patience and personality to deal with demanding, stressed out, and often pushy young women and their moms, plus a whole lot more. I'd never even consider such an endeavor because I don't have the patience to deal with Bridezilla,

EXACTLY.

i was second shooter at a few weddings back in the 90s and it pretty much scared me away from professional photography. Even during the event the way a couple of brides handled primary shooter was just too weird. Granted the way the photog sets up the relationship can allow things to get out of hand. I am considering offering wedding services but my hope is to market myself in such a way that the laid back fun types seek me out and i scare off any uptight pain in the ass clients. I actually am working on scheduling one already just by word of mouth. Bride just wants someone that can do some group shots, cover the event and blend in with a bunch of rowdy folks around a bonfire later on.

i pretty much fit the bill.

groundloop wrote in post #17383500
Besides simply "following the money" to wedding photography you need to ask yourself if you have all the skills necessary. You'll not only need to be able to deliver a top notch final product but you need to have the patience and personality to deal with demanding, stressed out, and often pushy young women and their moms, plus a whole lot more. I'd never even consider such an endeavor because I don't have the patience to deal with Bridezilla, but a lot of people thrive in that situation.

"Bridezilla" > I'll keep this one it's an absolute excellent one !

I branched out to try other areas and then sit back and realize what I really want to do the most. Weddings aren't really for me. I can and have done them, am very comfortable shooting second, but have no real need to 'make it' in that section of photography - Partly due to the fact I don't want to be 'ok' at anything.. I can take very decent wedding photographs, but when I look at what others can do I'm very unhappy with my work.. and I dont' have access to shoot second for some great wedding photographers so I'll make myself available for payed 2nd work and let the photogs with the flair for it have at.

So try several areas, sit back and review the revenue, and how you feel you fit in the game and go with what you really feel works for you.

groundloop wrote in post #17383500
Besides simply "following the money" to wedding photography you need to ask yourself if you have all the skills necessary. You'll not only need to be able to deliver a top notch final product but you need to have the patience and personality to deal with demanding, stressed out, and often pushy young women and their moms, plus a whole lot more. I'd never even consider such an endeavor because I don't have the patience to deal with Bridezilla, but a lot of people thrive in that situation.

I think that's where my personality doesn't fit; I like to take my time and not be rushed or have a structured schedule. Obviously this is a very demanding type of photography and some people are just way better at it than I do.

ksbal wrote in post #17383623
I branched out to try other areas and then sit back and realize what I really want to do the most. Weddings aren't really for me. I can and have done them, am very comfortable shooting second, but have no real need to 'make it' in that section of photography - Partly due to the fact I don't want to be 'ok' at anything.. I can take very decent wedding photographs, but when I look at what others can do I'm very unhappy with my work.. and I dont' have access to shoot second for some great wedding photographers so I'll make myself available for payed 2nd work and let the photogs with the flair for it have at.

So try several areas, sit back and review the revenue, and how you feel you fit in the game and go with what you really feel works for you.

I think this is where I'm heading as well that I'm okay with not being able to do many things. My life feels like that's all it was in trying to keep up or prove myself that I can do anything. With a demanding schedule I felt a little burnt out from 2014 on top of my full time job so this is why I asked for any advice. I think doing small portraits and real estate for now seems like a good start to build a steady client base.

I like to think that there are 2 types of photography - service & product based. Service based is where you are hired to photograph something (ie. wedding, portraits, real estate) and product based is where you sell your existing work (ie. landscape, wildlife, etc) via prints or other physical products. Each has different amount of client interaction and expectations. If you are not a people's person you might find it tough dealing with some clients who think you are a slave for the duration of the shoot and they can treat you any way they want.