2/27/11

If you have a digital camera and enjoy taking pictures, chances are you have thought about making some extra cash with your photos. Digital photography is a hobby that is becoming more and more popular, as most people today have a digital camera in their home. If you just have a little bit of creativity digital photography can turn into a money making business. There are several different ways that you can use your camera to make money.


All it takes is a little imagination, a flair for showmanship, a bit of salesmanship and the willingness to do some work - and you are set.


If you are a digital photography hobbyist, the chances are good that you already have the equipment you need to get started. The first thing that you are going to need for this is a digital camera with features similar to those of a SLR film camera, along with a tripod for some occasions. You will also need an excellent printer or printing service.


You will also need good digital photo editing software. The best applications that you can use are Adobe Photoshop CS3, Adobe Photoshop Lightroom, Corel Paint Shop Pro X, and Adobe Photoshop Elemts 5.


You might want to invest a few hundred dollars in these programs if you want to get off to an excellent start.


Before we move on, this is a good time to clear up one misconception. Many people believe it's impossible to make money at photography these days. They explain that almost every person has a digital camera or a camera phone. Most people think that no one will pay for pictures when people can take their own pictures.


The answer is simple. The fact of the matter is that everyone has some sort of camera. However, how many people can really use them?


If you look closely at the pictures that most people take, you will see what I mean. Let's be honest. They're horrible. There are usually motion blur pictures from holding the camera the wrong way. bad color or lighting, Akwardly positioned objects. No composition skills. There are shadows on the subject of the picture. Even those people that know how to use photo editing software may need help when it comes to taking amazing pictures. You can only do so much with correcting a bad photograph.


What do you think is going to happen when these people try and print their photos. Undoubtedly, you?ve seen some of these images. The prints have poor resolution. This happens when the photographer had no idea how to adjust the camera settings to produce printable photos.


This is where you come in. Use your extensive digital photography skills to work up a few samples that you can show to potential customers and reel them in.


Maybe you do not think this is likely. I attended a birthday party recently and I am going to tell you about it. The hostess hired an amateur photographer who was striking out to start her own business, much like you are.


Almost everyone at the party brought their own digital cameras - but once the party got rolling, who remembered to take pictures? Those of us who did take snapshots were poorly positioned and usually couldn't get a good view of the scene.


The photographer received payment for her services. She then uploaded the pictures to her own website. Party-goers received the link by email. The photos were then downloaded, printed, or saved to the computer of those that attended the party.


This photographer had a good gig, since she didn't even have to bother with printing and delivering the work, although she received generous pay.


Pretty awesome, huh?


You can do this too. So, learn all you can about photography and photo editing, create a marketing plan, and get out there!

2/1/11

Beautiful Canada