Product Description

Displaying the same wit and charm that made her Creative Techniques for Photographing Children a commercial success, Vik Orenstein shoots straight with photographers on what it takes to build a successful photo business. She combines big-picture thinking with a soft touch to deliver sound, practical advice on such core topics as developing a marketing plan, building a clientele, networking and maintaining creative fulfillment. This guide is a major asset for amateurs seeking a friendly overview of the business; established photographers delving into a new niche; freelancers interested in selling stock; photographers starting their own studio. At 320 pages, the book's similtaneous deep and broad treatment makes it an excellent companion to the business-focused introduction found in Photographer's Market. Vik also covers such important specialities as wedding, commercial and nature photography in individual chapters and frequently complements her own advice with that of industry experts.

Product Details

• Amazon Sales Rank: #227118 in Books
• Published on: 2004-06-25
• Original language: English
• Number of items: 1
• Binding: Paperback
• 320 pages

About the Author
Vik Orenstein has been a photographer for more than 20 years, starting first in commerical work, then opening her own children's photography studio in 1988. She has consulted for both Nikon and Pentax and is the author of Creative Techniques for Photographing Children.

Customer Reviews

Very superficial
I found this book to be a waste of money. It was a very superficial look at topics relating to photography business, and had no more specific information than common sense and platitudes. Absolutely no depth to any topic whatsoever, and being an entrepreneur before I was a photographer, I can say that it also doesn't even work as a basic checklist of essential topics to research further yourself. Sent it back to Amazon for a refund, and got Photos That Sell by Lee Frost instead, which is a much better book.

Comprehensive Overview of Photo Businesses
Guide to building your photography business covers pretty much all you could ask for when thinking of starting a photography business. It starts with looking at why one would want such a business and gives a taste of the diversity available for photo businesses through interviews and experiences of professional photographers. The book is aimed not only at aspiring professional photographers but also those in the business who are looking for new ideas or inspiration. Topics discussed include deciding on a speciality or area to work in, starting a new business, marketing, sales, technology, accountant issues. Vik has a successful studio based business and I feel there is a slight slant towards studio based work. That said the advice is solid and with thought can be applied to almost all photo businesses.

In addition to covering the mechanics of starting a business a profile is given of most categories of business - wedding, architectural, commercial, photojournalism, portrait etc. These cover the way the business operates; start up costs, where the business operates and so on. Throughout the book there is practical advice from someone who has actually run a business and made some of the mistakes she now warns others of. Efforts have also been made to describe the profession as accurately as possible; the glamour with the gore so the reader can assess if a photo business is for them. At the end of the book a couple of chapters (appendixes) are devoted to getting the reader fired up and taking action to achieve their dream.

I only have one minor quibble. The book is a 2004 book and so sections detailing the impact of digital are a little out-of-date. Updating a couple of chapters with how digital has changed the market place would be useful, and would take my rating from a 4 to a 5 star. All in all this is an excellent book about running a photo business.