Specialized Photography Niche MarketsKnowing what the specialized photography niche markets are will help you to:
This page offers brief descriptions of various niches in their various markets. Also provided are links to more information and other valuable resources that will “fast track” your success in your chosen photography niche(s).
Nature and Wildlife Photography Event Photographer: More and more, consumers are becoming very comfortable shopping for everything on the Internet. This comes in handy for Event Photography. This niche is best for the organized photographer. Web sites are a good method for this niche. Some of the thngs that you can do with your web site:
Most significantly, automating the process is key to preparation and success. News Photography Niche: News photography used to be the glamour jobs of staffs of daily newspapers and weekly newspapers around the world. Today, much of the work is done by freelance photographers working for the wire services or represented by agencies specializing in news photos. The pay is poor, and on a freelance basis, steady work is uncertain, so you have to be in love with running around town or the world. The successful news photographer has to have the knack for being at the right place at the right time, preferable ahead of the other photographers, and has to have excellent channels of distribution. News photography is done primarily with digital cameras. Wedding Photography Niche: Wedding photography is a staple segment of the retail market. For most people their wedding is one of the most special events in their life, and they are willing to spend fairly large amounts of money on wedding photography. Weddings are also planned months in advance, so the photographer’s workload is predictable fairly far ahead, providing a nice sense of stability. An invaluable guide shows you step by step, in simple easy to understand terms how to be successful in this niche. I highly recommend it. Wedding assignments typically consist of formal portraits, as well as candids of the entire event. Much if not all of the assignment is shot on location, but many people prefer a studio setting for formal portraits, so having a studio is a distinct advantage. Visit the following two pages to read articles about wedding photography. One article is by a wedding photographer with thirty years experience. The second article offers a list of tips for the successful wedding photographer. Real Estate Photography Niche: real estate photography is narrowly defined here to mean photography servicing the needs of the commercial and residential real estate industry. Most of the opportunities are in the high end of real estate marketing. There are many glossy, heavily illustrated marketing brochures published by the real estate industry, and expensive residences and estates and elaborate commercial properties all require high-quality exterior and interior photography. Again, this is a field which alone might not offer a living, but it can be a lucrative revenue stream in a photographer’s business. Architectural Photography Niche: This specialized field provides opportunities for the photography of interiors and exteriors in the editorial, advertising, and corporate markets. There is a wide range of specialized magazines dedicated entirely or significantly to architecture and related trades such as interior design and landscaping. Popular topics include the construction of exceptional new residences, total restoration, interior renovation, innovative space expansion, and more. Many lifestyle magazines and even some travel magazines also have significant architectural content. Advertisements often require architectural images to get across a concept, whatever the underlying product might be, and corporate communications departments often have architectural photography needs for annual reports and other uses. Catalog Photography Niche: There is a great and ongoing demand for catalog photography. Products have been sold via catalogs for decades, and consumer catalogs are flooding our mailboxes in ever-increasing numbers as the nation is gripped by mail-order fever. For a catalog business to be effective, the catalog has to be issued several times a year. Catalog work can be very demanding because the image has to be shot to very precise dimensions and very specific positioning specs to fit into the catalog layout. Some catalogs have to be shot with a large format camera through a grid used to precisely position the products. Catalog work can also be boring. But even the boring ones are bread-and-butter repeat business, good experience, and good exposure to people who may very well put you on to bigger and better things. Pet Photography Niche: This is another specialized business that is great fun for those who love animals and photography. It is an ideal sideline for the retail photographer who enjoys working with pets. Some photographers specialize in going from pet show to pet show. Because most pet shows are held on weekends, the pet show photo booth can be an ideal part-time opportunity. Pet owners, breeders and specialized pet magazines also have photo needs. Pets regularly turn up in advertising as well. Pet Photography offers many different angle opportunities to establish leadership within the niche. Aerial Photography Niche: Aerial photography is a highly specialized field that consists of a number of subspecialties. The most common of these is aerial surveying. This is a highly technical profession servicing the needs of mining and other industries. Special cameras are mounted in aircraft that have to fly very precise courses at high altitude. Today the aircraft controls and cameras are linked to the aircraft’s navigational system and everything is done automatically. Another use of aerial photography is commercial real estate photography for site planning prior to construction and for the marketing of a structure. Then there is taking pictures of the aerial photography market are known for: cityscapes, sport stadiums, famous buildings and monuments, and nature are especially well liked. Aerial picture books have become very popular, and there is always the odd editorial and advertising need. This type of photography is a demanding specialty. Art Portfolio Photography Niche: A fairly popular product offered by many professional photographers is art portfolio photography. All artists need photographs of their work for presentation purposes, and for the photographer such assignments are good filler for slow periods. It can also bring good exposure for the photographer as the artist’s portfolio makes the rounds. Actor and Model Portfolio Photography Niche: Aspiring actors and models all need portfolios. For the amateur photographer these assignments can be great experience, even though the fees are low. School Photography: Schools have a variety of photographic needs that can present substantial opportunities for the photographer: class portraits, team portraits, teacher portraits, etc. In a big school such assignments can mean hundreds of photographs, which can also lead to individual portrait sessions with students and their families. Copying and Reproductions: There are many photographs that need copying and or reproduction. For example, one-of-a-kind family portraits, rare historic photographs, art books, art magazines, etc. Needs are editorial and retail. Fees are not lucrative, but this form of photography can be a good secondary revenue stream. Sport Photography Niche: A photographer that is a sports fan would be in fan heaven if she could make it as a sports photographer. While a few do, the road is long, hard, competitive and uncertain. Covering sports events as part of a wider practice, however, has good possibilities. The best possibilities for getting started are on local papers covering community, high school, and college events. Expect low fees, keep shooting, spread your work and literature around, and network! All you really need is a good digital camera. Click here for more information on the different Photography Niche Markets Click here for more information on Specialized Photography Niche Markets
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