advice for a newcomer

[AlyonaNewbornPhotography]

HI
I'm a newborn photographer from Ukraine and just come to the USA.
I would be grateful for advice: what platforms, sites or tools can you recommend for finding clients?

 

[Thiophilos]

Facebook, Instagram.

 

[Woolsocks]

HI
I'm a newborn photographer from Ukraine and just come to the USA.
I would be grateful for advice: what platforms, sites or tools can you recommend for finding clients?

Word of mouth. word of mouth. Local advertising e.g. newspapers, magazines, flyers. Coupons.

 

[Jeff15]

Hello and welcome ....

 

[JoeW]

First, it depends upon what type of photography you're doing. If it's wedding photography, you're going to being going after a different set of clients then if it's architectural photography or real estate photography or portraits.

Second, you're Ukrainian. So I'd start there. You've got a significant ex-pat community of Ukrainians in the US. Reach out to churches, other groups that Ukrainian ex-pats are going to congregate at. Find the local restaurants and make sure your business card is available. Do you have any kids in HS (or friends who have kids in HS)? If so, then shoot some pretend "graduation portraits" (which is a growing market) so that is up and displayed before you get to the end of the school year (and seniors are looking for portrait photographers). Likewise, you shoot boudoir photos? Get a portfolio before you get to Valentine's Day.

Third, when you're starting out, it's tempting to say any business is good business. But that's not true for photographers. Let's say you get hired by an Animal Shelter to shoot photos of dogs and cats (to put on their website). They might be lovely photos and you get a great referral. But people won't look at those pictures and say "I'll be he/she would be great to shoot our wedding." So identify the niche you're going for. Than even if you have to initially stage it (I know a wedding photographer who shot a mock wedding in order to get photos for her portfolio), you have stuff that says "I shoot this!"

Good luck.

 

[SquarePeg]

HI
I'm a newborn photographer from Ukraine and just come to the USA.
I would be grateful for advice: what platforms, sites or tools can you recommend for finding clients?

Your new town/city likely has a Moms of _____ Facebook group and probably a community page as well. Great place to advertise just be sure to follow the rules. Many FB groups don’t allow advertising except for Fridays (for example).

 

[Thiophilos]

First, it depends upon what type of photography you're doing. ...

Unless Alyona herself is a newborn, I think we can conclude she is photographing newborns.

 

[JoeW]

Unless Alyona herself is a newborn, I think we can conclude she is photographing newborns.

True. And if we take her at her word, she's just starting up her practice here in the US. And it's been my experience that many photographers who advertise themselves as "wedding photographers" or "interiors" also end up shooting other stuff. And I suspect that is part of the dilemma she may be considering now--does she shoot other genres besides "newborn."

 

[cgw]

Unless Alyona herself is a newborn, I think we can conclude she is photographing newborns.

So helpful...

 

[Thiophilos]

So helpful...

There are some funny moments in this thread, but I'm not going to explain.

 

[jeffashman]

Howdy and welcome!