The tough part of making a living in photography is selling yourself and your work. The problem with that is most people feel they have to sell themselves through their work exclusively. This however is why that way of thinking does not work. No matter how great one’s images are, the average layman can’t tell your work from the next persons. If I held up ten shots, by ten different photographers, the layman can’t tell them apart.

Furthermore the average Joe does not know what a technically good yet alone acceptable picture is. Of course pros can and do, the problem therein lies that the average client, including those in the publication business can’t. This is where marketing is absolutely essential.

One could be an absolute novice who couldn’t separate a technically good picture from an image that they like full of flaws. Of course this is the mentality of the average consumer as well. They are unable to distinguish a good photo from a photo they like. However the average client will remember the photographer by how big or much gear they have, a client list, or even a marketing slogan. Just think about it, corporations spend millions to design logos, mottos and even jingles so the average consumer will distinguish them from the competition.

So to the aspiring photographer, remember while your images may lock in a deal, you need to sell yourself, by standing out from the competition, and that may mean methods other than those in your portfolio.

Good luck, it’s a jungle out here.

January 2008 represents both the start of the new year and finally a chance to catch my breath. Aside from several new camera bodies that have come online in the past thirty days, and an older camera being sent out to Life Pixel for IR conversion, I have added a third studio light to the set.

With three Alien Bees B400 lights, the studio will now be able to function fully under the most difficult of situations. The addition of some support gear will also increase available options for new projects.