3

(Promo)ting yourself

Yesterday, Julia gave me a stack of promo cards that she was about to throw out. It almost made me laugh out loud because I have heard so many of my teachers say things about photo editors not even giving your promo card any time of day and even still, it is vital that you send them. She recommended I look through them, research some of the photographers, and note a few things.

It wasn't too hard to pick out the great from the okay and the okay from the just, bad. I think the term 'convenience' should always be runningthrough yourmind when you are working on promos, mailers, your website, blog, or business card.I have been sitting in this office for a few weeks now, and I see how busy things can get in an office. So many people are working together to create something and a LOT of communication is necessary; this takes a lot of time, and as we all know, 'time is money.' The promos that I thought were most effective were simple. They had maybe 1-4 images, clean-easy to read text, and the basic contact info. I have always thought this to be the most effective way of making a promo, but it was nice to see some professional examples, that had actually been mailed and looked over by an editor.

Some photographers (from the stack) that I found interesting:

Jard Leeds

Erik Almas

Eco-photography LLC

Joseph Gamble

Jim Erickson

2

Finding your niche (market)

Sitting in the offices of Backpacker magazine, I am getting the opportunity to look through some of their files, check out their workflow, meet some editors and most importantly, ask questions. I had a great discussion with my boss, photo editor Julia Vandenoever at the end of last week. She told me that as a photo editor, when she is researching for a type of photography that she needs to publish, she immediately will look for photographers who market themselves as a "specialty." To her, it is easier and more reliable to hire someone for say, 'humorous portraits,' if she knows the photographer has been shooting that kind of work for a while and has a unique style.

This is something I have been greatly struggling with; how to market ME. What kind of photography do I even want to 'specialize' in, and how do I say that I am particularly "this" kind of photographer when I love to shoot most anything.

[Niche: a place or position suitable or appropriate for a person or thing; having specific appeal. ]

When I read this definition, things clicked a little more. It posed the questions: What kind of photography is suitable or appropriate to the lifestyle I want to live? What kind of photography do I want to define myself by? Where do I want to leave a mark in this industry?

As I ponder these questions, I thought a few examples of some distinctly "niche" photographers would be helpful...

Jack Brauer - mountain photography

Bob Krist- travel photography

Joyce Wilson- fine art photography

Silja Magg- fashion portraiture

'till later... peace!

1

"I see my path, but I don't know where it leads.

Not knowing where I'm going is what inspires me to travel it."

Rosalia de Castro

... _______________________ ...

I was dying to get out a little. Santa Barbara is beautiful, like a California tropical city. Yet, I have a hard time with monotony.. and a change of pace is exactly what I needed to help me emotionally, spiritually, mentally, even physically. My photography needed something new as well, something I had never seen nor photographed; a challenge. Living in a new environment, where barely anybody knows me, is incredibly refreshing; giving me a new perspective on myself and the world around me. I feel blessed.

Doing an internship with Backpacker magazine in Boulder, Colorado has opened my eyes to the editorial world. I have already learned a lot and plan on sharing the knowledge I gain here through my posts on this blog. Feel free to comment, ask questions, or give feedback!

I thought I'd start off this blog with some inspirational snow imagery...

beautiful nature photography by John Harrison

John Harrison

John Harrison