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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!