New Site Goes Live and First Flyer Revealed
I made a life decision a few weeks ago – I want to be a photographer. That may sound obvious to readers of this blog, but for years I have been a web developer who takes photographs. Now I have decided that I’ve had enough of web development, and I’m going to focus my attention on making a living from my photography. Of course, if the right web job comes along for the right money, I won’t turn it down. But this decision was all about changing how I saw myself.
Since making this decision I have been working hard to make it a reality. I have done a complete overhaul of my web site ( http://neil.creek.name ) which had only ever been a half-hearted effort, and have started brainstorming ideas to find work. One of those ideas has come from friends and family who have recently had children. They have often said “We love the photos you take of our children, and I’m sure you could sell your services to other parents we know.” With that thought in mind, Naomi and I have worked on creating my first promotional flyer.
New Web Site
The new web site is built around a collection of six subject-specific folios of my work. Along with the collections of photos, for the first time I am promoting my services as a photographer for hire, with actual prices, and the facility to submit a quote request. The six folios on show at the moment are: portraits, nature, weddings, costuming, commercial and special effects. I may add other sections in the future, the next one to be added will probably be panoramic photography.
Writing marketing copy has never been something I enjoy, and I find it difficult to try to convince people to part with their money. However I am confident in my skills as a photographer, so I don’t feel that I am offering something that isn’t worth what I am asking.
I have received a lot of help with the site redevelopment, most importantly and most effectively from my darling wife Naomi. She has supported and encouraged me every step of the way, and that has helped me more than anything. The Twitter community have also helped me in various ways for which I am grateful. I am especially grateful to Glenn Murray (twitter: @divinewrite web: http://www.divinewrite.com) for the detailed thoughts he offered on both the “voice” of the copy and on making the site search-friendly. I still have some work to do on the site to polish it up and complete Glenn’s suggestions, but that should be completed in a week or two.
Please take the time to have a look through my new site. Enjoy the folios, send the link to friends, and please consider me if you live near Melbourne, Australia and are in need of a photographer.
Family Photos Flyer
This is the first tangible result of my new self-promotional push. This flyer design will soon be printed and handed in large bundles to everyone we know who knows people with families. Hopefully when the word gets out, the work will come in. I plan to do other flyers in the future, especially for weddings, but I’ll see how this one goes first, and learn from any mistakes we make this time around.
Feel free to download the PDF of the flyer yourself and print it off for yourself or friends, if you know someone who might be interested in my services! Who knows, I might even be able to think of some kind of referrer bonus or something. It’s early days!
Hey there, just thought I’d leave a comment, that I’ve just found your site, really enjoy your take on photography. One of the things that I particularly appreciate is that you talk about the equipment you use, and settings etc when you take a great shot. I’m looking to expand my ‘arsenal’ of equipment from the basics that I have, and this really helps me to narrow down what I really need. Just yesterday I ordered my Canon 50mm F1.8! I’m a photographer, who’s just emerging from a sleep deprived stint as a SAHM and starting to take on more work.
If you’d like to take a look at any of my work my flickr username is vanessamacleod (oh and I so agree with most of what you said about flickr!) I’d appreciate any advice/critique you may have.
Prepare yourself. I like Vignettes. ha ha.
I’ve been a silent reader for months – best of luck with your new enterprise!
I left a comment on the flyer “photo” in flickr :)
What an exciting time for you, Neil! I really appreciate your willingness to share your transition. I’ve had a lot of the same thoughts myself, but have yet to take the plunge into doing what I love full time. I am quite inspired by what you’ve decided to do though. Good luck!
Good on you for following your dreams and deciding to make a go of it! I know it cannot have been an easy decision to make, but all the best, and I’m definitely interested in getting updates on how you’re doing.
Hey Neil,
Great new layout! Only thing I’m not super fond of is “Photos by a Photography Lover” but to each their own. Very clean and easy to navigate.
Ryan
http://www.ryanhollowayphotography.com
Yes! You go for it Neil. Life’s too short not to follow your dreams and your passions. Please keep us posted on your progress as I’m sure you’ll have a whole new audience who’d love to take that same big step. Now — go get ‘em!
Best wishes from Texas.
I hope one day I will have the courage to make that decision too.
Best of luck
Good luck with your venture Neil.
I have been doing kids and families for a while now. It has been a rewarding experience in many ways, but I never liked the lessons that kicked me in the butt on the journey. Can I make a couple of sugestions. Insurance. both liability and equipment. Don’t make the mistake that your equipment is covered on your home contents insurance. I was with the NRMA and my house was broken into while we were asleep. I think I was sussed out as I my work van has SteavieLea Photography on it. But to the point, NRMA said they don’t cover equipment for professional use. Thankfully my kit was in my studio. So now I have the option of insuring as a business with NRMA. I opted for an independant insurance company who insures photographic equipment. Then you have to have liability insurance. You probably know this but to those reading your blog, many people think accidents won’t happen to them while on a shoot, they do. Working with babies and todlers let me just say that they and and cords, backdrops and stands can be a hazard to small children.
Don’t forget to have contracts and model releases. I am a member of AIPP and I was able to get my contracts there, I just ammended them to suit me!
I have used them doing CD covers for artist and promo work, and if you don’t have a contract, you can come unstuck, I learnt this lesson early in my career.
This all may sound tedious, but if I can save you or anyone else wanting to step into this field the headaches and possibly heartache of losing credibility, then that is a positive.
Anyways, Good luck with it all! Just look forward and I look forward to seeing some incredible work from you!
Liked your wedding picks by the way!
Steavie
Best of luck man.
My only nitpick would really be the pricing. A CD with high res shots for unlimited printing for $200? You are underselling yourself.
IMHO, I would drop the session price to maybe $100 and then sell prints. That is where most photographers earn their profits.
Either way, looking forward to see how it all works out for you. Our business site will probably be up in the next week or two.
[...] Brian: Neil Creek: On the road to full-time photography [...]
Thank you so much everyone for your support and comments. I’m making some changes to the flyer based on your suggestions – photo choice, number of photos etc. I’m in the middle of debating whether I should sell CDs or prints right now. So what do you think? We’ve got a discussion going on at the forum: http://neil.creek.name/forum/index.php?topic=26.0
[...] New Site Goes Live and First Flyer Revealed Neil Creek Photography Our pal Neil Creek made a big decision to go all out and become a full time photographer. He’s off to a good start and I’d encourage anybody considering the same to watch Neil closely over the next few months. And I wish Neil the best of luck with this endeavor! Share This Post Related Posts on Epic Edits [...]
Best of Luck Neil. I admire you for taking this step which i am sure was very difficult. I hope this new year is really good for your business, I am positive that it will work out for you.
Ajay