Getting started in pet photography...

Markjay

I'm nearly finished (some more gallery and info work to do) with my pet photography website on Smugmug and, it's time to rock and roll !!!
p r i n c e o f p a w s . c o m

The big question remains....

1. how do I get my first customers, without a portfolio to show my ability to perform?

I gave a free outdoor session to three friends, in exchange for my ability to use the images as samples of my ability to perform the task with new clients. That's netted me a few good ones to start off but, hardly a full portfolio of samples. (and I didn't even post them all on the site yet!) So.... I have huskies, boston terriers and one other breed as a starting point.

on the website, I used my own Pug puppy as a show of the different styles / things I can do with prospective customer's pets. That is a good fill in until I have a nice variety of dog pro shots to display.

Any other ideas, markeing ideas...
all would be greatly appreciated as I venture onto this "new direction"

BTW: Every try photographing two Siberian Huskies who just want to run and run and run without appearing to have any place to go? lol
That..... was a challenge and a half !!

Thanks,
Markjay

ShepsMom

Well, let see. How about dog parks? I bring my dog and my friend with dogs and my camera with me . We play around and we start posing (dogs that is), we bring attention to other pet people, they all interested in what's going on, they come over and ask questions... BINGO! Your couple first customers! To make it more fun, bring props!

You have business cards, i assume, leave them everywhere you go, pet stores, grocery stores, vets, etc... But, best advertizing is a word of mouth, of course.

Volunteering for humane society is another thing, send them email and get your name in. Tell them you want to volunteer your photography skills for them. They have a lot of events you might offer to cover. Bring business cards

As far as running huskies, well, you can always try nice action shots . People love those.

I'm sure there are more advise will be coming, but those are on the top of my list.
Good luck!

PS: Loved your pug portraits

Travis

Volunteer at Animal Control or other animal rescue/adoption agency doing photos of animals to be adopted. It is a lot of free photography upfornt but you will learn a lot, help a great cause, meet many people interested in pet photos, and may find something out about yourself that is incredibly satisfying.

Best of luck!

Markjay

Thank you both.
Thank you both for your suggestions. Good ones. Locally, it seems like several pet photogs have already established themselves with the SPCA etc. However, there are other agencies I have not looked into so, those are on my list.

Thanks again

Travis wrote:

Volunteer at Animal Control or other animal rescue/adoption agency doing photos of animals to be adopted. It is a lot of free photography upfornt but you will learn a lot, help a great cause, meet many people interested in pet photos, and may find something out about yourself that is incredibly satisfying.

Best of luck!

OsirisPhoto

Not sure about your area, but I get loads of shooting opportunities through our dog training club.