Sharing photos has become much easier as the age of technology progresses with so many new ways to share images. For photographers, it’s their domain to share their images online… or is it?
Do you know why you share images online? What’s your purpose for doing so?
There are so many photographers… and some “so called photographers” in this world who are sharing photos via social media output and other personal sites as well. Many are doing it, but not always for the reason they should.
Have you gone on Twitter and Facebook and received those tweets from random followers (and I do mean random) who tweet their photos or links all day saying to“check this out and if you like what you see, email or call them for bookings”? This is an example of what you don’t want your presence online to be known for.
Here are reason’s on why (as a photographer) you should share your images online and what you should and shouldn’t do as a photographer.
- When you begin sharing your photos online, it shouldn’t be because you’re trying to gain something from doing so. It should be because you hold something special and are wanting to share it with those around you or far away because you love doing it and are wanting to share what you know.
- If you enjoy photography then “money” won’t be your priority. There are many who are doing photography as their full time business and may be starting out and are looking for clients, but you still don’t want your presence to be known for just the “dollar” over the “art” itself. If people are seeing and feeling your passion for what you’re doing, then that’s how people will be drawn in. Show people you love what you’re doing, show them that this is what you live for and are giving your all.
- Dominate what you do best! Meaning, be an educator of what your strongest skill is and share with others. I know many are saying ohhh no, I can’t share my secrets. Of course, you can’t share your nitch that you’ve worked so hard for to develop. With myself, I don’t share all I know, just the superficial parts of everything I specialize in, because everyone has their own creative thinking to where they will take what you’ve given them and work it to their liking to come up with something new and different. That’s one of the great things of photography. If you do this, others will see you take to heart what you do, willing to share and are always continuing to be educated in your field.
- Get involved! The more you’re commenting in forums, joining in groups, and making reviews on products, the more you gain a fan base and those interested in what you’re sharing with them. This is a great time to share photos as well and get feedback and then give feedback to others and learn from one another. In photography there’s always something to be learned, so don’t become “big-headed” as that is another way to hurt your business.
- Being “big-headed” is the kill to your career if you don’t get rid of it. No one knows everything, and when someone is sharing something with you, don’t be negative. As a celebrity photographer, I still learn from so many others around the world. Many of my great photography friends are from the UK, California, New York, Michigan and DMV. We all learn from each other and it helps us become better together. We all have respect for one another and we encourage each other, not put down.
- Don’t share images for fame! Social media has become the place for people to become online celebrities and quite easy to. Don’t let this be your calling. This is another fast track to failure, because you’re not putting the time and creativity in to your art and more so on getting more people to know you, follow you or become a fan, that your work will suffer from that and you won’t get the in turn… the audience you’re looking for.
Hopefully this helps for you starting your business or for those currently sharing images online to look at a new track to follow or to do something different so people can fully see the purity they have for the art form of photography and for it to show their commitment to bringing tasteful and creative work to share with others.
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