The #1 Secret To Becoming A Great Photographer Is

Being so good at photography the people in your sphere can’t ignore you.

Sounds simple enough. Yet who defines “good” or “great”? That term is questionable, which is why we ultimately refer to our sphere – the marketplace that loves us and is willing to help us grow our business.

The 1 Secret To Becoming A Great Photographer Is

You can’t define great photography by what you think is great (or even what your family/friends tell you is great). The world is full of starving artists whose mother/father/girlfriend/husband thinks they have the best eye in the world. Instead, we must define it by looking at the trails that others have left before us.

Why Professionals Follow Other Photographers’ Footprints

In every field in existence, in every niche you can imagine, someone has been there before you and created success around it. Those are your models. That’s where you gain your inspiration.

Yet today is a unique time in history. So you may be thinking, “I can’t sell photography the same way people did 20 years ago”. True. You have to think differently because we live in a different time.

Many new and experienced photographers will miss the mark when trying to adapt old ideas to new situations. And it’s because the winning formula becomes a bust when inappropriately applied.

The Art Of Listening

So we move into the next phase, which is listening to our marketplace. They scream out exactly what they want. But do we listen? Or do we fight it and give them old methods because that’s where our comfort zone lies?

They want the image files. They want low costs. But do they really want low service?

They simply ask for whatever everyone else is pushing for – they don’t know what else to ask for.

When we listen, we can hear their “pain”. They tell it to us in newsfeeds, streams and reviews. They tweet it, Facebook it, and pin it to their boards.

If you are really good at listening, you can pick up on everything they say. And you can turn it into a profitable plan for you and your business.

Giving Them What They Want, When They Want It

Photography still has its place. Photographers can still earn a comfortable, six figure income.

If and only if they listen to what the market is asking for, and becoming the best of any other photographer out there in that niche. When you’re good, they want you. When you’re great, they have to have you. When you’re awesome, they will do anything to use you.

Maybe you don’t provide an album; maybe it’s your own private app delivered to your client on a brand new iPad in a custom designed case. Maybe you don’t shoot them over the images on Facebook, instead you have a showing for family members in your own private theater.

Photography is art. Photography is entertainment. And in this visual society, there are many, many ways to catapult your business to new heights.

You just have to ask. And listen. And be the absolute best you can be.

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clientexperience@todaysgrowthconsultant.com' About Virtual Photography

We're the co-founders of VirtualPhotographyStudio.com and have been writing on this blog since 2004. We started Virtual as a way to help photographers stretch beyond a part time income, and develop strategies to become a Five Figure Photographer or a Six Figure Photographer. Ultimately its all about lifestyle, and if your goal is to live as a photographer 24/7, we think you should have the knowledge and the tools to do so. Welcome!