Introduction
There are multiple ways to monetize your passion for photography. Professional or commercial success is key to persisting with interest and working with further dedication on it. Blogging on photography is a major way to grow in this career.
This article will dissect all the critical factors and guide you on how to start a photography blog. There are three common ways a photographer makes money, competitive photography, selling their skills as services, and blogging about their passion. Blogging is the most challenging one of the three, but also the most lucrative.
Step 1: Create a portfolio
Whatever type of photography you are into, there are a lot more varieties into it. You just need to put some time in and find them out. Once you figure out your niche or category of expertise or interest, compile as many of your best clicks as possible.
One thing you should never be complacent about is continuity. To be a successful photography blogger, you need to keep updating your portfolio. Always make new additions, either by creating new collections or by adding more photos to the existing ones.
Step 2: Create a website
You may not be a web developer, but you must be able to chip in with some web design inputs in this process. There are quite a few established portfolio website ideas. Discuss with a developing agency to build one for you, or do it yourself.
Companies like Risingplus create strong websites at dead cheap prices. They have website ideas and templates ready for different ideas and niches. Such a level of convenience makes it affordable for photographers or artists to get their hands on a website at the least cost.
What content you should be adding to stand out as a photography blogger will be discussed in later parts of the discussion.
It’s great if you can do all the technical stuff yourself. But it’s obvious for you to rely on other parties since you specialize in photography. Be careful with the developer or agency you choose to build your website. Clearly convey how you want to present yourself as an artist.
Step 3: Add important sections to your website/blog
Many photographers like you are probably thinking of having a blog of their own. You need to try and add something different to your blog to stand out. Do not put content for the sake of it.
Dedication, continuous evolution of your creativity, and as much variation as possible, are key to giving your blog a dynamic look. And just because your field of expertise is photography does not mean you cannot focus on a bit of marketing.
What sections do you need to add?
Portfolio
Flaunt your clicks and amaze your viewers. Show everyone the magic you have in your vision and your fingers. Make a compilation of the best clicks you have taken since the day you started photography, and put it on show on your website.
Now, here is something you need to invest a lot of time and energy in. Classify the photos in your collection into further categories. Give them some catchy names. Such a strategy would help your viewers relate to their interests, and move on to the next stage of engaging with you.
The gear/pieces of equipment you use
You need to be transparent as an artist. Only then your audience will get an understanding of your authenticity and acknowledge that you are truly good at what you preach or do. Sharing what you use to do the great work you showcase to them will act as a magnet to bring them back again and again.
Sharing technical details in a comprehensive manner will help you create a personal image and earn a reputation in your community. It’s not important not only in the sense of making your blog successful, but it also is a foundation for any future move you make to transform your skills into a business.
One wrong narrative followed by most photographers is that having a budget setup or not having expensive gear is something that should not be shared. Get the record straight, sharing your budget gear with your audience will baffle them. Producing great photos incurring fewer costs is truly a big deal.
Behind the scenes
Share the innovation you do for every subject, every spot, every shoot. You must try and convince your viewers that you have to face new challenges for every new click. Try to present your smartness to surprise your readers.
When a person will realize there is a lot to learn from you, you have just earned a lifetime supporter. That person will follow you regularly.
Contact Us/Me Page
Having a proper contact page is majestically important. If ever in your future, you decide to offer photography as a service and form a business, making yourself professionally accessible is key.
Always keep a bridge open for your viewers to stay connected to you. Any big step you take will need leads, an audience, etc. Working on that from the beginning will give you success as a blogger, as well as a businessman in the long run.
Displaying properly edited photos
Most photos need to be edited to be presented to the world. Yes, raw photos carry a brand of themselves, but editing a photo into perfection is key to making the industry more innovative and flexible.
Photography is agonizingly difficult, and so is editing. Photography is a profession/skill itself along with photo-editing. You are not entitled to learn the latter as a photographer yourself. Therefore you should look for cost-effective editing solutions like clipping path, photo retouching, and color correction.
Even if the first click is great, it can magically be transformed into a much more aesthetic or cinematic photograph.
There is an abundance of startups and agencies that do edits at minimal costs. Taking that route will not hurt your pocket and keep your portfolio running and growing. And that’s brilliant if you can do them yourself.
Search Engine Optimization
Competition is brewing in every industry. Hundreds of photographers are already operating their blogs on the internet. To draw visitors to your blog, you need to do search engine optimization for your website.
SEO is one of the most complicated parts of digital marketing. Many companies can do it for you. You need to assess your budget and choose a wise company accordingly. Good content, your creativity with photos, and SEO are the three main pillars for your blog to succeed.
Conclusion
Owning a successful blog will give you recognition as a photographer. Not only that, but you will also be successful if you use your skills to do a business by offering photography services.
Most of the world is more active virtually than in real life. So marketing yourself through your blog will give you a bigger competitive advantage over others. And when you get set with the system, you will start loving your work as well.
