Business of Food Photography Overview
Lesson 16 from: Getting Started in Professional Food PhotographySteve Hansen
Business of Food Photography Overview
Lesson 16 from: Getting Started in Professional Food PhotographySteve Hansen
Lesson Info
16. Business of Food Photography Overview
Lessons
Introduction To Class
10:33 2Tour of a Modern Food Photography Studio
07:11 3Prop Styling with Malina Lopez
06:17 4Food Styling with Steve & Malina
16:37 5Working with a Digital Technician
10:37 6Food Photography Gear
33:47 7Why Use Natural Light?
11:40 8Natural Light Food Shoot Prep
30:35Food Photo Tools & Tricks
03:42 10Capturing Food in Natural Light
09:47 11Natural Light Shoot Final Touches
24:18 12Shooting For a Client
13:41 13LED Lighting Overview
10:49 14Prep for Oven Shoot with LED Lights
19:00 15Oven Shoot with LED Lights
25:45 16Business of Food Photography Overview
05:10 17Food Photography Websites & Blogs
08:05 18Food Photography Print Marketing
13:26 19Food Photography Portfolio Tips
17:00 20Pricing and Negotiating for Food Photography
16:24 21Final Food Photo Career Advice
07:06Lesson Info
Business of Food Photography Overview
So, this is gonna be a really interesting hour or so before we get to the critique. I want to ... We've done a couple shoots. I've kinda gone over how I operate, whom I operate with, and you've seen it in actions in two very different scenarios. And that's kinda what I wanted to show you is how vast food photography can be and what you're gonna be asked to do. Now, if you're ever going to be able to do that in real life for a living, it's going to be a journey and it's going to take some time, but there are things that you can do and steps you can take, and just ... Signs along the road that you can notice to tell you that you're in this position and you need to go to this position in your career. So we're gonna get right into it. There's just gonna be two major subjects: we're gonna be talking about marketing, and we're gonna be talking about business, and they're intertwined but both equally important. And it's what I spend a majority of my time on. So, marketing is an unending endea...
vor. You will do it until the day you close your doors, which could be a week, it could be 30 years. And it's really a lot more fun if you enjoy the process. You have to enjoy getting your name out there and you have to enjoy meeting people. You can't be an introvert and be in food photography. There are certain aspects of photography, like being a National Geographic photographer where you're out in the woods for a month. You won't see a person for miles. This is a totally different scenario. You're part of a really large team, and it's a lot more like being in a kitchen with people you depend on, working side by side. Blood, sweat, and tears, and kinda getting through these shoots, which can be grueling. So, I enjoy marketing. The business side, I have, my wife handles a lot of that, and I could not do it without her. So she handles a lot of the numbers, she does a lot of work behind the scenes that keeps us going. I handle a lot of the marketing. And I have a lot of things that I've tried that work. Some things that didn't work as well. And so, I'm gonna kind of go through those with you and discuss them. How many of you have actually put out, just by raise of hands, have actually marketed your business in some manner? Okay, did you do print, did you do email? [Girl In Audience] I did print, email, advertised in some movie theaters. So you did a variety of things, and that's crucial. You have to get your name out there and not just in those avenues, but I'll tell you a few more. And kind of how to approach it. It's really, it's not just knowing which avenues to go down, it's how to approach those avenues and when to approach those avenues. So I'll kind of give you a layout of my career and how it went. There is no single path you can take. But I will get into it right now. So your brand, I'm not a huge fan of the term 'brand'. It's used so much. But who your style, who you are as a person, probably more important. It all adds up to what people perceive you as and what you're able to offer them. Because when someone has a job come in and they're at an ad agency and they wanna find photographers, they're gonna wanna work with photographers who, first of all, that they've actually worked with before. So that's a hard thing to break in, because they already have photographers that they enjoy working with. So you have to fill a need that isn't being met necessarily by somebody that they currently work with, or do it better or different. That's one of the few ways, or just reach out to 'em on multiple occasions with genuine information that really helps them decide that they do eventually want to work with you. So, your style is the crucial thing. We've gone over this, and I kinda wanted create a metaphor for you as far as your style. You're not gonna have, until you're five, 10 years into this, it's gonna be hard to really, for you to have a truly defined style. You might get lucky, you might stumble upon something that works. I think Joel Grimes, who's worked with you guys, is the king of a distinct style. He has something that works for him, and he has an amazing attitude about how to approach it. He consistently approaches something that he's discovered and the way he lights things, and really nails it in and markets to people on a regular basis. And then he'll kind of move on to another thing and really market that really well. He's an amazing photographer, so. As far as your style, it's kind of like a block of marble that I describe. And every time you make a mistake, or every time you stumble upon something new, you chip away at it. And the more you chip away at it, the more the sculpture will become apparent. And the more you hone it, and the further down the road, the less impact each new discovery makes, but you'll slowly just go and go and go until you've kind of created this almost personality, and photographic style that people can relate to and want to invest in.
Class Materials
Bonus Materials with RSVP
Bonus Materials with Purchase
Ratings and Reviews
Christy cwood56
This class has appeal for the beginning food photographer as well as the photographer that is already a bit further advanced on the path. There is quality info about gear and other logistics for the beginner that is absolutely necessary and establishes a strong baseline of knowledge. When Steve starts to shoot then the magic really starts to happen as we get to see into his creative process, how he styles, how he problem solves, how he continues to push the envelope until he comes up with his incredible images. That was the most enlightening part of the whole class...being able to observe an artist in his creative zone. Steve is a master at what he does and whether you are a beginner, intermediate or even advanced photographer, there is something for you in this class. It is well worth the minimal cost of the class. Part of the value of purchasing this class is that you can watch it again and again and again and each time you will walk away with boatloads of info. It is one of those classes that you will go back to again and again and use as a reference point for improving your images. Thanks Steve for being willing to share your gifts and talents to help others! Awesome day!
Student Work
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