Business "To Do" List: Get a Website and Keep It Updated

Not only am I a photographer, but I play one on TV... wait!... that's not right!  Let me start over. 

No only am I a photographer, but I also own a Landscape Architecture and Park Planning firm that I started in 1998.  (There... that's much better... and accurate!) 

One similarity with these businesses... they both need a website.  In this day and age it is extremely important to have a website.  But it is just as important to keep that website current once it's up and running.  For me personally, it raises a red flag when I go onto someones website and it appears that they haven't touched it in two years.  The thoughts that go through my head when I see an outdated website (i.e., not current projects, etc.)... are these guys still in business?  Are they going to stay in business?

I had one of my employees build the website for my landscape architectural firm.  It is a great little website but it is difficult to keep it updated because I can't do it myself.

For my photography business I decided to take another route.  As a photographer I read a ton of books, watch videos, and attend seminars by some of the best photographers in the business.  I figure if I want to become one of the best (which I am not!)... these are the guys I should be listening to.  It was from the late, great photographer Monte Zucker that I learned about SiteWelder.  This company provides professional website templates which you can customize to fit your needs.  They then host the site for you.  I am currently building a website and it is sooo easy to understand.  And the really cool thing about it?   I will be able to update my photography website 24/7.

I have a friend who owns a company that just paid several thousand dollars to have a web designer build them a site.  It was expenseive, and he has to go back to the web designer to update the site.  If you are in need of a website you may want to check out SiteWelder http://www.sitewelder.com/sitewelder-users.html

I'm impressed with them so far... and... after all, Monte Zucker recommended them.

See you Friday!

Ryan

I Need a Plan... a Business Plan

First things first... I need to write a business plan so I have an idea of where I'm heading. It doesn't need to be super complicated, but I do need one. I will let you see it as soon as I'm done. In the mean time some of the other things I will need to do include:

1. Get a business license
2. Start up a web site
3. Start a blog (done)... now I've got to keep it going!
4. Get my photography info. onto Facebook and Linked In... free advertising! I'm not to sure about Twitter... we'll see...
5. Volunteer to shoot different events (this is a great way to get my name out there... plus get in some shooting!)

This is a pretty good start. I guess I had better get busy!
Keep shooting...
Ryan

In the Beginning - Starting a Photography Studio

There are a lot of photography blogs out there by fantastic photographers such as Scott Kelby, David Ziser, and Joe McNally. Why would I toss my hat in the ring with folks like that. Well... No. 1, I love to write, No. 2, I love photography, and No. 3, I thought it might be interesting to read about the photography business from a little bit different perspective.

I have owned a successful landscape architecture firm for over 11 years and have been a practicing landscape architect for over twenty. We design parks and commercial projects throughout Nevada. But I have always loved photography and have taken classes off and on. I have even attended a few seminars here and there. I, however, have never been a professional photographer.

I have decided to see if I can turn my passion for photography into a viable business. Like most of you... I am not going to quit my "day" job. But I am going to take the business principles that have made me successful as a landscape architect and see if I can trasfer them into a successful photography business.

I plan to blog every step of the way, sharing my success and failures. At 44 years of age I'm out to prove that it's never too late to try something new. I hope you enjoy this blog, find it encouraging, perhaps inspirational, and maybe... just maybe, learn something along the way.

Keep shooting...

Ryan