How to Succeed in Commercial Photography : Insights From a Leading Consultant

(Ron) #1
Does Jonathan go on in-person visits with his print book?

Absolutely, as much as possible. It’s interesting
I find it much easier to get appointments out of town
than in my home town of Atlanta. For instance, when
I go to Boston to shoot, I call as many people as I have
time to see and everyone wants to see me. The print
book allows me (on a personal visit) to talk about my
process as well as show my work. I had one day when
I had thirteen appointments. The reality is that over the
course of a year, my print book does not get the
exposure I would like it to, so I have invested deeply in
my Web site.

Jonathan’s Web gallery contains a main section that
mirrors his print book and a section of new work that he
updates regularly with shots from recent assignments.
Contained within this section are two or three new client
shoots (with about five to six images in each) that prospects
can view. “I love having an area where I can show my recent
work. I select the projects and images I want to show very delib-
erately as I want to continue the visual message that the main
site promotes,” he explains.
Another proponent of visual continuity, Charles Imstepf
found himself in an enviable position when he was ready
to build his Web site. He had just completed a new print port-
folio before he began the task of building the visual section on
his Web site, and he had a very large number of new images to
send out to the world.
A food photographer located in Los Angeles, Charles had
just completed a yearlong program redeveloping his vision. He
had worked extremely hard to develop a new way of seeing, and
Imstepf was excited to get his new imagery out via both his print
book and Web gallery. He feels that each marketing tool needs
to support the other.
“Constancy in vision is key to marketing success,” states
Imstepf. “Initially defining my visual integrity was an important
act because my visual message directs my audience to what I do
best. It takes them by the hand and says, ‘See... hire me to do
this.’ ” He continues:

PART4 / TOOLS

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