It’s 6 AM, and I find myself gazing through my kitchen window at the dawn breaking over the city, trying to shake off the remnants of sleep. The socialist architecture outside casts a gloomy gray hue.

As the coffee brews, I attempt some stretches and exercises, but after about 10 minutes, the tempting allure of YouTube lures me in. I switch on the TV, eager to explore the latest content — thanks to YouTube’s algorithm, or so I hope.

My viewing routine, oscillating on and off for the past 2-3 years, revolves mainly around photography topics. Gear reviews, photography business tips, posing ideas, lighting techniques – you name it. Lately, though, I’ve found myself increasingly bothered by something. What’s the issue? Well, it dawned on me (pun intended) that almost all the advice on growing a photography business, pricing strategies, and gear recommendations simply don’t cut it for my country, or any other small third-world country, for that matter.

Sure, it might make sense if you’re living in the lap of luxury, what they call the First World, or at least in a place with a more sizable population. But for those of us from “shithole countries,” as some like to call them, the online wisdom doesn’t always translate. Let me give you a snapshot: I’m a wedding photographer based in Eastern Europe, in a country with less than 2 million people and an average monthly salary of about 650 USD. After tax.

Let’s get back to the crux of the matter. I’m about to dissect three business propositions from well-established wedding photographers on how to grow your business.

1. Online Presence

The advice often goes: “Post online what you like to shoot.” Well, sure, that makes sense, to an extent. Post images that resonate with potential clients, but also reflect your own creative vision. So, I started showcasing what I love, hoping that my unique style would attract clients willing to pay a premium for my distinct vision. Reality check: it almost put me out of business. The sheer number of weddings in a small market, combined with limited budgets, made it nearly impossible to pinpoint those few couples who appreciated my style. The solution? Striking a balance between appealing to a broader audience, while occasionally showcasing my more distinctive work.

2. Pricing

Ah, pricing — a real pet peeve of mine. The standard advice? “Charge as much as you think you’re worth. Or a bit more.” Or the classic, “Raise your prices by 10% after every 10 booked weddings.” In a small country, this is a slippery slope. Word travels fast, and recommendations play a crucial role. Adjusting prices mid-season leads to uncomfortable questions and potential client dissatisfaction. Stick to the expected price range. Deviate even slightly, and you risk losing clients.

Yes, there are some situations where you can actually charge a premium, but it comes with a caveat, or was it a catch? I can say this for now: you will need a team of people (four people at least — two for photo and two for video). And everything you can think of that makes you look like you know what you are doing. I think it is a specific of the market, so I need a separate text just for the culture of weddings and wedding photography in Macedonia.

3. Specialization

The mantra of “specialize” echoes through the photography community. “Focus on one type of photography and master it,” they say. Well, in some markets, that just doesn’t work. With technology making photography more accessible, everyone and their neighbor seems to be a wedding photographer, often as a side hustle. In small markets, survival means diversification. Turning down opportunities like corporate profiles, conferences, parties, and birthdays is not just about staying focused; it’s a road to disaster. Most successful photographers I know here juggle 2-3 types of photography, and some even venture into videography. In a market where opportunities are scarce, turning down gigs just because you don’t shoot that particular subject means passing up on connections and future opportunities. So, think twice before you say no to that family portrait session. Specialize, but in 2-3 photography niches. Or find a second job if you are not good enough to be a destination wedding photographer.

These are my three things I personally found that don’t work in my environment. Maybe they are not valid in the western world as well, but having people recommending them, it sure feels that they are something people should consider.

Have you ever took advice at face value without thinking of the market first?

A Vernon photographer who takes great care in capturing the beauty of the natural world around her is once again sharing her best shots — one for every month of 2024.

Carla Hunt is selling wildlife calendars, available to order from carlahuntphotography.com, or be picked up at Teassential on 30th Avenue in Vernon.

The calendars are $25, designed by Carla Hunt Photography and locally printed by Elice’s Printopia in Vernon. Partial proceeds from sales of the calendars will be donated to the North Okanagan Naturalists’ Club.

Flipping through the calendar, one will see in the month of January a picture of a coyote in a snowy, grassy landscape. For February, a red-tailed hawk perches atop a coniferous tree in Armstrong. A number of other animals — and many birds — are featured, including a Cooper’s Hawk captured in Hunt’s backyard.

Hunt is a self-taught photographer focusing on wildlife and landscape photography. Her goal, according to her website, is to bring “the beauty in the Okanagan to the people.”

As the population increases in the Okanagan, her website reads, people need to be aware of their natural surroundings to ensure the protection of the habitat that animals call home.

READ MORE: U.S. proposes plan to help the Canada lynx before warming shrinks its habitat

READ MORE: Endangered Cariboo badgers at roadkill risk on B.C.’s Highway 97

Very few people get to claim a rock legend as their first serious boyfriend. Fewer still can say that the match was made by the musician’s wife. But May Pang said both were true of her relationship with Beatles legend John Lennon.

Pang, who was 23 and working in publishing for Apple Records at the time, was selected to work with Lennon when he and his wife, Yoko Ono, were in New York.

One of her first tasks was to assist the couple with their film, “Up Your Legs Forever.” The film includes hundreds of shots of people’s legs from their toes to their thighs.

“Yoko came over and she was like, ‘Here’s my phone book. Make calls and ask them to come down,’ and then there was somebody else that would go on the street and grab people,” she recalled. “It’s kind of hard to say, ‘Jackie Kennedy, would you like to come in and donate your legs for peace,’ you know, that type of thing. It was quite interesting.”

She continued to work with the couple and, around three years in, Ono and Lennon were going through a rough spot. Pang said Ono approached her with an idea.
“At the end of the day, she looks at me and she says, ‘But, you don’t have a boyfriend.’ And I’m looking at her like, ‘Don’t look at me. I’m not interested,’ Pang said. “She said, ‘No, you’d be nice for him,’ and I said ‘No, I’m not.’”

For Pang, the idea of inviting whatever was happening in their lives into hers was not appealing.

“She was so insistent, so after a while, … (John) just turned around. He said, ‘All right, if she’s going to keep doing this, I’m going to go for it.’”

In spite of Pang’s initial reservations about the idea, she and Lennon grew closer and a romantic relationship evolved.
Though this period in his life became known as “The Lost Weekend,” the Pang-Lennon romance lasted about 18 months.

Pang had picked up photography as a hobby when she was 16 and had been sharpening her focus ever since. Throughout her relationship with Lennon, Pang shot photos of him and his son, Julian Lennon, with her 35 mm Nikomat camera.

At the time, she wasn’t thinking of the photographs as part of a larger archive of Lennon’s life.

“I never thought of it as I’m documenting history,” Pang said. “It was more like I just wanted to do (it) for my pleasure, search for a good photograph, you know, a good picture.”

The images reveal a side of Lennon that the outside world didn’t often get to see.

“He didn’t think he was a great player. He knew he was a good writer, but he hadn’t been out in a long time so there … were a lot of insecurities,” she said. “He would say, ‘Do you think this is good?’ … I think that surprises people.”

Pang said she stayed in touch with Lennon until his death, so if you combine their time working together, living together and post break-up friendship, she knew the musician for about 10 years.

To this day, she keeps in touch with Julian; she shot the cover photo for his album, “Jude.”

As Pang has traveled with this photo exhibition, so have Lennon’s loyal fans. One person drove five hours from Mexico to see the photos in Austin. Another flew from New York to see the show and flew back home the same day.

“I’ve had people just cry. Even the guy who curated (the show) in San Antonio here, looked at all the photos before putting them up … and he sat there and said he just cried because he’s never seen photos like this,” Pang said.

“To me, it’s lovely. … I’ve had the people that come here, they get … to talk to me (with) questions they’ve been wanting to ask. To them, I’m the closest to John they’ll ever get.”

Marcheta Fornoff covers the arts for the Fort Worth Report. Contact her at marcheta.fornoff@fortworthreport.org or on Twitter. At the Fort Worth Report, news decisions are made independently of our board members and financial supporters. Read more about our editorial independence policy here.

This article first appeared on Fort Worth Report and is republished here under a Creative Commons license.

A dozen Latino and Spanish-speaking photographers will exhibit their work this month at the VAPA Center. “Los Fotógrafos 2” (“The Photographers 2”) is the second group photography show by Charlotte’s OBRA Collective, dedicated to promoting Latino and immigrant creatives.

For many of the photographers, this show will be their first exhibition. For others, it’s their first since emigrating to the United States.

OBRA Collective’s Hector Vaca Cruz says the show is a way to both elevate Latino creators and help them connect with the broader Charlotte community.

“One photographer told me he jumped three feet up in the air when he heard that he was in the show,” he said. “This is an opportunity for people to really get to showcase their talent, and since it’s a small gallery, they don’t have to be so nervous.”

Vaca Cruz exhibited in the first edition of “Los Fotógrafos,” a five-person show in June 2022. This year he’s curating, alongside Peruvian photographer Ernesto Moreno and Venezuelan artist Keudis Sánchez.

“Creating a space where creatives who come from Latin America can actually engage in their creative practice, that’s amazing,” Vaca Cruz said. “That makes us feel so warm on the inside, just knowing that we can create a space so they can pursue what they were able to do at home.”

Juan Manuel Mejía is exhibiting his work for the first time. He moved to the U.S. from Colombia as a child. For a long time, he practiced photography as a hobby. Now he’s producing portraits of Latino community members through an Arts and Science Council grant.

“We are marketing entrepreneurs, artists, refugee advocates and, here, you’re seeing that we’re also photographers, creatives, and we’re all within the Latino community,” Mejía said. “I feel like it’s a perfect spot to have my first exhibit.”

Photographer Lara Jaruchik will be showing her work publicly for the first time since she left Spain. She uses her photography to document family life and the growth of her daughters in a photojournalistic style.

“When I became a mother, I started to think all about what it means to be human. It was a little like rediscovering life for me,” she said. “Taking photos was also a way of expressing that discovery. My daughter here, you can see how she’s discovering life at the same time as me.”

The show will feature work by:

The best time to see the exhibition will be Friday from 6 to 8 p.m. at the OBRA Collective Gallery in the VAPA Center at 700 N. Tryon Street. Photographers and other OBRA Collective members will be at the opening to discuss their work. Viewings are available after opening night by appointment.

Lead ImageFanny is wearing a top in georgette with buckles in eco leather by ANIYE RECORDSPhotography by Zora Sicher, Photography by Rebecca Perlmutar

Ghost Mannequin Apparel- Mens Pullovers

Grass Mat Infographic Photography For Amazon store

Hair Towel Amazon Photography on a Model

Apparel photographer EtherArts Product photography offers extensive insights in to how effective ghost mannequin photography is done for Amazon FBA products.

MIAMI, FLORIDA, USA, December 8, 2023 /EINPresswire.com/ — In the world of fashion and e-commerce, high-quality product photography is crucial for driving sales and attracting customers. One particular technique that has gained popularity in recent years is ghost mannequin photography, which creates a seamless and professional look for apparel. However, achieving effective ghost mannequin photos requires the expertise of professional product photographers.

Ghost mannequin photography, also known as invisible mannequin or hollow man photography, involves photographing clothing on a mannequin and then editing out the mannequin in post-production. This technique creates a 3D effect, making the clothing appear as if it is being worn by an invisible model. This not only gives a more realistic representation of the clothing but also allows customers to see the fit and details of the garment more clearly.

While some may attempt to create ghost mannequin photos themselves, it is a highly specialized skill that requires professional equipment and expertise. Professional product photographers have the necessary knowledge and experience to create high-quality ghost mannequin photos that will effectively showcase apparel and attract customers. They have access to advanced editing software and techniques that can enhance the images and make them stand out in a competitive market.

The impact of high-quality ghost mannequin photos on sales cannot be underestimated. In a study by Shopify, it was found that 67% of consumers consider product images to be “very important” when making a purchase decision. With the rise of online shopping, customers rely heavily on product images to make informed buying decisions. Therefore, investing in professional ghost mannequin photography is crucial for apparel brands to stay competitive and increase sales. EtherArts Ghost Mannequin Photography Tampa serves many a clothing boutique and apparel stores online and locally with their highly skilled product photographers.

Ghost mannequin photography is a powerful tool for showcasing apparel and attracting customers. However, it is a specialized skill that requires the expertise of professional product photographers. With the impact of high-quality product images on sales, it is essential for apparel brands to invest in professional ghost mannequin photography to stay ahead in the ever-evolving world of fashion and e-commerce.

So, why is ghost mannequin photography preferred by clients over flat lay styling? Firstly, it allows for a more realistic representation of the clothing. With the use of a mannequin, the clothing is able to maintain its shape and structure, giving customers a better idea of how it will fit and look on them. This is especially important for online shoppers who are unable to physically try on the clothing before making a purchase.

Moreover, ghost mannequin photography also allows for a more professional and consistent look. With flat lay styling, the clothing may appear wrinkled or distorted, depending on how it is laid out. This can be a turn-off for customers and may affect their perception of the product’s quality. Ghost mannequin photography, on the other hand, ensures that the clothing is presented in a clean and uniform manner, creating a more polished and attractive image.

How does it help selling on Amazon store? A question many ask and debate. The professional Amazon Photographer at EtherArts Photography Studio is Amazon Approved Photography Vendor since 2014. They are well versed with the requirements as well as its effect on the sale of an apparel as they serve at their Product photography Tampa location.
Here’s how ghost mannequins can help enhance apparel product listings on Amazon:

Professional Appearance: Ghost mannequins create a clean and professional look for your product images. They allow customers to focus solely on the clothing item without distractions, providing a more polished and appealing presentation.

3D Effect: The unique design of ghost mannequins allows to showcase clothing items in a three-dimensional way. This is important for online shoppers who want to see how the garment fits and looks from different angles. It provides a more realistic representation of the product compared to flat-lay or simple hanging images.

Consistency: Using ghost mannequins ensures consistency across product images. This uniformity is crucial for creating a cohesive and professional brand image. Consistent visuals make it easier for customers to navigate your Amazon store and understand product offerings.

Highlighting Features: Ghost mannequins allows to highlight specific features of the clothing, such as the neckline, sleeves, and overall design. This is important for customers who want a detailed view of the product before making a purchase decision.

Time Efficiency: Using ghost mannequins can save time during the photography process. Since these mannequins are designed to make it easy to insert and remove, you can streamline apparel photo shoots, reducing the time and effort required to capture quality images.

Increased Trust: Professional-looking product images contribute to building trust with potential customers. When shoppers see high-quality, well-presented images, they are more likely to perceive products as reliable and of higher quality.

Amazon Requirements: Amazon has specific image requirements for product listings. Using ghost mannequins can help meet these requirements by ensuring that the images are clear, well-lit, and focused on the product itself.

Competitive Advantage: As not all sellers may invest in professional photography, using ghost mannequins can give a competitive edge. Apparel brands will stand out with visually appealing and informative images, potentially attracting more customers.

In conclusion, ghost mannequin photography has become the preferred choice for clients over flat lay styling due to its ability to provide a more realistic and professional representation of clothing. As the e-commerce industry continues to grow, it is important for businesses to invest in high-quality product photography to stand out in a competitive market. Ghost mannequin photography offers a cost-effective and efficient solution for businesses to showcase their products in the best possible way.

EtherArts
EtherArts Product Photography & Graphics
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