Establishing A Name...

I am interested in getting some advice on different ways to build a reputation. What are the things that worked best for you? I would like to go beyond just having a website and doing art shows. The reason I ask is because I may have the opportunity to teach workshops and lead tours in the near future and need to firmly establish a name for myself in my area first..

Doing presentations for nature and camera clubs is one suggestion. Membership in nature groups and establishing a speciatly are another couple. Write articles or colaborate with an author on your specialty. Post lots of super images on this and other nature photography websites.

I agree with Eleanor's suggestions Zack. I belong to two camera clubs in my area and enter a fair number of contests not only to get your name out there but, just as import, to see where you stand in comparison to other photographers. However, what I have found is that the majority of people in a camera club are in it as a hobby, not a serious career choice, so their agenda is quite different than mine, and it sounds like yours as well. At the same time though, I am presenting a workshop on DAM (Digital Asset Management) so it offers the opportunity to develop and test workshops that you can later sell. As for the competitions, I have won quite a number of 1st, 2nd & 3rd place and what you begin to realize is that the local competitions are narrow in their criteria judging because all the judges are cut from the same cloth with their local certifications, so it's easy to fall into a situation where you stifle your own creativity because it doesn't fit the judging criteria. So I have turned my sights to national and international competitions where you are exposed to a whole new world of criteria, vision and experiences, and it's like getting a slap upside the head and makes you re-think your own limitations, and just how much further you have to go. There are some incredibly talented photographers out there that do some amazing work, so the bar has been set very, very high. Just take a look at magazines such as Nat'l Geo (of course) and Nature's Best Photography. and many web sites like, George W. Glennie Nature Salon, and Nature's Best Photography.

Hope that helps

Garry
Toronto

First, Zach, I agree with Garry's assessment of camera club competitions. They are judged according to a set of very strict rules, and the results may not have anything whatever to do with your abiliies as a photographer. But I wanted also to offer this--have you thought of writing a blog? As long as you keep at it regularly, the SEO engines ought to pick you up. Just a thought. There you are in the ADKs--How many of the top ADK photographers have blogs??? Also, how close are you to Saranac Lake? There's a town with a number of galleries; could you have a show? Also in SL there's a club of ADK artists, perhaps you could look into joining that.

Nancy makes a great point. I made a bird photography blog a couple years ago and it has greatly helped me make a name for myself. I've sold some prints, inked licensing deals and become acquainted with authors and well known birders as a result. It's also a great place to point people when the subject of your photography comes up - they not only can see your work but feel engaged as it's being updated frequently with lots of topics (as opposed to a web site that is often a series of pages filled with pretty pictures)

You said you want to establish a name for yourself in "your area" first. Well, then, that simplifies things a bit. Shoot everywhere you can in your area so as to be seen everywhere in your area. People will see you in multiple places and start noticing that where ever something is happening, there you are. Maybe this depends on what kind of photography you want to do. You may want to specialize, but being seen everywhere may be a better plan for now. Maybe you don't even post the images on your site (although I recommend you do). You will be SEEN and your name WILL get out.

I would also recommend that you volunteer your time in YOUR community to as many places as you can fit in your schedule. And you actually MUST do WORK where you are volunteering. But you can also volunteer your photography skills to the non-profits while you are working. This is different from giving your work away for free as the right non-profits are WORTH giving time and images to help support their cause. You will find that many higher ups in the community support the non-profits and they will be elbow buddies with you in that non-profit's trench. Next thing you know, lots of community leaders know your name and know you are a talented photographer...you are talented I hope!

Nothing happens overnight. So, stick with that plan. Next thing you know, galleries will be asking you to show, and perhaps you will get real paying jobs from others in the community. You didn't exactly say you wanted to make a living off this.

Good luck! ALso, a marketing plan for what you are trying to accomplish would be a superb idea. After all, the wiseman says, dream what you will be so you will be.

Troup Nightingale
Southeastern Photography
http://www.southeasternphotography.com

Thanks folks, those are some great suggestions! As far as a blog goes I do have one, but it's not updated regularly, I'll have to change that...

Nancy, thanks for the tip, I'll look into that ADK artists thing in Saranac Lake as I live closeby.

Zack, have a read of this... it may give you some great ideas on how to build your brand and network inexpensively. I wish you best of luck.

http://kpepphotography.blogspot.ca/2012/01/tip-for-photogrpahers-how-to-build.html