Building Your Photography Support Network

This is more of a continuation of my last post It’s Good to Talk (to Other Photographers) where I touched on the idea of meeting and networking with our fellow professionals (and beginners).

What is a photography support network?

It doesn’t have to be anything terribly formal, in fact it can be anything from a small group of friends to a international organisation. The essence of a support network is having a group of photographers that you can call upon for advice or assistance (and vice versa). What’s more important is the social element…… you want to be in a group with people you actually get on with!

If you are a small local group then it’s nice to have a regular meeting (or social event) where you can all touch base.

Who can be in your network?

There is no right or wrong type of group. Five photographers, all in the same area, who all specialise in the same type of photography and charge roughly the same amount can be more beneficial than you might think. In fact for smaller groups it makes sense to have this type of group.

For larger groups it’s nicer to have a wider range of levels and specialisations. There’s so much a wedding photographer, for example, can learn from a fashion or even a product photographer.

Having more diverse types of photographers in your group can certainly help, an underwater specialist is always a good person to know….. even if you live 200 miles inland.

What are the benefits?

• More referrals from other photographers. If I can’t make a booking, for whatever reason, then I’d like to pass on the client to someone I can trust to do a good job.
• Possible coverage for illness.
• A local and industry specific knowledge base.
• Insight into specialist areas and techniques.
• Insight into others’ business practices…. it’s important to be honest though!
• Price fixing – I know it’s frowned upon by the odd ethics committee or two, but if everyone undercuts everyone else, ultimately the client will suffer. We’re selling our skills and experience after all …. not loaves of bread.
• A reliable source for 2nd shooters or assistants.
• Free mentoring and advice.
• More friends.

Remember, just because you are a sole trader doesn’t mean you can’t have the support of a big team behind you.

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Michael Shilling

Michael has been working as a photographer for the last ten years. In that time he has shot over 100,000 peoples’ portraits and worked in four different continents. In 2001 Michael graduated with a degree in photography from Manchester Metropolitan University.

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