There are so many great sites and blogs I run across almost everyday, it is so hard to even keep track of them and what is going on. I can’t believe how much wealth of information professional photographers give out for FREE to regular guys like me who have a dream! One site I started reading recently is Photo EDU it is nothing fancy as far as aesthetics go but it does offer great advice to starting photographers.

The one that interested me was having a business plan. I thought that was fair enough and that I should consider this if I am going to be serious about starting my business. Here is the quote from the site:

First and foremost you have to write a proper business plan – especially if you are new to business. In this you need to evaluate who you want to attract; how you will market to them; the competition; your pricing structure; identify your strengths and weaknesses; and make financial projections.

Mission Statement/Philosophy
Jared Rey Photography seeks to attract families, couples, children, seniors, and musicians who want to be captured on camera in a unique and stylish way. I am a fun, silly, relaxed guy and want my clients to feel comfortable and relaxed when they are being photographed. I want to know my clients and for them to know me which will help us connect through the camera lens. I shoot in a manner that tells a story of who that person is, I do this by lightly directing a shot or letting things come naturally, I do not want any shot to appear rigid or posed.

Marketing Plan
Here it is. I will be directing as many people and clients to this website to attract business. I have read on countless photography sites that spending money on advertising is money down the drain. I simply plan to use this website as a vehicle to build my business. I will be getting business cards once I get my logo/identity built and will be passing those out as well.

Strengths/Weaknesses

Well I know I love photography and people, which is a huge strength if you want to work with people and do photography! I have an eye for photography (so I am told). I love photoshop and editing photos and believe I have got some talent. When it comes to photography I never get tired of learning something new and growing in knowledge which is a huge strength considering everything is always changing with technology and software.

I could could write out this huge list of weaknesses but who wants to read that and see that much negativity? Sometimes I focus on all the negative things and those reasons have prevented me from even getting to this point. The list in my head isn’t so much negative as it is things I have yet to learn, but I know I can learn them I just need someone to teach me hands-on. Here is a short list of things I want to learn.
- flash photography
- professional lighting
- lighting situations

As you can see the main thing I want to learn is about lighting and flash photography. I understand the basics of lighting and how to use a fill flash outdoors and how to bounce light but I still feel I need to learn more. Especially going into weddings, I can be a bit terrified of it! I have read countless websites and blogs on lighting and am saving up to buy some videos on wedding photography lighting like the one offered by LaCour. But what i really need right now is to just shoot weddings with professionals so I can see what they do. I just need some hands-on training that is how I learn best. I forget it when I read it but if I see it in action it will stick with me quicker. I just want to practice more!

I have some very awesome professional photographers who have offered to let me tag along with them in some weddings this summer. I can’t go any further without mentioning their names. Ashley Langford, Laine Anderson, Vim Studios (they are doing our engagement, bridal, and wedding photos).

Pricing Structure/Financial Projections

Right now I have offered to do some family portraits and senior portraits to my family for free. They are only paying for prints. I am doing two weddings on my own in August and September and I am doing it for $550. I know that is shockingly low but at the same time I have zero experience at this point. Some believe I should do it for free as well, but I am going to be spending so much time editing these photos and getting my style down that I think it will be okay. Plus I do not plan for these to be the first two weddings I will ever shoot, hopefully I will be able to do a couple of weddings assisting and shooting before then,.

I don’t have financial projections at this point. But they will come. I know I want to be able to make enough to be able to support my fiance and I comfortably. If anyone has any suggestions or advice let me know!