Picture this: you’re a new photographer, just getting serious about weddings. You’ve done a handful of weddings – and loved it – but just don’t quite understand how to dive in to the world of wedding photography. You have a passion for creating images, but no clue how to run a successful business.
Sound familiar? That was me, just two years ago.
After trying to get my business off the ground for a year, I started thinking about how I could make my photography business stand out in the crowd – I just didn’t know where to start.
Then, I heard about Pictage. I joined mainly because of the ease of online viewing and print order fulfillment. I thought this was the key to growing my business. I was right – but what I didn’t know was that the biggest factor in my success wasn’t found in the client interface, but in the Pictage forums.
As a new photographer, I found (and still find) the Pictage forums to be one of the best sources of information – for everything from business practices and legal issues to lighting tips and creative engagement sessions. The forums allow an amazing community of photographers to interact and share their knowledge, provide candid opinions and offer encouragement and advice on absolutely any topic.
The Pictage forums helped me understand the wedding photography industry, which was extremely valuable to me as a new photographer on the scene. The Ask & Learn sessions encouraged me to think about topics I never would have considered on my own. I learned more than just tips and tricks of the trade. I learned how to transform my business into a wedding photography experience that values details, fosters relationships, and allows for creativity.
If you haven’t yet visited the Pictage forums, check it out at forums.pictage.com. Some of my favorite things to view include:
• Ask & Learn: live chats with leading photographers.
• Opportunities and Referrals: posts about wedding and portrait opportunities all over the country.
• Share Your Images: see photographers’ favorite images and share your own for great feedback.
• PUGs: updates about local Pictage User Groups.
• Pictage Business & Products: special announcements about new Pictage services, and a way for you to provide suggestions and feedback – and get a response.
Apart from the products and services Pictage offers, the community of helpful and talented photographers is what really sets them apart from other providers. I always tell people that partnering with Pictage was one of the most important business decisions I have ever made – and I mean it. The Pictage forums helped transform me from a girl with a camera into a creative photographer with vision, passion and respect for the amazing community of photographers… waiting to meet you on the Pictage forums!
Thank you Erica for joining us on the Pictage Blog!
Check out some of Erica’s work below and on her blog!
Featured Blog Post: Written By Erica May Short of Erica May Photography (Pictage Member)
