Thoughts on Event Photography

[by Kevin Lock]

Are you thinking that Event Photography is a dead end street?  I say you are looking in the rear view mirror.

At first glance, it might appear that event photography is just a way to make money, a way to survive in tough economic times.  Of course there is money involved and it is nice to make but that is not the prize that I am eyeing.
While event photography is not my forte and it certainly does not feed my soul, it does serve my purpose.

Event photography is simply a means to an end.

The means is actually “the opportunity” and the end is a new client that I might not have “reached” if I did not have the stomach to take this journey.

I actively market to events, specifically ‘corporate events.’  Corporate events are easy to research online and have definite deadlines.  They involve people within the corporate world that I am trying to reach and make an impression upon.  They happen all the time and all over the world.

It is my intention is to obtain a new client, and have that client fall in love with me.
Once the love is made and the relationship solidified (thru the documentation of their event, delivering high quality imagery, and the development of a friendly relation that I started and actively sought)… How can they refuse to hire me again?

I have faith that my client will recognize the potential in having me do other types of work, work they were not even considering when we began our journey.

As you take your eyes away from the rear view mirror, pull over, open the passenger door and offer a new client a ride.  I am certain you will be pleasantly surprised as they will embrace a journey into the world of your photography.

Kevin Lock is a National Board member of the ASMP.  When not picking corporate hitchhikers, Kevin can be found shooting corporate events in your home town.

Travel Homework Assignment

[by Kevin Lock]

© Kevin Lock

When traveling abroad, I suggest that you do your homework.  Don’t assume the airline or anyone else will do it for you.  I recently spent a month traveling via Jet Blue’s “All You Can Jet” promotion.  I was on the road photographing places that I had never been.  I visited 4 countries and spent time in 11 cities.  I would have visited 5 countries if I had done my homework.  The last country on my itinerary was Bermuda.  When I landed and attempted to pass thru the Bermudian Customs and Immigration, I was pulled into secondary.  There I was informed that I could not enter their country without a reservation (hotel). After my 3 and a half hour visit to the Bermuda International Airport, I was put on a flight back to the lovely United States.  Lucky for me US Customs did not require a reservation.

Kevin Lock is a National Board Member of the ASMP.  When not being allowed into small countries he finds himself taking pictures out of airport windows. Kevin is currently spending time thoroughly researching his next trip abroad.

Why Even Try?

[by Kevin Lock]

While in college I pursued my dream of becoming a documentary photographer and a photojournalist.  I quickly segwayed into editorial photography. At the time there seemed to be an unlimited amount of opportunity. Magazines and assignment work was in abundance. Every day more and more magazines appeared.

A lot has changed in the 18 years since. Magazines are folding, the budgets have fallen and rumor has it that editorial photography is on a downward spiral. So you may ask yourself “should I even attempt to pursue editorial assignments?” I say “yes… most definitely.”

Shooting for publication is
an important and rewarding part of my business and it can be for yours as well. Here is why:

1) Exposure. Where else can you get free exposure and advertise your business to a targeted audience.
2) Editorial assignments provide a chance to be creative, solve problems on the spot and share your interpretive vision with others.
3) The opportunity to connect with new potential clients; your subject, their company, their peers and their competition.
4) The possibility of a future stock sale.
5) You will be creating new imagery for your portfolio.
6) Staying fresh by keeping busy.
7) Shooting editorial assignments can provide a monthly reminder to your clients that you are busy and in demand.
“Print is dead” they say. I say ” The ezines are coming, the ezines are coming,” and will provide another avenue for editorial Photographers to survive.
9) Lastly, my favorite reason. To get paid to do what we love to do.. take beautiful pictures.

Kevin Lock is a national board member of the ASMP and is currently looking for his next editorial assignment. Coming soon to a newstand near you.

Connect and Reconnect

[by Kevin Lock]

Want to boost your sales.  Connect.  Reconnect.  Build a relationship.

Connect with your clients.  Really connect. Then reconnect. It is not rocket science. Be yourself. You are much more than your art, your imagery or your next possible job. You have to sell yourself. The sales will follow.

If your client likes you, they will recommend you to their peers and their friends. They will introduce you to new opportunities and as the years pass, your connections will most likely move up and eventually on …relocating and changing their own career path. If you have spent the time to connect and build that relationship, well…. that phone will ring.  If you have done your job, they will take you with them.  And since you are already well liked at the job they are leaving… your existing client will continue to hire you. After all isn’t it is much easier to keep the clients you have than to obtain new ones that do not yet know you.

So be yourself.  Sell yourself.  Send them postcards when you travel.  Invite them into your personal world.  Remind them that relationships are the most important thing.  I guarantee you will boost your sales in the long term, and you might just make a few friends along the way.

Kevin Lock is a photographer based in southern California.  He is a national board member of The American Society of Media Photographers.  Contact Kevin at kevin@lockphoto.com

Pack Right the Previous Night

[by Kevin Lock]

For every job, pack as if you were going on a family vacation.  Lay it all out the night before, inspect it, cross it off a checklist and put each item in its proper place.  This will relieve a lot of stress and besides the rest of your creative team will be pleased if you decide to show up at the beach and have not forgotten your swimsuit.

Kevin Lock is a photographer based in southern California.  He is a national board member of The American Society of Media Photographers.  Contact Kevin at kevin@lockphoto.com

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