The photo business class developed this list of questions as a starting point for questions to ask a pro in their field of photography. Several student had a good experience with this assignment and you can read the results in the Pro Interview page of their Blog.
QUESTIONS FOR PROFESSIONALS
Select a minimum of 10 Questions to ask you pro and make careful notes of their response to each question. Try to to get them to expand more than a simple yes or no answer!!
Type the questions and then the response for each question that you ask.
- How do you advertise?
- What is the most effective type of advertising?
- How do you go about finding regular clients?
- Do you have a rep? Do you show your own portfolio??
- What are the key ways you would attract new business?
- What are your staff, freelancers, contract labor, and assistants?
- How much would you figure it costs to have an employee?
- Where do you find your employees?
- How much would you expect to pay a full time employee?
- How long did it take to get your business started?
- Did you assist or intern? and
- What was your opinion of the value of it?
- What did you take from the experience?
- How did you get your foot in the door? (How did you get started
- What was your first job in photography
- Do you use interns or assistance?
- What qualities do you look for in an assistant or intern.
- What are the qualities of an employee that really turn you off??
- Do you have creative freedom with the pictures you take or are they dictated by the people who pay
- In today’s world is it difficult being a woman in the photography business?
- How do you handle clients that want the digital files or want to buy all rights to your photos?
- Should a beginning photographer go out cheap? Giving promos, and handouts, to get our work out there?
- Is there value in being a member in professional organizations?
- What professional organizations do you recommend??
- Have you ever made a business decision that you regret doing?
- Who was your mentor or inspiration to become a photographer?
- What do you consider your keys to success?
- Do you do your own accounting?
- Do you use business software?
- What camera and equipment do you use?
- Do you hire someone for your website maintenance or do you do it yourself?
- Do you print your own images?
- What labs do you use to print your images and why?
- How do you present your work to your clients?
- How did you come about determining your pricing and what you charge your clients? Have your choices been successful?
- How many different clients do you handle in a year?
- What does your average wedding package cost?
- What products do you include in your wedding packages?
- How are you marketing your wedding photography?
- What is your average portrait order?
- Do you feel that digital photography has had a positive or negative influence on your business.
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