To Be or Not To Be this is the question!!

When is it ok to tell a client that you do other types of photography outside of your major?

One of the biggest problems I have had as a Fashion Photographer (outside of the technical issues) has always been when to discuss the various types of photography you do. Unless you tend to be a commercial or general photographer, it is not always easy to tell this to a client. They want dedication to your craft, no landscapes as if you have time to shoot these, then you should do more fashion and try new ideas?

It was suggested to me by various people in the industry that to specialise is a focus, people would take me more seriously if I only focused on one aspect and in my case this was and is fashion. I also shoot landscapes, commercial and do a lot of retouching and post production. In London a focus is necessary, however I now shoot what I want and sell it into the various niches of photography and I do this by creating separate brands and sites to promote each one of them.

This last year I have seen this work very well, selling panoramic Landscapes into hotels, cars, interiors etc into various agencies and the fashion site only being my brand name has been built up around my work. It has gone well and not interfered with my specialism(Fashion). I know what you may think, too much effort, too much cost, never knowing what hat to wear? However I would recommend this to anyone who wishes to work as "A Photographer" and has a definite bonus scheme. You just need to learn how to manage clients and know what to say when asked.

I now have an Art brand, Fashion Brand, Commercial/Advertising Brand and a retouching brand amongst others. Not for the faint hearted but well worth it. The biggest bonus I think is when you can cross reference to the other work and dmonstrate this. I have mangaged to pick up extra contracts becasue of this.

One last brief point is this. Whilst it is great to win business in one area, the days of a specialist surviving are now less and diversification is key. At least a basic knowledge of Photoshop is needed. If you don't know it , I would suggest try to learn or if you do know it learn more than the basics, such as cut, paste, brightness and contrast. Even now I feel I have a reasonable level of PS skills there is so much more to learn but you know what? it gives you the edge over many others who don't use it or use it well.

This is only my opinion based on my own experience.