This past weekend (well, Friday and Saturday…what do you call that?) I had the chance to speak at the Problogger Training Event. I presented a session on photography for sponsored posts and as I developed the slides (designed so wonderfully by my awesome International Branding Coordinator, Meredith) it became clear that what I really needed to talk about was a slightly bigger topic, The Business of Blog Photography.
Since the event was bringing together bloggers and industry leaders who want to discuss blogging as a career (or at least a compensated hobby), I wanted to make sure that the visual-creative bloggers were not just swept under the rug with a promise of a linkback/credit for all of their hard work. It is such a pleasure to see photography being recognized as an important component to to world of blogging by Darren and his amazing team at Problogger. For far too long, photography has been an afterthought at most blogging conventions and the lack of understanding and education out there results in companies placing no value on the time and talent required to produce imagery and/or blogs assuming that borrowing content from a photographer’s site, Pinterest or Google Images for their own use (often without even asking first) is not only legal, but the normal thing to do. This was a great chance to get the conversation started so that we can move forward to build the photo-blogging industry on a solid foundation of good business practices in this time of new media opportunities.
The combination of the talk that I did here and the one on Better Blog Photography for Nuffnang’s Blogopolis are turning out to be a fantastic resource for Bloggers. I am hard at work blending them together now and wanted to gauge the interest in having the new and improved (expanded with details and tips) PDF available as an ebook for purchase. From the theories of lifestyle photography and visual storytelling through content creation for brands, the business side of presenting to clients and protecting your blog photography business with the proper paperwork, I think this will be a simple, yet essential guide to get you started and to keep things going in a truly professional manner.
Leave a comment here or drop me an email and let me know the issues you may be having that you would like to see covered in the guide.
I want to say what a wonderful event the Problogger Training weekend was. I left feeling so excited about the future of blogging here in Australia and was amazed by the talent and kindness of the people who are making it happen. It was lovely to be surrounded by 300 passionate bloggers and industry types. Thank you, Problogger for the opportunity to be a part of it all! I learned so much from the sessions I sat in on. We are so lucky to have such a valuable resource right here in Australia!
If you were at my talk in Melbourne, I mentioned that I would post a link to the Australian copyright information for photographer and here that is!
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I don’t really have any personal issues apart from dreaming about making some money from my photography and writing, but there’s a thread on a forum I saw recently about a blogger trying to source photos for her blogging.
While taking photos and using them is natural for you and me, it’s not for every one. So would there be any tips on someone like me (an amateur photographer) being able to create a photo library for bloggers to buy photos for instance. Or you could look at it from their angle, taking and using their own photos. I’ll be interested to see what you come up with.
Hi Jen,
Since I have written a whole book on photography, I doubt there would be much about the technical details. I would not want to re-write that nor compete with my own work for sales. I will however include more detailed information on lifestyle images and what that means. I did talk about my must-haves at Nuffnang’s Blogopolis and a simple setup using the light source EVERYONE has in their home… That will be included. I will also be going into the importance of visual storytelling and what that means. This is really feeling more like a guide than a proper ebook with lots of writing. I see it as really simple design with lots of tips and information to think about in the business of blogging photography. If people are looking for beginner level instruction, I am more than happy to mentor them while they read Beyond Snapshots!
ooooooh yes I’d buy the e-book! I’d just love some advice from a photographers point of view to the rest of us:)
corrie:)
Cool, Corrie!
yes yes yes!!! do i sound ecstatic, just a tad bit ;o)
I would love to know how to create story telling posts. Do you set it up, workflow…the behind the scenes stuff.
Would you be interested in translating it to French. I know a lot of bloggers that would love to read it
I’m game!! =)
If only link backs and photo credits would pay the bills! Thanks for putting emphasis on the work we do.