Ask An Agent / When is the new book out?
Ask an Agent is a regular monthly feature answering your questions about the business of photography– the photography industry’s first Agony Aunt! If you have any questions you’d like to ask a photographers agent please send them to hello@lisapritchard.com. Questions can be on anything to do with the photography business, such as photoshoots, marketing, professional practice, pricing, contracts, legal stuff – anything.
This month Lisa gives us some insight into her new book, coming out next week!
Dear Ask an Agent,
Someone mentioned that you have a new book coming out soon. I loved your first book ‘’Setting Up a Successful Photography Business’’, so the suspense is killing me, what’s this new book then and when’s it out!?
Larry Milton
Hi Larry,
Yes I’ve dropped a couple of hints recently that I have a new book coming out but was holding back a bit until it’s available. However, I’m very excited to let you know that the new book ,which is called ‘’Running a Successful Photography Business’’ ,will be finally available next week, on April 6th !
I’ll be posting some excerpts over the next few weeks here on the blog, but in summary: ‘’Running a Successful Photography Business’’ (published by Bloomsbury) is a sequel to my first book. As the preface states:
‘Running A Successful Photography Business is the definitive business bible for every professional photographer. A one-stop resource covering everything you need to know to make your business a success.'
This handy book contains guidance on all the key areas including: fine-tuning your brand, attracting new clients and keeping existing ones, costing and producing shoots, professional ethics and codes of practice, preparing a business plan and operating your business effectively, legal obligations and contracts, agents and agencies, plus how to evolve and prosper in this ever changing industry. Everything a working photographer needs to know in order for their business to flourish.
The book also contains a goldmine of resources including several invaluable business templates and checklists, an address book and of course, superb photography.''
As with my first book, it’s not just based on my opinions and advice, although there is a fair bit of that. I’ve gathered together some fantastic contributing photographers from many different niches including Fine Art, Photojournalism and Documentary, Wedding, Animals, Family Portraits, Stock, Celebrity and Editorial, Equestrian and Adventure, PR and Events, and of course my specialist area - Advertising.
In fact, one of the things that I found most enjoyable about writing the book was collecting the sound bites and comments from these contributing photographers, there are some real gems! In answer to my question- ‘What does it mean to run a successful photography business?’’, for example, the wonderful Chris Floyd had this to say…
‘’Bob Dylan said it best: “A man can define himself as a success if he gets up in the morning, goes to bed at night and in between does as he pleases.''
Photographically, to be doing work that is inspiring, enjoyable and which also provides a living is enough for me. I’ve done extremely well paid work that was a tedious chore, I’ve done extremely well paid work that was incredibly inspiring and I’ve done badly paid work that was also inspiring. I just try to avoid tedious chores like work that is badly paid.’’
Chris Floyd, portrait photographer.
Sir David Attenborough © Chris Floyd
So watch this space and grab your copy whilst stocks last!!
Whether you’re a creative director or a student, a photographer or a designer, an art buyer or an assistant, if you have any questions you’d like to ask a photographers agent please send them to hello@lisapritchard.com and we’ll answer as many as we can!
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