Find Your Photography Niche: You Don't Have To Master It All
As the saying goes, “A jack of all trades is a master of one.” Photographers feel a lot of pressure to do it all. Since you use the same design concepts no matter whether you’re photographing a wedding or food, you should be able to seamlessly transition from one subject to the next, right? Wrong. While having photography skills will mean you’re a better photo taker in just about any setting, it doesn’t mean you shouldn’t be the master of your niche.
Niche is a term that’s thrown around a lot in marketing and beyond. Basically, it’s your specialty. It’s what makes you different from your aunt who bought a point-and-shoot camera, and it’s why certain customers will want to work with you. This guide will explore how to find your photography niche, and why you want to in the first place.
Image via Kaboompics
Why Should You Niche Down?
A lot of new photographers mistakenly think that choosing a niche means adding limitations. If you commit to doing wedding photography, is that all you’ll ever be able to professionally get paid to do? The answer is both yes and no.
Some photographers are naturally drawn to different types of images and situations. Maybe you’re passionate about weddings, and you couldn’t imagine trying to photograph a boring landscape. Perhaps just the opposite is true. Either way, this is what makes you unique in your industry.
Let’s be honest: there are a lot of photographers out there. From beginning to professional, there is a lot of competition to get your name seen from the right clients. With the rise of smartphone cameras, it seems like everyone thinks they’re a professional themselves. This all leaves photographers in a tricky situation where it’s hard to find clients in need of their services.
By having a niche, you show your audience that you know what you’re doing. You’re an expert, so to speak, in one type of photography. That’s a lot more marketable than being just a general photographer.
Image via Kaboompics
Finding Your Niche
Now that you recognize why having a niche is important as a photographer, let’s discuss how to actually find yours. In essence, you should do what you enjoy. What are you passionate about? How do you like to frame shots? Do you always use Computer Printed Photography Backdrop by Denny Manufacturing or do you prefer to shoot in nature? These are the questions that will guide you to the right niche.
Just because an industry is trendy doesn’t mean it needs to be your niche. Actually, it’s best to find a niche that isn’t already too crowded. Really narrow your focus. For example, think beyond just wedding photography. There are thousands of wedding photographers in your city alone, but how many natural landscape wedding photographers are there who specialize in the perfect sunset shot? This is how you stand apart.
Don’t be afraid to try different areas of photography on for size. After all, you can’t say you like something until you give it a try. Ask local wedding photographers if you can help out on a local shoot or vice versa for any other type of photography. Experiencing it for yourself is the best way to rule out just what it is that makes you excited.
Final Thoughts
Don’t fall for the pressure to do it all. It’s better to feel really passionate about one thing when it comes to photography. What types of photos do you love to look at? What types of people do you like to take photos of, if you like to include people at all? Once you find your niche, you’ll be more successful at marketing yourself and standing out above the crowd.