Defining Your Niche as a Photographer

This is a very important topic i would like to discuss for up and coming Photographers . I learnt the hard way that defining your niche is very important for business, and to get ahead of the curve in the world of photography.

I too, dabbled in everything when starting out. Back then i just needed to stay afloat and i enjoyed doing most types of photography like fashion, people , lifestyle etc . But as time passed i realised i couldn’t hone any one skill. It was like Jack of all but master of none. Then one fine day I took my portfolio to a very respected creative director and his words really struck a chord. He didn’t show any genuine interest in my work as he thought there was too much to see . After that meeting, as a creative person i was down in the pits (as its hard for creatives to digest criticism). From then on I realised I need to play to my strengths. I went through my portfolio and after a lot of feedback realised that food and still life is something I was best at. I started to shift my focus in that direction and since then have created a niche for myself.

Today when i get calls for shoots for interiors , weddings , etc i politely decline even though I may not have much business that month. I realised, the best way forward to create a good market & to command a price, is to stick to a niche and be the best at it. You remember Annie Leibovitz for fashion , Ansel Adams for landscapes and thats how it should be, don’t you agree?

Shot for Jooal Jewellery

So to all the beginners , its ok to try and dabble with a lot of things, but once you discover your strengths, build your vision and chase that direction. Your niche can be broad like mine or just as detailed as shooting only splashes or beauty . But once you hone your niche, people will take notice, that i guarantee.

so just putting up one of my favourite jewellery pics on this post as i cant have a photography blog without a photograph;-)