Get Connected: DPS Update -- Blog Power, Why You Should Have a Photoblog

I got this Digital Photography School update in my email today about the importance of maintaining a photoblog for amateur and professional photographers alike. In this article Natalie Norton discusses how creating a personal photography weblog can help you hone your skills as a photographer, and I wholeheartedly agree. Networking through my blog has allowed me to come in contact with fabulous peers and colleagues from all over the world who offer inspiration and guidance. I feel obligated to create the best work and give the most up-to-date information for my readers and I'm so proud to have all 12 of them and hope to have more as I continue blogging. You guys rock! I met photographer and fellow blogger Dave Scott (check out his site at Business for Photographers) through my photoblog, and he has been a great resource for my burgeoning photography career. As a matter of fact, Dave featured one of my photos (see below) from a recent fashion show in his blog and I can't wait to highlight some of his.

Here are highlights from Natalie's article. Visit the DPS for more informational articles.

10 Reasons to Set Up a Photoblog

Here are 10 reasons you may want to consider getting a photo blog of your own, particularly if you really are serious about becoming a notable photographer and/or making the jump to the status of professional.

1. It’ll Turn Up the Heat
2. Track Your Progress
3. Feedback
4. Marketing
5. Publicity
6. Relationship
7. Announcements (Pay special attention to this one. I think this is a great idea! Thanks Natalie, and I look forward to trying this one out)

"I commonly get people asking me how I built my portfolio so quickly. Well, here you go: I announced promotions (and hosted give aways) on my blog. When I noticed that I needed to do more head shots to plump up that aspect of my portfolio, for example, I did a post on my blog offering one lucky winner a free head shot sitting. Then I offered discounted sittings to 3 other readers ($30 for a half hour down from $100). I quickly had filled the discounted slots and booked a handful of other clients at full price. It was astonishing. It all happened within the space of a couple of HOURS. Lets say you’re not really prepared enough to be charging but are desperate for experience. In the VERY beginning, when I had JUST bought my first DSLR, I spread the word that I was looking to gain experience and would be happy to photograph families for their Christmas cards for free. I was RIDICULOUSLY BUSY for about a month before Christmas that year. It was a fantastic way to get some experience under my belt in a relatively short amount of time. I know it seems crazy to give away so much time for free, but I’ll tell you what, I was so passionate, so desperate to learn about photography, I probably would have paid THEM to LET me take their pictures. Actually getting out and SHOOTING is FAR more effective in my opinion than any class you could take. EVER."
8. Networking
9. Testimonials
10. It’s Plain ol’ Fun