Photgraphy for Custom Products?

[QuietMan]

Hey guys, Trying to guage interest/need for photography of custom work...Knives, guns, holsters etc, outdoor products in general.

I have been a portrait photographer for 15 years and I'm looking for a change.

PM me with comments or questions...

Thanks in advance for your input.

[bigmacque]

Hate to say it, but as much as we'd sometimes like to get a professional photographer involved in taking pictures of our 'babies', not sure you'd see a big market for this. I don't think I'd be running around passing out wallet sized photos of my guns.

Just my opinion, don't put too much credit behind it.

[QuietMan]

The idea behind this is for the custom shop that would need images for advertising, websites, trade shows and the like.

[MW surveyor]

There is a market for custom photography in just about any endeavor that creates, manufactures and sells anything. The biggest problem is establishing yourself, getting the word out that you are available and that your work would enhance the product line by sales.

Oleg Volk is one such person that I have seen work with various gun manufactures and for other custom photography.

Good luck. I believe that it is a tough market to enter and make a full time operation. YMMV though.

[QuietMan]

Thanks for the input...this would be in addition to other photography until it is off and running.

[QuietMan]

ttt

[bigmacque]

The idea behind this is for the custom shop that would need images for advertising, websites, trade shows and the like.

That's definitely a different take - for me - on the question, and one that I think has tremendous possibilities. I run our company website, and also supply in-house photos for various print jobs that we use for collateral marketing material. We're always looking for high quality photos with the optimal resolution for printing, web posting, etc.

From that perspective, I'd say just don't limit yourself to guns. Become a photographer that does people's photo jobs with an eye to providing them with a disc full of stuff they can use in different advertising mediums.

[QuietMan]

That's the idea to provide the best possible images for the clients needs...I'm looking to keep it in the area of outdoor products, hunting, fishing, shooting, camping etc.

I know there are companies that already have the consumer products market sewn up and no way to compete with the BIG production houses for that market.

Thanks for the input bigmacque

[Chuck54]

You might find a market for shops that restore high end guns. Do the before and after shots.

Did a favor one time and photographed some L.C. Smith shotguns.....I was very nervous until I got the guns back to the shop.

[jeepster09]

Hate to say it, but as much as we'd sometimes like to get a professional photographer involved in taking pictures of our 'babies', not sure you'd see a big market for this. I don't think I'd be running around passing out wallet sized photos of my guns.

Just my opinion, don't put too much credit behind it.

WHAT You don't love your babies......

[CJB]

Hasselblad, Leica and Canon greetings! Better throw in a Horseman and Cambo too.

[JimBianchi]

I am primarily a protrait/headshot shooter for the past 25yrs, I do a few catalog/product shoots still once in a while for my regular corporate clients.

But since about 2006 or 07, product shoots have dropped by 20% or 30% a year, point and shoot cameras and getting better and better and with site like flichr, photobucket and Facebook doing auto re-sizing when you upload, most small business don't want to pay for great work, they would rather have average photos for free, shot by a staff member.

If/When the economy turns around, or medium size businesses start spending money again, it may pick up, but I ain't holding my breath.

[rwblue01]

I am not a pro, but I am a photographer. I am unimpressed with the photos on most websites.

I would think that good photos would help sell product, but it doesn't appear to be the case. People shop on the good websites and buy from the cheapest.

[QuietMan]

I have been in the industry long enough to know that since digital has come along people's standards in quality photography has declined. They are much more willing to accept what amounts to graininess (pixilation) in images...movie posters and the like are good examples.

[slowpoke]

I'd say there’s a market for it. There's lots of home gamers out there offering products and services to the shooting community that have no idea how to properly present themselves.
Problem is you may have to go out and find them and convince them that you can take there business into a whole new dimension.