The amount of times I have heard myself and other students say "How on earth does any body make money from photography". We were answered today.
Adrian Heapy photography has been established since 1976, his studio is now based within a 8000sq.ft. space in Belper. Adrian began life as a photographer taking and selling black and white portrait shots at a holiday destination. From there he studied a City&guilds qualification in photography and slowly began to pick up work.
He now works for clients all over the UK and internationally. He describes himself as a jobbing photographer, not specialising in a certain area but taking the work that is offered to him. His portfolio ranges from food photography, jewellery to industry and room sets.
At his studio he showed us first hand the amount of work, preparation and organisation that it takes to go into not only completing a job but running a photography business.
A small percentage of time within the studio is spent taking photographs the rest of the time is taking up planning a shoot, communicating with clients, searching for props, building sets, working with stylists or designers,
He now works for clients all over the UK and internationally. He describes himself as a jobbing photographer, not specialising in a certain area but taking the work that is offered to him. His portfolio ranges from food photography, jewellery to industry and room sets.
At his studio he showed us first hand the amount of work, preparation and organisation that it takes to go into not only completing a job but running a photography business.
A small percentage of time within the studio is spent taking photographs the rest of the time is taking up planning a shoot, communicating with clients, searching for props, building sets, working with stylists or designers,
Photographers are known for being collectors but Adrian puts this to use. With a huge collection of items from rocks and shells to doors and windows which allow him to easily add in props for a shoot at no extra cost to him. Cost is obviously a big part of running a business, over priced costing and be the difference between getting a job and not. Yet at the same time the business needs to earn enough to keep going.
I had heard people talk about being a photographer and running studios before but to be in the environment, see the ins and outs. You begin to see clearly how the process has evolved from brief to set built, to styling, props, lighting and shooting. To then be shown how they post product images for the final result was interesting too. It seems that listening to Adrian talk, in the style that he works, not tying himself down to a particular genre of photograph he needs to be a man of many skills.
Furniture and room shoots he builds the sets from scratch. For a cookbook he bought all the ingredients and cooked the dishes before photographing them. Of course the costs for all material and ingredients get passed onto the client, which in some cases could result in the price being less than bringing in a professional chef, or set builders.
This is something else he hinted on, knowing your client, knowing what they can afford. But also educating clients, to what is possible, for the money they are offering or for the expectations they are asking.
After the visit I find the idea of working in a studio a little more interesting than I had previously. I think the idea of being creative and making things draws me in but it's not the type of photography I see myself taking. However I am thinking a lot about life after education and my biggest concern at the moment is kit and working space. I'm still torn if to continue onto the top up year. I have a couple of projects in my head that I want to start working on. After today I am considering looking for studios to offer my time to, in order to gain experience, confidence and the opportunity to work on some personal projects.
