Hockley Photography

When I started marketing my work professionally, one of the resources I found was Google Local, which allows a business to add a free listing which will show up on the Google Maps search and business listings.

Adding your business is simple, just go to the Google Local Business Center and provide some information about your business. In addition to the typical “yellow pages” type information, one can add photos and even offer coupons for visitors who find your business via Google.

I’ve received at least one lead via my Google Local listing. Since it’s free (and only takes a few minutes to set up), there’s no reason why all photographers shouldn’t put themselves on the map (pun intended).

One easy way to add a bit of flare to photos is to avoid taking them from the same viewpoint as everyone else. I once heard this referred to as “6 foot guy with a camera to his eye syndrome.”

Equipment such as a ladder or a boom can help, but even without special equipment, it’s easy to simply hold the camera above your head, or get down to the floor to either get high:

… or get down:

Change it up. Change your perspective.

As I transition from “serious hobby photographer” to “professional photographer”, nothing changes about my desire to share my photographic experiences and thoughts. Hence this blog, which will share a mix of photographic experiences, musings on photographic philosophy, information about equipment, and lessons learned. I previously wrote a blog called Photoschooled which featured a variety of photo-related articles; this will be a continuation of the same theme with the professional/business angle.