Zack Arias: If I Had to Start My Photo Business Today

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11 жыл бұрын

Zack Arias feels your pain: he, too, dislikes the businessman part of running your own business. If he could just photograph all day and not worry about the business, he would. Unfortunately, that's not reality -- and Zack learned the hard way.
After almost losing everything to debt, Zack climbed out of the trenches and became the renowned editorial and commercial photographer he is today. In this video, Zack shares his top tips for photographers who are in the midst of starting their own business.
Get Zack's firsthand advice on managing your finances (including not falling susceptible to GAS -- gear acquisition system), finding your niche, expectations for getting your first client, why you should consider doing headshots, and more.
To learn more about PhotoShelter, visit www.photoshelter.com/

Пікірлер: 112

@CuttinChris 7 жыл бұрын

"we can all go out and buy great tools, that doesn't mean we can all go and build a deck" - Zack Arias most polite way I've heard that phrased so using this when someone complains saying I cost a lot!

@hagarthehorrible1391 6 жыл бұрын

I always come back to this and Jared Polin's videos where he shoots people in their workplace with not so great cameras. Cures me of GAS. But in 2018, no need to buy equipment as long as you don't have a need for the equipment on a daily basis. Just rent it!

@walnutstreetphotography1145 7 жыл бұрын

This is still my favorite photography video. Can you get Zack back and ask the same questions so he can update his thoughts?

@curtispowell5481 6 жыл бұрын

Walnut Street Photography yes!!

@jennygw1883 8 жыл бұрын

I first saw this video when Zack published it. At the time I was just starting out. 3 years on and I'm a successful actor headshot photographer and looking to add business portraits to my offering. The information in this video is invaluable. Listening to it again I wish I had followed even more of the advice given. I so appreciate that Zack is so open and transparent, giving his advice freely and candidly. Thank you, Zack, very much appreciated.

@daoquang900 8 жыл бұрын

wow, can you tell more about how you started?

@aaronoverstreet1436 7 жыл бұрын

I recently bought Zack's new publication- Get To Work: Dedpxl Business Primer, and it's blown my mind.. dedpxl.com/product/get-to-work/

@jennygw1883 7 жыл бұрын

thank for the tip off on the book. bought mine right away!

@vincentdelmas2792 7 жыл бұрын

Hey can you confirm his suggestion bout camera and lens are still valuable now i mean 2017. just tested photo with my smartphone but kind of seems that gear doesnt do everything but you can do almost nothing without appropriate one.

@Avat6 4 жыл бұрын

@@jennygw1883 do you reckon this book would be still relevant?

@blackhawkcourt 8 жыл бұрын

know your numbers... NO DEBT! listened to this a year ago...now I'm back at it again gleaning more inspiration! thanks photo life coach! :P

@JediOfTheRepublic 7 жыл бұрын

Debt is ok, if you manage it well.

@sianpearcegordon2234 8 жыл бұрын

This is the most honest and helpful video I've seen on starting up a photography business - fabulous

@ricardosabatino3172 7 жыл бұрын

Thank you Zack... I'm starting as a photographer all the way over in Venezuela and this talk was like finding gold out of nowhere.

@DaveSincere 7 жыл бұрын

This was a phenomenal honest interview. Thank you Zachk for being candid and brutally honest with us and sharing intimate details about what it means to own and operate a Photography business.

@ezebado 7 жыл бұрын

Thank you, thank you, thank you Zack for your true words. You wake up on me the courage to back to photography !

@antonioabrego5713 11 жыл бұрын

lol I love how you get mad on the debt topic. "If you are eyeing anything on B&H...STOP! Just STOP!" haha but completely agree 100 percent!

@DanielWhitaker 10 жыл бұрын

Thanks! Having been in the Nashville music industry, this has been helpful for getting back on target.

@christopher100 9 жыл бұрын

47:28 Best advice in this entire video!

@cakesinthecity 7 жыл бұрын

Solid practical advice and thank you for not snubbing hopeful weekend warriors.

@hwint8119 9 жыл бұрын

Thank you so much Zach. I really found your advice helpful. I had started shooting around this time and wish that I had seen this video first. Regardless this was awesome to listen to.

@melissasmusic100 9 жыл бұрын

Great stuff here! Just getting started myself.I am not a young woman,so knowing it's going to take years to get established is a bit of a hurdle but we all have to start from where we are. Zack I wish you much continued success.

@JUSKOOLKREATIONS1 9 жыл бұрын

This is a BIG BIG game changer, thanks Mr. Zack Arias, blessing flow to U and yours,

@lukystaify 10 жыл бұрын

amazing, thank you zack and photoshelter for sharing this video.

@michaeljurkowski7420 8 жыл бұрын

Very informative! Zack has really helped me out with his advice. I suffered, too, with the obsession with the latest & greatest camera equipment and it turned out I didn't even use half of it! I now have 1 camera body, 1 lens and soon to have 1 flash to build from the ground up. I rent extra bodies or additional lenses until I feel the need that I need to purchase additional lenses depending on the growth of my business.

@JeffreyOakarPhotos 6 жыл бұрын

Great video Zack...really enjoyed it. One small thing I would add onto the "shooting for free" part is that I feel that wedding photography is a special exception to that rule because, whether you are shooting for free or charging 5 grand, if you suck, you suck and the bride and groom are not going to be consoled by the fact that they gave you no money. They will always have bad photos that they will be embarrassed to show people and the fact they paid nothing for them will only make them regret not seeking out a true pro. A beginner MUST assist/intern over a period of time with a professional who doesn't suck and who does charge his or her clients. That way, they can see if high pressure weddings are their cup of tea and they can learn as they go. Wedding photographers should always charge....and they should never do a wedding when they are at that "suck" level you mentioned. Takes time, investment and that's why it ends up paying well for those who pay their dues and develop their skills.

@donavin51 6 жыл бұрын

Wow, very informative!! Thanks so much! Before I just looked for random photo jobs I decided to listen to this all the way through. Now I'm going to do a focused search tonight on head shot clients.

@mrsjuanitabarnard 11 жыл бұрын

You have such a balanced view. I love that you believe in investing back into your clients.

@RayWarren 11 жыл бұрын

Zack you are an inspiration. Your work is superb. Your are honest and generous with your time. Thank you for your advice.

@HarryProudlove 8 жыл бұрын

This is such a good interview. It really gives solid advice that you can build something with and it's as relevant today as it was in 2013.

@GeorgeStar 8 жыл бұрын

Some of the best advice ever! Thank you.

@PubRunner 10 жыл бұрын

i wasn't going to listen to all this but i got sucked into it ... great work and advice ..thanks guys. :-)

@755755AK 10 жыл бұрын

Mr Z. Arias. thanks a lot for your knowledge & ways to start this amazing passion as a business. a fan from SRi LANKA. ;)

@whitesonar 11 жыл бұрын

Thankyou. Zack is an inspiration.

@smokey267 8 жыл бұрын

The amount of awesome in this interview.

@lina6641 6 жыл бұрын

Wow, great tips and knowledgeable advice! Thanks SO MUCH for this!!

@RamaSivamani 10 жыл бұрын

I get Zack's point, although if you have a decent day job and are looking to build a photo business that you are planning on transitioning into down the road then the things that take longer to build may work.

@DanitzaLadwig 7 жыл бұрын

I'm just now getting started in the business of family photography in Houston Texas and have been watching a TON of videos about advice on what to do. This video has resonated the most with me. PURE GOLD. Thank you, Zack!

@vincentdelmas2792 7 жыл бұрын

How are you now ? Do you confirm his suggestion of gear camera and lens is still valuable now in 2017?

@DanitzaLadwig 7 жыл бұрын

I'm excited to say that it's starting to really take off. Regarding gear, etc. it's important to find what you are most comfortable with. I don't have the most expensive cameras and lenses but I find, at this stage in my business, they work great for me. I still stand behind his advice 😊 for anyone who'd like to check out my portfolio, please visit danitzaladwig dot com Thanks!

@vincentdelmas2792 7 жыл бұрын

Thx for thé reply and happy you're in business :) still family photography ? Its very usefull in my opinion to have good photos and vidéos Of our favorites family members. Tell me what gear you are using no secret Dear Dee.

@rydaug79 8 жыл бұрын

I listened to this whole thing. Very good stuff.

@georgeorwell653 11 жыл бұрын

inspirational, sobering, and reassuring. i have a little bit of gas, but i think that i am also on a similar track to what you're describing which is very encouraging. Thanks- you have a new follower...

@ashishsolanki8085 8 жыл бұрын

Thank you so much Zack for all the info. I just want to ask a question that is it necessary to assist an experienced photographer before starting our own?

@teresacesario6247 10 жыл бұрын

We Love you, we can all relate to you and your humble.

@simonwalsh8836 11 жыл бұрын

This is going to sound weird, but it felt like I was listening to poetry there!! Honest and down to earth!! Zack, get your arse over to Ireland!!! :D

@filipemarques78 11 жыл бұрын

thanks a LOT Zack!!

@tamiamphoto 10 жыл бұрын

Thank you so much!!!

@eichlerphoto 8 жыл бұрын

Regarding the basic gear list, I would expand it slightly. Any professional photographer needs a backup body. I suppose you could rent one as needed, but this might be a problem if something comes up on very short notice.

@JediOfTheRepublic 7 жыл бұрын

Lots of professionals don't have a backup. It's safe but not a requirement. This is also when you are starting out. Hopefully you make money to get additional equipment.

@DJVARAO 7 жыл бұрын

Thank you Zack :)

@kieglam4570 4 жыл бұрын

Thank you!!!!

@KennethPurdom 6 жыл бұрын

Zack Thank you.

@matttalsma721 7 жыл бұрын

Great Information...Thank You

@AndrewMay100 8 жыл бұрын

very solid advice well done

@MrFagl 8 жыл бұрын

i feel so gifted now.

@darwn977 5 жыл бұрын

Very good talk.

@itsgian 11 жыл бұрын

Great presentation!

@mhammer977 8 жыл бұрын

Great interview.

@deepdesire6967 10 жыл бұрын

Eric Kim ,street photographer has defied most of the laws of zack.. Eric has no great pics of street photography and all he has done has created a blog about street photography and talking about other great street photographers and today he is the first name appearing on google when you search for street photography.. I rarely see him posting pics and all he does his write about other good street photographers.. Marketing is very imp in this business.. I know so many photographers who are doing well just coz they have expensive equipment and people get impressed by this and give them business.. They print expensive cards,come up with great logo etc.. I know photographers who have made a successful wedding business in a span of just 2 years just by marketing and show off of expensive equipment.. All said and done I will still prefer to listen to what zack says as this is how you can survive in long run..

@CliftonSuperComputer 10 жыл бұрын

I think the key here is experience and being 'smart' from a business sense. Eric Kim is not a bad photographer, but he has centered his basis on the knowledge of some of the greatest photographers of all time. It's genius to have his name attached to famous quotes by famous photographers. He's smart enough to know his shortcomings and work around them. I think that Eric follows most of Zack's rules--he's got a small overhead, he doesn't live lavishly, his gear has paid for itself a few times over if you consider all his workshops and revenue from his website, etc. He was kind of thrust into his position by being laid off, so he followed his dream, happened to be quite charismatic, and he's no dummy when it comes to marketing. Your friends that are successful wedding photographers are most likely good photographers :) Right? I'm sure the flashy gear is icing on the cake, but when the customer looks at the pictures they most likely aren't going to say 'well it was shot with a 1DX so it must be good, right?' LOL :) JK man, I know what you mean. Interesting perspective :) High five for Zack grinding his way to the top!

@christianrobotti 9 жыл бұрын

Deep Desire Yes, I agree with you but Kim isn't making no where near the amount of money Zach is making. Also, time will eventually flush Kim out.

@deepdesire6967 9 жыл бұрын

christian robotti Zack is no where close to Eric Kim when it comes to marketing how can u say Eric kim is not making too much money ?

@christianrobotti 9 жыл бұрын

The context was "shooting photography." Deep Desire

@lanreajisafe2403 9 жыл бұрын

Deep Desire

@JWDanceMusic 9 жыл бұрын

Great presentation, guys! It's been a while since this video was posted and I don't know if anyone's still monitoring this feed, but I wanted to ask how a Sony SLTA65VK, Translucent Mirror DSLR, 24.3 MP, matches up to the Canon 5d Mk- 1 that was recommended in the video? I would be taking head shots and for stock footage contribution. Thank you!

@br4mble 11 жыл бұрын

Three words: Harsh, Honest, Inspiring.

@rockafashionrocks2597 8 жыл бұрын

Hi Zac, Big fan here, love your work and tutorials. Zac, I would like to know if you can share the website where you get the backdrop...I been looking for photobasic or fotobasic and cab't find it. Thank you so much for you tutorials Frank

@heydanijel1735 11 жыл бұрын

great advice

@vincentdelmas2792 7 жыл бұрын

Hi thx a lot for sharing all of this. May we ask for a reactualisation 2017 please ? would you keep up with the 5d mark I ?

@tehr0msii 11 жыл бұрын

wow thank u for this good content that u share

@CharlieSill62VO 8 жыл бұрын

Income less expenses equals profit. May it all be on the plus side #intheblack

@denixio11 7 жыл бұрын

just for "me". he is the bruce lee of photography. i like his photography skills, but i love his photography philosophy. everything makes sense.

@JakraSMourat 9 жыл бұрын

what about selling prints is there anyone doing this

@slaQ83 9 жыл бұрын

If you're gonna save money, and still get the best gear possible, I do not understand how someone can recommend a Mac. or Macbook. Because they are promoted so much in the creative industry, it's almost as if you have to have one if you're in that field. But a pc/laptop does everything a mac does, usually (in my opinion) even better, and especially when it comes to money/quality, there's no way to beat a pc/laptop.

@bolerozo 9 жыл бұрын

If you can do photography as a hobby.

@PsycheFuck 8 жыл бұрын

5D Mk 1 not having video is huge, even though you can get it for like 300 bucks

@JeffMurphy 8 жыл бұрын

Anyone care to update the Gear section for 2016?

@daoquang900 8 жыл бұрын

the same gear set in this video is still suitable now. or you can go with mirrorles cameras like Fuji or Olympus

@spencediggz1 8 жыл бұрын

5D is 400 bucks now..im getting one

@daoquang900 8 жыл бұрын

+spencediggz1 wise choice.. it's the best camera for the money now. its only drawback is limited to 3200 ISO and cannot record video.. but for image quality is super fine...

@spencediggz1 8 жыл бұрын

+Dao Quang I think with magic lantern you can record video no?

@rickjohnson831 7 жыл бұрын

It is a good camera, but so is the Nikon D700 with a 6400 ISO

@antonioabrego5713 11 жыл бұрын

lol "NO BECAUSE YOU SUCK!" "YOUR WORTH FREE! THATS WHAT YOUR WORTH!" lol love it! "your free, your worth free." haha

@DanceFitnesswithfarida 7 жыл бұрын

replay;-) My name is Destra Kaur and I have gear lust.

@traejaxen 11 жыл бұрын

lol This is exactly what i wanted to hear. Thank you Zack! I looked up your lovely songstress wife 25% into the vid and played it over the background, while hearing you talk, it really helped to make it all 'sync' in.tripple dub(dot)youtube(dot)com/watch?v=9l00Ey3n37E

@VideoTronism 10 жыл бұрын

can't really understand the rave reviews of this presentation. I personally would do things differently in regard to most of the suggestions made. This approach is too conservative.

@ambarishs9345 8 жыл бұрын

+VideoTronism not all of us have the luxury to borrow thousands of dollars and try to become a pro photographer and have debts on our heads when we fail . call his approach conservative or whatever , he just saved me thousands of dollars in buying those useless new gears , guess what ? the conservative approach worked 100% fine for me .

@shaolin95 7 жыл бұрын

When was this recorded, 1985? Lol

@thelighthouseunderthestars6209 8 жыл бұрын

Niche is pronounced 'Neesh' not "nitch".

@lebonpoisson 8 жыл бұрын

+The Lighthouse Under The Stars Photography www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/niche

@thelighthouseunderthestars6209 8 жыл бұрын

+Duskangel It's a FRENCH word... pronounce it the French way??

@JediOfTheRepublic 7 жыл бұрын

It's like nails on a chalkboard when someone incorrectly says niche by saying "neesh"

@brianchew9228 6 жыл бұрын

LOL. Yeah. I hear you. It's like how most North Americans pronounce Nikon as "Nye-kon" rather than "Nee-kon".

@JediOfTheRepublic 6 жыл бұрын

Brian Chew that's because North Americans don't remember hooked on phonics lol

@eccentricsmithy2746 8 жыл бұрын

He says the same stuff everywhere he goes. Now 2016 and his latest guess speaker gig is the same story. He isnt offering anything new. Milking the same stuff for years.

@hagarthehorrible1391 8 жыл бұрын

talk about being ungrateful for free advice. Zach is not a stand up comic to come up with new stuff.

@eccentricsmithy2746 8 жыл бұрын

Free advice? Its advice people have known for decades. He isn't telling anyone anything they don't already know. I will be grateful if he gave advice that wasn't said by every other half ass photographer that puts on "workshops" in order to generate a income because they don't have enough photography clients to make ends meet. If they were any good at photography, they wouldn't have time to do workshops and be a "guest speaker" because they would be to busy photographing clients. He doesnt need to be a stand up comic to come up with new stuff. They arent the only ones that have to do it. I come up with new photography stuff weekly. If I can do it, so can he. I watched 4 of his videos, all have the exact same story....