Michelle Daly-DeSchryver is a freelance photographer based in Reno, Nevada. She graduated from the University of Nevada and immediately started to look for any jobs in which she could practice her art. Over time, she developed enough skills and a network that allowed her to start looking for clients on her own. Her career as a freelancer had begun. Early on, and even continuing now, she has found many clients that need her skills for commercial photography. Here are three ways to find commercial photography clients:
Michelle Daly-DeSchryver still lives and works in Reno.
- Judge your portfolio. Take a long, hard, emotionless look at your photography portfolio before you start showing it to any companies. Looks for pictures that showcase your ability to capture people and things that could be used for ads. For example, a man on a sandy beach isn’t selling anything, but a man listening to music on a waterproof device on the beach… there’s a product there.
- Research and seek out local clients. Michelle Daly-DeSchryver and other freelancers seek out local clients first because it’s easier to meet in person with their representatives. The chances are also higher that they will keep feeding you work in the future if they know you live close and are reliable.
- Actively market yourself. Too many freelance photographers sit by their phone and wait for clients to call. Michelle Daly-DeSchryver learned early on that if she was going to find commercial photography clients, she was going to have to reach out and find clients regularly. Make a point to reach out to clients and market yourself directly to them as often as possible.
Michelle Daly-DeSchryver still lives and works in Reno.