Creating Your Photography Business Niche

For today’s working professional photographers, the combination of a crowded market coupled with a tough economy has translated into pros casting a wide net when it comes to what they shoot.  Many have become all-purpose photographers, which is a wise strategy and can bring new jobs that might have otherwise been missed.  However, for some, specializing one’s services can bring new clients while strengthening skills in a specific field.

When does specializing in a niche make sense?  Well, for one, it can help launch a new side business while remaining engaged in a full-time career.  Many people dream of going pro but the realities of providing financially for their families means that taking such a risk without a regular income is simply not an option.  Being a niche photographer means that focusing on one area of expertise-usually one that the photographer is passionate about--is easier to fit into a full working schedule while still allowing one to remain connected to photography. 

Specializing in a niche also allows the photographer to become more attuned to the unique demands and nuances of that particular area of expertise, which can translate into a competitive advantage.  When one spends a great deal of time working in a niche market, the photographer becomes an expert in that market and can position herself as such to others in that field.

There are numerous niches to consider such as architectural photography, real estate photography, corporate portraiture, product photography, event photography and more.  Each market has its own demands, challenges and opportunities but any one can be a door that opens to larger projects down the road.