Starting your photography journey can be (emotionally) a lot!
I want to help you in anyway that I can. While I do offer mentorships, sometimes you just need help picking which tools to use. That is there this page comes in! On this page you will find a variety of resources for photographer, and personal brands!
This page is here to help you weed out all of the difference services out there and find the best options for what you do! All of the recommendations I mention are personal recommendations, and are things that I use regularly for my own photography business and work process. This page does contain some affiliate links which helps me continue to provide resources like this one, and maintain a free and useful blog.
If you have any questions don’t hesitate to reach out!
Join a Professional Organization!
Professional Photographers of America (PPA)
I cannot recommend joining a professional organization enough! Not only will the resources you gain from them way out weigh the cost of joining, organizations like PPA have amazing community boards, education, events and so much more! Not only does PPA offer all of these benefits, but this can also become your gear insurance. I recommend you read the policy for your own needs, but it is perfect for me personally!
If you choose to join PPA you can use my name for $35 off your first year of membership, which is a great discount especially if you are just starting your photography journey and are in the stage of tackling all the costs that come along with photography. Use my name “Irene Long” and email “irenececiliaphoto@gmail.com” to get the discount when signing up.
Let’s Talk Galleries
ShootProof
Shootproof is my gallery delivery service of choice. When I say I have tried every gallery service out there, I wish I was joking. None of the galleries have ever fit my brand perfectly, until I stumbled upon Shootproof. A rather new (comparatively) service, I do not see myself every leaving it. It is the shrive I use for client galleries, mobile apps, digital contracts, invoicing, and so much more! The best part? They take ZERO commissions from my print sales, so my business is able to thrive and I am able to focus on what matters most, my client and their experience. Before you upgrade to a full account, you can try Shootproof for free! This will become your most important resources.
New to prints?
Mpix
Mpix is a fantastic print option for print newbies! Mpix is owned by Miller’s lab (also an amazing option for photographer!). They have premium quality prints and products, insanely fast shipping, and amazing customer service! Mpix is located in Pittsburg, Kansas.
Clients – if you are looking for prints please go through your photographer. Often times we have relationships with our print shops or we print out own images. This ensures that you are delivered the BEST quality prints possible. If you print from an outside source we have absolutely no control over how the print turns out.
Eventually you will need different gear (or just want to go on a shopping spree, I fully support both options)
KEH
I am a big supporter of shopping secondhand first. I try to be as eco friendly as possible in a field that can create a lot of waste. This is how I initially found KEH.
I am huge fan of all KEH does. I have bought much of my own gear from them.
KEH is a great resource for fining second-hand camera gear at discounted prices.
KEH is also an amazing place to see you old gear. If you have not explored all that KEH does, I highly encourage you explore heir website! They also offer many recourse for photographers.
Coming soon – Check back on this page to find a secret link sharing my favorite finds from KEH!
I hope these suggestions have helped you! I have more coming your way soon! Check back on this page or follow me on social media for updates.