Alexander Blake is a 19-year-old automotive photographer looking to start his own business focusing on commissions, exhibitions, and sales of his photographs. He has a passion for vintage and classic cars as well as photography. His business will focus on producing high-quality photographs for automotive publications and enthusiasts. Starting a new photography business will be challenging due to competition, but Blake is dedicated to working hard and gaining experience over many years. He plans to use social media and events to promote his work and find clients.

1. Alexander Blake

2. • I am a budding nineteen year old automotive photographer with a huge passion for vintage and classic
cars as well as photography in general.
• As far as I can remember, I have always had a camera in my hand whenever I could grab hold of one and
when I had the time in which to do so.
• Blending these two interests of mine together in the prospect of possibly earning an income from doing so
at the same time has always been a dream that I have wanted to make a reality.
• My business will mainly focus on producing high quality photographic pieces either for commission,
exhibitions, or simply for automotive enthusiasts who find enjoyment in purchasing high quality artwork
to display in their home/garage/office space.
• Elaborating on the commissions side of my business, I would be in the market to produce work for various
automotive publications such as Evo Magazine, Octane, Practical Classics and many more... My work could
cater for either editorial or commercial aspects.
• As well as producing high quality editorial and commercial pieces for well established companies, I could
possibly create limited edition fine art prints and maybe personal commissions for auto enthusiasts who
want a picture which is especially personal to them.

3. • Obviously starting a new business is always a difficult
task, especially when it comes to getting your name out
there, however, I have identified possible ways in which I
could promote my business.
• Social media: In the technological age, outlets such as
Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, Flickr and
Wordpress/Blogger are excellent ways of promoting
your business, especially as they are free to use!
• Traditional forms of advertising such as business cards
may be a little pricey depending on the quality, but it will
be worth the money in the long term aspect of the
business.
• Events: As my area of photography is in quite a niche
category, I think it would be a wise decision to advertise
some pieces of my work at various motoring events, e.g.
The Goodwood Revival/The Festival Of Speed. I am fully
aware that the fees for a trade stand at any event as
prestigious as the ones I have mentioned, or any event
in this case, will command a high fee for a trade stand as
there will be a high rate of competition between sellers.
In the long run however, I see this as an opportunity to
not only expand my client base, but to interact with like
minded people who enjoy good quality pieces of work.

4. • It is almost certain that any notable industry will
have fierce competition throughout, nothing is
more true than when it comes to the photography
industry.
• I am completely aware that in order to survive in
this ever competitive environment it requires
someone with a strong work ethic, determination
and motivation to succeed.
• Also, I am aware that I won’t gain notoriety as soon
as I pick up a camera and start taking photographs,
it takes years of dedication and perseverance in
order to even hope of being recognised by well
established brands.
• Photography, especially the automotive
photography industry in this case is highly diverse
and vibrant with a range of photographers who are
extremely talented and highly respected in their
craft. Two photographers that instantly come to
mind are Amy Shore of Amy Shore Photography and
GFWilliams, both are highly inspirational not only to
me, but to others, and their dedication and passion
towards what they do is something to be admired.

5. • I’m not going to pretend that setting up and running a business is easy. Most businesses often tend to fail before they have
even began operating, this especially applies to freelance photographers as there are many around the world that are all
competing for and seeking the same levels of success.
• Obviously choosing to work in a highly competitive industry to try and find prospective clients in which to commission pieces
for is going to be difficult as companies will either choose someone who is more established at the current time, or simply,
the work won’t always be constant. However, I am willing to wait a specific amount of time as I believe the rewards will
strongly surpass the risks of not being prepared to wait for more prosperous opportunities to come along.
• Of course waiting for work opportunities to arise for extended amounts of time isn’t wise as it is guaranteed that they won’t
always come up.
• Running parallel with creating commissions for highly established clients, I will also have an online shop and gallery in which
fans of my work will have the opportunity to browse and even purchase my photographs for their own personal pleasure.
Customers will also have the chance to request for me to put on images which aren’t for sale onto the online shop.
• Referring back to my earlier mentioning of social media outlets such as Instagram and Flickr, I will first see if there is a
demand for high quality automotive prints within follower base before I even go about putting my work up for sale.
Personally, I feel that this would be a good move to make as it will gauge just how much demand there will hopefully be for
my photographic pieces.
• Again, referring back to social media, I would reach out to well known motoring media sites such as Petrolicious in the hope
that they would feature my images on either their main website, their Instagram profile and Facebook page as they have an
avid and enthusiastic worldwide following who all share the same interests and passions.
• Website link: http://petrolicious.com

6. • From my perspective, I would say that the photography industry is forever changing from a technological
standpoint.
• Cameras are constantly being updated and upgraded in various different ways, new lenses that are
capable of capturing the smallest of details in the highest of quality are also being developed as well as
lenses that can easily capture images within hundredths if not thousandths of a second are currently being
developed all the time. Higher grade editing software is also being developed almost all of the time to
ensure better quality images for the future.
• I also think that the ways in which photos are taken will change in the near future due to the introduction
of drones into the global market, they will certainly change the way in which we view photographs now
and in the future as they offer a fresh perspective as apposed to most photographs which are taken from
ground or eye level.
• With social media already being a fantastic way in which to share photographical pieces to an online
following and prospective clients, I can only say that as social media networks continue to grow, so will the
numbers of freelance photographers that wish to get into the industry.

7. • A bank loan of £5,000 could help me to purchase various different pieces of essential equipment that would greatly help me
in setting up my business and it would also help me to pay some monthly bills.
• Canon EF 100-400mm f4.5 - 5.6L IS II USM Lens = £1,349
• Apple iMac 4K 21.5” (2015 model) = £1,199
• Adobe Photoshop - Adobe Creative Cloud Photography Plan + Adobe Lightroom = £8.57/month + VAT (20%) (20% of £8.57 =
£0.42) (£8.57 + £0.42 = £8.99/month)
• Gas bill - £88.50/month
• Electricity bill - £53.51/month
• Water bill - £24.79/month
• Camera insurance – £4.49/ month (protectyourbubble.com)
• Petrol costs - £86/month
• Rent = £100/month
• Total cost = £357.28 (every bill that needs to be saved monthly)
• Hourly rate = £50 for 9 hours work = £450