1) Don’t go after something that is not in your portfolio if you cannot back it up with hardcopy or a client’s website. For example: I will do architectural work but you will never find it in my portfolio. However when I go after A client for interiors or exteriors I can refer the potential new client to an existing clients site for a reference to my abilities.

2) Always carry a portfolio with you. Have a hardcopy in your car, and since we are in the fantastic age of ipods and high resolution cell phones that have large memory capacities, keep images on a device you can keep in your pocket for quick viewing. You never know where you will run into a potential new client. More importantly, you never know when you will need backup to be taken seriously, remember… there are alot of people that bought DSLR’s and decided to call themselves photographers without a modifier like “hobbyist”.

3) Stop using e-mail to try and get work. While e-mail is a great communication tool, it doesn’t usually result in new work unless you are responding to the question, “Can you send me a link to your portfolio?”. Sometimes you will get very lucky, but most of the time it is better to be face to face for introductions to new clients. Everyone is sending these people e-mail, showing up is by far a better introduction, and showing up portfolio in hand shows preparedness. If your client is too far from you, say in California with you in New York, send a portfolio to them. Always remember to send return packaging so your portfolio will be returned to you, and lastly… Everyone is sending black portfolios, make sure yours stands out. Make it by hand out of wood, have hard bound books printed at a site like LuLu, use liquitex matte medium to attach a picture to the front of it, get creative and crazy… Get noticed.

4) Maintain your professional image, as well as your images. DO NOT shoot smut, unless you want to shoot smut for a living and get nowhere with everything else (for example, if you have a girl pulling her panties off in your portfolio, and a Catholic bride is looking for a wedding photographer, your screwed). Don’t wear political t-shirts when you are going to meet a client. Don’t use your cell phone in a meeting, even text messages.

5) Attitude is everything. Talk down to no one, don’t act like you are the world’s gift to photography because you are not. There are thousands of us in the world, and attitude can separate you from people that are intolerable. The client is paying you for your vision, yes… and you do own your ©, but there are always diplomatic ways to handle any situation, you don’t have to be a jerk.

Happy Shooting!