Community
Need Help?
If you've found this site, it tells me you are a photographer looking for answers to one or more of these questions:
Have you just started your business, but not sure if you're doing it right?
Are you losing jobs to other photographers who undercut you or clients who don't value your talent?
Are you just starting to get bigger jobs, but not sure how to produce them or how much to charge?
Are you just getting into the industry and aspire to be a paid professional photographer, but don't know where to start?
If you've answered yes to any of these questions, then you're in the right place and I am excited to help you.
Welcome to Photo Authentic
Hi, I'm Lincoln Barbour and I have been a commercial photographer for over 21 years. I'm still a working pro today and run an architectural photography studio based in Virginia.
Now, I'm ready to share my knowledge and experience with you so that you can have a shortcut to a steady, successful photography business that fits your lifestyle doing the work you love to shoot.
It's well known that good business advice is hard to come by, especially for commercial photographers. There's a lot of mystery about how the commercial photography industry works.
Like...
...how much to charge
...how usage fees work
...how to do large production shoots
...and how to find commercial clients!
No other business coaches have the experience that I have to really know what it takes to be successful at commercial photography.
Theory is great and all, but someone with actual hands-on experience in the field for over 2 decades is very rare. I've done shoots from $250 up to $450,000. I've seen it all and haven't failed once.
I can teach you what worked for me.
Here’s a brutal set of statistics:
20% of photographers fail in their first year of business.
30% of photographers fail in their second year, and 50% of photographers fail after five years in business.
Finally, 70% of photographers fail by their 10th year in business.
It doesn't have to be this way for you.
I have been a commercial photographer for 21 years and counting! I am happy to share with you why my business hasn't failed in all that time.
Plus, learning directly from a seasoned professional gives you a huge advantage over other photographers trying to do it on their own.
I've looked at all the best online courses, coaching programs, estimating help, and coaching services for commercial photographers, and this is what it could cost to do them all a la carte:
$649 - New York Institute of Photography Business for Photographers Course
$249 - Commercial Photographer's Resources 520pg Guide to Commercial Photography
$149 - Creative Live Annual Membership
$150/hr - Wonderful Machine Estimating Consultation (2-3 hours per estimate)
$2400 - Annual Costs for Monthly Coaching Calls with a Professional Coach
It would cost you $3,897 to do all of these things, plus ongoing costs of up to $450 for every estimate you need help with.
I will do everything above and more for as little as $99/per month.
So for less than half of all these other services, you can get the help you need to grow your photography business.
" A journey of a thousand miles begins with a single step "
— Lao Tzu