This was suggested to me by my good friend Warren, who is a dentist and doing the math, it would be a small gold mine for anyone willing to stick their necks out just a little. Most wedding photographers shoot on Saturdays, so this could be a great way to make some additional cash during the slow season.
Cosmetic Dentistry is one of the most lucrative types of dental treatment, and one of the best ways to market a dentist’s skills is to use before and after shots. This is what you can do:
Invest in some nice business cards, make sure to have a picture of a very nice smile on it, your name contact information and the title “On Call Dental Photographer”. According to Warren, most dentists don’t want to mess with learning cameras, playing with Photoshop or optimizing for the web, but they DO want the pictures. Charge at least $25 for each shot (thats $50 for a before and after) and offer additional Marketing services such as a digital frame they could display in their waiting room, a before and after album of all the clients they have worked on, pamphlet design, etc.
Make sure you talk with each dentist, preferably in person, and give them one of your cards. The idea is that they will call you and set up an appointment every time they need a picture taken. You will know immediately if they are game or not. If you get 3-5 local dentists on board- it could really add up. Think about it, shooting 8 x $25 shots a day = $200 a day, or $1000 a week. As a job, its going to beat a lot of other jobs.
How likely is a dentist to hire you? Well, Warren says if there is someone in his area (Idaho) who did it, he would hire them immediately.
🙂
Excellent idea Mike. I don’t know if I had ever told you this, but this is what I do for the Orthodontist that I work for. Well, a variation of it. A macro ringflash and wide angle macro lens are invaluable. There are also an assortment of cheek retractors and specialty micro attachments that come in real handy for cosmetic as well as general dentists.
i am a little confused…so why would the dentist hire you to take a "before and after" of his/her clients? once he has one picture, he can show it over and over again. please elaborate. maybe i misunderstood it.
George, Doctors keep photographs of this type on your permanent record. Just information to keep on a patient’s progress as well as a reminder to show how far a patient has come with treatment. They can also be shown to potential patients as a way to say, "Hey, we fixed this person’s teeth imagine what we can do for you!"
There are multiple uses for these types of photos. I really don’t know how much of a market there is for a freelance dental photographer. Most of the established Dentists that I know and work with have people in house for these types of shots. The market I would think would be with new dentists coming right out of school.
pete, that makes sense. thanks for the clarification. not a bad idea and (if it works), it can at least pay for the equipment.
I actually have a friend in idaho who would be interested in doing this, if your friend Warren is in her area and if he needs someone, would you mind telling me where he lives?
Sure Meredith, just email me. Thanks!
This is a great idea. Thanks Mike. I have a Canon 40D. What kind of lens would I need for this? I currently have a Tamron 17-55mm. Will that do?
should work. Make sure you have a flash and you practice with your settings enough to be able to do it in any lighting situation.