Smart phones give us the ability to capture interesting images at a moment’s notice.  Then, we can deliver the images anywhere in the world within seconds. This has changed photography forever.

Media organizations all over the world depend on cell phone photographs and video to keep up with the demand for instant news coverage.  Local media outlets are looking for regular updates relevant to their coverage area, too.

News organizations and bloggers often turn to the Creative Commons to find free imagery. This is a curse and a blessing.

Many photographers are very upset about how technology, cheap photography, and Creative Commons have affected the photography industry. I’ve felt the frustration and pain, too.

One thing is certain: the technology is not going away.  So, what can a photographer do?

First, if you don’t want people taking your images, don’t share them on the social media sites. If your photograph can be seen on the Internet, even on your website, it can be copied and used elsewhere. If you want to share important images make sure you water mark them first.  At least if someone takes your photographs, they will be advertising you.

It’s time to take advantage of all these changes in technology. I receive calls and e-mails every week via the Internet from prospects looking for a professional photographer. Three of the five largest jobs I did this year came from people using a search engine to find a professional photographer.

Search Engine Optimization (SEO) earns me tens of thousands of dollars every year. While I’ve lost many local photography opportunities due to advances in technology,  I’ve gained many more.

I’m always looking for new methods to strengthen my position in search results.  Social media has played a major role.  Advances in smart phone technology and applications offer even more opportunities.

Although I would never put a breaking news scene or my strongest professional images on Creative Commons, I am willing to sacrifice some images for the link economy.  These are links that support my family through SEO success.

You never know what images people will need for their stories, so, if I see an interesting image on the street or during my travels I’ll snap a photograph with my phone and upload it to Flickr. Sometimes I’ll take B-roll images from an assignment and upload them, too. Later, I give the best photos more detailed descriptions, tags,  and set attribution requests for Flickr Creative Commons.

The attribution is key.  Attribution means if someone wishes to use my image for their website or blog they must give me credit and a link to my website.

Google loves links.

Yes, some people don’t give credit, but the images are of such low value to me that I wouldn’t waste my time tracking them all down.  I have better things to do with my time.

Here is an example of a smart phone photograph I took of an old house in Detroit, how it was used, and the valuable link:

I have multiple websites related to my photography specialties.  You don’t have to be a photographer to make use of this link building method.  If you are a chef you can snap interesting images of  food  and have them attributed to the appropriate website or specific page.

Link building involves many different methods of attracting links. This makes me feel better when I see my newspaper photographer duties being handled by a neighbor with a smart phone.

Rosh

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Rosh Sillars is a metro-Detroit based photographer; co-authored the book, The Linked Photographer’s Guide to Online Marketing and Social Media; and works as a digital marketing consultant, speaker, and university instructor.