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Hilliard Photographics News Release

PHOTOGRAPHER INCREASES BUSINESS DURING ECONOMIC DOWNTURN WITH UNIQUE BLEND OF NETWORKING AND INTERNET MARKETING

Elkhart, Ind. – Joseph Hilliard, president and owner of Hilliard Photographics, is diversifying and growing his business during tough economic times. In a period when many photographers are struggling as marketing budgets evaporate, Hilliard used the Internet and his network of satisfied customers and contacts nationally to expand his business into new market niches.

Hilliard, who depended heavily upon providing photography to the automotive, marine and recreational vehicle industries up until three years ago, has followed leads he has generated off the Web to reinvigorate his company. “We’ve changed our focus to commercial and high-end residential architectural photography which was always one of our specialties. We now shoot almost exclusively for architectural firms, developers, builders and major manufacturers within those industries—such as window and door or power tool companies—all over North America,” said Hilliard.

Hilliard went on to explain that he takes the time to attend major industry shows, such as the recent International Builder’s Show in Las Vegas, Nevada. “It just makes good business sense to attend these shows. I then take some time to meet with architects, corporate marketing people and developers—all who attend the show. We make a point to drive all of our contacts and prospects to our website where we showcase our portfolio,” he said.

His website, www.josephhilliard.com is equipped with an up-to-date blog as well as an online architecture gallery. Hilliard likes to think of the website as a means to have a gallery available 24/7 for the whole world to see. He is constantly updating and changing the site to improve his exposure. The blog on the site is a great way to show clients where he has been because it is important for people to know the degree of Hilliard’s travels and where he will be traveling in the near future so they can schedule photography. The website is also fully optimized which makes it readily available through search engines.

In addition to a new website and blog, Hilliard has recently released a pod cast that was the result of an interview with Building Systems Magazine. The pod cast is accessible on his website. Utilizing these new technologies help Hilliard promote his photography as well as further establish himself as a well-known architectural photographer. As word spreads and his reputation strengthens, new industry niches unfold.

Even within the realm of architectural photography, Hilliard has already established himself as an expert in the genre of shooting a particular type of custom home. “As we began to shoot large custom log homes all over the country, builders submitted our photos to the log home magazines. The editors liked them so much that we now shoot on assignment for many of these magazines.”
A special “Tear Sheets” link in the gallery section on his website allows customers to view the many cover shots and articles that feature Hilliard’s photo journalistic work.

Because of his extensive travel schedule, Hilliard is often able to save clients considerable money by sharing travel costs between multiple clients.

As his company’s reputation grows, he has also begun to attract international attention. “A state-of-the-art custom home we shot for a domestic magazine resulted in our photos appearing in a Russian magazine. There really is an entire world of opportunity out there if you can just reach out and make contact,” concluded Hilliard.

Hilliard has been operating Hilliard Photographics in Elkhart, Indiana, since 1975. Specializing in photography for commercial and residential architects, builders, developers, manufacturers of recreational vehicles and boats, construction and home products manufacturers, and log homebuilders, as well as in-studio product photography for a wide variety of industrial and manufactured parts and products. For more information about Hilliard Photographics, call (574) 294-5366 or check out an online portfolio at www.hilliardphoto.com or the flash gallery website at www.josephhilliard.com.

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