How to Raise Money for a Photography Project with Kickstarter

Photography Tips

If cost is holding you back from carrying out your dream photography project, you may be able to find supporters to help you get started. Careful planning increases the likelihood that you’ll find eager financial backers. Stephanie Pereira, art program director for Kickstarter, presents a primer on how to launch a campaign to fund your creative venture:

During the video, Pereira explains the nitty-gritty of the Kickstarter process. There are a few guidelines regarding the types of endeavors that can be launched using the site, but the main requirement is that the project fit into one of 13 categories, which include photography, art, comics, dance, design, fashion, film & video, food, games, music, photography, publishing, technology, and theater. In addition to discussing the housekeeping aspects to starting a project, she emphasizes the key steps to take to create a successful campaign:

• Create a compelling project video. Impactful intro videos are presented from a first person perspective, last about two minutes, and tell your story in a sincere way.
• Offer valuable rewards that get better as the pledge increases. Typical rewards include a copy of the final project (film, book, etc.) and/or invite participation (invitation to be an extra in a video or to attend a recording session, etc.).
• Give project updates to contributors. Let them know how things are going and your expected completion date.
• Grow your network. Most pledges come from people you know, so you need to get them involved and excited enough to share your story with others.
• Send personal thank you notes to your backers. Express your appreciation and let them know that their involvement is crucial to your success.

Watch the video above for more details that will put you on a path to successfully funding your photography project.