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03/12/2009 04:23:27 AM · #1 |
| So, I am always willing to learn more from someone more experienced than I am, and I have been really enjoying learning about software I was previously unaware of on this site as well as seeing the work of some great photographers here. But I am also really interested in actually shooting some events and possibly getting into that whole business deal. The problem is, I have no idea where to start. I have looked around for jobs for photographer assistants in my area, but I don't know what they require and a lot of the other "assistants" that put themselves out there already have pretty nice portfolios. I'm not really sure where to go from here. I'm certainly not good enough to just jump into things and I don't want to waste any professional photographers' time... but I am very eager to learn the ropes of shooting an event and the business of photography (yeah, I read a ton of articles including ones on this site). So I guess I'm just asking if anyone has any websites or sources that could help me get started? Tips? Anything would be great. Thanks in advance! |
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03/12/2009 09:52:41 AM · #2 |
I've never shared your goals so this is just speculation, but I'd say keep taking photos and building your own portfolio.
Lately I've been taking lots of photos of friends, acquaintances, and coworkers, and emailing them to the subjects for free. I've had several job offers because of this. (I've turned the offers down, because *I* know I'm not ready, and I don't need the pressure.) Of course, the job offers come from regular folks who don't necessarily pay attention to issues of lighting, white balance, sharpness, composition, etc. |
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03/12/2009 09:58:46 AM · #3 |
I've had good luck with attaching myself to a professional photographer. When I decided that eventually I'd like to do this professionally, I joined the local group of professional photographers (as an "aspiring" member), and emailed 3 photographers that I admired most. (If none of them panned out, I was going to go to the next 10 on my list, etc) I got lucky and one of my top choices allowed me to come shoot weddings with her for free. I've gotten experience & a bit of a portfolio, and now she pays me a little to help shoot at her larger events, and when she gets to busy she also lets me help her edit and put together wedding albums at a an hourly rate. She's been extremely generous with advice & commenting, and she refers clients to me that can't afford her rates.
I'm very grateful for her generous help, and if/when I become a successful photographer, I fully intend to pay that forward. |
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03/12/2009 10:36:05 AM · #4 |
Citymars' and Bebe's advice are both spot on.
The business of photography is 1st and foremost a business. Thus a business model and plan are essential for any modicum of success. There are many books on the business of Photography and I suggest you start there. Some form of a DBA (Doing Business As)is recommended. You should understand your strengths and weaknesses, establish a portfolio, and sell. Getting a "mentor" to open a few doors is immeasureable in its potential for a positive influence.
Some questions for you;
What kind and where is your studio?
Are you working from your home/apartment or renting/leasing space?
How much insurance do you need?
What is your overhead?
What are your associated supplies costs - equipment, processing, paper, ink, frames, etc?
How will you advertise and what is your advertising budget? (If you plan to deduct any business costs, then proof of advertising is a given).
What is your customer satisfaction policy?
Who does your processing and printing?
These questions start to dictate how much you need to charge for your services and products.
Most important is records, records, and more records.
This is a business. Taking photos is a very very small part of it.
edit to add there are lots and lots of technically sound photographers that produce outstanding photographs and cannot support a business. One must be a good business manager 1st, then a photographer. Photography is merely the product for sale.
Message edited by author 2009-03-12 10:40:29. |
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03/12/2009 11:27:22 AM · #5 |
Originally posted by Flash:
there are lots and lots of technically sound photographers that produce outstanding photographs and cannot support a business. One must be a good business manager 1st, then a photographer. Photography is merely the product for sale. |
That's a very interesting point that I never really though of like that before. I suppose my answer to this is that I'm not really prepared for any of this. I'd say that I'm at a step before  citymars and I usually just shoot friends who I can coax into posing for me. I'm very new to all this stuff.
I guess what I meant to say is that I want to eventually shoot events and I've even had some offers from those folks who don't know much about photography (like those citymars spoke of), but I do not feel I am prepared. I am not even anywhere near looking to set up a business of any sort, but I was merely looking to see if there are any resources for new photographers to gain more experience. I'm just afraid of being stuck shooting my friends and family forever.
Message edited by author 2009-03-12 11:28:12. |
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03/12/2009 12:49:27 PM · #6 |
If you're serious about starting a business, get in touch with the SBA in your area. They'll have lots of resources for you to plan your business.
Failure to plan is planning to fail. |
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03/12/2009 02:21:57 PM · #7 |
The advise so far is great!
What kind of photography do you want to do? There is weddings of course, studio portraiture, news/PJ, fine art (wildlife, landscape, etc), stock, action sports, T&I sports and some that cross over.
Some require lots of gear (studio portraiture means a studio, lights, backgrounds,props, etc) and some less so (landscape perhaps). Some require more sales than others, some working with people and some not (landscape again).
You can get hired on at Walmart/JCPenney etc and you'll learn things - sales moslty, but also posing in a small studio and (hopefully) working with people one on one. If you find the school or T&I sports folks in your area you may be able to get on with them - sports season is coming up, school is usually sept/oct timeframe, and of course there is the mall santa photogs. I know what you're thinking, but i've known a guy that has done this as well as shoot weddings on contract for studios for 20+ years. He has no interest in the business owning deal - and sales,marketing, insurance, bookkeeping, risk and such that go along with it.
Some areas of photography just don't pay well - local sports action stuff. Regional tournaments can do well if you have the print on site capability and staff to do it. If you want to do this find someone that does it and work for them and learn it first hand. the year spent working and learning will put you a year + up just starting ignorantly from scratch. Fashion and working with models is another area that isn't going to be easy to make any money in. News/PJ is another area that is dying and low paying, but at least it can pay.
Joining your local PPA or other pro group is a great idea -join, attend meetings, go have a beer with the members, get known and then ask for a job. or to second shoot.
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03/12/2009 02:46:50 PM · #8 |
| Thanks for the great advice Prof_Fate, I'm looking into the PPA as I write. |
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