| Author | Thread |
|
|
03/08/2010 09:07:54 PM · #1 |
| I have been an amateur in photography for years. But, the more I try to get into running a small business for clients. It is costly. Between equipment, software, props, and etc. I was just wondering how so many of you own 2-4 cameras. All of you are awesome photographers, and know your stuff. I always enjoyed photography. But the photographers around here, only hire people they know. Small town here. So, I just started doing photography for friends and family. I want to expand. But, I am getting frustrated. How, can I feel this way ? When I have always loved it. I only have a Nikon D40, camera and want to upgrade. But, can't afford it. Thought about trying to sell my husband, but I only think I would be able to buy a disposable camera with that....lol. Can someone give me advice on experience getting started. I know we gotta start at the bottom. |
|
|
|
03/08/2010 09:31:17 PM · #2 |
First, don't be under the misguided impression that your camera is not capable of taking superlative images. Mae,  hihosilver, Eric,  Shutter-For-Hire, and others will more than vouch for the worthiness of the quality of the D40. Depending on where you want to go, you may want to buy better glass, but there are a lot of people who like that 18-55 as well. If you look at the renderings on the regular 18-55, non-VR lens that's been around for a while, you'll be more than impressed. Nikkor 18-55 So the next thing for you to do is to get really comfortable with your equipment such that you *know* you can produce the necessary imagery to fulfill your customer's requirements. You will have to shoot for free, or for cheap if you want to break into your market where people only hire photogs they know, or you'll just have to keep trying to get the word out that you can do the job. It's a tough racket mainly because there are so many people out there that can buy a D90 kit and take GOOD pictures. What you have to do is show, and convince people that you can produce GREAT pictures. If you can, it may take time, but it'll happen.
Then you get to learn how to run a small business!
|
|
|
|
03/08/2010 10:13:26 PM · #3 |
Weddings are tough. For equipment, you may want to try to get some faster lenses before upgrading the D40. There are a lot of threads here at DPC about breaking into the wedding business, so if you can find and read some of them it would be a good start for you.
In the real world, I recommend that you become friends with one of the local photographers that does weddings, and see if you can learn more about it from them.
|
|
|
|
03/08/2010 10:52:00 PM · #4 |
Originally posted by MelonMusketeer:
Weddings are tough. For equipment, you may want to try to get some faster lenses before upgrading the D40. There are a lot of threads here at DPC about breaking into the wedding business, so if you can find and read some of them it would be a good start for you.
In the real world, I recommend that you become friends with one of the local photographers that does weddings, and see if you can learn more about it from them. |
I agree with this and want to add that you could talk to some local wedding photographers and see about being a second (backup) shooter at some of their weddings. |
|
|
|
03/08/2010 11:17:35 PM · #5 |
getting started in what field? Do you want to do weddings? Seniors? Travel? Commercial? Architectural? Sports?
Just shoot everything and anything you can, decide what photographer you want to be, what you have to offer clients that nobody else does, then tell everyone that.
ETA: I was speaking to a girl in college recently who told me she wants to become a photographer, I asked what kind and she said "a photographer in general", I told her this didn't happen. I think when you're starting out you should shoot all that you can possibly shoot and fall flat on your face time and time again and then you'll learn what you like to shoot, and where your passion is.
As for how do people afford it? The same way you afford a car, or a house, if you can't afford it outright it's either financed, or saved up for. I was 'lucky' in one respect but the opposite in another that inheritance money paid for a lot of my stuff, but I had to lose a relative to get it.
Message edited by author 2010-03-08 23:29:21. |
|
|
|
03/08/2010 11:29:25 PM · #6 |
Originally posted by Memoriesforever:
Thought about trying to sell my husband, but ... |
This is where photos come in handy. |
|
|
|
03/08/2010 11:37:34 PM · #7 |
I would suggest robbing banks, or working nights as a hitman..
Actually, I was super lucky, I bought my 50D because it's a great camera, and my boss found out that I had plunked down some dough on a body, and he hooked me up with the 20D and the 12-24 glass.. I am, to say the least, quite pleased with my boss, and company in general. (as they were what made it possible to buy the 50D)
Oh, and I'm not a photographer.. I just shoot photographs. |
|
|
|
03/09/2010 12:08:20 PM · #8 |
| Thank all of you for your advice. I am grateful. |
|
Home -
Challenges -
Community -
League -
Photos -
Cameras -
Lenses -
Learn -
Prints! -
Help -
Terms of Use -
Privacy -
Top ^
DPChallenge, and website content and design, Copyright © 2001-2024 Challenging Technologies, LLC.
All digital photo copyrights belong to the photographers and may not be used without permission.
Current Server Time: 04/23/2024 04:17:03 AM EDT.
