Moving on up?

[Mitchkitter]

So I've been selling camera's at Best Buy for almost 2 years now <i'm almost 18 y/o> And i'm enjoying it quite a-bit, but there appears to be new light comming my way.

Eairlier this summer i helped a customer, a local semi-professional photographer, buy a digital rebel, and a substancial ammount of accessories for it, siteing my own digital rebel and pictures from that as the quality for the camera.

He has been back a few times to see me to pick up various memory card's and accessories like that.

But here's where the fun begins.
I was at Mcdonalds on saturday night this weekend, in the "lobby" around 11:30, when one of the Mcdonald's drones told me somebody wanted to talk to me outside <someone in the drivethru>. Scared, i went to see who it was, and what they wanted, I recognized the guy, it was the same person i had been helping this summer. So he gave me his card "I've started a studio, and photography company over the past few months, and we need two more photographers, and i want you to be one of them"


So I'm headed down to their office tomorow to see what the whole she-bang is about.

I'm a wiebit stoked, over something that is probably seeming like nothing from the rest of the fourms...

So that i dont sound like a complete dumbass, what is the general idea behind working as a photographer for a studio/photography company? Do most people get paid by shoot/pictures, or hourly? <maybe TQ has some insight>

anyways, that was my giddy banter for the night

[ron chappel]

Wow! awsome!!!

[Andy_T]

Great news!

Wish you luck ... and maybe ask that question in the 'Pro' forum.
You now officially qualify :lol:

Best regards,
Andy

[flyfishnj]

Mitch -


Very Cool. Better than being stuck in Corporate America like I am. Good luck

[Jon, The Elder]

Mitch -

This could be an opportunity or not!

Any time you go into a "Startup" venture like this, the owner has a lot of things he/she is going to learn. If you are part of the initial crew - you should understand that it is his business and he will be getting the profits from it.

Where you fit in is going to be up to you. Have a solid understanding (preferably in writing) as to what your duties are to be.
A few questions to ask (and watch his eye contact)

1) whose equipment?
2) Whose transportation?
3) Travel (even locally)
4) When and how much pay
5) What hours/days
If you get straight answers, then move forward.
If you get a lot of promises of "future" compensation and profit sharing - be very cautious.

If you do not have to much experience in these areas, ask someone who does. Just don't be overly flattered by his initial offering. There is a chance that he may be looking for "cheap" help. Don't sell yourself short.

Just some free advice from an "old guy"

Jon Ferguson

[Mitchkitter]

Thanks for all he support and advice.

Apparently the majority of our shooting will be studio, or on location picture's <I.E. PJ like shots for conventions and confrences.

We meet this afternoon to discuss all of the stuff.
I'd be using my own equipment, and transportation which is no problem.
I'm more greedy and focused on the money.

[Jon]

Using your own equipment and your own transportation will have significant impact on your insurance rates for both of these. Be sure and take this into account. Also, you may want to check on what happens if your equipment goes down while you're on assignment or just before you start out. Do you need to budget for backup gear right away?

[nemesis099]

First congratulations.

Second it sounds like this could trun out to be a great opportunity for you. A couple of questions I would ask:

*What will we be taking pictures of? (Weddings, Business Meetings, Sports)
*Am I "hired" by the company? (DO you need W2 forms)
--The above is to see if its doing it on the side or professional (you should know before you start)
*When will these events take place? (if he only wants you to work when you don't want to)
*How does the company make its money? (Charge flat fee, charge per pictures, both)


I can't think of any others right now but I would get as much information as possible. If you have a questions don't be afraid to ask it.

Oh and let us know how it goes!!

[Mitchkitter]

That's a good point about "what happens if things go down", and insurance....

Great questions guys

[Mitchkitter]

The first interview went GREAT!

Went to their studio appartment, met the owner's, and some of the worker bee's.
Turns out it's not just a photography company, it's also an advertisement agency. The main goal is creating a complete solution for the customers with one stop shopping; Webpages, Phamplets, T-shirts, and even coffee mugs. My plugin would be one of the photographer slots, <There are 5 total>.

The general layout is I do work on my own, then put it with the company's website, and it gets exposure to their clients, I also receive jobs from them <Confrences, conventions, concerts, etc.> And bring back pictures of those.

It was a very well organized operation, a dry erase board of upcomming jobs, a full computer network setup.

I'd be making about $6 for every picture ordered, and Much much more for publications, and advertisements.

There we're three of the guys there, the two owners <partners> and one of the graphic design kid's, It was easy to start conversation with all of them, and extremly low pressure.

I'm headed back tomorow with my portfolio <i'm making it now>
And i'll give an updated report afterwards!

[Jon, The Elder]

I think we have a young man here who is about to learn some very valuable lessons in life !!

www.jpferguson.com

[nemesis099]

I'm glad that the interview went well. Sounds like it might be fun. It never hurts to try something out but I wouldn't quit your job at BestBuy.

[Longwatcher]

I'd be making about $6 for every picture ordered, and Much much more for publications, and advertisements.


I don't exactly do this sort of thing, although, I do have an annual ad shoot which is similiar. Since you are doing advertising instead of prints, Is that $6 per copy or just $6 per picture used? If $6 per picture used you are geting took in my opinion as I would charge $125 to $250 for each ad shot that got selected at a minimum. This is because I would be taking 100's of shots for each one that got selected. They are only going to need 6-12 shots for a layout maximum which means you get at most $72 for what was probably 2-4 four hour sets, pretty minimum wage if you ask me.

If it was a portrait studio then you are making a fair and good wage, but since it is an ad agency, I would look at it again.

Then again if it seems fair to you, go for it. I do not have all the facts.

Just my opinion,

[roanjohn]

Negotiate...........6 bucks per pic is a bit low............how about 10??

In any case, if you do an event (i.e conferences and etc.........) they might order a few more pics than usual.........so if they order 10 pics from one hour of your shooting...........then you get 60 bucks.............not bad!!!

Ro1

[Mitchkitter]

It's $6 for every 8X10 ordered, more for largers pics :), or Corperate orders

[Mitchkitter]

HIRED
Braught by my portfolio today they were "Amazed" and "Inspired".
There is a large ballroom party for new years at the local Hilton, and I'm being sent there <WITH AND ASSISTANT!!!!! omg.. i have an assistant.> To take formal pictures of 500+.
Dear God.
They are currently located out of a loft. But now have a studio/office being built. In March, me Mitch Kitter, 17, Highschool student, will have his own office. <not cubical>....

let's just say i'm stoked.

[tim]

Congratulations! I'm sure many would love to be in your position.