How many people here shoot cars professionally

[DonJuanMair]

Im really trying to get into shooting cars, but i would love some advice from members here who do shoot and get paid for it.....
So if anyone does i was wondering, how did you get into it, and what was your first break into getting paid? just basically how do you make the transition from hobby to job.

[DC Fan]

You get jobs with publications from reputation and credibility. That means you need to demonstrate the ability to deliver what a client wants, and to be able to meet deadlines - and deadlines are more important than artistry in the real world of publishing. You might be able to attract attention by sending sample images to a publication. You will find there's a lot of competition for the available jobs.

[rigshots]

Im really trying to get into shooting cars, but i would love some advice from members here who do shoot and get paid for it.....
So if anyone does i was wondering, how did you get into it, and what was your first break into getting paid? just basically how do you make the transition from hobby to job.

I've been shooting cars professionally and full time for about 10 years, mainly for Australian publications but also for various international mags.

Your question has a connotation to me that you seem to be looking for a resolution or answer to your problem as if there is possibly a ‘thing’ that you can do to change your situation to your liking. Your question sounds to me, and I know I might have it wrong, that if you had the answer then things would change. It’s like you are looking for a magic bullet. The reality is that hard work and persistence is the only course of action you can take. That takes time and therefore patience. If you have neither than you’re in a pickle! If you had a real ‘gift’ or talent that stood out, and very very few do (I certainly don't, I just work hard), then chances are that you’d already be working, and probably quite a bit. I don’t mean to sound harsh and sorry if it comes across that way but there isn’t an easy way and there certainly isn’t a magic bullet that will help you to get work.

If I were you, I’d hone my skills by practicing a lot! Try to copy your favorite photog’s work as it’s often the best way to learn various or new techniques. As you learn you’ll find that your own way of seeing things blends in and makes the work your own.

Find out which magazines are open to giving you a chance, that’s done by contacting their editors and talking to them. Don’t bother just emailing them, that’s basically SPAM, follow up with phone calls.

Don't be a pest but keep in contact with editors. Things can change over the course of time and before you know it you end up being in the right place at the right time.

That old nugget, ‘it’s not what you know but who you know’, is true. Most use it as an excuse however and all that does is prevent them going forward and giving it a red hot go. After all what’s the point, it’s not what you know but who you know, right! Wrong. The true meaning is this. Pay attention this is important. Most professional people will only deal with other professional people whom they can trust. That’s because their money, business and reputations are potentially on the line so they will usually be careful in their actions. If you were an editor and you are given the choice of using 2 different photog’s, both apparently equally skilled and priced, but one was an old hand that you trusted and the other a blow in then it’s a no brainer that the old hand will probably get the gig. If you keep in touch with editors over a period of time they do get to know you and eventually an opportunity will arise where you may be needed and given a chance. The point is that’s it’s actually quite easy to ‘know’ people, it just takes time. I think I can comfortably say that I know pretty much everyone in the Australian car field (that’s relevant to the work I do) and I certainly didn’t when I started.

Have a very simple and quick online folio to show what you are capable of. They are not hiring you for your Flash and html skills so keep the site fast and simple. Forget long winded Flash intro’s, sound and all that crap. I know that if I have to wait a tenth of a second longer than I have to then I’m out of there. What’s the chance of a busy editor sitting through slow Flash intro’s or waiting for a slow site? Think about that. Show stuff that is relevant, not how clever you are at shooting Macro flower pics, stitching panorama’s, your cool HDR’s etc etc.

Find out what each magazine wants and if you find a car, or maybe an event, they are interested in then offer to shoot it on spec (ie you only get paid if they accept the job). This gives the magazine the chance to knock you back if you do a bad job but if you do perform then you will get paid. It’s a no-risk option for them and it gives you a chance. It’s a pretty good way to get started but don’t let it go on any longer than you need to.

Charge a rate that is commensurate with your skill but DO NOT under charge to get work! What do you charge? I don’t know, each magazine has set rates, talk to the editor about that.

DO NOT WORK FOR CREDIT ONLY!

Repeat.

DO NOT WORK FOR CREDIT ONLY!

All that does is prove to a magazine that you are an amateur and that your work is worthless. Many magazines are driven by budgets and may try to take advantage of you. Having a credit in a motoring publication is worthless other than to bolster your ego. That and 50cents will get you a cup of coffee. It has very little if any effect on getting you more work, particularly from other similar magazines. I defy anyone to prove otherwise.

Good luck
JJ

[PhotosGuy]

Good post!

My post #2: "How did you get started" (http://photography-on-the.net/forum/showthread.php?t=174508)

You have seen this, right?
A few Car Lighting Tips - Updated (http://photography-on-the.net/forum/showthread.php?t=70290)

[turbodude]

Having shot for Primedia... Its all in who you know...

[DonJuanMair]

thanks for all the advice so far guys, rigshots, i actually just got my dslr a few months back and have been shooting non stop, i wasn't looking for the magic bullet, i was just looking for advice from someone who has been there and done it, which you have and you have some great advice, my website should be up real soon so thats a bonus for me too. Once that is all up and running i will be approaching magazines etc like you say. I know its something that i really want to do and i have the persistence and hard work to keep trying. :)
But thanks for all the pointers, i have really appreciated it

[n1nj4 m0d3]

i'm also wanting to start charging people (people who i don't know anyways, i do have friend benefits; aka free :)). just for your opinion, how much are you guys willing to pay for a shoot with me. please be honest :) http://www.flickr.com/photos/n1nj4_m0d3/

[Deanphoto]

just for your opinion, how much are you guys willing to pay for a shoot with me. please be honest :) http://www.flickr.com/photos/n1nj4_m0d3/


If you have to ask the question, then you're doubting your abbilities. Your rig shots are okay but, your statics need a lot more work before you can start charging big bucks in my opinion. Maybe just charge a small fee for now until you feel confident enough to charge for a session.

Why not set up a relationship with a motoring forum where members can get a 'special discount' on shoots? This is how I started charging. Once you've shot one members car, they'll all want your services.

It'll be hard work, I've worked every conceivable hour of the day for the last two months, usually only getting around 4hrs sleep between shoots and the day job.

[DonJuanMair]

i tried that on the corvette forums and i got banned.

[Deanphoto]

I don't shoot cars for a living as yet however, I'm very almost there, and I have experience shooting for varied clients.

All of my paid work has come through either my site, Flickr or word of mouth. Not once have I sent my portfolio to a potential client. Considering this, I feel I have a strong client list already, I've shot for TVR, multi national and international magazines, websites, supercar clubs, agencies, workshops, motorsport teams etc etc.

So, why is this? Why have they come directly to me? I don't really know the answer to that. I'm guessing it's because my photography is of a high enough level, I have a style that a client wants (although I don't think I have one style) and maybe it's due to not being a full on professional to the level that I can charge £££££'s per sesssion?

Who knows? All I know is that I've worked extremely hard, to the point of being sleep deprived numerous times over the last couple of months. And, I'm still not there. I can still improve ten-fold on my automotive photography. I have so many things still to learn, and I have a lot of ideas I want to try out. Every shoot I do, I criticise it to the point of wanting to shoot myself, what could have I done better, what was good, how can I improve the amount of time it took me, how can I improve client experience..etc etc etc

My advice, and you can take this, or leave it; is to work really hard, practice, practice and then practice some more. You should be shooting, editing, thinking every non working hour of the day. Get your work out there, get yourself noticed, get yourself a good 'branding'. Then, when you feel your work is realy up to the standards of the Pro's, or the work you see in publications, go out and shoot more, improve on that. You have to make your work stand out, it should blow other portfolio's out of the water.

Take this forum for instance. I've not seen an inspiring static shot in months. In fact, the only shots that sticks in my mind are those in the 'Post your best Porshe pic' (black and white shot on a pier). Everybody can take a semi-ok rig shot, some would not look out of place in magazines, but that's it, nothing else, all the statics are very amateur. You need to be completely rounded in all areas of shooting.

Like I said, this is my thinking. It could be completely wrong, it might not even make any sense, and by no means am I a pro, so you should probably ignore it :)

[Mama Tried]

I started by offering a 20% discount for members of a car club im in.

[DonJuanMair]

the car club im in I know all the people really well but I went on a mustang forum and tool pics of two members and then that generated some interest

[clean-car-shots]

what are normal rates? like rig shots and just normal shots? whats a good starting price?

[Jamie Holladay]

what are normal rates? like rig shots and just normal shots? whats a good starting price?
So many factors in answering this.
What are the shots for? Print, Posters, web,
How long are you selling usage rights for?

fotoquote (http://www.cradocfotosoftware.com/fotoQuote-Pro/index.html) is a good program that you can use to determine pricing.

[dinanm3atl]

I am in the same ballpark. Web forums have gotten me some gigs that were paid. Being relentless as said is the best thing. If someone sparked some interest let them know pricing, when you can do it and how long it takes. Don't wait to get an answer. Find out if they want to do it. It means you can post results on the web forum and that may spark more interest.