Getting into Portraiture

[wallybud]

Greetings.

This may be a very blunt statement
I am trying to really start my career as a photographer. I have been nailing down everything for the past two years. And can say with honesty that I am able to tackle a good variety of situations that come my way (Don't take this the wrong way please) I am in no way saying that I am done learning (ready for portraits yes, shooting a wedding alone, NO, DEF NOT hahah). Just that coming from a strongly build landscape background and having been assisting with high end wedding for a year followed up with second shooting at them for the second year I am able to pull the best tips/tricks from each side a arrive at quick answers in regards to exposure, amount of flash, bouncing light, quality of light, composition, bokeh etc...keeping all in mind at all times...For example my boss having been shooting for close to 30 years I believe was having a bit of a time with shots before the wedding (in edgewater NJ with the NY skyline in the background - in the pitch dark - walkway lights only etc) I was able to help out a lot with angles, SS and creativity. It was my landscape experience clashing with my indoor knowledge etc.

SO all that out of the way...I consider myself pretty young and wish to take this "just shooting for myself and selling prints here and there" to more of a business etc.

I have taken 2 days to upgrade my CSS knowledge etc and actually design my own "professional looking site" it based around landscape but I will redesign when I have a portrait portfolio.

I assume the next step is to take my gorgeous girlfriend and sister out into the urban jungle and fields/woods to do a little portrait shooting in both settings.

I will be using just my camera and 580II, would picking up another speedlite and a stand be a good idea or could a reflector be almost up to the task given the right time of day etc.

Also maybe some nice looking business cards with my new domain name on them (the reason I haven't gotten any made up yet)




The actual question is after reading all this if anyone has any "next step" suggestions it would be awesome. I will be moving to LA with my boss HDPhotoVideo.com to set up a full studio etc (hes lived there for 30 years) however I might want to give NJ a chance in the meantime and then maybe just move the business to LA in the future (1-2years) or maybe merge mine with his?

I really want to get started and stop sitting on my ass to be honest!

Best Regards
Walt

Forgot to mention, I was already asked to shoot my gfs uncles engagement shots (when the cherry blossoms come into bloom) Which I accepted right away
Also a friend from work has someone who wants their engagement shots done also. I want to get my practice in soon and get those cards printed!
Im not worried at all about these shoots but I am completely lost as to what to charge for the digital files/whatever they want printed (we dont have to get into that as Ill figure it out)
but My main concern is what to do next in looking forward?

[Alleh]

Well first you have some beautiful work I really like this one http://www.takeinlifephotography.com/gallery/7498155_otngE#484036871_GuJtc

I guess at the stage you are at you need to really think about the direction you want to go with your photography. When I was about 2 years into digital is when I decided photography was my path but I spent the next year shooting a wide range of subject and really spent time trying to define a path. For some reason I think many people don't really see the opportunity outside of portraits and weddings. I would highly suggest trying to get some assistant work for a commercial/advertising photographer. It pays pretty well and you get a chance to take part in some pretty cool stuff sometimes. There are just so many options and it’s about finding where you fit in the puzzle and defining your style.

I have a photography business blog that I have sort of been writing that you might be able to find some tips from my learning experiences. www.photographerstartup.com

On that note I think developing a clean and simple website is a great start, something that will showcase your work and really help it shine. Smugmug may be ok for selling prints but it’s not a place for your website. Personally I think photoshelter is more professional than smugmug you can read my first blog post ever for more info on that.

I could talk forever but I am going to cut short for now. Feel free to ask me whatever you want it wasn’t long ago I was in your shoes.

[wallybud]

Thanks! I loved that set, it remains one of my favorites (and most time consuming so far ;))

Photoshelter looks good, don't have time to go through what they offer but it seems like a lot and at a reasonable price for that matter. The only question I have about their site is how are the pages done. If you do not "fully know" CSS etc then must you pay to have it done or is the site laid out and fully customizable like smugmug.

I can pretty much make my smugmug site EXACTLY like the ones at photoshelter. Now what each site offers may be quite different;) Also I am selling my prints through me and NOT smugmug as I like to receive the image first to check it before the customer gets it (MANY of my images have never been printed so I like to just be sure first)

I would love to get into some commercial photography however I don't want to spend crazy amounts of time/resources to try and FIGURE OUT how to even get involved...I might however look into it once I am in LA... I just want some responsibility mixed with creativity mixed with being able to PP the images the client will get. Being a second shooter the images aren't mine and I don't edit them. (I wish some of those were! lol)

I will check out the blog also and thanks for the help :):)

BTW Hows it goin over there in Portland (remains one of my dreams to live in OR!)

Best Regards
Walt

[Picture North Carolina]

Subscribing to the thread and hoping for some good advice and discussions.

[polishpunk68]

This I need to subscribe to as well...