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View Full Version : When were you ready?


BioSpark
10th of July 2009 (Fri), 21:13
I've been thinking about starting my own business with photography but I've only been in the game for about two months (and only own a 50D/28-135 lens w/tripod). Most people would say it takes years to get enough experience to get in to professional photography and charging this early, would be ludicrous.

My question, as you can read from the title, is when were you ready or when did you know it was time to start charging? I really love doing what I do, but I'm a bit timid with going on and asking for money for what I do. At 25, I'm a bit of a business man, as I've already started a computer repair business in Washington, but had to move due to living arrangements. I had great clientele and loved what I did. All and all, I hate thinking that I could be making a little extra side money instead of well, not making money. There's a part of me, that just wants to go out and try. See what happens and go with the results. As I learned in my five years in the Navy, the answer is always no unless you ask. You'll never know if you could be making money unless you try.

On the other hand, I'd love to find a mentor in the Prescott/Prescott Valley area, maybe someone I could tag a long with and just learn from at different events (weddings, etc). I wouldn't take any money from whatever was made, I would just love to learn and get comfortable. I'm also considering taking some courses at college just to pick up some new techniques.

Thanks for the advice guys!

tim
10th of July 2009 (Fri), 21:22
I photographed my first wedding for pay one year after buying my first digital slr, which was my first real camera.

BioSpark
10th of July 2009 (Fri), 21:24
See, that's awesome. That's what I really want to get up and try. Did you have a lot of equipment or did you just go in for the kill and get it done with just the camera?

form
10th of July 2009 (Fri), 21:25
I got started when I realized that I needed money and I had a tool that could help me get it.

BioSpark
10th of July 2009 (Fri), 21:27
I got started when I realized that I needed money and I had a tool that could help me get it.

Exactly! My wife and I were just saying how we could use the extra money some how. It got me motivated to do something about it. If I have the tools, why not go out and just try.. Ya know. I'm just afraid I don't have "a lot" of tools. Like a better flash etc.

andrewdayphoto
10th of July 2009 (Fri), 21:28
Just go for it! Understand lighting and use anything that reacts to light.

tim
10th of July 2009 (Fri), 21:40
See, that's awesome. That's what I really want to get up and try. Did you have a lot of equipment or did you just go in for the kill and get it done with just the camera?

By then I had a fairly through understanding of light, two bodies, five lenses, and i'd spent four months studying how to photograph a wedding. I'm fortunate enough to be an IT consultant, so I could pretty much buy whatever equipment I wanted.

BioSpark
10th of July 2009 (Fri), 21:48
By then I had a fairly through understanding of light, two bodies, five lenses, and i'd spent four months studying how to photograph a wedding. I'm fortunate enough to be an IT consultant, so I could pretty much buy whatever equipment I wanted.

Wow. Your like my idol now. Hah. Well, would you recommend it to someone with one body, one lens, a moderate understanding of light and no wedding experience? :-D

wyofizz
10th of July 2009 (Fri), 21:58
. Well, would you recommend it to someone with one body, one lens, a moderate understanding of light and no wedding experience? :-D

Sure, but before you do the wedding buy a bulletproof vest.:eek:

Dave

BioSpark
10th of July 2009 (Fri), 22:12
LOL.

tim
10th of July 2009 (Fri), 22:27
Wow. Your like my idol now. Hah. Well, would you recommend it to someone with one body, one lens, a moderate understanding of light and no wedding experience? :-D

Wedding FAQ (http://photography-on-the.net/forum/showthread.php?t=255604).

BioSpark
10th of July 2009 (Fri), 22:30
Thanks again, Tim!

wyofizz
10th of July 2009 (Fri), 22:33
Tim,

Your becoming PC ;)

tim
10th of July 2009 (Fri), 23:15
Tim,

Your becoming PC ;)

You're... your... ur... r. .

aram535
11th of July 2009 (Sat), 23:49
I would highly recommend going to a local camera club. They usually have competition and senior guys. Show your stuff, participate in the discussions and competitions. If you do well (you can't do great, because nobody pleases everybody, than you have a better chance of success.

I actually did a couple of fairs with my fine art photos and sold quiet a few of them and had people come back and ask me to ship them. The second thing that happened is that when I did the photos for someone, someone else who said they saw the photos contacted me and offered to pay to do the same for them. That's when I registered the name and became a business.

tim
11th of July 2009 (Sat), 23:53
My local camera club was filled with old fogies who mostly shot film and couldn't work a computer to save themselves.

aram535
12th of July 2009 (Sun), 09:06
Well for me at least, there is 2 withing walking distance and about 5 within a 25 minute drive so I guess I'm lucky. A lot of good people, some wacky personalities, but overall very good.