When are you ready to start charging for your work?

[loydall]

Hi - I'm really getting into my photography and I'm too addicted to it now to not consider it as a serious career option.

But - what I want to know is, how do you know when you are ready to start charging for your work?

I know some of you may say "If you're asking that question then you're not ready" but I'm just interested to know when you guys started.

This is my site: johnloydall.co.uk (http://johnloydall.co.uk) - it's not finished and I'm not asking for a site review but would be interested to know if you thought I was anywhere near being able to charge for weddings etc.. Eveything I've done so far has been for free and I've seen it as a way of gaining experience. There's always been a pro photographer at these weddings but I've had a decent response for the free shots I did.

Are there any qualifications you need before you can confidently class yourself as a pro?

Sorry for all the newbie questions - would love to work as a photographer for a living.

Also - I know there's a whole load of business stuff to learn but I've been running an IT company for a good few years now so accounts etc.. wont be anything new to me.

[TheHoff]

heh, you use the same jQuery gallery that I do.

Your work looks good but have you second shot for a photographer at a wedding or were these as a guest? The biggest challenge for me is learning to pose (and light) large groups as this is something you never have to do until you're the primary at the wedding.

[loydall]

Thanks - I've only ever taken shots as a guest - I see your point about experience of lighting groups.

I'm also looking to do stuff other than wedding - creative portraits really excite me. Next thing I'm going to buy is soe decent lighting.

[TheHoff]

Thanks - I've only ever taken shots as a guest - I see your point about experience of lighting groups.

Not just lighting but posing and dealing with and wrangling them into place. Watching someone good at it is the best way to learn.

I'm also looking to do stuff other than wedding - creative portraits really excite me. Next thing I'm going to buy is soe decent lighting.

Now that is something you can easily practice with. Get your family, family friends, friends of friends, or anyone attractive, and build your portfolio.

As another point to being able to charge -- do you have backup equipment (cameras lenses flashes everything)? If you're free, no one can complain about a failure.

[loydall]

I have the gear listed in my signature plus a 40d as a backup camera and then whatever lighting I get.

[TheHoff]

You'll need 3 or 4 flashes to start if you include using one 580 as a master.

Or you could just call yourself a 'natural light photographer' and be done with it :)

[Moppie]

I work on the theory that your ready when you start thinking more about how to make money rather than how to use you camera.

If your still questioning your photography ablities and what kind of gear you need, then your not thinking about the right things. How to take a picture should not be important, you should either know, or be able to figure it out when the time comes, or have technology/other people to do it for you.

What you should be questioning is your knowledge of sales and marketing. How good are you at customer service? Do you understand basic small business acounting, do you know the difference between a credit and debit? Do you know how local and national laws effect small companies? Do you know the difference betweena sole trader and a limited liablity company?


You need to be both a photograpyer, and a business owner. Given the standard of work I have seen people pay for, being better at the later is more important than the former.

[loydall]

What you should be questioning is your knowledge of sales and marketing. How good are you at customer service? Do you understand basic small business acounting, do you know the difference between a credit and debit? Do you know how local and national laws effect small companies? Do you know the difference betweena sole trader and a limited liablity company?


Well yes - as I said, I've run a Ltd company for a good few years now and I'm responsible for getting business, the accounts etc.. Honestly - that doesn't scare me - it did when I set up my IT company but I have a good accountant and I know how this sort of thing works.

Like you say - I'ver seen 'professional' photographer's work that friends have paid for that I really didnt think was up to much.

[Moppie]

Then go for it!

Having seen your website it appears you know how to use a camera, and you have more business experience than most photographers.

[spkerer]

I'll state right off that I'm not a pro - and I'm not working towards becoming one. I think some of the comments above are a bit idealistic. Good, but idealistic. I think the answers above are what you should do. But in reality, the answer seems to be rather circular. You're ready to start charging when you believe you're ready to start charging. The skill of "pro" photographers varies greatly. In many cases, good business skills trump photography skills to a degree. A really good photographer with no business sense is going to have a tough time as a pro.

Also, some people seem to start charging in a very hesitant, uncertain way and charging way too little. It seems that often leads to questions months later about "I have a client that thinks I'm a bargain and has told all these leads what a steal my photography services are. How do I raise my prices to something I may be able to survive on?"

And I'll close this again stating I'm not a pro. The above are my observations, so real pros feel absolutely free to shoot holes in what I've said. I won't be offended, but the above is how it appears to me.

[Moppie]

Good advice spkerer.

I think a lot of people get into it hesitantly because they lack the business skills to set up with any confidence. If you don't know what your costs are, then it is very hard to set your prices.
Like wise if you don't know your customers (potential and real) then it is hard to cater to them.
If you don't understand branding and marketing, then it is hard to develop a logo, company name, brand and do promotional work.

I believe if your going to do it, even part time, then set everything as if you intend to do it full time.
Before you do your first sale it helps a lot if you have some basics in place:
Know your costs.
Have a brand (company name, logo, business cards, portfolio etc).
Knowledge of intended customer base.

Quite simply make a business plan.

[loydall]

This is all v. useful, sound advice.

Thanks.

[EmmaRose]

When people are willing to give you money :)

[form]

I started charging after about 1-2 years of experience with dSLRs and after I had a flash, standard zoom, reasonably fast prime, ultra-wide, and some experience with portraiture and lighting.

[vk2gwk]

Bit off topic... but as an Ozzie I am a bit disappointed that I got Brazil photo's when I clicked on "Australia" on your web site.... Did I do something wrong or did you put in the wrong link....?

About the wedding pictures: both series favour the bride while the groom is hardly ever in the picture. Is that just the selection or is that intentional?

I am not a professional photographer but have been in business all my life. Creativity is one thing but knowing your costs lets you make a profit.

[loydall]

Ha! Sorry vk2gwk - as I mentioned, I'm in the process of updating my site so there is stuff there that is wrong - I'll get the Aussie pics added soon!

And yes - I do need to add more groom shots -will get those added soon as well.

Thanks for looking at my site though!

[focus.pocus]

your work is excelent... what are you waiting for???

[loydall]

your work is excelent... what are you waiting for???

Thanks but I know I need a bit more experience - maybe 1 or 2 weddings where I work alongside a pro, just to get the confidence up.

My aim is, rather than give up the day job, I'm going to have a transition period over the next few years where I take on less IT contracts and more photo work (if I get it). Not sure if that's the right approach as I know a business of any sort needs 100% attention. It's just that my IT work is what pays the bills at the moment.

[bigrob]

I loved your Scotland photos.