Can I get your input please?

I have become very comfortable with taking peoples pictures and have given some thought to maybe doing some paid jobs but need some help with a few things. I only plan on doing outdoor portrait pictures if anything... I would not even consider ANYTHING remotely close to weddings or indoor events since my glass is way too slow and my camera is not capable of high ISOs like the FF cameras are.

1. Just starting out would it be wroth getting into something like Zenfolio OR since I do not have clients or anything yet should I start out with something free like a blog?

2. IF I did go with a free blog what would be the best way to show clients their photos (private viewing)?

3. Where we live we are renting and do not have a land-line for a phone. We do not get cell phone service here either... we only ever use the phone when we go into town and get cell reception. VOIP is not an option either since our internet is satellite through hughsnet. Would it be acceptable to converse with potential clients via email and call them when I head into town?

4. Trying to figure out a business name if I were to do this. Is it usually best to just use something like (first name) (last name) photography? OR should I go with something completely different?


I appreciate any input you guys can offer for me!

1-2: Unless you're going to print them yourself, then you'll need a site that can allow viewing & printing, no? Look at the links in:
Wanting to start a serious website

Looking at starting to do jobs..

3: If not email, then what? The Pony Express went out of business. ; )
4. Pick something & google it. For instance, "JDK Photography" is taken.

Thank you for your input!
for 1-2.. I was thinking of printing them through a local lab and delivering them, however I can see that being a bit more trouble than just letting them order them and have them shipped from mpix.

3. I am basically just wanting to know if email is a primary communication is viable until I go into town and call them on my cell phone or if it would be best to look at getting a land line?

4. So do you feel that both of those names with my full name don't sound right? (I kind of feel that way...). Or, is it better to use a name that is not using my real name?

1-2: Printing them through a local lab and delivering them is always my first choice.

#3: If your i-net is reliable, you might look into i-net based phone service. I'd resist getting a land line just for "maybe doing some paid jobs".

#4: I'm inclined toward some variation of your real name.

My internet is awful.... 0.5Mbps download with 1400ms ping. I am only able to get this crappy hughesnet internet where I live. So a VOIP thing is a no go for me

Ratjack wrote in post #15344474
My internet is awful.... 0.5Mbps download with 1400ms ping. I am only able to get this crappy hughesnet internet where I live. So a VOIP thing is a no go for me

I hear you! That's what I have. Whenever I need to upload huge files like ad videos I usually go to the library and use their computers and their bandwidth.

Something else to consider. I use Google Chrome at home. I also use Google Chrome Portable on a thumb drive so when I use the library computers, I just run Google Chrome off the thumb drive and all of my bookmarks and passwords are right there with me. It's very handy. There's also a FireFox Portable if that's what you're using.

Also, for a phone line, I am using Verizons Home Wireless Phone system. It works pretty well where I live and you can hook up your standard house phones to it. We have a Panasonic with 4 handsets and they all work. Just plug the base into the verizon device and voila! You can also take it with you on trips if you need to. The phone number follows you anywhere. Like a cell phone.

I get 0 cell service... so those things won't even work for me. I have tried to avoid land lines... since a cell phone already costs enough...

Would it be unprofessional for my main form of communication to be email? If not, then I would need to get a landline which will run me another 50 bucks a month. Starting out, I would ideally like to get at least 1-2 jobs a month.

Thats cool about the Google Chrome Portable! I have never heard of it before.

IMO, first things first. Do the blog. Get a website. Talk to people. Pass out biz cards with your email on them.

Ratjack wrote in post #15344618
Would it be unprofessional for my main form of communication to be email?

For now, you might try it for the initial contact? You can always call them to follow up. See how that goes.

I REALLY appreciate the input guys. So I have decided to use just my last name and wait on setting up a home phone (at least until i start getting more business).

One final thing. If say I am doing 1-2 jobs a month.... should I really get liability insurance? Or should I just resort to trying liability waivers until I get more business? I will not be doing any jobs at my home but rather outdoors at places like parks. Possibly the clients home.

Again, i really appreciate the help guys. Everyone here on this forum is always very helpful!

IMO, Zenfolio would be a nice way to get started. It's not too expensive and it will give your service a professional feel and allow clients to order online. If you really want to take this seriously, I think the inability for your clients to easily reach you on the phone is a significant problem. IMO, being unreachable (by phone) will hurt your business and make you appear less than professional. You'll want to be able to talk over scheduled sessions before they happen and be available for ordering questions after the session. While e-mail will work as primary communication for some, there are still many people who prefer to make a phone call and actually talk things over. A basic landline isn't very expensive and a single booked session should more than cover the cost for the month.

Ratjack wrote in post #15340952
3. Where we live we are renting and do not have a land-line for a phone. We do not get cell phone service here either... we only ever use the phone when we go into town and get cell reception. VOIP is not an option either since our internet is satellite through hughsnet. Would it be acceptable to converse with potential clients via email and call them when I head into town?

These things are a severe impediment to getting any sort of worthwhile business happening.
Franly I think you would be wasting your time and most likley doing yourself out of any chance of being taken seriously in the future.

My suggestion would be to wait till your circumstances are that you can provide some level of the the sort of service businesses are taken for granted to provide these days.
IF you are serious and have done your homework ( I mean real factual number crunching) and feel that there is a potential market waiting to be tapped, then getting a phone line on would be a no brainer.

Okay, so I have decided to get a phone line going. I figure I don't need long distance on it so I can get it a lot cheaper that way. I will also be getting liability insurance. I don't feel comfortable with the idea of not having it... now to find a coupon code for Zenfolio

What market research have you done to verify that there is a viable market in your area?

How many people in your catchment area, what are their demographics, what competition do you have and the big cruncher, Why should anyone book you over your ( established) competitors?
And if you answer " Quality and service" you clearly have no idea of business so don't even bother with this.

Have you done a business plan?
What is your experience level in sales , marketing and advertising?

Also, what are you going to do to bring work in the door? Where and how are you going to market yourself. ( geez I hope you don't say faceache or a blog is going to be your main initiative)

How many clients are you going to need each week/ month to make this venture Viable? Where are they going to come from and how many from each lead source do you estimate??

What is your start-up budget?

Before you do ANYTHING else, you need to have the answers to these questions on paper and be able to verify them based on facts or demonstrable estimates.
Worrying about equipment and business names is pointless at this stage. You need to know where the business is going to come from, how you are going to get and how much is available before you do anything else.

Having the best equipment in anything you could want and being able to take the greatest picture ever taken is irrelevant if people don't know you are there, if there are no people to tell or you don't know how to find the people to tell them.

Most people especially shooters find business boring and think it's unesscary.
The Profitable shooters that have been around 5+ years know and will tell you a lot different.