Ever feel like your not good enough?

Yes...I know its a hard question to answer, but heres my story. I've been shooting for about a year or a little less now, and throughout my school Ive become the "photography" kid or w/e cause I always have my camera with me and all that good stuff. A friend of mine has a buddy who builds houses, and he built a 12 million dollar house that he needs pictures of. Well my friend referred me over to him, so he asked for some of my work and I sent off an array of different pictures. He asked my friend how much I charged and what not. 1.) I have no idea where I would even begin to charge. 2.) The guy said that he would provide a helicopter for ariel shots of the house 3.) Im really starting to question my own abilities. I am very presentable and proffesional when it comes to money, or even a great opportunity but there is only so many angles, and so much you can take of a house, I don't want to dissapoint....anyway I need some guidance...help me out POTN.

Just be honest. Let the person know you are feeling this my be at the fringe of what you feel comfortable with but would love the opportunity. Obviously the person is willing to invest in the project. See if you can work out a deal perhaps with a basic agreeable low charge to do the shoot, and then a larger fee if they use any of the images. I sounds like the owner is willing to put some considerable skin in the game. Just be honest and see where it goes.

The fact that you question your abilities is a decent sign that you aren't ignorant of possible limitations, but it also indicates your intelligence of the situation. While Croasdail has a point about the honesty path, I think that a few questions should be asked of yourself first. How do you want your photography to evolve? Is it a serious hobby, passionate obsession or something in between? If leaning towards the more professional path, this is an opportunity almost too good to pass up, regardless of the financial payoff. What are the expectations of the client? Are nthey looking for huge panoramics? Enlarged perspective shots? Wide interiors? Since you've got some hesitation at this type of shooting, my guess is that it's your first opportunity at a project of this magnitude. Maybe a consultation with the client face-to-face would help you both find answers. Just my .02. Personally, I'd say to give it a shot. A friend of mine does pretty well for himself shooting architecture. If you make a name early, who knows what you'll be able to do...

Thanks guys, I think if I can get a face to face talk with the guy and tell him that I would love the opportunity, and if he ended up using the images we could make up a deal of some sort. Who knows, to someone who builds 12 million dollar houses, chump change to him will more than likely be good money for a 17 yr old. As of wether it's a passion or a hobby...im trying to make that decision everyday...times running out before I need to make a choice and go to the right college though. Its hard making life changing choices so young!

I'd quote prices per shot used 1st & get it in writing first. You've told him of your lack of experience doing THAT sort of work, so suggest that you're willing to not charge a day rate, etc THIS time to get the experience. You're trading off the "day rate" vs his costs of hiring the chopper, so its a wash, right?

The chopper shoot:
Ask the pilot to take the door off.
Think about the light direction before you schedule the time of the shoot.

Helicopter Photography Primer
http://www.naturescape​s.net/062004/ej0604.ht​m

aerial photography - how to shoot?
https://photography-on-the.net/forum/showthre​ad.php?t=240871

Shooting landscapes from a heli - what would you bring?
https://photography-on-the.net/forum/showthre​ad.php?t=208602

Why do you guys use manual? AV makes more sense.
http://www.photography​-on-the.net/forum/showthre​ad.php?t=130176

See post #16 Interior Photography - what camera and lens

He's not going to like seeing his building "falling over", so if you use a wide angle, be sure that the back of the cam (or front of the lens) is vertical to avoid distortion. One simple way if the ground is level & you're standing, is to aim the center focus point at a point 6 feet +/- from the ground, depending on your height.
Using the longest possible focal length & standing way back helps, too.

That should give you enough to think about. Good luck!

Frank... you constantly blow me away with all the links you have stored up there somewhere. I guess that's what comes with 20K plus post.

Do I ever feel like I'm not good enough? Pretty much every time I go and shoot something I have never done before. It gets better with experiences, but I still have that feeling "will I do it good enough?" And trying to persuade myself, that if I'm good for everything else, I can easily do this new thing good enough too, doesn't really help.
I can't tell for you, if you are capable of doing that or not. I would go if it would be me, but I know what I'm capable of doing, and unfortunately I don't know this for you, so it's impossible to give you any advise. But sometimes it's hard decision, and sometimes it's better to pass some job, then disappoint client. At least that's my opinion, to which I'm trying to stick as much as possible.
But no matter what... if you will go for it, do your homework and come there prepared. For me, it always helps to take a look other photographer's photos about subject I will be shooting for first time. At least it gives you some ideas.
And as I wrote once before... it's not about getting perfect shoot. Average shoot (in your or mine opinion) is good enough if your client is happy with it. No matter how it sounds, but in reality, normal people look at photos different way, then we do.

Wow guys, I really appreciate the help, and Frank the links are great. I do like the idea of charging for shots that are USED, it will keep it simple and easy. The guy knows im fairly young, so I dont think hes expecting something outragous, which is good for me. I think if I end up doing the shoot I will learn a lot, with some PP and touching up, you can make almost any image presentable! But I will try to avoid the PP for the most part and get some good shots!

Also, you think I should go practice on my own house? And post them up?

I type way "2-fingered" slow, and am too lazy, besides. If I had to type all these, I'd only have 500 posts! I think half of them are for "Nice shot", anyway.
And, most questions keep being asked again, & again, &...

Bring them on!

Some old stuff I shot: http://smg.photobucket​.com …8/PhotosGuy/Arc​hitecture/

I know I am noticed around the forums for less than serious comments, seldom times.

On this one, the Motivational Speaker in me is taking over.

I would be afraid if you had posted "Hey peeps, guess what, I've been snapin' for about a year, and this dude is already taking me on a helo ride to photo this super-expensive home...Oh, I am not sure if I should buy the 60mm f4 or the f2.8 version with the change I have left in my pocket". That sounds like an overconfident photographer to me.

Feelings of inadequacy are normal. Remember these thoughts, because they are the fuel that makes you want to be better. Every photographer with a conscience hates at least half of their work. Nobody ever walks into an event saying "Piece of cake, badda-bim-badda-bum, I will be done in five".

Now I am not encouraging you to take with Costeau's son and embark on a photographic essay of the Titanic, or of the Mt Everest Summit (might be a tad challenging).

But besides being honest, you can also use that energy to take a leap. Not off the chopper, but into it. Sometimes that is how we get things done. Al E. said "If we do not sin against reason, we will never discover anything new". You need to sin against reason, within your own limitations.

This may be the beginning of a great opportunity.

Did the client like the first batch of photos? Then get the helo started, and have some fun !! (BTW, it might be wise to strap the Cameras to your body, sling style, NOT neck alone).

You're the one who ultimately knows which part of you is saying "No freaking way,Bob" and which part is just being a bit conservative.

Be safe, but go conquer your destiny. Experience will not come in any other way.

(A favorite movie quote "How did the nobles become noble in the first place?...They took it, by the tip of the sword").

Best of luck, and post photos !!...

KROHN27,
I think that if you took some time and really read the valuable links provided you would have the majority of your work done. I have learned a lot here and it has helped a great deal.
This is a shot I took and it was the second time I went up to take aerial pics. The first time I was pretty happy with the results but I looked at my EXIF data and analyzed the pictures. Just as soon as your wheels leave the runway take some test pics before you reach the site so you can see what you are getting then adjust your shot settings.
Take your time, have a plan before you take off and talk it over with the pilot.
Don't be afraid to tell him to go around again. Don't rush the shot, let it come to you.

I would tall the builder that you are looking to expand your portfolio and gain some experice in a different area. Tell him that since he is paying for the flight you are willing to charge him less for the pictures. I would give a flat price ahead of time for each pic that is used. Charge something that you are comfortable with but don't cheat yourself and set a precident with him so it looks like you are cheap.

Just educate yourself and go out and shoot some pictures and get very comfortable with changing the camera settings quickly so you can adjust when you are in the plane.

Here is a pic with the shot data. Unfortunately the quality is lacking because of the posting limitations.

File name
IMG_0667.CR2
Camera Model Name
Canon EOS 20D
Shooting Date/Time
6/16/2006 12:51:54
Tv(Shutter Speed)
1/800Sec.
Av(Aperture Value)
F11
Metering Modes
Centerweighted average metering
Exposure Compensation
0
ISO Speed
400
Lens
75-300mm
Focal Length
155.0 mm
Image size
3504 x 2336
Image Quality
RAW
Flash
Off
White Balance
Auto
AF mode
AI focus AF
Picture Style
-
Parameters
Tone Curve : -
Sharpness level : -
Pattern Sharpness : -
Contrast : 1
Sharpness : 1
Color saturation : 1
Color tone : 0
Color matrix
-
Color Space
sRGB
File Size
8183 KB
Drive Mode
Single-frame shooting

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