How Can I Start?

I am sure this has been discussed a million times, but I searched a few times, and couldn't find anything...

Anyway... Here is my situation:
I am 15 years old, and I work as an assistant\2nd photographer for a local professional. I just sold my XTI and upgraded to the 40D! I am now, as you can imagine, deathly low on cash. I currently have my eye on a wireless\wired remote for my camera, and Lightroom. Then, I have a few lenses in mine (24-70 2.8L as a start, haha).
My only sources of income are currently: $50/mo for cutting my grandparents grass, and then I rarely have any shoots to assist\2nd shoot, and when I do, I only make around $20-$40 a shoot ($150'ish for weddings, and the next wedding scheduled is the end of next month). ANYWAY! I was wondering how I can start making some quick cash from small\easy gigs!

I do feel confident in my skills, but not too confident in my glass (My only decent piece of glass is the 50mm f/1.4). I do have the option of renting glass (if the gig will pay off the rental costs).

I know everyone will probably tell me to get business cards printed, and advertise, but I want some more info than that!

I would like to shoot some little league sports, but, I have a feeling people will think of me as a perv, and not sure if parents will order enough prints to pay off a decent lens rental! I also would like to take some portraits of family members, but that won't get me any cash (my parents wouldn't let me charge a family member, or even a friend, anything! Even if I have to pay for prints, they will make me take the loss)

So yeah... Pretty basic question(s), so hopefully everyone can help me out!

I have a simple suggestion.
Shoot, shoot, shoot. The more variety the better, meet people, get yourself out there...

I am in the process of doing that... Since I can't drive, and my parents aren't willing to drive me, I walk a few miles everyday with my camera... I shoot the same things sometimes, and every time I shoot it, I get a little bit better...

I have met MANY people, and are all impressed by my work (especially at such a young age). I have had a few inquiries about shoots (one event(piano recital) and a family portrait) but they both died (Piano recital didn't happen because the host thought my work was too formal, and the recital was going to be a casual thing... And the family never got back to me on my follow up about the portrait).
Anyway... I just need some help as to what to say, to whom, and when! Or how I should start advertising... I am in the process of getting some business cards (still working on the design), so that will of course, be one main part. But I would like some other methods!
I already have a site, that gets about 5-30 views a day (not too many, but hey!)

At 15 making money will be tough, very few people will hire someone your age, given there are so many great older photographers. I think you'd have to be twice as good and half the price to get the work. If the subject is people you won't get the respect or attention of subjects, which will make things tough especially at weddings. My suggestion is to enjoy taking photos, and to take as wide a range as you can, develop your skills, and don't try and make serious money from it yet. You might be better off doing arty stuff, exhibited, so your age isn't visible. Assisting and 2nd shooting as well, as you're doing, just find someone who values your work and isn't bothered by your age, as in that position it's not even relevant. Have the person getting paid the big bucks supply any equipment you need. Have fun doing it, but enjoy your life.

For 15 you're pretty good, but while you have a couple of standout portraits you're not at a professional level, but you have potential. You have a few minor technical issues, need more time to learn posing, and most 15 year olds need life experience and age to help with their people interaction skills. Making people feel comfortable is also important, and they have to have confidence in you for that. Your age counts against you again here.

Ditch the 24-70 idea, get a 17-55, it's a better lens. Even better since you don't HAVE to produce anything get a 28mm (give or take) fast prime, you'll probably learn more than with a zoom too.

Summary: practice, relax, enjoy life, and get a degree in something solid to fall back on - IT works great for that. Everyone wants to be a photographer, few succeed.

Dude, you have yourself a sweet possibility. You're in High School, why not do senior pictures for people who normally wouldn't get them done? Charge like 50 bucks (maybe more?) and give them a CD of all the pictures. If you do that every summer, by the time you're a senior, you might be able to do every classmate's portraits!

So go find the stoners and slackers from your school, and tell them you'll make sure their picture in the year book won't just be a snap shot done by the yearbook committee. Just have them sign a release so you can add the pics to your portfolio! I wish I would have thought of that when I was 15!

Good luck, and let us know what you end up doing! And hey, you can always do maternity pics for the unwed teenage mothers!

You have great drive and dedication to photography for only being 15. If I were you, I would enjoy life as a teenager more and worry less about making money to buy more gear. If you really do want money to buy more gear, why not get a job (non-photography) that will pay you an hourly wage so you know if you work x amount of hours for x amount of time, then you can get x lens. Because you are 15 and most people won't hire you based on that (sadly, it's the truth) in a few years when you're older (Say 18 ) and you've had more years experience and have saved up the money to get all the gear you want, you'll be unstoppable!

But if this is something you really want to do and the only way to make extra money is to get a non-photography job, just do it. It won't degrade you or make you look like you're not a good photographer. It will simply show you're responsible and even more driven to get what you want (it proves you're willing to do what's necessary to get the job done).

I started working when I was 14 (yup, fast food place) and while it wasn't my dream job by any means, it gave me money of my own. And now a days, minimum wage is way higher than it was back when I worked.

If you are dead set against that idea and only want to make money off your photography, then go with what AdrianeCale said and offer to do senior portraits. Also, really hit up your neighborhood for work (depending on where you live) offer to do family portraits at a 'neighborhood discounted rate' or offer some kind of package - like if they buy a family portrait package, you'll throw in a free portrait package of their choice: pet or child. While you're advertising your portrait packages, you can give them a list of other services you're willing to do, like their kids birthday party.

If you know anyone with a really nice car in your neighborhood, offer to make pro photos of their car. Usually car guys like to have their car in photo (at least my dad does, lol).

Now thats just within your neighborhood. Now branch out from there. Go to where your relatives live and start doing the same thing (as long as your relative is good friends with her neighbors) and say "I'm so and so's grandson/nephew/cousin​" and give your speach about portraits for cheap, etc. You can even go as far and say "I'm taking this summer to give discounted packages to friends, family and friends of family, but once fall comes, it's back to my regular prices" - which will make it seem like you already have a business going and you have higher prices, making the prices they're given seem like a deal.

Maybe I'm just rambling here and probably not great ideas at all, but that's what I just came up with. No matter what, don't ever give up and don't try to rush anything.

tim wrote in post #5707355
At 15 making money will be tough, very few people will hire someone your age, given there are so many great older photographers. I think you'd have to be twice as good and half the price to get the work. If the subject is people you won't get the respect or attention of subjects, which will make things tough especially at weddings. My suggestion is to enjoy taking photos, and to take as wide a range as you can, develop your skills, and don't try and make serious money from it yet. You might be better off doing arty stuff, exhibited, so your age isn't visible. Assisting and 2nd shooting as well, as you're doing, just find someone who values your work and isn't bothered by your age, as in that position it's not even relevant. Have the person getting paid the big bucks supply any equipment you need. Have fun doing it, but enjoy your life.

For 15 you're pretty good, but while you have a couple of standout portraits you're not at a professional level, but you have potential. You have a few minor technical issues, need more time to learn posing, and most 15 year olds need life experience and age to help with their people interaction skills. Making people feel comfortable is also important, and they have to have confidence in you for that. Your age counts against you again here.

Ditch the 24-70 idea, get a 17-55, it's a better lens. Even better since you don't HAVE to produce anything get a 28mm (give or take) fast prime, you'll probably learn more than with a zoom too.

Summary: practice, relax, enjoy life, and get a degree in something solid to fall back on - IT works great for that. Everyone wants to be a photographer, few succeed.

I was also thinking that nobody would hire me because I am 15... Thanks for the advice\suggestions\com​ments.
I considered the 17-55, but I am just scared away by EF-S lenses lol, not sure why!
How exactly would you say it's better? The focal range I would say is better for sorta what I want, but again, I don't want to spend $1k on a lens and in 2 years have to sell it and spend another $1k+ on a replacement.. (How well would this lens keep it's resale?)

AdrianeCale wrote in post #5708208
Dude, you have yourself a sweet possibility. You're in High School, why not do senior pictures for people who normally wouldn't get them done? Charge like 50 bucks (maybe more?) and give them a CD of all the pictures. If you do that every summer, by the time you're a senior, you might be able to do every classmate's portraits!

So go find the stoners and slackers from your school, and tell them you'll make sure their picture in the year book won't just be a snap shot done by the yearbook committee. Just have them sign a release so you can add the pics to your portfolio! I wish I would have thought of that when I was 15!

Good luck, and let us know what you end up doing! And hey, you can always do maternity pics for the unwed teenage mothers!

Yes, I am in High School, but I am homeschooled... For this year's seniors, all the parents of the seniors decided to hire a professional photographer, and all the seniors got their individual senior portraits done, as a group. So, hopefully, they don't do this next year, because I am planning on shooting some of the seniors for next year! My brother will be a senior next year, and so will his girlfriend, so I am planning on taking their senior portraits and I will try to charge them (my parents will probably talk me out of charging a family member, lol).
"And hey, you can always do maternity pics for the unwed teenage mothers!" Hahahahaha... Wow... Umm yeah, there aren't really any of these at a Christian homeschool group, but I do have a 16 year old friend who is soon to be an "unwed teenage mother" so I might be able to do some maternity\newborn photos...

valentinephoto wrote in post #5708308
You have great drive and dedication to photography for only being 15. If I were you, I would enjoy life as a teenager more and worry less about making money to buy more gear. If you really do want money to buy more gear, why not get a job (non-photography) that will pay you an hourly wage so you know if you work x amount of hours for x amount of time, then you can get x lens. Because you are 15 and most people won't hire you based on that (sadly, it's the truth) in a few years when you're older (Say 18 ) and you've had more years experience and have saved up the money to get all the gear you want, you'll be unstoppable!

But if this is something you really want to do and the only way to make extra money is to get a non-photography job, just do it. It won't degrade you or make you look like you're not a good photographer. It will simply show you're responsible and even more driven to get what you want (it proves you're willing to do what's necessary to get the job done).

I started working when I was 14 (yup, fast food place) and while it wasn't my dream job by any means, it gave me money of my own. And now a days, minimum wage is way higher than it was back when I worked.

If you are dead set against that idea and only want to make money off your photography, then go with what AdrianeCale said and offer to do senior portraits. Also, really hit up your neighborhood for work (depending on where you live) offer to do family portraits at a 'neighborhood discounted rate' or offer some kind of package - like if they buy a family portrait package, you'll throw in a free portrait package of their choice: pet or child. While you're advertising your portrait packages, you can give them a list of other services you're willing to do, like their kids birthday party.

If you know anyone with a really nice car in your neighborhood, offer to make pro photos of their car. Usually car guys like to have their car in photo (at least my dad does, lol).

Now thats just within your neighborhood. Now branch out from there. Go to where your relatives live and start doing the same thing (as long as your relative is good friends with her neighbors) and say "I'm so and so's grandson/nephew/cousin​" and give your speach about portraits for cheap, etc. You can even go as far and say "I'm taking this summer to give discounted packages to friends, family and friends of family, but once fall comes, it's back to my regular prices" - which will make it seem like you already have a business going and you have higher prices, making the prices they're given seem like a deal.

Maybe I'm just rambling here and probably not great ideas at all, but that's what I just came up with. No matter what, don't ever give up and don't try to rush anything.

Thanks for the encouragement, and suggestions. I am enjoying my teenage life, I am enjoying it by taking photos everywhere, and whenever I can! I am a very strange guy... My way of enjoying life, is to challenge myself, set high goals for myself, and reach those goals even if it means no sleep!!
I am planning to start a (well, sorta) photography 'business' when I turn 17 or 18 (and when I can drive myself to shoots, lol). Hopefully I will be much better by then, and people will be willing to hire me!

Talking about the non photography related summer job.. I am applying (also interviewing) for a job at a local pizza place. I really hope that I get the job!! By doing some quick math, if I only work 15 hours a week, I could make around $400-$500 a month! So yeah... Dreaming is amazing!

Great suggestions about advertising in my neighborhood, and others!
Not to brag or anything, but I live in Orange County, where all the rich people live, so almost EVERYONE (except my family) owns a nice car... I guess I could practice 'car photography' with my parent's cars.. Hmmm...

Great ideas everyone! Thanks for all the answers!


One more bit of information...
I may get the chance to be the 'official photographer' (un-paid) at my churches VBS (Vacation Bible School, it's a week long thing where 1-4th graders come and play games, ect.). I am thinking about getting business cards printed, and then handing them out to a few of the parents, then I can tell them if they want to buy some prints of their kid(s), they can just contact me. I will also, of course, give them info on where they can see the photos.
And as a question to add on to this:
If I put the photos on flickr, will I need a model release? Or is that only if I put them in my portfolio, and use them to promote myself?

Oh God! I hope my kids are as driven and ambitious as you are when they are 15! I'm not worried about you...you have everything it takes to go far!

I hear McDonald's is hiring.

Seriously, take a normal teenager's crap job until you can sign your own contracts. I don't think too many people would be willing to hire someone they can't even hold legally accountable for something important. You'd make more money at Mickey D's anyway.

cdifoto wrote in post #5709609
I hear McDonald's is hiring.

Seriously, take a normal teenager's crap job until you can sign your own contracts. I don't think too many people would be willing to hire someone they can't even hold legally accountable for something important. You'd make more money at Mickey D's anyway.

Hahaha... Yeah, that's true >.<
I am applying\interviewing for Roundtable Pizza, if that doesn't work out, I will go out full steam looking for a job! Haha

Hi again Brad,

1. Do you know where every photo-related business in your immediate area is? Have you met them all?

Open the yellow pages and turn to "P". There you will find a long list of potential employers. Start knocking on doors (no emails or texting, face to face is critical). A phone call is only okay to set up a face to face appointment. Try to get a job as an assistant/2nd in a studio, more gigs with wedding photogs, anyone. Heck, get a job at the local Wolf/Ritz Camera or whoever, maybe they'll let you borrow equipment if you need it for a job.

Where do you buy your stuff? Do they know you there? Do they know what you do or do they have a bulletin board where you could pin up a note?

Compile a list of the contacts you make and keep in touch with them. Don't be a pest, but say "hi" every so often. It may take two or three or ten unobtrusive and pleasant contacts before they will take you seriously at the same moment they have a need that you can fill.

Personally I'd exhaust the possibilities finding local, photo-related work before signing on at Round Table. But, you may end up doing the more typical work just to get a paycheck coming in. That's fine, but if you do, don't stop making new photo-related contacts whenever you can.

A friend of mine is in commercial real estate. He makes good money at it, putting together multi-million dollar sales and leases for large companies. However, something he told me once really stuck, and is similar to a lot of photography work:

"Once I close a deal and collect my commission check, I'm unemployed until I put another deal together and bring it to closing. So, I spend a whole lot heck of a lot more time unemployed than employed. That's just the way it is. But, it doesn't mean I ever stop working, even when I'm 'unemployed' there are never enough hours in the day to do all the things I'd like to do."

2. Business cards... yes. You can print your own at home. You'll need them to hand to all the people you meet doing step #1. At least initially. The job you find may mean changing the cards, so just print what you need immediately.

3. Put together a portfolio of your work. You'll need it to show all the people you meet in step #1.

4. Be very careful who you associate with... Their reputation will rub off on you, and possibly some of their bad/unethical habits. (I say this because of one of your previous posts.) Hold out for quality work with quality people. Otherwise your career might be short-lived.

5. Be a little patient. Things come over time. Shoot with what you've got and add to it a little at a time, again emphasizing quality. If you find a lot of work, maybe your parents would consider a small business loan to help you get started... but you really have to focus on the absolute essentials, not "the stuff you want".

6. Look into the laws of California regarding someone your age working. I don't know them, but you should.

7. Head to the library and look up all you can about photography and running a small business. Make a list of photographers you admire, then look at their work and figure out what it is you like about it.

Think "commercially" about photography, not just artistically. The best pros combine both, but a lot of fairly un-artistic photographers manage to have very good solid careers because they are quite good at the business side of things. Making a living as a photographer is 80 or 90% about business, 10-20% about photography.

8. Your website is an electronic portfolio that's out there for the whole world to see. Make sure it shows people what you want it to and reflects only your best.

"This photo currently unavailable " on the opening page is totally unacceptable.

Under the "About" tab, remove the statement from your website: "...has loved photography with a passion since October, 2007..." That just tells me that you picked up your first camera just over six months ago. It's okay to say that you are "passionate about photography". Or, to say that you "bring fresh eyes to your work". In other words, it's okay to be new and enthusiastic and all. Just over six months may seem a long time to you at age 15, but it's merely a brief fling in adult eyes.

I'm not sure about blogging on a "professional" web site. Look at some pro's websites and see how they use their blogs... A lot of time it's to let current and potential clients know what they are up to, where they are going, that new images have been added to their stock collection, that they offer a new service or have a new tool to offer, etc. Not to chat about equipment they just bought or worry that they can't seem to find anything interesting around their neighborhood to shoot. Save that for your personal website elsewhere, or for discussion here. Not on the site your potential clients/employers will be visiting and poking around.

A website is important, but cannot stand on its own. You need to drive traffic to it and your contacting people (step 1) will help with that.

One last thing about websites.... There's a common mistake that people make, whether they design and build their own site or have a pro do it for them. In fact, web designers can be the worst about this because they love to show off how fancy they can make a site and most use broadband themselves. Here's the deal:

Probably more than 60% of people in the US today are still on dial up connections. Overly complex sites, especially those with heavy graphics like photo sites, can be very slow loading. So, be sure to test your site's performance at 56K or even 33K. If your site is slow, those dial-up customers will just go elsewhere. The old "rule of thumb" used to be that if a page takes longer than 30 seconds to load, most people will go elsewhere. Design your page for "the least common denominator", i.e. the slowest likely connection.

9. Join a local photography club. This will allow you to see how other photographers are finding great images and help you learn to "see". Many have competitions, feedback/critiques, self-assignments, etc. to foster this.

10. Instead of a 24-70, get books such as "The Law in Plain English for Photographers" and "Forms for Photographers", "Pricing Photography" etc. to learn about the nuts and bolts of the work. These books will cost a lot less and help you eventually buy that 24-70. This is important stuff that will benefit you a lot if you can just train yourself to pay close attention to the details right from the start. Not fun, I know, but a big part of the 80-90% I mentioned earlier... the business side of things.

11. Any local coffee shops? Do any allow you to display photos, say for a month or two or three? If so, make arrangements and put up a few of your mostly commercially oriented shots: portraits, whatever, with your business card in the corner.

Have some fun along the way, too.

amfoto1 wrote in post #5710462
Hi again Brad,

1. DO you know where every photo-related business in your immediate area is? Have you met them all?

Open the yellow pages and turn to "P". There you will find a long list of potential employers. Start knocking on doors (no emails or texting, face to face is critical). A phone call is only okay to set up a face to face appointment. Try to get a job as an assistant/2nd in a studio, more gigs with wedding photogs, anyone. Heck, get a job at the local Wolf/Ritz Camera or whoever, maybe they'll let you borrow equipment if you need it for a job.

Where do you buy your stuff? Do they know you there? Do they know what you do or do they have a bulletin board where you could pin up a note?

Compile a list of the contacts you make and keep in touch with them. Don't be a pest, but say "hi" every so often. It may take two or three or ten unobtrusive and pleasant contacts before they will take you seriously at the same moment they have a need that you can fill.

Personally I'd exhaust the possibilities finding local, photo-related work before signing on at Round Table. But, you may end up doing the more typical work just to get a paycheck coming in. That's fine, but if you do, don't stop making new photo-related contacts whenever you can.

A friend of mine is in commercial real estate. He makes good money at it, putting together multi-million dollar sales and leases for large companies. However, something he told me once really stuck, and is similar to a lot of photography work:

"Once I close a deal and collect my commission check, I'm unemployed until I put another deal together and bring it to closing. So, I spend a whole lot heck of a lot more time unemployed than employed. That's just the way it is. But, it doesn't mean I ever stop working, even when I'm 'unemployed' there are never enough hours in the day to do all the things I'd like to do."

- No I don't... I know a few, but not all of them. I guess I can start here!
- I have thought of this, and still am.
- I buy my stuff from B&H, so I can't really do this\that. I do, however, occasionally got to Samy's Camera (A huge photography store), but not enough to get to know any employees.
- I am in the process of creating a list, such as this. I will, of course, add to it as time goes on.

Thanks for that quote, I have a feeling I will remember that for a while!

amfoto1 wrote in post #5710462
2. Business cards... yes. You can print your own at home. You'll need them to hand to all the people you meet doing step #1. At least initially. The job you find may mean changing the cards, so just print what you need immediately.

I could print them at home, but we don't own a color printer... Haha
I will most definitely hand them to everyone I meet!

amfoto1 wrote in post #5710462
3. Put together a portfolio of your work. You'll need it to show all the people you meet in step #1.

I have been thinking about doing this, and I probably will within the next few weeks. Since I am not allowed to be posting most of the photos I get working as an assistant on the internet, I will just make a print portfolio with them.
Quick question for this though: Would you recommend me just printing a few 8x10's or so, and get a binder\folder and put them in there? Or should I do what some have suggested, and get a photo book printed and just put my work in there. (I could have a few pages for seniors, few for weddings, then families, events, ect.)

amfoto1 wrote in post #5710462
4. Be very careful who you associate with... Their reputation will rub off on you, and possibly some of their bad/unethical habits. (I say this because of one of your previous posts.) Hold out for quality work with quality people. Otherwise your career might be short-lived.

This is a big tip for me, thanks for bringing it to my attention. I did already know this, but it never really crossed my mind how important it really is.

amfoto1 wrote in post #5710462
5. Be a little patient. Things come over time. Shoot with what you've got and add to it a little at a time, again emphasizing quality. If you find a lot of work, maybe your parents would consider a small business loan to help you get started... but you really have to focus on the absolute essentials, not "the stuff you want".

I have agreed with this ever since I started this expensive hobby\career interest. I am currently only thinking about the things that will help me produce better work, in the types of photography I want to grow in. (Portraits, weddings, ect.) For example, I really want a macro lens, but am telling myself to get what I need, before the things I just want.

amfoto1 wrote in post #5710462
7. Head to the library and look up all you can about photography and running a small business. Make a list of photographers you admire, then look at their work and figure out what it is you like about it.

I have made a list of photographers I admire, but haven't looked at their photos to see why I like them. I have heard this suggestion from many different people, but never really did it.

amfoto1 wrote in post #5710462
Think "commercially" about photography, not just artistically. The best pros combine both, but a lot of fairly un-artistic photographers manage to have very good solid careers because they are quite good at the business side of things. Making a living as a photographer is 80 or 90% about business, 10-20% about photography.

I have heard this same thing MANY times. I don't disagree with it at all. But right now I am focusing on my photography. As said above, I am only 15, the only people who would really hire me are friends\family and that wouldn't be because of my business skills. So, like I said, I am working on my skill, and then when I feel I am absolutely ready to begin the business portion, I will. (I know this sounds like it is contradicting what I have asked, and said, but it my mind it makes perfect sense... lol)

amfoto1 wrote in post #5710462
8. Your website is an electronic portfolio that's out there for the whole world to see. Make sure it shows people what you want it to and reflects only your best.

I only recently realized this. I have, since then, began swapping out photos in my portfolio with only the ones that show more of my style.

amfoto1 wrote in post #5710462
"This photo currently unavailable " on the opening page is totally unacceptable.

I totally agree, and I noticed this a day or two ago. I have fixed it, and it will be updated\completely fixed tonight (along with the other changes you suggested)

amfoto1 wrote in post #5710462
Under the "About" tab, remove the statement from your website: "...has loved photography with a passion since October, 2007..." That just tells me that you picked up your first camera just over six months ago. It's okay to say that you are "passionate about photography". Or, to say that you "bring fresh eyes to your work". In other words, it's okay to be new and enthusiastic and all. Just over six months may seem a long time to you at age 15, but it's merely a brief fling in adult eyes.

I never thought of this, thanks for bringing it up. It will be fixed, along with all the other changes, tonight!

amfoto1 wrote in post #5710462
I'm not sure about blogging on a "professional" web site. Look at some pro's websites and see how they use their blogs... A lot of time it's to let current and potential clients know what they are up to, where they are going, that new images have been added to their stock collection, that they offer a new service or have a new tool to offer, etc. Not to chat about equipment they just bought or worry that they can't seem to find anything interesting around their neighborhood to shoot. Save that for your personal website elsewhere, or for discussion here. Not on the site your potential clients/employers will be visiting and poking around.

I understand this, and I thought about only blogging about the things the 'professionals' blog about, but I don't do shoots on my own, so if I made the blog about that, I wouldn't have any posts...
I will, however, go through and edit each post so it is a bit more of a professional photography blog.

amfoto1 wrote in post #5710462
A website is important, but cannot stand on its own. You need to drive traffic to it and your contacting people (step 1) will help with that.

One last thing about websites.... There's a common mistake that people make, whether they design and build their own site or have a pro do it for them. In fact, web designers can be the worst about this because they love to show off how fancy they can make a site and most use broadband themselves. Here's the deal:

Probably more than 60% of people in the US today are still on dial up connections. Overly complex sites, especially those with heavy graphics like photo sites, can be very slow loading. So, be sure to test your site's performance at 56K or even 33K. If your site is slow, those dial-up customers will just go elsewhere. The old "rule of thumb" used to be that if a page takes longer than 30 seconds to load, most people will go elsewhere. Design your page for "the least common denominator", i.e. the slowest likely connection.

Wow, 60%? I never knew that... I will definitely test it.

amfoto1 wrote in post #5710462
Have some fun along the way, too.

Will do.
Thanks for all the help\answers\suggestio​ns!!!

Tumeg wrote in post #5709420
I was also thinking that nobody would hire me because I am 15... Thanks for the advice\suggestions\com​ments.
I considered the 17-55, but I am just scared away by EF-S lenses lol, not sure why!
How exactly would you say it's better? The focal range I would say is better for sorta what I want, but again, I don't want to spend $1k on a lens and in 2 years have to sell it and spend another $1k+ on a replacement.. (How well would this lens keep it's resale?)

24-70 is too long on a crop body if you get yourself into a tight spot, and IS is invaluable. Put it this way, I like it so much I bought two of them, one as a backup (must have backups for weddings). The reliability of the 17-55 IS unit isn't quite as good as L series, so have a backup, even if it's the kit lens. And even with the minor reliability issue I still recommend it over the 24-70. I know a guy (Lloyd/PictureCrazy) on his 7th 24-70, he just can't get one that will focus correctly at all focal lengths on his 1D3. Lenses generally hold their value well.

tim wrote in post #5711052
24-70 is too long on a crop body if you get yourself into a tight spot, and IS is invaluable. Put it this way, I like it so much I bought two of them, one as a backup (must have backups for weddings). The reliability of the 17-55 IS unit isn't quite as good as L series, so have a backup, even if it's the kit lens. And even with the minor reliability issue I still recommend it over the 24-70. I know a guy (Lloyd/PictureCrazy) on his 7th 24-70, he just can't get one that will focus correctly at all focal lengths on his 1D3. Lenses generally hold their value well.

I occassionally pop on my dad's, 17 year old, 28-80mm lens, and the focal range just feels right!
I have seen photos from the 17-55mm f/2.8 IS, compared to the 24-70, and to me it seems like the 17-55 surpasses the 24-70 in IQ... But the only thing I am hesitant on, is the focal range. I would, every so often, use my kit lens (before I sold it) just for wide angle shots, and with it, I never really went wider then 20mm, 18mm on a crop body just feels so dang wide (I guess cause I am use to using the 50mm, and nothing else).

O'well, I guess I will just think it over... I am far from being able to afford either lens atm..

Geez, Brad, you're just giving money away!