Getting Started

Hi Everyone! I am pretty new here, so I apologize if I missed a thread like this somewhere else. I am looking at starting a photography business (mostly weddings and things that can be done on site) on the side. I plan to go about this the proper way (insurance, incorporating, etc.), but have a few questions.

First, when you first started out, what did you use to make up your portfolio? I have a good number of nature shots and a few engagement type photos I have done for friends, I am not sure what else to put in. Is it kosher to have friends dress up in their wedding dresses and use those photos as long as I disclose to my future clients that I haven't been a primary shooter before?

Also, everyone says to find an opportunity to be a second shooter for weddings, but I haven't been able to find anyone in my area (Dayton, OH) who seems willing to do this. I am not sure if it is just a territory thing, so I wanted to see if the established pros out here actually consider folks like me who contact them.

One more thing, I see that there are several professional photography organizations out there (PPA, WPI, etc.). Considering the initial costs here, which would you recommend or what order would you recommend if all are good.

Thanks for your assistance!

Erin

Welcome to POTN

One of the skills needed getting started is learning from what others have done. For example a search would've bought up dozens of threads with the same title. The "related threads" on the bottom left of this page will give you a few links.

How to start out depends on the area of photography you want to get into. Can you use modelling sessions to get wedding work? Sure, so long as you fully disclose when and how they were taken, and tell them your experience. You will pretty much have to work for free, don't try and make a single dollar from your first few weddings, as for your first few you're probably worth about that.

Professional associations are good, but I wouldn't bother until you've done a few at least to see if you want to keep doing it.

Ah, another Dayton-area photographer... Welcome. Still somewhat new to the business myself, but do have some weddings and various shoots under my belt.

Feel free to take a look at my site: http://www.joshography​.com and contact me anytime at osh@joshography.com . Always looking for someone to go shooting with just for fun and practice.

Wow, just saw you posted in September... Oh well, I am a little slow catching up on some of the forums here. I took a look at some of your other posts and I think you are doing well getting started.

I'd say my approach was similar to what you're planning. My first portfolio shots were from convincing my wife to put on her wedding dress. I put those along with pictures from family events up as my portfolio.

This was enough for me to book a half-dozen $250 Craigslist weddings.

The Craigslist weddings enabled me to book a dozen $500 weddings.

The $500 wedding shots enabled me to book $750 weddings.

The $750 weddings enabled me to book $1000 weddings.

My 2009 prices go up to $1800, so we'll see how that goes.

This has been in a span of about 15 months, so it does take some time.

Thanks GIT-R-DONE and Megapixle for your posts. It is glad to hear that others have started from the ground up successfully. I was very frustrated initially that though I wanted to second shoot like everyone on here recommends, I couldn't find anyone who would even talk with me. I have been doing a lot of family photos and youth sports lately just to improve my skills (in the broad sense), but am really looking for wedding opportunities, as I don't think there is any way to learn without really being in the environment. Anyone can get it right with hours to do it, but it takes skill to get it done with all the real pressures of a wedding.