All I ever think about photography.
Great, but understand it's 85% back end work and 15% actually shooting when you do it as a business. Hobby to pro there's a big switch in time you spend shooting.
All my friends and family tell me I should do this full time.
EVERYONE'S family and friends will say that - honestly won't even listen to their opinion with more than a grain of salt. I'd rather hear bad reviews than good ones if being completely honest. You learn more from what you do wrong than right. Friends/family don't know the difference between good and bad and have a tilted perspective anyways.
I have a great knowledge about techniques and lighting.
Prove it...show some samples.
I was thinking of going to a larger studio around here and starting to learn from a pro there. Apprentice or just be an employee?
Are they going to want to teach you just to leave and have you cut into their business? I just interviewed two people not to long ago for a coaching position - one of the questions was about this, does this person want to use it as a stepping stone or be here. He answered stepping stone, wrong answer and was heavily criticized on that answer. He ended up getting the job because all 9 other questions he aced - but that one almost sunk it.
I need to learn more about actual posing people.
Depending what you want to shoot, hire an experienced model to work with and pick their mind on posing - of course tell them that's what you're doing. It's one thing to look at all the poses online (there's plenty of sample sheets out there), but totally different doing it with a model and camera in hand.
I love candid photos and need to find a unique nitch.
Find what you want to shoot - that's the first step. Pointless to shoot what you hate just to pay a bill, not the way to go because you won't last doing what you don't like.
Even saw how much the photog charges for pictures at my daycare and he takes a couple pictures. I am in the business world and realize there is a lot more than what I see him doing. I just have to find a nitch. It just scares me to start and try to build a business.
If it scares you then you're not ready...all in or all out, no in between when it comes to trying to launch a small business. You could fail, most do, but no point in not trying with a full head of steam and the all in mentality. Don't take that as a quit your other job and risk losing everything - but you do it to the best of your ability at the level you can.
My life would be soooo much better though then the current job I work at.
Look into the actual business end of photography before you make that statement. Everyone thinks this way when doing it as a hobby and a lot fail because they don't realize how hard it is. Photography ranks as one of the least paying and most stressful jobs out there, and if you haven't noticed has been getting worse. Everybody loves it as a hobby or weekend warrior thing, when trying to live off it it's a lot more.
Any Advice?
Don't go in unprepared and don't start what you don't intend to finish as well as don't be afraid to fail.
How did you start?
Worked hard, made contacts, worked hard, delivered more than expected, worked hard, always trying to get better, failed, worked hard.
How did you learn?
You talk to everyone, other photographers, random people (the people buying) on what they like, online material, message boards, not settling for not knowing how something is done, lots of time researching, experimenting, etc.
This has been a hobby that has taken over my life. Want to start small and build up a book of business.
Definitely start small but be someone that does big work. In other words you're not like the other 100 people in town that own a camera and think they're photographers. You have to produce what they can't, market to a direct audience. If you can't produce you won't last - if you can't sell yourself you won't last. It's difficult!
My mothers friend is an event planner and works a lot with bar/bat mitzvah's and weddings. That could be a great place to start.
Is it what you want to shoot though is the question? They can SUCK big time if you don't enjoy it and like the stress and create good work. I got an offer to do something like this (combo package) with a DJ a couple years ago and immediately said no - not what I like and don't want to get "stuck" doing it. Really the first step is finding what you want to shoot.
Sorry not all rainbows, puppies, and lolly pops but the truth of it all.
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