Help promoting?

I put out good work.
Work I feel comfortable charging for.
I just have one drawback: I'm 16.

I know that now about half of you are already typing the whole "how can you expect people to fork out tons of cash for someone who can't even buy smokes?"

The fact is, I'm not looking to have this huge lavish business. I just want to earn money that I can use to fund my hobby. I've shot a few sessions, and have a good portfolio in the works. I handle myself professionally, and fit anything besides the "teenage punk" steriotype.

How do I promote to get more clients despite my age? Again, nothing I'd be pushing hard. Like this year, my goal was to earn through smugmug to keep the site up another year(which I did successfully!) I'd just like buy a flash or something once in a while.

People often tell me "your work is fantastic. You should do photojournalism or something when your older!" ,Never "Can you shoot my daughters portraits?"

What was the turning point for you? I'm also asking for tips.

Here are some ideas I've thought up:
moo cards
starting a facebook page

The turning point is being able to enter into legal contracts. When people pay for these services, they have an expectation not only of a certain service but an ability to hold the photographer accountable. Since you're not of legal age yet, there's no way that someone can hold you responsible.

You might want to try shooting friends for free and getting their parents to buy photos that were already captured if it's portraiture you're trying to get into.

Beyond that, you'll have a difficult time getting people to hire you for your photography. I get emails all the time asking if I have openings and to be honest not a single one has been someone I would hire to operate a camera. They'd be put to work carrying stuff around if anything.

Personally, if I were you I'd enjoy being a kid and have fun with photography as a hobby. You have 60 years of working life ahead of you...don't be in such a rush to begin.

PJ work is considerably different from portraits. Are you showing them portraits? And, if so, are you asking for the work?

cdifoto wrote in post #11280218
Personally, if I were you I'd enjoy being a kid and have fun with photography as a hobby. You have 60 years of working life ahead of you...don't be in such a rush to begin.

Yeah, but kids never have enough money!

True that! Working at Walmart pays, but its never enough.

Thats an idea!

Work for someone else.
Get a portrait job, studio assistant job or similar.
Gain experience in the business aspect of the career you want.
Taking stellar shots is a small portion of being successful.

zagiace wrote in post #11287535
Work for someone else.
Get a portrait job, studio assistant job or similar.
Gain experience in the business aspect of the career you want.
Taking stellar shots is a small portion of being successful.

This is some great advice here. I was decent before, but after working in a studio for over a year, I gained way more knowledge into the business side of things, such as handling customers, handling vendors, working as a team. It would be a good expierence for you.