 Kimberley D. Milburn |
Calling all photographers...Need lots of advice... Okay here's the deal....I love taking pictures, I really love it. I have never taken a class and I have yet to figure out all the termanology(sp) of a camera.I know if I really knew what I was doing besides point and click my pictures could be even better. I have had many people say they love my pictures and I should do this instead of what I am doing now ( teacher's aide). Where do I begin? I am overwhelmed, it would be a wonderful dream to be a photographer, I love taking pictures of children. I just dont know how to start. How can I learn all I need to learn on a teachers aide salary and what kind of class's should I start with? How to classes etc? This is a dream I would love to fulfill but I am so overwhelmed on how to start it. My husband bought me a new digital rebel camera and a new EpsonR800 printer. So far they are doing great as far as picture and quality goes. Will this eqipment work for a starter or is this equipment not up too par? I have three to four people at work a week asking me to take pictures of there families, children and even their pets but I dont know what to charge, or if Im good enough and if Im doing it all right. See how confused I am? I also have 2 photshop type programs on my computer photoshop elements 2 and picture studio 2. So to any of you photgraphers out there, I need advice, please!!!! please please email me and help me get started!! Kimberley I have a web site on betterphoto with some of my stuff Kimberley Milburn
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Kerry L. Walker |
Your digital Rebel is an excellent camera with which to learn. The thing you need to do is read all you can about photography and practice, practice, practice. New York Institute of Photography has an excellent program of study on photography in general. I think it costs around $800.00, not sure. Another thing is to shoot pictures and post them on here asking for a critique. You will find the folks on here very helpful and very kind.
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Rhonda L. Tolar |
Do you have a university or communtiy college near you? Check out there community ed programs and see if they offer photography classes. I take every class I can get into. I learn some little something new with every class I take. It sounds like you already have the composition part down, all you need is some "tweeking" techniques. And as far as pricing goes, charge what the market will bear, or start out doubling what your costs are, ie: paper, ink, and don't forget to pay yourself for your time. Good luck!
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Michael H. Cothran |
My best advice would be to contact those people whom you state are wanting family pictures taken, and do them for FREE! (Even PAY THEM if you have to). What you need right now is practice and experience. And lots of it. At this point, to have willing subjects pose for you is the best you could ask for. Take advantage of it. Once you begin to feel more confident, and your port folio grows a little, then start charging a fee. Not before. As for references, look online for Monte Zucker. Read every word the man has written, and learn every aspect of the business that you can grasp from him. No one is better at lighting and posing, and no one offers technical information to the public the way he does. He's a legend in his own time, and continues to go strong today, in his golden years. Michael H. Cothran www.mhcphoto.net
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Courtnie |
I'm almost in the same boat! I don't have any schooling and just did a few favors taking pictures of some of the seniors around here. Since I live 2hrs from any college I've had to read, read, read. I took a one day class and have been trying to learn on my own. I'm a stay at home mom in a small town and word has traveled faster than I can learn exactly what I'm doing. I feel I have enough in my portfolio to start charging for senior and family portraits but now have been asked to do photos for a horse trainer to put into her pamphlet. Keep going and DON"T GIVE UP! It's overwhelming but worth it! Many praise to all those who went to schooling, and please help us!
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Diane Dupuis |
I believe you have great equipment to start out with. Much better than mine and I'm still managing. First - read read read! Search the internet, your library, the book store! Second - practice practice practice!!! If you work in a school you must have lots of kids to practice on. I work in one and make every effort to get to sports events and the play, fashion show, etc. to practice practice practice! I give the photos back to the school - and they have great lasting memories of these events! I've also started charging people. But I started with doing it for friends for free (usually as gifts). I did a friend's 80th birthday party and presented them with a beautiful photo book as a gift - they loved it! I wanted to practice family portraits so practiced on my friend's family and gave her the prints as her birthday present. She was so thrilled! Be sure to read your camera manual and know it from front to back. Go check out the canon website for all tips and tricks. If you can afford to - take classes! Practice on friend's kids, pets, etc. Don't quit your day job for now - but keep working at it and hopefully one day you'll be making enough to feed your family. But if not you'll have a hobby you love that will keep you out of trouble and make you a few bucks on the side. Good luck and feel free to e-mail me if you wish! DDK
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Mary E. Heinz |
Hi, right now I think in some ways I would be happy to be overwhelmed by having people waiting for me to "shoot" them....I am just starting out but loved pictures all my life....it's now or never...my new site...www.pics-ties.com....FamilyTies Photography.... I agree with everyone and others have told me the same...read, read, read, and practice, practice, practice.... I really haven't advertised alot... I'm doing a Mother's Day Shoot in exchange for ad in their newsletter for an assisted living and I'm due to shoot a children's singing play my grandaughter is in for her pre-school.. I'm giving them cd movies I will make from the pics....of course with my business card included....I understand somewhat how you feel...I have the passion and good composition but feel somewhat intimidated not having workshops however I have read many people including FAMOUS photographers who never really had formal training and to be deemed a professional photographer you need only to make the majority of your income from photography. The best advice is keep the day job as I am...I'm a nurse and would like to build this so it will be a thriving business in a few yrs... when I retire...also become a sponge in reading and also practice. Great advice here....in every way.....on this site....lots of wonderful people.... E-mail me and I'll be glad to help any way I can..... Mary
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Devon McCarroll |
Personally, I would no longer recommend New York Institute of Photography. I started with them a couple of years ago and they have really gone downhill (i.e. taking several months to return assignments, outdated materials). However, there is so much you can learn just by reading, visiting the web, studying other peoples' work, and practice!! Check out some of the courses here on Better Photo. There are lots to choose from, and the great thing about photography is that there is always something new to learn! I've also been practicing with friends and neighbors. It's building up a base of people who will refer me once I start my business. Good luck to you!! Devon
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Rebecca A. Steed |
For starters Kimberly, I checked out your website and you are a natural at what you do. If people are overwhelming you with requests to take photos it's because they see the quality of your work and I would start charging something for your efforts. Research some other studios online and find out what they charge, then look at their work and compare yours to it. If you think what they are charging is reasonable, it can help you develop a price list of your own. 2. The quality of a paintbrush can't make you a good artist. What I mean is, you have to have talent - which you definitely do - or all the expensive equipment in the world ain't gonna matter squat. I think the equipment you have is fine and I would keep doing what I'm doing. 3. I would take a course or two on studio photography or business so you know how to manage those aspects. read up on the subject too, there's a plethora of knowledge out there. You are on the right track and I think you will excel in this field.
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Craig m. Zacarelli |
The XT is an excellent camera for what you wanna do.. Just need a good lens is all... for now. Your local Library is probably a wealth of info on Photogrphy.. Id start there, also, learn your camera inside and out, get and learn a program such as photoShop or Paintshop pro.. learn to use RAW mode and Learn to shoot in manual mode on your camera and youll be amazed at what you can do.. its all about asking, learning, trying, and making mistakes that you can learn from. Good luck, guess we'll be seeing you around here more often huh? lol Craig-
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Craig m. Zacarelli |
Ahhh OK.. I just looked at your site... you already have the talent, the eye and the know how. Good luck! Craig-
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Craig m. Zacarelli |
Ahhh OK.. I just looked at your site... you already have the talent, the eye and the know how. Good luck! Craig-
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Danielle E. Rutter |
I agree that you definitely have a good eye. And I agree that you shouldn't charge your friends just yet. But seeing as they asked you to take their pictures, not the other way around, you certainly shouldn't pay them. Take their photos for free and just have them pay for the printing costs. Just my opinion. Good luck! It looks to me like you have a lot of potential.
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