 Tanya L. Carrillo |
When do you know your work is good enough to start When do or when did you know you were ready to start your business? To become a professional photographer? I want to one day become an on location portrait photographer, for now I capture my children, our friends children & the world around me. I feel this is my passion & I would love to one day start a business but when do I know my work is good enough to do that? I'm not one to think highly of myself so I am basically my worst enemy, but others have said what I do capture is great & to continue. Any suggestion, comments, experience will be great? My husband just got out of the Marine Corp after serving 8 years, we will no longer be going through deployments or moving a lot so I feel now I can put all my energy into my passion. I have never taken any classes so maybe that is where I need to start. Thank you!
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Todd Bennett |
Tanya, 1st a big Semper Fi to your husband and a thank you for serving. I think most photographers tend to be extremely hard on themselves. I know I am. I will look at a picture and analyze it, find things wrong with it, put it down, come back to it later and find more wrong with it, etc. I tend to see things in pictures that others never see. Minor flaws that bug the crap out of me. Scrutinizing your work carefully is a good thing in photography. Now to your question. Classes would be a good start. I have never taken any myself though. I have learned what I know by reading books and magazines, posts on websites such as BP and others out there, and by going out and practicing what I have read. I probably should have taken classes and probably still should. I know I've learned a lot; but, I also know I have a lot more to learn. I am sure that the classes offered here are good and this might be a very good place to start. You could also check your local colleges. Once you hone your skills, I think you'll know when you are ready to take the plunge. You'll also need to decide what area of photography you want to specialize in i.e. photojournalism, portrait, etc. and gear the classes you take towards that type of photography. There is, however, more to a photography business than just pressing the shutter button and taking pictures. There are things like business license, liability and equipment insurance, tax ID numbers, contracts, business plans, etc. All of this is a part of running a successful business. There are a lot of good books out there on these subjects. Try going to Amazon.com and do a search for photography books and look at the ones geared toward running a business and keeping yourself legal. Hope some of this helps and good luck.
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Todd Bennett |
P.S. There are some organizations out there like the ASMP, (American Society of Media Photographers), and others that you can join. They can be very valuable to you when you you do get to that point and are able to use their services. You can go to their website and see what services they offer. http://www.asmp.org/ The ASMP is just one example. There are many others geared toward your type of photography.
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Tanya L. Carrillo |
Thank you so much for the comment about my husband, I truly appreciate it. I know I want to be an on location portrait photographer & I know there is so much more then just saying hey lets start a business and right now it seems overwhelming. Like you I have learned what I know from myself, on-line, & books. I guess trial & error at times works the best but taking a class might help even more. I'm going to look into the organization that you mention along with others that are out there. Thank you so much for responding & all your information. I have pictures in my gallery to give an idea of my work. I think the first step is to purchase a DLSR & get confortable with that type of camera/lens etc.. & then go from there.
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Todd Bennett |
Don't let the thought of this overwhelm you. As the Marines taught us, as I'm sure they did your husband, you just adapt and overcome. You simply have to take it one step at the time and it isn't something that will happen over night. You do need to set yourself some goals though. Otherwise you will wind up running in circles. Definitely need a dslr. And as you get better with the camera, more lenses and other equipment will come into play. It really can be fun and rewarding, especially when you look back in a few years and see where you were and then where you have gotten.
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Angela Griffin |
I looked at your gallery and honestly, I think you're ready as far as skill goes. One thing I've learned over the years is that images I create for clients do not have to be perfect--they just have to be good enough. One way you can tell for sure though: show your work to other mothers with small children. If they love them and start to request you photograph their children, you know you're good enough! Good luck!
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Todd Bennett |
Tanya, Angela's comments: "they just have to be good enough" and "One way you can tell for sure though: show your work to other mothers with small children. If they love them and start to request you photograph their children, you know you're good enough!" are garbage! You should strive to be the best you can. Just because people will accept garbage doesn't mean that is what they should get. You should produce good quality photographs with correct exposure and lighting and accept nothing less. You should provide them with nothing less than you would accept yourself. After all, this is about the customer.
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Angela Griffin |
Todd, I'm sorry you feel my statement, "they just have to be good enough" is garbage. This is a concept that has helped me tremendously in my portrait business and my life. What I meant by the statement was to encourage Tanya to get started with her business even though she may not feel like her work is good enough yet. An overwhelming number of people never move forward with something they really want to do because they think it has to be perfected before they start. But it is in the experience of forcing yourself to begin that your work improves. It gets better and better the more you do it, and the only way to get those experiences is to take the first step, whether you are 100% ready or not. It is sad that all I was trying to do was sincerely encourage Tanya because I was in her shoes not too long ago and you, Todd, took that as an opportunity to be mean. Tanya, again I say to you to that in order to start your business, your work just needs to be good enough for people to want to pay for it. With each session, you will learn how to do the next one better. You will be gaining so much valuable experience, almost like you're in a "hands-on" photography school, only you'll be getting paid to learn! Just take the first step and start offering your services to people. You will refine your technical skills along the way. And again, your work is already good enough to get started. It is up to you what the quality of your work should be, and up to your prospective clients whether or not they want to pay for it. Good luck, and I'd love to hear how your first session goes!
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Todd Bennett |
Angela, Mean? In your mind, apparently. In mine, I'm just calling it like I see it. The impression given in your original post is that it is okay to simply get by, and it isn’t okay. If just getting by is the way you run your business and live your life, good luck.
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Tanya L. Carrillo |
Angela thank you for responding & all your advice, comments, info. I do believe with experience you only get better & there will come a point when I just have to go out there, I just don't want to start something to early, if that makes sense. Todd I do understand you points & agree, I want nothing but the best & I won't have families/couples make that investment if I'm not where I should be. I am a mom of two boys & we have gone to get pictures taken before, they have come out horrible. I was so upset, felt like we wasted our time & our money. If/When I do start my business I don't ever want a family/person to feel the same way. I want to give them amazing photos that they can cherish forever. I do know with experience you grow to be a better photographer, I know I'm still learning. I have been told by family/friends that they do love my work, I know that is a start but like I told my husband I don't want to be one of those photographers that get paid to take pictures & they seriously shouldn't be doing it. If you get what I mean. I'm my hardest critique which I believe is a good thing, I want nothing but the best in my work & I want that to show in my photos.
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Irene Troy |
Hi Tanya – first, in case no one has done so before now; welcome to BP! This is a very friendly and helpful place – with occasional spats, just like any group of people. Todd is a regular contributor whose insights and energy are very often helpful and generally kind. Of-course, we all have our days! I do understand what he is saying and suspect he may be reacting to the same issue that drives many of us nuts: so many people want to be a pro photographer – or at least to call themselves this – but, are unwilling or unable to put the work into this job that is required for true success. Every few days someone posts a question about how to “make it” as a photographer. Far too many of them want the instant success formula rather than the hard work formula. Others seem to take offence when their work is critiqued as anything but positive. Your original question really hit a nerve for me. I do not consider myself a pro photographer. I consider myself a pro writer who also does photography. My friends, family, clients, etc. are constantly telling me that my images are terrific, that I should market them more, have more shows, etc. But, I see the flaws, the mistakes and the problems. I am not sure if I am too rough on myself or just realistic. You sound like someone who has done some serious thinking about what it is she wants and who is willing to be critical of your own work. This, IMO, is a great start. There is an enormous amount of “so-so” photography masquerading as great. Too many people settle for “just-good-enough”, not just in photography, but in everything else. My personal belief is that following your dreams is the only way to live a truly full life. However, it is equally important to keep at least one foot in reality at all times. Being our own worst critics is, IMO, essential. Being unwilling to accept honest criticism is a sure sign of ego being put before a real desire to improve. So, since you say that you do not being your own worst critic, I think you are already on a good path. Most of my photography is in support of my writing work and almost all of it is nature, landscape and wildlife. Thus, I do not feel qualified to critique your gallery. However, just the fact that you are looking for direction, asking for advice and critique and willing to learn is a giant step forward. Like Todd, I think you would benefit from some classes, either here at BP or elsewhere. I have taken a number of BP classes and can vouch for both their quality and thoroughness. Beyond this I would suggest getting out and shooting whenever you have the time. The more you practice the better your skills become. Believe in yourself and your dream, but, also keep an open mind to all input and critique and push your own limits as often as possible. Irene
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Todd Bennett |
Irene, Very eloquently put. One day you and I need to sit down and have a soda, glass of wine, or a beer. Your choice. I wish, some times, I could put things into words the way you did.
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Irene Troy |
I’m not so sure about eloquent; however, as writing is my profession, I will take the compliment and, Todd, thank you, very much. Name the time and place and I’ll happily join you for a glass of wine. BTW: speaking of “eloquent” the sentence at the end of the 3rd paragraph ‘So, since you say that you do not being your own worst critic, I think you are already on a good path’ Should read Since you say that you are your own worst critic, I think you are already on a good path. Sometimes my fingers get ahead of my brain and all hell breaks loose! Irene
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Todd Bennett |
When and if I make it to MA I'll look you up and we'll have some vino. Hope you don't mind if the wife comes. It will really keep me out of trouble and she doesn't talk much any way. I hate it when my fingers don't do what my brain tells them to do. LOL
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Angela Griffin |
Tanya, I just want to be clear about what I meant with my advice to you, since it seems my words have been interpreted incorrectly by others. I have owned my own business for over 5 years now, and 3 1/2 of those years I've had a young son to take care of as well. I am very thankful to be blessed to be able to be at home with my son while I pursue a career I am so passionate about. Needless to say, with a 3 year old and an at-home job, I am extremely busy. If there is a photographer who is a perfectionist, it is myself. I spend countless hours on each client's proofs, trying to perfect each one. My husband pointed out to me that my idea of a good image is a lot different than that of my clients. They are looking for beautiful images of their kids, ones they can look back at years from now and remember what they were like in that phase of their lives. They don't care if the exposure was a little off or if the lighting was less than ideal. I've had clients literally cry when they see the images I've created of their children, and when I get this kind of reaction, that is when I feel I've reached the highest level of quality in my portraiture. Don't get me wrong, I plan for every session to schedule it during the best lighting of the day, prepare myself mentally with creative ideas to use during the session, get the proper settings ready on my camera. But when you are chasing young children, it is next to impossible to get every exposure dead-on. You do the best you can with the situation you are presented with. I assure you the advice I gave you is not "garbage" as it has been described. My work has been recognized by the editors of this website with several "Editor's Picks" and a "Finalist" in the Photo Contest. I didn't create that kind of work with methods that are "garbage." I would never had gotten to the level I am today if I had waited until my technique and skills were perfect. I started my business even though I didn't think I was 100% ready, charging very low prices, prices that I thought my work was worth at the time. Today I charge WAY MORE than I did in the beginning, because as my work improved, I thought it was worth more, and my clients agree. There is absolutely nothing wrong with taking some classes to help improve your skills. Just take it from me, I have a BFA in photography, and honestly, ALL I learned was shutter speeds and f-stops, and was taught nothing about how to create portraits of people or how to actually make a living with photography. I would just hate to see you make the same mistakes so many other beginners make by going through one class after another, thinking that after that, you will be ready, only to find out what you really need is to jump in and and start and get the REAL experience that will make you a great photographer. My advice is for people with REALISTIC goals for their artistic work and to those who want to be able to make a living creating that work. Tanya, I was exactly where you are just a few short years ago, so I know what you're dealing with. Feel free to contact me any time with questions you may have. Many blessings in your photography, your business and your life!
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