Some Advice for a new Pro?

shucklak

shucklak

Active member
Hello,
I'm trying to get into photography as a professional and was just wondering if some of the pros on here have any advice for someone looking to get into the industry.
I'll be shooting some headshots next week (for free, first time really) and I plan on using them to start a portfolio. I'm not really looking to get into anything too big (like weddings) for now, since I lack the experience and the equipment too. But just to get started, more headshots, small parties, etc.
Also, I'm doing the headshots out of an extra bedroom in the house. Is that unprofessional? I have the lights and some pretty good backgrounds, it's got a great window facing North that gets great light for a large portion of the day which makes the photos look great. But it's out of my house...
Any kind of input would be greatly appreciated.
Thanks!
 
I don't know if shooting headshots in the extra bedroom is pro or not but like you said, you're trying to get into the field as a pro so you have to start someplace and why not the extra bedroom. If you're good, people like your work you'll be in a studio soon enough. I'd like to see the results of your shoot, good luck with it...

PS...I'm not a pro, just a guy with an opinion:)
 
I'm not a pro, but a pro did tell me this about wedding photography...

"It is better to be a great business person and an average photographer, then it is to be an amazing photographer and an ok business person."
 
Start slow. Don't quit your job yet. Your better off making it a weekend job till you get going. Good luck.
 
Can we see some of your work?

What´s important I think are connections in order to get lots of jobs. If nobody knows you there will be no jobs.

(I´m not a pro, too.^^)
 
There is an industry saying...

"The only difference between a pro photographer and an amateur... Is that professionals file their taxes"

That being said... there are many proclaimed photographers, who charge a buttload... but suck. While there are some who work out of a garage... and sleep there... who do amazing work.


As stated above... about being business savvy. That is 100% true.

I know a couple who decided between 2 wedding photographers.
Here's the case study.

A) a 23 year old with fantastic work... who's studio was a garage... which had access from only an ally. He wore jeans and a shirt when my friend visited. His rate was $600.00. And he had a stack of 8x10's and a book of 4x6's randomly put together. His attitude was, hey if you like my stuff I'll do it. I can do the job. Would deliver 500 shots on DVD.

B) A 47 year old. Who had all these mounted awards, had a big nice house, talked about how he did this and that, and he had 25 years experience etc etc... He shot with 3 Canons etc... $1200. Would deliver 500 shots on DVD

They went with B because they said "he had a better presentation.... he was "professional". Where they felt that A didn't have a professional taste.

In this business, first impressions are everything....

And guess what... B's shots sucked big time.
Luckily they had me as a guest, and my shots were 50x better. I felt bad for them. But I told them they should have hired A from the get-go. They didn't listen to me. So now, when I don't do a wedding, my friends always ask me who I should hire, regardless of presentation.

And I hire photography A on occasion as a secondary photog now.
 
Also, don't quit your job until you know you can make as much money with your photography.

Honestly, most photographers I know who make less than $40,000 a year through their photography, have a primary job that is constant with health benefits.
 
Short answer: yes. If I had a photo studio in my home...it would be a disaster.

I shot for Paintball 2Xtremes magazine for a year. Also did a bunch of paintball photography for several events through the north east. I started off with a little camera and coerced my way onto the field. A buddy of mine did the same thing, he was the main staff photographer for the same magazine, we only worked one shoot together though.

I exhibited my work and tried to sell it, and succeeded in doing so. It wasn't long until I started getting calls to go to events, and my work started getting published.

Though, this is paintball. So, my business attire was a paintball jersey, tournament pants (donated) and a fancy mask. So not the same type work, but still making money either way.
 
Thank you all for your input!
I hadn't planned on quitting my job to become a pro, just something to do on the side and make some extra $$. I will post some of the shots from my shoot later this week, I'd love to get some feedback on them.
Thanks again
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top