 BetterPhoto Member |
How to gain more confidence I have been taking pictures for about 4 yrs now. Ive been told, that I take beautiful pictures. There are some that are really interested in me taking pictures for them, which I do, sometimes. When my pictures are shown to others, some inquire as to who took the pictures, and then they ask how much I charge and so forth. I love to take pictures for fun, not necessarily for money. It would be great to get paid for something that I love to do, however I dont feel that I have the proper training when it comes to photography. I have a starter camera(minlota) I feel that I need much more experience in order to charge people. Everyone says that Im good enough to take pictures professionally, but I just dont have the time nor equipment to really go as far as I would like to right now. What should I do??
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Collette Photography |
I was in thye same boat as you a few months ago. I decided to start charging for my pictures because I was going broke with all of the expenses from doing them for people. I would start charging for your photos only what you feel they are worth, and what you are comfortable charging, even if that isnt a lot at first, you can eventually raise your prices as you get more experience. Its better to start to low than to high. hope this helps! Collette
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Justin G. |
I was in the fire service before I joined. I learned something sooo important through it. Ask any firefighter what professionalism is and you will probably get something like this.. "Professionalism is a state of mind, not a paycheck." Being a pro is not having a Mark II 1Ds, AND BY FAR THANK GOSH MR. EVIL IS GONE HAVING A 1Ds DOES NOT MAKE YOU A PRO EITHER. (had to get that out!) anyways...like collette said, charge for what you feel you are worth. don't cut yourself short either. you don't want people thinking you're a pushover. and oh yeah by the way, you can go "pro" slowly, it's not mandated to "drop you're stuff we're following Jesus" kinda thing. you don't have to get in 80 hours a week to "be a pro". I guess my advice is to just take your time, go slow, don't overwhelm yourself, and by far don't cut yourself short either. good luck. justin
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robert G. Fately |
Sheryl, COllette and Justin have already made some good points; let me offer a thought as well. Being a "pro" means you make money, or your entire living, from something - not necessarily that your particularly great. Being a great photographer (i.e. - having a good eye, capturing images that others find appealing) doesnot necessarily mean that you should get into it professionally. If you plan on earning money for artistic photos that you sell, then the above advice is already good - ask for what you believe your work to be worth, keeping in mind your costs of production (materials as well as your time). The world of professional photography, however, is populated by far more than artists - commercial, wedding & event, industrial etc. photographers use a camera as a tool to get their jobs done, but the truth is they answer to someone else (art director, bride's mother, whomever). What this means is that these photographers have to subsume their instincts and artistic feelings and respond to what the art director (etc) demands. And this might not be something you'd want to do after a while - one could easily (and understandably) find oneself in the position of dreading going into the studio, having to deal with the next pretentious artistic wannabe who is in charge of the final look. And that would be a bad thing. So, when you say you want to "go pro", I suggest you consider exactly what kind of pro you want to be. Again, if your self-made work is good enough that others want it enough to keep you fed and clothed, you could be the happiest person in town. If you're thinking of getting into commercial work or something, though, carefully consider how you'll like it in another 3 years after having to deal with people who may not have your cretaive talent, but get the final say-so because they're the boss. I'm not trying to discourage you - I just think it's worth contemplating.
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Jay A. Grantham |
Go ahead.. ask.. Ohh.. Professionalism is a state of mind, not a paycheck! Don't be afraid to charge! Folks, typically don't mind paying.. you might be suprised! Set prices so that you can get some new toys (tools), then raise the price a bit.. get some more new tools (toys).. it doesn't have to be a 'real job'.. just a way to get the stuff that you want to play (work) with.. until you decide whether or not you want to do it for a 'job' (full or part time). Good Luck! --jay
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Samuel Smith |
a starter camera?a minlota?i have a couple of those I think?then my gallery is full of starter pictures?oh my. guess I can start over. yeah
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Dawn T. Palmerley |
I also felt the same way. I still do sometimes. But my father told me something that changed my perspective alot. And I still use it when I feel that my pictures aren't good enough. He said "All true artists are critical of their own work." I decided to start my business anyway, on the basis that if I get the business, I'm doing something right. Also, you'll find that everyone has different tastes so you might get some people that just don't appreciate what you do for them. Trust me I've had that experience. But if you love it,(I know I do) than go ahead with it. Good Luck!!
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Danielle E. Rutter |
I've had a similar experience. Every month since my nephew was born (he's almost 5 months now) I have taken his picture. And since the beginning my brother has been asked "wow... where did you get that taken? these are fantastic..." and that sort of thing. Then I've started getting people wanting me to take THEIR picture. But I, by no means, feel like a professional. I've gotten around to the point where I don't feel bad for charging but I'm not charging a ton. I recommend that if you don't feel like you've gotten enough training then try find other photographers that don't mind you trailing along to learn a little something. That's what I'm trying to do. It's a good way to see lots of different techniques and styles and you can probably learn a lot. Good luck!!
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Josh Maison |
Hi I'm also in the same position as a few of you, but as the subject has already been raised I was wondering how I would go about finding a photographer to help me, as i'll never be able to afford any kind of training. I was thinking of calling photography companies set up by photographers, and asking if there are any trainee positions available. Is this going to get me what i'm after or am doing it completly wrong? would really appreciate some feedback from anyone. Josh
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robert G. Fately |
Josh, in a sense photography can be like other crafts and trades - where the apprentice system makes sense. That is, you could try to get on the job training by joining a studio (probably for little or no pay) and doing the scut work (in my day, I was reloading Hasselblad backs constantly for enjoyment between cleaning up this or that, toting gobos and light stands all over, etc.) If you're willing to do that, then you can deal with the competition for those menial jobs - as there may be students trying to learn the same things. Meanwhile, whether or not you get the job, you can still go to the library and find some basic photography books - you need to gain an understanding of how aperture, shutterspeed, film (or ship) speed etc. all inter-relate - and these fundamentals will serve you well regardless of the equipment you may end up using. You may be better off looking at larger commercial studios - or corporate studios, if there are any companies in your area large enough that still run their own operations. Local individual pro photographers may be a terrific source of knowledge, but they are ever-more busy trying to get new business and making ends meet to be able to really take you under their wing. Of course, good ole' chemistry has somethign to do with that as well - if you find someone with whom you "click" (no pun intended) then that could start you on your way. Good luck!
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Josh Maison |
Thanks for your responce. I'm self taught, my tool is a Nikon f3, I tried reading some books but I found they were telling me what I had already learnt. So I thought i'd just carry on doing my own thing and look for guidance through someone else's experience, rather than through books. I like to get stuck in like that. Hopefully i'll find a way through, thanks for your advice Bob.
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Nicole Kessel |
I recently have been trying my hand at portraits which has been primarily friends and family and I havn't charged them anything. I just burn the photos to CD and give them a copy to make their own prints. They have all given me a model release in return so that I can use them for advertising later on when I'm ready. After doing a few of those sessions I started getting requests from people I don't know. I tell them that for now, I'm not charging a sitting fee and that they just have to view their proofs (online) and order just prints they like. That way if they don't like what I have done they havn't lost anything but, a couple hours of their time. I also get a better idea of what sells and what doesn't.
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John P. Sandstedt |
If someone admires your work, by all means offer it for a price. You can always get into a discussion as to how much a picture is worth. However, as one reads the threads in BP.com the question more frequently asked is, "What do I have to do to turn pro? Or some variant! In some respects a "pro" is like an "expert," someone ore than 50 miles from home. In other respects, a "pro" is nothing more than an advanced amateur or someone who know a bit more than you. Of course, then there are the real pros - but they seem to be leaving the field [taking pictures] to write books or lead mentoring sessions, where there is good money to be made. Sell your pictures - and take pride that someone else felt they were worth some money!
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Craig m. Zacarelli |
id love to charge or shall I say, try to sell a pic or two but I dont feel my pics are good enough, my wife loves them and had me get some prints made for the house..people seem to love em and everyone who sees them says they are great. I might be modest or I might be afraid of failer ( I bet thats it..lol) but seriously, how do you guys do it? just make prints, frame em, put a price on it and run with it? arent you afraid they wont sell? I hate it, whats worse for me than failing? failing after I try not to so I dont try.... I would love to do some really great fine art photography..i really would but cant seem to find that little bit of it in me. HELP!!! Craig-
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Craig m. Zacarelli |
actually, I believe I made a mistake, what I ment was ABSTRACT photography. Sorta like the first pic in my gallery, firey reeds. something like that one but better of course. I need more confidence, this I know. so, how does one gain confidence, throw it all to the wind and make some prints and get a booth at the next big art show? In the summertime, doing a street festival sounds like an idea, anyone ever do this and can share the experience? Me and my first wife used to do carft shows, never really made any real money and spent more than we made, but it was fun. Craig-
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Bret Tate |
O.k. I'll throw my two cents in for whatever it's worth. I will try to give a brief (as brief as possible) history of my photography and a little philosophy. Once upon a time I was a high school band director with a photo hobby. One day, one of my students, a basketball player, asked me to take pictures of him during a game. I said yes. He liked the pictures and his parents liked them and wanted more. I agred to shoot more pictures for the cost of film and processing. Other parents saw the photos and I did more of the same. Then, I got married. My wife said that if I was going to continue to do this sort of thing I should get paid for it - not just film and processing. I didn't think I was good enough so I took the New York Institute of Photography course and some courses at the Rocky Mountain School of Photography. I started to charge and people paid. I started to do weddings, families, and senior photos and had more requests than I could fill. I started displaying my non-portraiture work and some of it started to sell. Today (15 years later) I am retired from teaching and, with a partner, operating a phot business. I have worked with "Art Directors" for fashion, shot fire photos for the U.S.F.S., and taught photography. Just do it! My philosophy advice is the same as I give to my students - If you want to increase your success rate, increase your failure rate. You must leave your comfort zone. The only true failure is to quit or not to try in the first place. Again, this is just the jumbled rambling of one simple man, but I hope that it helps. Bret
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Samuel Smith |
well said bret.
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Justin G. |
"If you want to increase your success rate, increase your failure rate" Wow, that's amazing. I've never thought of it that way. I'm sure I'll be quoting Bret Tate for a good while.
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Kerry L. Walker |
To try to put Bret's comment in another persepctive: Babe Ruth was one of the greatest baseball players of all time and is in the Hall of Fame. Until Hammerin Hank came along, he held the record for home runs. He is sixth on the all time batting average list with a lifetime .342 batting average - which meant he failed at 65.8% of his official at bats. Just imagine what he would have been if he had not taken a chance at playing baseball because he knew he would fail more often the he would succeed. "Results? Why, man, I have gotten lots of results! If I find 10,000 ways something won't work, I haven't failed. I am not discouraged, because every wrong attempt discarded is often a step forward.... " Thomas Edison
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Bret Tate |
Exactly Kerry. You must try. You won't be the best at first but you will get better if you just keep grinding away. I explain the quote to my students like this: If you watch basketball players just shooting around before or after practice they do what they do best. The good free throw shooters are shooting free throws and the good outside shooters are shooting from the 3 point line. They want to see success and feel good about themselves. However, the best all around players are doing what they are the least proficient at. They will see more immediate failure than the other players who are doing what they do best but in the long run they will see more success. The more you can leave your comfort zone and try things that you don't know how to do the more you will experience failure but you will be expanding your skills and seeing more success. Everything in life is about the journey with all of the bumps and bruises. The only true failure is to quit or not even start. There is still much that I don't know about photography but I can keep learning and keep trying as long as I don't expect to produce the world's greatest photo with every click of the shutter. There will be plenty of "What was I thinking?" shots. Isn't that the beauty of it all? Thanks for reading my rantings and just keep pushing the envelope. I never tire of "What if?"
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Elisabeth A. Gay |
Sheryl I have only been taking pictures for 2 years - did a beginner's course on BP in 2004, and had people praising me all the time and asking how much I would charge too. In the last month I got the confidence up to try making some money, after I sold a few enlargements earlier in the year. I'm now starting to make money doing what I love, selling at art shows under the auspices of our Ministry of Tourism. I'm glad that I listened to all the people who were encouraging me - I don't know if I'll ever be rich, but I'm sure having fun, covering my expenses and making a nice little profit. I say...YOU GO FOR IT GIRL!
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