 Bobbi S. Tomes |
lost faith in my work,how I you get it back? I've not been on in some time. Foir quite a while I was trying so hard to start a portrait studio out of my home. I have nearly given up. Most of my clients have been folks I know. You know how that goes. They all want a discount. I am not a wealthy person. It took me a year to get my panasonic lumix 5 mp camera, and I am seriously lacking in equipment and props. I have all this time been working only by window light. I broke down and just bought a photo light from amvona off ebey, but I did not get a set I couls only aford a single light with the stand and fashion soft box and bulb, and I also ordered a couple of backdrops. I only have 2 backdrops now, a black and a white. Photography is truely my drive in life, my dream, my passion guys but in my situation I just cant make any cash doing it. I just started a nurses aid class because I have to help my man raise our big family and photography isnt doing it. I know I will make a good aid but it has made me extemely depressed because I feel like I am betraying my photography. I am afraid this will lead to, eventually, no more photography in my life. By taking on a new feild of work, I feel like I have given up and I hate it.
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Bobbi S. Tomes |
you can see some of my work at www.btomes.photosite.com
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Kerry L. Walker |
First, don't lose faith in your work. It is good! Second, if someone asks you to shoot for them, don't give a discount unless YOU want to. As an example, I have two weddings to shoot this weekend. One is for a customer that booked me several months ago. The other is for a family member. They approached me about shooting the wedding and did not request a discount. I am, however, shooting it as a wedding present - my choice. For any enlargements, albums, other requests for pictures, the price is the standard price - no discount. I will probably wind up making money off the event regardless. Last, go ahead and take the job as a nurse's aid for two reasons. It will be a steady income that you can count on. However, continue to shoot at night, on the weekends, days off, etc. The second reason I suggest you take the job is for the additional contacts you will make. Keep business cards handy and refer your new friends to your website. The more people who know what you do, the better and talking with the people you come in contact with is free advertising. The day may come when you are making more off your weekend job than you are off your day job.
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Kerry L. Walker |
BTW, Bobbi, I posted on a thread on another site I am on (a professional site for lead generation) that the best advertising site I had was wom.com. A lot of the other guys were checking out that site until someone caught on to what I was saying. (wom = word of mouth) Believe it or not, there actually is a site called wom.com. (I didn't know that when I posted.)
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Bill Hanscom |
Bobbi, I agree with Kerry. I also work outside jobs to support my family. Most of my photography that sells is done between April and November. I continue to try to expand my markets, but even if I never sell another print, I will keep shooting for my self and my family. Don't ever give up. Bill
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Michael H. Cothran |
What you're going thru ain't nothin' new. Many of us experience the same symptoms from time to time. In case you haven't looked around, you're posting on a large website where MANY photographers, including myself, are wanna-be-full-time professionals. In other words, NONE OF US are making it either. But...there are quite a few of us who successfully supplement our "regular" income, or that of our spouse's, by means of photography. Mine comes in the guise of Art & Craft shows, selling "fine art" photography, and in studio jury slide work. Remember, there are probably a few more "home portrait studios" just like yours down the street. Your photographic competition is tremendous. Overbearing even.
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Ken Raymond |
Speaking of books, how about reading a book on the business of photography. I read the book "Photography, Focus on profit" by Tom Zimberoff, it was very informative and tells you exactly the mindset you need to be in as well as every step you must be aware of along the way, it's a lot of work and if your willing you can do it. We all get down on ourselves at times and think our work isn't the best but that's what keeps me moving forward, to be the best that I can be.
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Mark Feldstein |
I'll tell ya Bobbi, I'm going to offer a slightly different perspective on your plea. It sounds to me like you've really lost faith in the photography BUSINESS rather than photography itself. There's a huge difference. You don't need to get paid to enjoy photography, some of us who do it for a living even shoot for just the pure fun of it. It takes a lot to run any business, and photography is one of the most competitive businesses there is. Having the ability to do top grade work isn't really the key to succeeding here. There are a lot of mediocre or worse photographers making a living at it. I think the key to not only survival but economic success is having a solid, yet flexible business plan that includes a realistic marketing program and a budget to carry it off. Michael is absolutely right in that regard. And having some background in basic accounting practices is useful along with some courses in business, including one in business law that covers basic torts and contracts. You also need a realistic, but again, a flexible pricing schedule that takes into account all sorts of things from basic overhead and equipment depreciation to how much your actual time is worth before, during and after a shoot. If you don't take any actual courses in the business aspects of all this, which can be truly overwhelming at times, then at least read up on it as much as you can. There are plenty of books available on the subjects. In the meantime, you have to keep shooting not just for yourself but because you should be working to update your porfolio with fresh work. Okie dokie?
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Bobbi S. Tomes |
I do still love photography as much as ever and it really is not making proffit that gets me down. I admitt I do not really advertise other then word of mouth and such but the reason for that is I dont have the right equipment. Now I know we all want to say, if our work is good that is all that matters, it will sell. But I truly think appherence is a big part of things. Folks want to SEE what you are all about when they walk into your studio. Sheets for backdrops and hardware store work lights, and a camera your average jo could afford, while working out of your living room leaves people with the "I could just do this myself" thought. Before I get big with adds, I would like to have a posing table, a handfull of real backdrops, the proper lighting, a digital slr, a backdrop stand, posing stools and blocks, ect... I want people to visually see that I have it going on. YES I know that in reality that stuff is not what makes the photographer but to the client it is what separates us from anyone else with a decent camera. The whole new job thing as a nurses aid REALLY upsets me, and I am not sure why. I know I will be good at it. I guess it just feels like defeat. I feel like I gave up. Well Hopefully this job will allow me some extra cash to put into my wanna be studio and make it real. I have been struggling to make this something for years now. I am very happy with how I have progressed in my abilities but definatly dissapointed in the other areas.
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Pat Worster |
It sounds to me like you want to start out at the very top. That is all well and good but it is a long way to fall when things don't work out. I would say there is just a handful of people on Better Photo that started out that way.
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Rebecca A. Steed |
Never ever give up. People become successful not because they have never failed, but because they never accept defeat. Dr. Seuss' first book he wrote was rejected 27 times by publishers before he ran into a friend who worked in publishing and gave it a shot. Imagine if he had given up after the 18th or 26th try? Back to photography, all I have is natural light and black and white backdrops. I use them to my advantage to produce 'classic, timeless' images and be more creative with my poses and what is available. If people see the work you produce before they see your studio, they will have more confidence in your capabilities and they may say, "wow, she can make these images and all she has is natural light and a bed sheet?" It's the way you present it. Anaglogy: Some older women lie about their age, others brag about their real age and how great they look even though they are older. That is more impressive in my opinion. On the discount thing, here is my rule of thumb: If someone approaches me and asks me to take some photos even if they are a friend or family member I charge full price. If I approach someone and ask to take their photos to build my portfolio (my friend is pregnant and I'm shooting her pregnancy photos), I either don't charge at all or just have them pay for the images they want printed. For props, use your imagination. Go to a thrift store, flea market, craft store etc. and make your own. Build a nice portfolio with different creative poses and props to show people what you are capable of, before they see your studio. I mean hey, they could go to Walmart and get mediocre photos with all the backdrops and props they want, or they could get a comfortable session with someone who cares about her product in her home for the same price. If they judge you on your studio, they deserve the crap from Walmart. Enjoy photography and kudos to you for being brave enough to go for what you want. Take the job as a nurses aid if you feel your family needs you to and don't feel guilty about it, just look at it as a way to make the money you need to buy the supplies, maybe courses you need to really get your business going. "Oh the thinks you think up if only you try!" - Dr. Seuss (my favoritest quote ever!)
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Bobbi S. Tomes |
Becky, you put your words together so wonderfully and all you said makes since. I dont thiink I will be packing away the old camera anytime soon. Thanks everyone.
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- Dr Silly Contact Dr Silly Dr Silly's Gallery |
It is said most people fail, just one step before they would have had success. Don't lost faith just keep on trying. Everyone above has given you good advice. My guess is that you are young (20's or 30's) to have your whole life in front of you. Take it one day at a time, with good cheer and you will get there. Doc
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Debby A. Tabb |
Bobbi, I will also add, what you are going through is nothing new. I had eleven studios through out LA and Riverside, Ca and My cell rang off the hook! As artists we do get run down a bit easier. It takes a quite a bit of energy to be a Portrait Photographer. You HAVE to keep everybody UP! and enjoying thier time-having fun! This is why I recommend These Places like betterphoto.com support groups are very important. When aske why my stores were so successful, it was because I was there for my Photographers and whould show up with new fun photography tricks, or just plain ice cream to make their day. So bobbie when it all gets to you, grab a bowl of ice cream and vent a little here where we all go through it and SET you mind to a NEW day tommorrow! Always positive! Building your own business is very difficult- the best advice given to me: I do hope this helps, we're all here for ya!
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anonymous |
Bobbi I think to start off with, you need to slow down, step back and take a breath. Unfortunately like every profession, photography costs money and losts of it, especially if you want your own business. You may need to stick to window light, and outdoor shots until you can save a bit more, it will take time, but short of getting a personal loan, what else can you do. Unfortunately, you can't run a business without money and equipment, but you can't make the money without the equipment - sounds familiar - been there done that. Just take it slow. Give yourself a 5 year plan. It is hard when you know you can do it, but you just can't afford the equipment. I have slowly built mine up over 1.5 years, I am still in my 5 year plan. I also work part time and go to Collage 2 nights a week to learn more about photography. You won't be able to do it without a second job. So don't loose faith in yourselve, you just have to come to terms with the fact that it will just take time and patience. Sorry I am to the point, but it is like reading about me, and I know exactly where you are coming from.
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Bobbi S. Tomes |
You are all so great and so supportive. I am gladd I can talt to people who understand.
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