BetterPhoto Q&A
Category: New Answers

Pamela Njemanze

Photo Equipment

I am selling all my photography equipment as one package deal. If interested contact pamelafrost@gmail.com. A list of equipment will be available and price is negotiable.
Thanks Pam :)

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February 16, 2011

John H. Siskin

Hi Pam,
I have a lot of equipment, but am wondering if everything is ok with you? These are difficult times we're living through. Please take care.
John Siskin

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February 16, 2011

Pamela Njemanze

Thanks John,
No not all is well with me. I have been ill lately. I have storage issues w/ my equipment and also I do feel I'll never be talented enough to make a living from it anyway. I can't even come up w/ a price list!
I may just keep one camera for me personally. Thanks for asking, I always enjoyed learning from you.
Pam :)

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February 17, 2011

John H. Siskin

Hi Pam,
I don’t really know what to say. I’ve known many talented photographers, in my 30 years in the business, who couldn’t make a living, and some that did well despite being poor stylistically and technically. I don’t want to add pressure you your life, but you might want to look at Photographer’s Marketplace. This book comes out every year and lists places that buy photography. It also explains how to write a cover letter and other ways of approaching potential clients. It has been a big help to me. I hope your health will improve.
Thanks, John Siskin

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February 17, 2011

- Carlton Ward

BetterPhoto Member

Contact Carlton Ward
Carlton Ward's Gallery

Hi Pamela,
I too am sorry to hear of your difficulties. I decided to get the best DSLR I could & take classes at BP for the simple reason that I want to take the best photos I can for my own memories and though I have done a few weddings and sold a few prints, its not what drives my passion for photography. I just went through a 7 month time of no employment and its no fun but times like this is when I need my photography most for my own personal fulfillment. I just started working again (at T-Mobile) and am looking forward to another fun spring/summer to get out and shoot the nature, landscape & festival photos I love so much :)
My Camera gear is packed in my Lowepro backpack which doesn't take up much space.
Love in Light,
Carlton

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February 18, 2011

Pamela Njemanze

Thanks Carlton and John. I know I'm not alone in feeling completely inadequate, but I just don't know if my photos are worthy of someone paying for them. I can write the letters, but I still don't feel I have any sellable images in my inventory. Though I've taken a few classes, I feel I just am not talented enough to sell (at least not for advertising, wildlife or magazines, etc.) I KNOW I am not alone in this though in hearing other photographers.
Thanks Pam :)

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February 18, 2011

Patti Coblentz

Hi Pamela, there is no more sinking feeling in photography than to think to yourself "my work stinks and I have no talent!"...I can't tell you how many times I have felt this way, and as you know, so many others feel. Although I insist that one day I will sell my work (I'm only 2 years into photography so far)...ha...I'll sell it to myself if I have to..just joking. But at times like these I realize that I'm over thinking and being overly critical...nothing creative can happen in that frame of mind...for me, I mean. So, I relax. I just start shooting from the heart, have fun with it, and within a short while I'm back on track. Anyway, I hope you will continue if you love photography...and having just read your bio, you seem to very much. I like your work very much, Pamela. Good luck to you, whatever your decision!
Patti

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February 19, 2011

John H. Siskin

Hi Pamela & Others
Many years ago someone told me that photography is the world’s best hobby and the world’s worst business. Lot of truth in that statement.

If you want to sell photographs you need to look at the photographs that get bought, rather than the photographs you want to take. I have been selling photographs for almost thirty years. I started out photographing backgrounds for the Chipmunks: Alvin, Theodore and Simon. The last job I did was photographing a concrete pour for a new building. In the middle I’ve done work for General Motors and Aids Walk. Almost every photograph I’ve ever sold I sold to a business or a magazine. These are markets that need a lot of photographs. Families don’t need a lot of photographs. People don’t have weddings frequently, at least most people don’t. I’ve seen a lot of bad photography that got paid for, because the clients needed the images. If you want to sell photographs look at the businesses that buy photographs. Also get the Photographer’s Market.
Thanks, John Siskin

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February 19, 2011

Pamela Njemanze

Thanks John, that's great advise. It's difficult because it is both objective and subjective at the same time. I do have a Photographer's Market from a prior year. Do you suggest you get a new one each year as it changes often as businesses change?
Thanks for the advice.
Pam :)