Getting started

[shane87]

I am trying to be a budding photographer. Do yall have any tips to build my port and maybe make some money?

[w9ctm]

read, read, read the posts on this board. There are lots of excellent photographers on this site that have already posted lots of very good information.
Thenpractice, practice, practice. Learn to shoot in manual mode. Know your camera. understand what you are doing. and on and on and on and on. There is so much more to being a quality photographer than just owning a digital camera and have some software....
Then after all that, you have to learn to be a businessman.
Oh, let's not forget that you have to have a DBA, be registered with the state and federal governmets for taxes, etc.
The list goes on and on.
There is so much more than just owning a camera.....

But seriously, you can start by reading every post on this board.....
That way, you'll at least have gained some useful knowledge...

[kayumangi]

Building a portfolio and making money at the same time is one of the mysteries of life =)

[HotHolly]

Search for my posts - I still think you should jump in head first. And nothing's really changed on how to get started imho. As long as you have the skills, you just start.

[shane87]

Ok I will look through your 5,571. LOL
Do you anything I should search for?

[w9ctm]

Shane, I was not suggesting you can't do it, but there is a lot more to do besides just shooting. Holly didn't become the photographer she is by just starting. Continued education really is a pre-requiste I believe. But everyone has to start somewhere, sometime...... So she is right in that sense.

[J Eddington]

Just understand that you will be doing 80% Marketing and 20 % shooting...if you are lucky!

This is going to sound snotty but care enough to do some research. Then ask questions, had you just searched here:
http://www.texasphotoforum.com/forum...-business.html
http://www.texasphotoforum.com/forum...plan-tips.html

http://www.texasphotoforum.com/forum...-business.html
http://www.texasphotoforum.com/forum...-business.html
http://www.texasphotoforum.com/forum...iness-lol.html
http://www.texasphotoforum.com/forum...m-i-crazy.html
http://www.texasphotoforum.com/forum...m-i-crazy.html
http://www.texasphotoforum.com/forum...do-you-do.html
And that is just a few. And yes read everypost that Holly has done! It will save you $$ and put you ahead of the crowd.

[shane87]

Sorry to appear lazy. I will use the search feature better in the future. Thank you all for your help and any more tips.

[w9ctm]

I don't think anyone is calling you lazy Shane. Being new to the forum, I am sure you just don't know how much information is already actually available on this site. However, as Janice just showed you, there is a plethora of valuable information on here, on probably every subject related to photography that you dare wish to know about. Just start doing lots of searches and you'll be amazed at what you will find.

Do a bunch of reading. Then do some more. Than when you are ready to ask questions, ask questions. There so many photogs on here that will gladly share some of thier knowledge, but there have also been a very large number of new people that ask questions and then disappear. And if the info is already on the forum and can be found in a search, why should it be repeated???
Do your due diligence and research the annals of knowledge that is online here. Then come on back and ask. You will find people will share knowledge when you ask specific questions. But folks get tired of answering general questions that can't specifically address what you're really trying to ask.

Oh, and welcome to TPF!

[hue-e]

I've been a pretty serious enthusiast that'd like to make a business out of it at some point. I've been doing this for about 2yrs now and I still feel like I'm still "starting off." Hell, I'm still trying to build a portfolio I think is worthy of going out and generating some business with.

Until you have a portfolio, you have nothing to prove you can shoot. Do that, then worry about getting work... but don't half-ass it. be your worst critic. do it right the first time cause first impressions are important imo.

I'm mainly speaking from a graphic design perspective, but imho, there's not that much difference in the two businesses.

[hue-e]

most importantly, since you're starting off... HAVE FUN WITH IT... cause once it's your job, it's just that... your job, so have as much fun with it as you can, for as long as you can.

[w9ctm]

I agree with you last post Patrick.

[seamonkey03]

I'm just starting out too, and I'm probably on here 2-3 times a day reading posts and other's questions. You can really get a wealth of knowledge here. Someone could put it all in a book and make some good money! LOL. And as others stated, a portfolio is a big must! I've asked every family I know to practice with them, including children and even tagged along at a wedding. A lot of people are more than willing to let you photograph them in exchange for some of the photos. Just don't let that part get carried away. Before you know it you'll have 15 families wanting free photos!

[Flea77]

Originally Posted by J Eddington

Just understand that you will be doing 80% Marketing and 20 % shooting...if you are lucky!

You left out the other 50% of the time you will be doing non-marketing business related stuff, you know, taxes, bookkeeping, sweeping the floors, painting that wall, managing employees/partners, etc etc etc. It is a wonder I have any time to shoot at all!

Allan