Business hurting due to non-professionals.

[pbyd]

Originally Posted by LauraM

FWIW... I'm a newbie and I research and practice my techniques day and night. I'm laying the groundwork to start my business the right way so that when I'm ready to start advertising, I'll be legal and well versed. I shoot in full manual, and I know how to use every feature on my camera. I have my DBA, my tax id, and I'm getting in touch with a CPA to help me get set up as per the great advice of Stacy Reeves and many others on here. I love learning this craft. I'm also a traditional artist, I draw in charcoal and I paint. I would love to one day be able to paint a portrait with light like a true artist. I'm not looking to take business from anyone, but to establish myself, earn my place, and make beautiful pictures of people and special moments in time.

Laura,
You seem to be working on starting a business and that is what anyone in this business wants, there is enough business for many photographers. I believe what people in business complain about is not those trying to do it correct but those that follow none of the Federal and State laws and charge below their cost because they do not know any better.
You go girl and best of luck,
Wayne
Photography by Design

[LauraM]

Thanks, Wayne. :) Hopefully I gave some of you hope that some of us newbs are trying to do it the right way!

[pbyd]

Laura,
I do believe that most people do try to do things the correct way when they know what to do. I started in Jan. 1970 as an art major someone asked me to photograph their wedding, it has been a long and wonderful journey, with many ups and downs and I learn new things every day.
I found this on another forum it was written by Cheryl Jacobs, one of the best fine art photographers I have seen in a long time,

“- Never compare your journey with someone else's. It's a marathon with no finish line. Someone else may start out faster than you, may seem to progress more quickly than you, but every runner has his own pace. Your journey is your journey, not a competition. You will never "arrive". No one ever does.

Hang in there; it is worth the ride,
Wayne
Photography by Design

[LauraM]

That is beautiful! :)