Putting my toe in the water ... how did you get started?

[slr_newbie]

I have been photographing my boys for the last 3 years and I get a lot of compliments on my work. I am considering offering my services this Fall to capture the holiday photographing season, but I have no idea where to start.

I really just want to get my name out there to start getting business from word of mouth. I was thinking of just charging a sitting fee and then providing the client with a cd of the 15 - 30 best images that they can print. I am thinking by offering an affordable sitting fee and not charging for the prints but letting the customer use a service like Shutterfly, people might take a chance on me. What do you think?

Depending on how things go, once I have a portfolio of photos to show clients (other than photos of my own family and friends) I would transition the business so that the client would order the prints / photo books / etc. from me.

Any suggestions on how to get started?

I have many more questions, but this is a good starting point ...

Thanks for reading!

[CaptainTom]

Anne
Hi.
I hope you have a "thick skin" because this is one of those topics that elicits a lot of advice.
I will start the ball rolling by saying that the photography business is not as simple as it seems. You can start out by giving away your work (for free) if you want. Unfortunately, that approach has been used by every fly by night person who has a camera and wants to get gratification for their work.
If you charge a small sitting fee to get the customer into the door, you are not going to make enough money to cover half of your expenses. Charging low prices seems like a natural approach, but what it really does is label you as an "amateur". Some folks say they just want to recover their investment in equipment, etc. They can really make more money getting a part time job at Whataburger.
If you are still with me, and I hope your are; if your photography is truly commercially up to snuff, you can ask for and get a fair price for your services. Part of your service MUST be to sell prints. You need that print income to make any sort of profit. You also should be unwilling to give up your artistic product and put it in the hands of someone who doesn't care what turns out.
I don't believe you can "sneak" into the photography business any more than you can "sneak" into being an airline pilot. Both take a lot of work, a lot of knowledge, and a lot of instinct. Would you fly to NY with a pilot who was "just getting into the business, and doesn't charge much" ?
So have I ruined your day so far ?
One more point, and then the others will jump in I am sure.
Taking photos for fun is a whole other world than taking photos for a client.
Your client won't settle for anything less than excellence, and you can't get away with getting a couple of good shots at each party you go to. You have to produce quality shots under every possible condition, and smile the whole time. Do you have a comparable back up camera ? Artificial lighting for those shoots that you can't do anything else with ? Back up everything. A client will not understand that you have to leave because you got an error 99, or because your compact flash card isn't writing any more, or your battery has expired, etc. etc. etc.

Getting a business card, and having a web site doesn't hurt, but it doesn't make a person a professional photographer.

[slr_newbie]

Thanks for your honest feedback , Tom. I was expecting to hear a lot of the comments that you shared from the reading I have done. :)

However, for someone not ready to quit their day job, but who wants to try her hand at photographing other people, what do you suggest? What is a good way to start out?

[zepp]

Being that your not currently ready to quit your day job, now would be an excellent time to pick up a copy of the book "Real Business Practices for Photographers" by John Harrington. It's a very good read and it will give you an insight into the photography business before you begin.

Good Luck...

[thrumyeyes]

I suggest you try your hand at microstock. I sell on iStockphoto.com and it has provided me an opportunity to make a little money and learn quite a bit about my "hobby".
You don't have to worry about equipment failure or high stress environments. You will receive the most honest critique of your work by what sells and what does not. Once you have done this for a while and earned enough money to buy more/better equipment and built your confidence level up you can then tackle studio work.

But beware, microstock can be a bit unpopular among some professional photographers...

[Junderwood]

Well, I think both pieces of advice above should be taken into consideration. The book noted is very good.

I would also think you would need to define what type of "people" photography do you wish do. Children, Infants, Seniors, Fashion, Glamour, on and on...You have to have a starting point.

You also need a goal, what do you ultimately wish to accomplish?

There are no right or wrong answers to the questions (IMHO) but you cannot map a path if you do not where you are starting from and going to.

I also take if from your post that you have never worked as a photographer. I would avoid weddings, and any other jobs that require 'can't miss' work. It is a bloody good way to ruin a friendship or get sued.There is a reason many photographers are either incorporated or carry liability insurance or both.

There are a lot internet based schemes out there trying make people believe anyone can be a pro if you have a digital camera and buy their package. There is also a lot of marketing done by the camera manufactures that lead folks down the same path.

Not meaning discourage you or irritate you, no matter how much you love taking pictures, just having a digital camera and taking good snapshots is a long from being a pro.

[slr_newbie]

I agree that having a camera and taking snap shots does not make one a pro, and I am not saying that I am a pro by any means!

What I do love is taking pictures of children and families (both posed and interaction type shots) and I have been told that I have a good eye and I am able to really capture the moment. I have no interest in weddings or other high stress photo ops at this point.

With that said, how does one become a pro? Lots of practice, and at some point, jumping in with both feet and becoming a "photographer" by profession, even if it is a second job.

I am not discouraged at all, just looking for a way to make a leap, but a small leap (if that is possible) so that I am not jumping in over my head.

[Slight Clutter]

You've received a lot of good advice here, but I'll add that..."at some point, jumping in with both feet" is necessary if this is the road you want to travel. And, yes, I think taking on a few "clients" for a low sitting fee in exchange for a handful of enhanced images might be beneficial...so long as the images are standout images. The whole reason for starting out in this manner is to gain positive buzz. If the images are anything less than "wow," you probably won't generate additional interest from the session.

I started out in a similar manner last fall and have been fairly successful at landing the referral and the repeat client. I'm almost to the point where the business (yes, it's a business now) can pay my bills...and it's been less than a year. All this said, I recognize that everyone's determination levels, talent, and marketing skills are different. My story might not be your story. Plus, my story is just beginning, so I might shift strategy in the future if I see that it would benefit me, the client.

The good news is that this is your life. Try. It's the only way get anywhere. Also you know yourself best, do what is going to be successful for you. While I have great respect for Tom, and I have learned oodles from his informative posts here...I'll have to respectfully disagree that it is a requirement to sell prints. Not all clients want them. Some prefer digital negatives. For example, I don't enjoy doing prints. I came into photography for the joy it brings me, and administrative tasks offer me zero joy. I offer packages without prints, but rather with fully-enhanced digital negatives. I charge enough to be able to forge a living by the package price alone. I then offer a la carte prints at a hefty sum. If they want to buy them from me, well...then I guess it will be worth my time. If they don't...and I recommend solid printing establishments to them, by the way...even better! Interestingly, in my limited experience, I have found that the under 30 set is very internet savvy and prefer the negatives. For me, it is a win-win situation.

Okay...just my two or three cents worth. My apologies for being so long-winded.

[bondarnes]

You give almost no information about yourself in your profile so I need to ask a couple of questions. First, what exactly is your day job? And second, has a photographer ever told you that you have a good eye and can capture the moment or were these comments from folks who really don't know what a good eye means?

[CaptainTom]

...I'll have to respectfully disagree that it is a requirement to sell prints. Not all clients want them. Some prefer digital negatives.

Interesting point, and one that I will ponder. I haven't hung out with the under 30 set for at least 20 years, so I may be behind the curve on this.
I think as an old time film guy, I just cringe at the thought of giving away my negatives. Perhaps I need to just "get over it"......

[Junderwood]

Originally Posted by slr_newbie

I agree that having a camera and taking snap shots does not make one a pro, and I am not saying that I am a pro by any means!

What I do love is taking pictures of children and families (both posed and interaction type shots) and I have been told that I have a good eye and I am able to really capture the moment. I have no interest in weddings or other high stress photo ops at this point.

With that said, how does one become a pro? Lots of practice, and at some point, jumping in with both feet and becoming a "photographer" by profession, even if it is a second job.

I am not discouraged at all, just looking for a way to make a leap, but a small leap (if that is possible) so that I am not jumping in over my head.

PM sent

[CaptainTom]

Anne
I would suggest you put together a nice gallery page, or a website.
There are many low cost/ low risk options for this.
Design a business card ( we are always happy to critique )
There are several companies that specialize in designing and printing post cards for direct mail campaigns. Send them to everybody you can think of.
If they are nice, people won't toss them immediately, and may pass them off to friends. Marketing is not my forte, but that would be my first suggestion.

[slr_newbie]

Originally Posted by bondarnes

You give almost no information about yourself in your profile so I need to ask a couple of questions. First, what exactly is your day job? And second, has a photographer ever told you that you have a good eye and can capture the moment or were these comments from folks who really don't know what a good eye means?

To answer your questions ...

I work for an energy company -- I like my job and I am not ready to give up my salary and benefits anytime soon. Photography is a passion / outlet. I have had photographers and strangers alike admire some of my work and I am just exploring what that could mean.

I recognize that I am a hobbyist and I am spending a lot of time reading, taking classes, etc. to further improve my skills. Pursuing photography would be a dream, but I am a planner and I know that this is just the beginning.

[slr_newbie]

Katya -- Thanks for sharing your story and information -- and I am happy to hear that you have been so successful, that is wonderful! As a part of the under 30 set, I know what I value, so I think that is why I envisioned providing the enhanced digital images on a cd.

I know I still have a lot to learn but photography is a dream and I am trying to build a portfolio and see on a small scale whether I would even enjoy the demands of working for someone else.

As far as marketing goes, I don't think that I am ready for direct mailers quite yet. I think I want to start a little closer to home (friends of friends, etc.) as I don't want to get in over my head.

With 2 little ones, I have 2 great subjects to photograph but less time to go out on photo excursions. This is something else that I am going to work on ... finding more time to practice my passion!

[Outlaw]

First, congratulations on having the courage to take your photography to the next level! I know how exciting it is, and with the wealth of knowledge here on the forums, the net, and in books, you've got every resource available to you to do things right.

A market exists for almost any skill level and price point when it comes to photography, and as it is said, you have to start somewhere. To start inexpensively and just test the waters with what kind of demand there may be for your work, go for business cards and a web site. The return-on-investment with this combination is probably the highest you will see in your 'marketing' efforts.

Do a search on Google, see what other photographers work in your area in the field you want to try (such as children's and family photography), and look at their prices. If you're not ready to do the Cost of Doing Business calculations, just pick a price point that is median to your area. Frankly, price will often be the least of determining factors for your clients; especially the good ones. Don't go cheap, not even to start.

As neither the cheapest nor the most expensive, you can avoid worrying about price and focus on service (believe it or not, this is a huge step for 'beginning pros'); be the most personable, friendly, customer-oriented photographer that you can be. Use your existing images, even of your own family and kids, as your portfolio to land your first jobs; rely on your ability to provide impeccable, unequaled, personal service to please your client, and deliver images that meet or exceed your portfolio.

As your experience, practice, self-driven education, skill, and portfolio grows, the clients will take care of themselves. With the money you make by charging a set rate from the start (I do suggest against freebies except for the 'family discount' for close friends and family), you'll be able to see what demand is like, what kind of money you can make with your hobby, and then begin to plan how to use the money; fun money, professional development, or business reinvestment.

Etc., etc. Your options are limitless! Whatever you do, stay excited, stay enthusiastic, and enjoy every second of it. It's a good dream to live!