How much experience before charging?

[JohnT]

Since there has been some talk about not charging for one's photography services until your really ready for prime time, I'm going to pose a question for all you portrait photographers. How much time did you put into learning your craft before you were comfortable going into business? (I know everyone learns at different rates, and one should always be honing their skills.)

[AndrewCCM]

I started charging when I knew I could produce consistent results regardless of the variables.

[toverman]

I whole-heartedly second Andrew's answer and also that I had to consciously make the decision that it was something I WANTED to do. It's a lot of work even to set yourself up as a one-man or one-woman business, so before diving in I wrote a business plan and set some goals.

[CaptainTom]

When you are confident that when an absolute stranger comes to you and says "I need a fantastic portrait of my wife/son/daughter/self/fish/dog/ etc. and I like it to be broad lit with a hair kicker" and you don't get a big knot in your stomach, or rush to TPF to ask what settings to use or if you should use a flash or how much you should charge or where is a good place to shoot or what equipment do you need or how do you set up a studio or yadda yadda yadda !

[my3peas]

I did the same as Andrew. Providing consistently good images with good exposure, good processing and good composition. Now, I cringe at the images I produced last year. But that is because I've grown so much and learned so much more than what I knew.

[Killeenguy]

I would say apprentice with a photographer as to learn/provide the standard at which people expect an experienced photographer to be at.
This way you can really gage when you ready to move on to the next level of photography or type of photography.

[brad]

Like Andrew... I went into the photography business as soon as I felt I could produce consistent results....

Now, that said... remember, you never stop gaining experience and you never stop learning. I look back on that work I did when I first started charging and think "who paid for this" .... and years from now, I may look at my current work that way. (Ok, some days I still do.. LOL)

[jasonhuang]

I started charging when someone asked, "can i pay you for this?"

"OK."

[Howard Barlow]

Thank you, Captain Tom!

[bondarnes]

Originally Posted by CaptainTom

When you are confident that when an absolute stranger comes to you and says "I need a fantastic portrait of my wife/son/daughter/self/fish/dog/ etc. and I like it to be broad lit with a hair kicker" ...........

Out of over 13,000 sessions I have never had a client suggest broad or short lighting or bring up the idea of a kicker light. They might bring me an example of what they are looking for that contains those elements, but if they know that much about photography they probably have their own business.

I probably went into business a little too soon and made a few mistakes, but no real disasters. I almost want to say that if you have to ask this question, you are probably not there yet.

[CaptainTom]

Originally Posted by bondarnes

Out of over 13,000 sessions I have never had a client suggest broad or short lighting or bring up the idea of a kicker light. They might bring me an example of what they are looking for that contains those elements, but if they know that much about photography they probably have their own business.

I probably went into business a little too soon and made a few mistakes, but no real disasters. I almost want to say that if you have to ask this question, you are probably not there yet.

Mostly tongue in cheek with the intent that if someone doesn't know what this means, they should gain some more knowledge/experience before going out on a limb.

[JohnT]

Originally Posted by bondarnes

I probably went into business a little too soon and made a few mistakes, but no real disasters. I almost want to say that if you have to ask this question, you are probably not there yet.

My question probably stems from a little dissatisfaction with my results. The clients are always happy, but I'm constantly looking at my work and realizing that I could be doing better. That's probably a good thing though so that I'm motivated to keep learning and growing. I'm half-way through a family portrait book, and it's been a real experience realizing how much I don't know and how much there is to remember in order to get that "WOW" factor.

No disasters for me yet; just a few minor mistakes.

[CobyPhoto]

Originally Posted by CaptainTom

When you are confident that when an absolute stranger comes to you and says "I need a fantastic portrait of my wife/son/daughter/self/fish/dog/ etc. and I like it to be broad lit with a hair kicker" and you don't get a big knot in your stomach, or rush to TPF to ask what settings to use or if you should use a flash or how much you should charge or where is a good place to shoot or what equipment do you need or how do you set up a studio or yadda yadda yadda !

Pretty good explanation here. Just leave out the portion in red above and it is right on point.

CJ

[bondarnes]

Originally Posted by JohnT

My question probably stems from a little dissatisfaction with my results. The clients are always happy, but I'm constantly looking at my work and realizing that I could be doing better................

I've been doing this for over 35 years and I still find things I should have tweaked after the session is over. One advantage to digital is that I see and correct more things needing tweaking before the session is over than I did with film

[Shelby Lane]

Originally Posted by bondarnes

I probably went into business a little too soon and made a few mistakes, but no real disasters. I almost want to say that if you have to ask this question, you are probably not there yet.

What he said. To me, it's not just the quality of work and the technical skill behind it, it's also the confidence and the business knowledge. Do most people start off knowing how to price themselves or how to run a business? Nope. But I think doing the planning and setting things up right, with the knowledge of how much you need to charge and the confidence that your work is worth that, is a key indicator as to whether or not you're ready.