Having a crisis of photography faith

[my3peas]

Amy, Kim, thank you both so much :) I'm humbled.

[steve817]

Originally Posted by MikkiStreak

. And every bride I know wants Trash the Dress sessions that are really cutting edge! .

Funny thing is that it is so over done now that it is no longer cutting edge. But hey I'm not the one paying the tab.

Sorry I didn't have any advice to offer Kim.

[rusty_tripod]

Hang tough. If you trust them, they will come.

[J Eddington]

Maybe it's time to join a "play group". When you introduce your self, you are not a stay at home mom, but a photographer, who happens to have kids. Because of your schedule you only have limited times for "photoshoots" You can even do them i their homes! Make it personal. Every person you meet you say you are a photographer give and leave business cards everywhere. And get deposits for those photoshoots to hold their appointments. And maybe you might need a babysitter on occasion. Or maybe you can work around familys schedules. Work with what you have. KEY WORK IT!! You can do it. That might help to get more steady shoots scheduled, then work it from there. Start where you can and work up.

[Michelle Allmon]

Yeah, definately introduce yourself as a photographer. If you tell them you are a stay at home mom who takes pictures, they will want you to work for free/cheap, seeing as you do it for "hobby."

[AndrewCCM]

Heck, I am an Information Security Manager...But when I meet people, I typically state I am a Photographer. I don't need any additional IT business these days. LOL

I think this is a good suggestion. It has led me to several corporate gigs doing promotional and/or product photography for some local business owners in my neighborhood.

[brad]

That's one of the things I stressed in the portfolio class Heather and I gave in Brownwood last month.... your business card is part of your portfolio, too... show it to EVERYONE... leave it behind with tips at restaurants, with the car hops at Sonic, the cashier at the grocery, and so on... if no one knows you are a photographer, no one will call. :)

[Charles Putnam]

What impresses me most about this forum and site (and Texans in general) is their willingness to help each other, even in a "competative" environment such as photography. Coming from Kalifornia, this is something that would have NEVER happened there.

[photobykim]

I would like to say thank you to everyone that has offered advice or just your opinions. I am feel a bit better this morning and have a renewed determination. I'm sitting down today and making a plan and figuring out what my initial goal will be and then what my long term goal is and then what I need to do to get from A to B.

[fran reisner]

Originally Posted by carrbowl

Ok...question..if childrens portraits are in your heart, why are you trying to do bridals? $$

That's what I want to know! Kim, do we need to get you back for a refresher course???

[photobykim]

There is always the possiblity for that fran.

When I began learning photography I started because my sister had my niece and I just fell in love with capturing her and her life. I think a large part of why I haven't followed this path is a lack of confidence. I see these images that touch peoples hearts like the work you do Fran and I think what if I fail, what if I dont create the images I see, what if instead they simply become snap shots and not a work of art, something to be cherished.

I struggle with depression and a lot of insecurities and it seems to spill over more so into my photography because it is a passion to my heart. I just am scared to mess it up.

[photobykim]

wow was that completely whiny or what??

I've just been down the last couple of days and photography seems to be taking the brunt of it.

[Bill]

Dear Whiner,

Need something to do when you're not whining? You have models at home, right? Use them. Start shooting stock. You develop your skills and earn money. You will need releases, of course. Do not assume that when an agency wants a release that you can then get it from your neighbor, sister, cousin, etc. It may not happen. Get it the day of the shoot. Be sure that the person giving a release is authorized to do so. The mother may give a release but if the father is the managing conservator, you may need one from him.

Stock is not just people, either. Landscaping, kitchens, bathrooms, doors, bouquets, skies, cars. You name it.

How to learn about all of this? Ask on this forum? Check out the PDN issue on stock. Look it up on the Internet. Go to a good bookstore. Check out the Web sites of the stock agencies.

If you are told that you will get rich quickly or will be wasting your time, do not believe it. People make or lose money by their talent and their business skills. Some people do not understand that and may give you advice that is too generalized from their personal experiences only.

Stock is a huge world and always has to be updated. Haircuts change, as do clothes, cars, landscaping, etc.

If you do have depression, see a doc. May not be situational, may be chemical. You too can join the world of Puppy Uppers and Doggie Downers(for those of you who go back to the very old days of SNL).

Bill