So You Want To Be a Photographer

            You bought a camera with more bells and whistles than the one you have been using, you read the Owners Manual and decided to shoot in Automatic Mode until you got more familiar with your camera, you took some candid’s of your friends and relatives, their kids, pets or what ever, your friends or relatives just raved how good they were and remarked you should go into the photography business, a best friend, an acquaintance, or a relative knows somebody who is getting married or graduating so you offer to take the pictures for FREE “just for the experience”. “Free” is a term everyone likes to hear because a lot of people want something at little or no cost because they place cost over quality and service and are hoping they are getting a deal because they know what studios are charging.

            You are about to book your first client and you want to make a good impression but not make it seem like it’s your first load of chickens so you start making some phone calls or go on face book to find answers to the questions that anyone going into this business should have already known the answers to, such as; HOW MUCH SHOULD I CHARGE, WHAT SHOULD I CHARGE EXTRA FOR, SHOULD I HAVE BACK UP EQUIPMENT, DO I NEED AN OFF CAMERA FLASH, SHOULD I SHOOT IN AUTOMATIC OR MANUAL, WHATS A RAW FILE?,  DO I NEED A VENDORS LICIENCE, DO I NEED LIABILITY INSURANCE, WHAT PROGRAM SHOULD I USE FOR POST PROCESS EDITING, WHERE SHOULD I GET MY PREVIEWS PRINTED, SHOULD I OFFER THE DIGITAL NEGATIVE FOR SALE INSTEAD OF PRINTS. ETC, ETC, ETC.

            Assuming nothing went wrong with either the camera, the card, and there was enough light since you didn’t have an off camera flash unit, you came up with some presentable shots that looked great unless they were compared to the work of a professional or a skilled amateur. But so what, Millie just raved about her senior pictures and her Mother liked the price and Angela complimented you by saying your pictures were better than her Uncle Bob’s.

            How many times have you read posts where people are ready to take the plunge and hang out a shingle advertizing their skills as a photographer. I as a photographer, I take no offense from those who want to pursue their dreams. The fact is I believe in good old American business practices where competition and a level playing field determines who succeeds and who fails.

            I have been a full time “side job” photographer for the last five decades and have since retired. I would like to share with you some helpful tips that might help you succeed in building your own photography business.