New and somewhat adrift
mikelane84
Registered Users Posts: 17 Big grins
I have always loved taking photos and though I have no formal training, I have taken tens of thousands of shots around the world since I have joined the Army. Lately, more and more people have encouraged me to start a small business, and I have heeded their advice. Now that I have decided to jump into the world of semi-professional photography, I humbly admit that I need some guidence. I have been browsing the threads on this site and have realized a couple of things that I probably need to address.
1. Pricing - I think that the most efficient way to operate as an on-the-side photographer is to provide the client with a supply of copyrighted digital negatives and a release form. I am not relying on this venture to pay bills and operating costs, but I would like for this to be more than a hobby.
2. Release forms - Going along with the "let them print their own photos" train of thought, I will assume that I need a time-restricted release form. Are these effective? I should also need a pre-shoot form that enables me to use someone's face for my own gains, right?
The nature of my situation precludes a studio setup. Everything I will be doing will be on-site and somewhat candid (which appeals to me greatly). I have shot a small wedding and a couple of parties. A lot of my shots are of children "in their natural environment." I was surprised at how many people seek that type of photography. After looking at it again, I realize that it is often difficult to obtain photos of children that don't appear to be forced. This may be a niche in my local community that can be exploited, for lack of a better term.
I do seek your input and critique. I know I have a lot to learn.
Muzzle flash from a pistol; and I know there is canvas at the bottom. I need to fix that.
I'm not at home right now, but I will post more later today when I go back.
As a side note, I used SmugMug to post these. Does anyone use this site as a tool to proof their photos with clients?
1. Pricing - I think that the most efficient way to operate as an on-the-side photographer is to provide the client with a supply of copyrighted digital negatives and a release form. I am not relying on this venture to pay bills and operating costs, but I would like for this to be more than a hobby.
2. Release forms - Going along with the "let them print their own photos" train of thought, I will assume that I need a time-restricted release form. Are these effective? I should also need a pre-shoot form that enables me to use someone's face for my own gains, right?
The nature of my situation precludes a studio setup. Everything I will be doing will be on-site and somewhat candid (which appeals to me greatly). I have shot a small wedding and a couple of parties. A lot of my shots are of children "in their natural environment." I was surprised at how many people seek that type of photography. After looking at it again, I realize that it is often difficult to obtain photos of children that don't appear to be forced. This may be a niche in my local community that can be exploited, for lack of a better term.
I do seek your input and critique. I know I have a lot to learn.
Muzzle flash from a pistol; and I know there is canvas at the bottom. I need to fix that.
I'm not at home right now, but I will post more later today when I go back.
As a side note, I used SmugMug to post these. Does anyone use this site as a tool to proof their photos with clients?
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Comments
Nor do I, nor do most photographers. Photography is one thing, especially since digital, that is relatively easy to self-teach.
First, friends willing to compliment != clients willing to pay.
Second, What do you plan to shoot? What kind of images do you want to make? Do you want to do family portraits? Do you want to do abstract art? Do you want to shoot stock? Weddings? Your sample images don't seem to have any 'focus'.
Depends entirely and 100% on what you shoot. A fine-art photographer would probably NEVER allow a full-res file out the door; whereas it would be extremely common for a wedding photographer to give full-res files.
Again, depends on what you plan to shoot. If you are shooting models for stock - you better get a model release. If you are shooting portraits/archetecture for handing over to the family/contractor, it's probably not that important.
Again, depends on the type of photography as to how common... but yes, many many proffessional photographers show proofs through smugmug.
First thing you need to do is decide what you want to shoot.
Then check if there is a reasonable market for that and work up a business plan.... if it seems feasible...
Then register as a business, talk to an accountant (taxes and what not), a lawyer (licenses and releases), and an insurance agent (to protect your gear in case of theft and to protect your life savings in case your lights set fire to a church...
THEN start finding clients.
Here is a wedding website I created for a customer as a value-add. Comments appreciated.
Founding member of The Professional Photography Forum as well.