chriswalter Posted July 21, 2008 Share Posted July 21, 2008 I was talking to a guy in LA that said he went from just starting out part time, model portfolio-editorialphotographer to full time job with his own studio space in 1.5 years. I just wondering if anyone on these boardshas had a similar experience or knows of one. Because if I could become a full time photographer in 2 years..... :D Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SCL Posted July 21, 2008 Share Posted July 21, 2008 I have a friend who did it. He worked his buns off part time including every Saturday and Sunday for a year...no vacation, developed a strong business plan, networked every night and every opportunity he got. He tirelessly marketed himself with concrete examples, joined local Chamber of Commerce & Rotary groups. He had no family to be concerned about during that period, so was a true workaholic. Also, to begin with, he had studied photography and business in school and had a good sense of where he was headed. It paid off for him. Looking back he also credited luck for being in the right place, with the right skill set at the right time. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
studor13 Posted July 21, 2008 Share Posted July 21, 2008 Knowing how to take snap shots and consistently creating solid images take a good year and a half. It's taken me about 3 years. That's the easy part. Selling/making a living from photography is another story. I'm still trying to work that one out. I had a look at you home page and although I'm not a portrait man I think you have a bit more work to do. I'm not being wise ass, just being honest. I can make images like below any day of the week - now - but no one's going to buy them.<div></div> Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
colourabstractionism Posted July 21, 2008 Share Posted July 21, 2008 Commitment, skill, passion and hard work are the foundations. Building on top of those takes time, but is quite possible for people to turn pro in only a few years time. Look at my photo's. I picked a camera up 6 months ago. Make it your raison d'être and anything is possible! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
chriswalter Posted July 21, 2008 Author Share Posted July 21, 2008 So basically it's gonna take a whole lota hard work and even then there is no guarantee. But lets see if I got this straight <br> 1. No vactions 2. Network like no other 3. improve portrait quailty <br> Andy "I had a look at you home page and although I'm not a portrait man I think you have a bit more work to do." <br> I appreciate the honesty I'll take hard critique over a compliment any day. But could you elaborate? Are you think more studio style portraits? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ellis_vener_photography Posted July 21, 2008 Share Posted July 21, 2008 "Commitment, skill, passion and hard work are the foundations. " You forgot two very key components: money & marketing Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
steve_swinehart Posted July 21, 2008 Share Posted July 21, 2008 Ahhh...there's Ellis throwing a cold splash of reality over everything..... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ellis_vener_photography Posted July 21, 2008 Share Posted July 21, 2008 yes Killjoy is my nickname around these parts. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
stp Posted July 21, 2008 Share Posted July 21, 2008 I agree entirely with Andy and Ellis: a (the?) limiting factor in being a successful professional photographer is the business aspect: having business savvy, a business plan, a marketing plan, and the money and commitment to put those plans into action. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
chriswalter Posted July 21, 2008 Author Share Posted July 21, 2008 I have already built a pretty solid fan base through facebook and my church. I started doing weddings professionally in February of this year and I have booked 4 weddings and am working on closing 2 more. <p>My business plan so far:</p> <p>Continue networking via Myspace MM, FB, Flickr, DA, church and local networking groups.</p> <p>Advertise with Google, and locally thru my church.</p> <p>Work on website SEO by submitting photos to the above sites and writing articles.(haven't quite figured out the article thing)</p> <p>Undercut competition until I have enough word of mouth to raise prices.(my wedding price is between $500-1000)</p> <strike>Take good photos</strike> TAKE KILLER PHOTOS! <p>What did I miss?</p> Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SCL Posted July 22, 2008 Share Posted July 22, 2008 You say "Advertise with Google, and locally thru my church.". Unless your local church has a couple thousand parishoners, you might want to expand that to include local CHURCHES and SYANGOGUES. Also, you might need some working capital along the way, so definitely include a relationship with your local banker/s. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
digitmstr Posted July 22, 2008 Share Posted July 22, 2008 It depends where you live. Los Angeles has a HIGH demand for photographers which, if YOU KNOW WHAT YOU ARE DOING, can work in your favor. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
petemillis Posted July 23, 2008 Share Posted July 23, 2008 Chris, that price for weddings...does it include an assistant with back up cameras, transport and all that stuff? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
chriswalter Posted July 23, 2008 Author Share Posted July 23, 2008 No. I shoot 2 bodies all the time 28-75mm f/2.8 on a d80 and 12-24mm f/4 on a second body. So I figure that covers back up camera. I also usually use off camera flash for aisle and cake shots. <p>This is what I am thinking for pricing plan.</p> <br> <p>Petite Coverage: * All high resolution digital negatives on CD delivered 2 weeks after wedding * Online gallery of your wedding day to share with friends and out-of-town viewers. * My unique and professional Post-Processing <b> * 6 Hours of coverage * $500</p></b> <p>Basic package * All high resolution digital negatives on CD delivered 2 weeks after wedding * Online gallery of your wedding day to share with friends and out-of-town viewers. * My unique and professional Post-Processing <b>* 8 Hours of coverage * $700</p></b> <p>Deluxe package: * All high resolution digital negatives on CD delivered 2 weeks after wedding * Online gallery of your wedding day to share with friends and out-of-town viewers. * My unique and professional Post-Processing <b> * 10 Hours of coverage * 1 hour engagement session * $1000</p></b> <br> <p>A second photographer maybe added to any of the above packages for $200</p> <br> My logic is price low till supply meets demand then raise it proportionally. <br> what do you guys think? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jt-photos Posted July 23, 2008 Share Posted July 23, 2008 Do you really want to become a full-time wedding photographer?! Well, go ahead, I won't step into your playground. Your pricing seems really reasonable, for someone starting up and trying to gain customers. All that talk about business and business and business plan and money, well - sounds so american... You know what you want to do, you have an ok equipment to start with. I'd concentrate in photography, let your work speak for you. I have a university degree in marketing and I've worked as an assistant to other photographers, plus worked on my own and the best marketing is to offer a good product, polite service and the word will go around. Though, I'd suggest you to take some extra courses of photography and post-processing. Your pictures are good, but there is still the extra step to take to make them look really proffessional. Good luck. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
chriswalter Posted July 24, 2008 Author Share Posted July 24, 2008 Actually I would rather be a full-time model portfolio photographer. but ya know gotta go where the money is. :D <br> I understand what you are saying about the focus should be on photos. But the truth is I know some very mediocre photographers but great business men that book 20-35 weddings a year. With that said I didn't just wake up one day and decide to go pro. People saw my work and asked me to shoot their wedding, portraits and other projects so here I am 8 paid weddings later, Trying to figure out hour to turn that into 40. <br> Improving the quality of my portraits is on the top of my list. I hate mediocrity! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jt-photos Posted July 27, 2008 Share Posted July 27, 2008 That is my point, be happy in what you do, be satisfied yourself, with the results, concentrate in photography. I rather sell my prints, which I like, for 500 euros, rather than bad/mediocre well marketed pictures for 5000. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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