Please advise of entering this market

[tom_aellis1]

I sincerely hope that this subject and topic is accepted here.

 

Two years ago I left my profession of telecommunications to engage my

passion of digital imaging and photography. Now, after two years of

working in my home lab, reading and attending school part time I wish

to put my new found talents to work.

I must admit, my art has really become robust and I've actually done

some nice work for some pro photographers that includes complete Drum

Scanning, color correction and large format printing.

 

I own my own HP DesignJet 5500ps and print a a wide range of media.

 

I now wish to work as a professional in this business and do not wish

to stay on my own. Working from my own lab for, let's say a "Getty

Images", would be cool.

 

My photography skills have also become quite solid. Both digital and

medium format. The feedback on my art has been VERY positive.

 

I'm not sure in which direction I should go. I love Drum Scanning,

Adobe corrections including profiles etc., and large format printing.

 

Any advice would be a blessing!

Thank you in advance.

Tom

[ellis_vener_photography]

I'm not quite sure what type of career you want to pursue? Professional Phootgrapher? Digital service bureau for other professional photographers? Fine artist (i.e. you are marketing your work as prints rather than as images to be incorporated in to publications and advertisements)? <P>

Who is giving you the positive feedback? Are they friends & family? Artists? other photographers/ Art and creative directors?<P>How are you set financially? How do you really feel about marketing yourself? Is that feeling different from the ones you have about parketing your finished work or your services?<P>

Are you willing to spend the same amount of work and effort doin gthe business side of the business?

[dan_smith]

If you can do excellent scans of B&W negs in 4x5, 5x7, 8x10, 7x17, 8x20 and 12x20 and output to new negatives of larger sizes from 5x7, 8x10, 11x14 and up to 20x24 to 30x40 I would use your service. It is almost impossible to get someone who can do this.

[tom_aellis1]

All, thank you for taking the time and responding so quickly.

 

The business that I would enjoy is Drum scanning, which I own my own Screen AI, color correction including the use of profiles (both icc and media) and finally Lg format printing on various media, canvas etc...

So I guess we can call it from negative, both 35mm, MF and Large to print. (and maybe just drum scanning for some)

 

The feedback I have received is from both some pro/am's and a couple of professional photographers with some repeat business. I really do not

want to do this on my own but would really like to work as a annex for a imaging company from my home in my lab. I'm pretty sure these types of compinies would benefit from my work and like me as an employee.

 

This will allow me to be home for my six year old boy returning from school at 3:30 where my passions really lie.

 

Thank you again.

Tom

[hal_bissinger]

<i>...I really do not want to do this on my own but would really like to work as a annex for a imaging company from my home in my lab...This will allow me to be home for my six year old boy returning from school at 3:30 where my passions really lie.</i><p>

With all due respect I think you are dreaming. You want all the advantages of having your own business with none of the responsibilities. You want someone to send you a constant flow of work which you will do at your own pace. No sales, no marketing, no customer interaction. Nice job if you can get it. I hope you do but it's not very likely. Unless you can charge significantly less than what the costs are to do things in house and unless you also can offer significant advantages for your employer I just don't see it happening.<p>

I would suggest working on your own, starting your own business if you want to have any hopes of success. Hopefully a business course was part of your schooling.

[wayne_crider4]

Anything is possible in this world, if you simply have the faith to

persue your dreams and your grounded in God.

 

Most likely as you have found out, the most immediate income

source will be the marketing of your skills to photographers

such as Dan above and others. If anything the frst thing you

should do is list an ad in the classifieds section of Photonet.

Examples of your work on a web site, and a list of your services

with prices is an easy thing to do. Beyond that you need to

market yourself not only to individuals but as you have noted to

other labs. I would speculate tho that if you want to work with a

lab you going to need to work at their place of business. They

are going to need to maintain control over the process and

satisfy their customers so they return. You must also watch

working on the side as that would get you fired fast. You might

also think about advertising a pickup and drop off service for

small photographic studios as additional income, or even

working part time as a consultant in house for those that are

adverse to the digital end of things or don't have the skills to do

so at a competant level since it can be a long learning curve.

There are those that prefer to shoot instead of sit in front of a

computer and figure out profiles as you have obviously have

found out thru your current clientel. It is rather a tedious process

for many, and I'm sure that as a outside jobber you might find

work in that direction that would allow you to create your own

schedule.

[s.k. grimes inc]

Back in the old days of film this was done by taking pictures of shoes for a shoe catalogue at a much too cheap price.

 

The eager youngster who had "just landed a contract from a shoe company" was sort of a stereotype of the beginner pro.

 

The shoe catalogue company was merely interested in the very cheapest price only and the neophyte's artistic lighting and rendering of the shoes was of no consequence whatsoever.

[gene crumpler]

From past experience, if you are married, your wife had better be 100% behind such a new venture, or you will ultimately fail.

 

FWTW, my oldest son made several million in the telecommuniations industry. He got out of WorldCom (MCI) right after Ebers took over.