mitchell_green

<p><strong>Mike Earussi:</strong><br> 1. I plan on shooting mainly outdoors, without a studio.<br> 2. I plan to specialize in the future, but I want to gain experience first. I would like to keep my options open at the moment, experience all different aspects of portraiture so that I can choose a niche with confidence, knowing that I have explored all of my options.<br> 3. Family and friends are the only free 'models' I have, but I will take your advice.<br> 4. I have a 3 or 4 year old small HP colour inkjet and a few-month-old Samsung B&W Laserjet, but I don't think they will do the job.<br> 5. I am making use of the <em>Strobist</em> website, thank you for that.</p> <p><strong>Rick M:</strong><br> <strong><br /></strong>Thank you for your insight! I am already making use of the <em>Strobist</em> website, and after some thought, what you say about my portfolio rings true. I will continue to work on my skills every day and I am constantly using online resources in the world of portrait photography.</p> <p><strong>Jochen Schrey:</strong><br> 1. Thank you, but what do you think of portable photo printers that don't require a computer?</p> <p><strong>Harry Joseph:</strong><br> 1. I have taken what you say into consideration, but I'm not sure what I will need 20x16 photos for? Can I not merely get a smaller printer, and when the need arises for bigger prints, just take them to a local shop to be printed large?<br> 3. I'm not sure what you mean. Should I get a lens that size or can I use my current lenses for those values? What would be the difference between using a designated lens and using my lenses?<br> 4. Any suggestions for a website?<br> 5. I don't have business license, I have insurance on my equipment but I'm not sure what other insurance I need (business?), I have a rough business plan (maybe you can recommend a template?), I have a desktop and laptop both with word processing software, I have stationery, I do not have an accounting package but know basic bookkeeping and I will get envelopes and business cards. Where can I get photographer release forms?</p> <p><strong>More Questions:</strong><br> 1. I have basic editing software (sharpness, red-eye, contrast, colour-booster, brightness, shadow protection, highlight protection, cropping, D-lighting, straighten), but do I need expensive software? If so, what would you recommend?<br> 2. Where should I get a photography website from and what should be on that website?<br> Please give any and all advice and tips.</p>

<p>Thank you for the feedback. I was doing research about portrait photography when I came across this mention of wide-angle lenses. You are right, I don't know what I am doing, but that is why I am asking, instead of just jumping into the deep-end. I am still building my portfolio. Thank you for the constructive criticism.</p>

<p>Hi there<br> I'm an avid, amateur photographer who is thinking of starting a portrait photography business in my town. I haven't got a portfolio. I have a Nikon D3100 with a Nikon 18 - 55mm lens and a Sigma 70 - 300mm macro lens, 3 tripods, a compact camera and a remote. I don't have an extra flash or a photo printer, but I can get relatively cheap prints from a local shop. I was hoping someone could answer the following questions for me:</p> <p>1. Do I need a dedicated photo printer?<br> 2. How can I find out if there is a market for my business?<br> 3. Which lens should I predominantly use? (I've heard wide-angle lenses are bad for portraiture)<br> 4. How do I start?<br> 5. What do I need for start-up?<br> More questions to follow when I think of them. Any tips are welcome.</p>