Starting my own photobiz, Advice Wanted!!

[AnitaMargaretPhoto]

Hi fellow DPS users,
I just started my own photography business, small but I have a 5 year plan or 3 year if this go well. I am starting out with a Canon T1i with EFS 18-55mm IS lens, & EFS 55-250mm IS lens, and polarizing filter 58mm. I have a natural eye for shots but am having trouble getting a firm grasp on some of the technical parts of photography. I took some photography classes in High School, but that was six years ago I have a slew of questions so if anyone can lend me their knowledge and experience I would REALLY appreciate it!! Here we go...

Is my camera good enough for portrait/photo journalistic shooting?

What are some starter Must haves?

Other than this AMAZING site, are you better off getting a degree in photography or learning from professionals, sort of on-the-job type training?

What are some DIY ideas for doing sessions at a clients house, concerning lighting?

As bad as this sounds, what is the easiest way to understand white balance?

I use manual focus 95% of the time, am I making things harder on myself or is it a good idea to start doing this manual as opposed to starting off with the automatic?

I will be shooting newborns to weddings, any tips on posing, props, using the lighting?

I found a thread on here about, 15 Must Have Photography Accessories Under $25, I didn't quite understand the whole foam core and medium gray card items. I know I sound amateur here but how are they used? Are they held by me or attach to the camera, or go on the ground? hah I couldn't figure out what they meant...

Do I need a flash diffuser right away?

Is there a simple Photoshop CS5 forum or tutorial out there that you would recommend?

I'll leave it at that for right now, those are the top questions I really hope someone can help me out with I'm so glad I found this site! It will definitely be nice to get advice from all you amazing photographer's on here!! Thank you!!!

[Jim Poor]

Originally Posted by AnitaMargaretPhoto

Hi fellow DPS users,
I just started my own photography business, small but I have a 5 year plan or 3 year if this go well. I am starting out with a Canon T1i with EFS 18-55mm IS lens, & EFS 55-250mm IS lens, and polarizing filter 58mm. I have a natural eye for shots but am having trouble getting a firm grasp on some of the technical parts of photography.

It's great to be excited, but may I suggest you learn those "technical parts"before starting a business?

Is my camera good enough for portrait/photo journalistic shooting?

Sure, but are you good enough, yet?

What are some starter Must haves?

Well, for starting a business, knowledge of those "technical parts" is a start.

Other than this AMAZING site, are you better off getting a degree in photography or learning from professionals, sort of on-the-job type training?

Get business degree.

What are some DIY ideas for doing sessions at a clients house, concerning lighting?

Honestly, you're not ready to be doing sessions in a clients house if you haven't mastered your technique in a more controlled environment. That said, Google is your friend when it comes to DIY lighting, backdrops, etc. However, be careful with that stuff since I'm guessing you don't have liability insurance for when you knock over a hot light and catch the clients house on fire.

As bad as this sounds, what is the easiest way to understand white balance?

White balance makes white look like white. Our eyes and brains adjust automatically to make us "see" white as white, but a camera captures reality, including any color in the light reflected off white surfaces.

I use manual focus 95% of the time, am I making things harder on myself or is it a good idea to start doing this manual as opposed to starting off with the automatic?

There are times when manual focus is better, but today's cameras are better than our eyes most of the time.

I will be shooting newborns to weddings, any tips on posing, props, using the lighting?

Seriously?

I found a thread on here about, 15 Must Have Photography Accessories Under $25, I didn't quite understand the whole foam core and medium gray card items. I know I sound amateur here but how are they used? Are they held by me or attach to the camera, or go on the ground? hah I couldn't figure out what they meant...

Gray cards are used to help set white balance. Foam core can be a gray/white card, reflector, flag, etc.

Do I need a flash diffuser right away?

You need to learn how to use what you have, then figure out what you need.

Is there a simple Photoshop CS5 forum or tutorial out there that you would recommend?

Scott Kelby, Joe McNally

I'll leave it at that for right now, those are the top questions I really hope someone can help me out with I'm so glad I found this site! It will definitely be nice to get advice from all you amazing photographer's on here!! Thank you!!!

Such enthusiasm! Good for you, but slow down and learn what you're doing before hanging out your shingle.

[private]

What Jim said!

[Photologyst]

I just don’t get it!?

Most people start their own business after years in the field or corporate structure learning their craft.

What is with these kids buying a camera and hanging out a shingle before they know their ISO from Adam???

I can’t think of another field where this happens.

[Jim Poor]

Originally Posted by Photologyst

I just don’t get it!?

Most people start their own business after years in the field or corporate structure learning their craft.

What is with these kids buying a camera and hanging out a shingle before they know their ISO from Adam???

I can’t think of another field where this happens.

Sure you can. It happens in every field that doesn't require some sort of license exam before you can legally start a business. We were just having this same discussion about folks who call themselves dog trainers. When I was into magic, the same way went for "magicians." Nothing new.

[Photologyst]

Originally Posted by Jim Poor

Sure you can. It happens in every field that doesn't require some sort of license exam before you can legally start a business. We were just having this same discussion about folks who call themselves dog trainers. When I was into magic, the same way went for "magicians." Nothing new.

OK, I concede that my field is a bit technical, education and license heavy. I meant fields where one has to have skills. Dog trainers have skills, so do magicians—don’t they?

Why do people with no photo skills think they can open a business? They come here by the dozens. I have known a number of those who closed and left clients in the lurch.

(You were into magic—really?)

[Jim Poor]

Originally Posted by Photologyst

OK, I concede that my field is a bit technical, education and license heavy. I meant fields where one has to have skills. Dog trainers have skills, so do magicians—don’t they?

Why do people with no photo skills think they can open a business? They come here by the dozens. I have known a number of those who closed and left clients in the lurch.

(You were into magic—really?)

Yep, still am, but I decided I wanted to do it for fun rather than for money.

I have a few photography related / themed magic effects too.

[Photologyst]

Originally Posted by Jim Poor

Yep, still am, but I decided I wanted to do it for fun rather than for money.

I have a few photography related / themed magic effects too.

Interesting.

Have you ever heard of the “Magic Castle” in Los Angeles? The World Famous Hollywood Magic Castle

I was often a guest there, because of some magician friends. Some really fun evenings.

Hmmm—doggie magic?

[Jim Poor]

Originally Posted by Photologyst

Interesting.

Have you ever heard of the “Magic Castle” in Los Angeles? The World Famous Hollywood Magic Castle

I was often a guest there, because of some magician friends. Some really fun evenings.

Hmmm—doggie magic?

Unfortunately, I learned of Magic Castle after we left LA

[Canon Bob]

Originally Posted by AnitaMargaretPhoto

....... I am starting out with a Canon T1i with EFS 18-55mm IS lens, & EFS 55-250mm IS lens, and polarizing filter 58mm........

I will be shooting newborns to weddings.....

I genuinely wish you well in your venture Anita although I confess to a little doubt as to whether you're ready for it yet. We'll assume that you are going to give it your best shot and tout your services in your locality. A good start would be to look around at the standard of the established photographers in your area and see whether you can emulate their quality.

The quoted portions above are the parts where I think you're walking into a minefield. Kids, newborns and pets are all repeatable if the worst happens.....weddings are a one time event and there's no second chance. In a nutshell, your equipment is inadequate and you'd be irresponsible to even think about offering a service.
Professional cameras like Canon's 1 srs bodies record images to two cards simultaneously....that's a "must have" for weddings IMHO and you'd need a backup body too. Your lenses aren't going to cut it either...indoor shots are going to be too challenging to get consistent results and you need consistent results.
In short, leave weddings and one time events well alone until (or if) you've got the experience and investment in gear to get results without any chances being taken.

Pop back in and let us know how it's going.

Bob