Island themed portraits?

[LaurenA.]

Why in the world is there not a delete button?

[zona5101]

Hi,
Good for you to have an idea and desire to more it forward! I think it's a neat idea and with the right business plan it may work out well. You may want to think about offering non-dress up shots as well because I imagine the demand for grass skirt photos maybe limited.
On the flipside, you may want to work on getting your focus right. People who pay for pictures generally don't want them out of focus. (which is a nice way to say just 'cause your family and friends think your shots are great, doesn't make it so.)

[wildbird]

Originally Posted by zona5101

Hi,
People who pay for pictures generally don't want them out of focus. (which is a nice way to say just 'cause your family and friends think your shots are great, doesn't make it so.)

Couple of things, a D5000 is not much of a professional camera. A D3s is better, but costs over 10 times more, so need to make the most of what you have. You dont say where it is that you are, but I assume you are not in Polynesia? With that sort of camera and the outfits, I can see offering pics where people pay to wear the outfit, or pay to have you in the pic. Go to somewhere like Rome, they have people dressed in gladiator outfits, and make their money by paying to have their picture taken with them. Same as part of SE Asia, they have people in traditional costume, and charge people to pose with them. Dont want to put you off, but like the above quote said, just because family and friends like your pics, doesnt mean that people will pay you to take pics for them, especially with a D5000, which is one of the cheapest DSLRs on the market, and the fact you only have one 200 lens. Need to offer something different. One idea I have seen is in Thailand, rafting down a river, kids come out and take a pic, and then at the end of the raft ride, they have already printed them on a plate or framed them, and of course have kids try and sell them to you. Need to offer something other than simply taking pics in my opinion.

[BigFuzzy]

You should feel overwhelmed. Essentially you're thinking of going pro in something completely new to you. I don't mean that in a bad way, but if you recognize you have a lot to learn, it'll take some pressure off of you. It's not going to be easy unfortunately. But massively rewarding on a personal level.

Yes, the idea is an interesting one. But I very much don't think it's something you can rely on as your sole source of income if you want to go pro. I can't imagine you, in the middle US, having enough people that want to take this type of photo to make it something other than a side source of income.

As for "I have no idea where to start"... seeing as you're selling photos, make sure you learn to take really good photos. Period. That has to be your starting point. No amount of interestingness related to the "Island Themed Portraits" will overcome bad photos. Not saying you take bad photos, but I'd dare say I don't see them as pro-level.

Honestly, what to charge and kit comes secondary to learning to take photos. If you're shooting on auto, you shouldn't go pro. If you have no clue how to use flash (and by that I don't mean pop-up flash), you shouldn't go pro yet because these types of photos need knowledge of flash. I'm not saying that to be mean, because I think you should go for it, but everyone must must must get completely comfortable with taking photos before considering going pro. So that must be your first step in my humble opinion.

As for what you need: At least one flash with the ability to fire them off camera. Reflector and knowing how to use it. A tripod (though you won't always need it). Probably better lens.. but that can come later when you're actually getting the most out of your lens.
I also think every pro has to have Post Processing skill/knowledge. I'm not saying you'll always have to do PP work, but you need to have the knowledge to be as good as you can be.
And lastly, shoot shoot shoot shoot and shoot some more. That's how you'll get better.
And then post them here so we can see how it's going.

Finally, you have to learn the business side of it. All working pros I've spoken to or read all say that at least 75% of their "work" isn't actually taking photos.. it's the business side of things. And from what little paid work I do (about 2 jobs a month), I can vouch for that ratio!

Good luck!
Al

[CShuler]

Since you say you already host luaus, I don't see any problem with adding the costumed portraits to your services. I think it is a great idea as there are people that would want to have this done. And if they don't feel comfortable with baring so much skin, I'm sure you would have other options for them.

[LaurenA.]

Thank you CShuler. There are many, many costume options out there. These were pictures we took to promote our group, and litterally the same day I got my camera. I was learning how to use it.

Bigfuzzy, thank you for all the great info. This is not going to be my primary source of income. Actually my husband is making the money and I just wanted something to do for extra money and keep me busy as I will not be going back to work. Not too busy as my 3 girls keep me plenty. If you don't mind, could we maybe keep in touch because I like your positive input. If you or anyone would like someone to coach, please take me on. This is not something I am just going to jump into, I know I have lots to learn to become pro before I even start on actually starting this up. I have learned to shoot manually, but haven't put that to use recently. I will start. Since I posted pictures that I shot when I first got the camera, here's recent with some post production to see if I have improved.

Just to clarify hopefully I am not in any violation of rule, I am not asking for a critique, just an opinion as weather I am improving and if I have a good starting point to learn.

With this I played with fill light, highlights and shadows. Upped the saturation and put a glow on it. The older girl had a big scratch on her face and I retouched it. Is that what you mean by post production?



This I used sepia then upped the saturation. I believe I played with the lighting too.
http://i52.photobucket.com/albums/g3...itrip046-2.jpg

Here are a few others.

http://i52.photobucket.com/albums/g3...alitrip072.jpg

http://i52.photobucket.com/albums/g3...alitrip096.jpg

http://i52.photobucket.com/albums/g3...alitrip015.jpg

Taking another look at my pictures I can already see things I could have done differently.

Here is a picture from practicing today. I set the lens on Manual and the camera on P. Did not mess with the iso though.
http://i52.photobucket.com/albums/g3...tures009-1.jpg
Thank you, Thank you, Thank you.

[alexsimpson]

Originally Posted by zona5101

On the flipside, you may want to work on getting your focus right. People who pay for pictures generally don't want them out of focus.

Agreed.....in many of your photos the focus seems to be slightly out or focused somewhere else in the image.

If you want to do it - do it right. Spend the time to learn about shooting portraits and the use of off camera lighting.

[candleman]

Originally Posted by LaurenA.

With this I played with fill light, highlights and shadows. Upped the saturation and put a glow on it. The older girl had a big scratch on her face and I retouched it. Is that what you mean by post production?

.

heres the thing.. shooting professionally is significantly different than it may seem.
Why? because the more you learn, the more you realise how much more there is still to learn.

80% of a photography business isnt photography.. i can promise you.
its Accounting, Marketing, customer relations, post production, planning, book keeping, promotions, meetings, updating websites, facebook pages, research, contracts... etc etc etc.
For every hour i shoot i'm doing about 10 hours of work away from the camera So, i seriously suggest you should do classes in business management, sales, marketing.... as they are just as important (if not more so) than your photographic abilities.

Speaking of that, I'd recommend you do some good reading in terms of lighting, posing, composition.
Do you know what White balance is? how do you set yours? what modes are you shooting in?

Heres a link to start the learning about the camera anyhow

[Jim Bryant]

What...another PhD user! First...learn photography, take the dam thing off auto and learn how to properly take pictures. Second, learn the business side of photography. Just because someone told you that you take professional photos doesn't mean that you are one, which you already stated. But, however, you managed to capture some very nice moments. Learn and grow photographically and if you can sell some photos on the side, then do so.