Tips for starting out.

[LittleRaePhotography]

I have a Canon Rebel XS, Canon 18-55mm, Canon 70-300mm lens and a flash diffuser. I have a website, blog and facebook page along with business cards. I put together a model release and have a logo. Thats about it.

I need help to get a business started as I have amateur skills and a limited portfolio. I don't know where to start equipment wise and I'm wanting to put together things like "Specials" flyers to show current promotions or deals and a photoshoot ready lists for myself and for the clients. I'm sure theres a lot that I can't think of so any advice is appreciated.

Where do I start?

(littleraephotography@gmail.com)

[NicoleScraps]

Just my opinion, before you go buying new gear and business materials, you need to build up a portfolio. No one is going to pay you unless they can see examples of your work. Ask all of your family and friends to sit for you, for practice. That's what I did anyways.
I would also recommend building your skills past the amateur level. Read everything that you can on this forum, check out some books, watch videos, practice practice practice, then practice some more until you've got it.
Good luck to you.

[Niresangwa]

You need more of a portfolio, as Nicole pointed out. The quality of images needs to go up too...your current work is absolutely plagued with problems, basic problems too. Not that I'm knocking you, but your images have to actually better than your clients can produce themselves, and right now, I don't see that... otherwise, why would they hire you?

That said, what sets you apart from every other start-up selling their time for less than minimum wage on Craigslist? I"m not intentionally trying to insult you, just jolt you into a little introspection. What can you do that no one else can that warrants hiring you?

There's a whole lot about your site that needs to be looked at. There's a lot of information that should be on there that isn't, and a lot of things on there that need to be removed asap.

Pricing and marketing, you already had advice on, but did you take any of it to heart? It's going to be a problem in more ways than one.

Have you looked into the legal side of things, such as what's required in your state? You have your web presence set up, but is your infrastructure ready to go? Operating licenses (if required), register your business with the State? Do you know what your tax liabilities are? Do you have insurance?

My advice is to take a deep breath, put the brakes on for a little while and figure out what you're getting into.

Put your helmet on and dig in for an absolute roast. If your skin is thick enough, and you can take it, you'll get all the advice you need to do this properly.

[cesarderio]

I agree with the above. I am currently going to school for photography. There is a girl in my classes that has done the same things as you. She keeps trying to get work but to no avail. She is phenomenol at photoshop but the images straight out of the camera are so so. Even at her level of knowledge and confidence she still is struggling in school and getting work. Take your time and it will come. There's always more to learn. And that is not me saying it. This I've heard from many pros on this site.

[Jim Poor]

Originally Posted by LittleRaePhotography

I have a Canon Rebel XS, Canon 18-55mm, Canon 70-300mm lens and a flash diffuser. I have a website, blog and facebook page along with business cards. I put together a model release and have a logo. Thats about it.

All those things are not any good to you if you don't have the skills to use your camera.

I need help to get a business started as I have amateur skills and a limited portfolio.

NO, what you NEED is some experience and practice before you even consider a business.

I don't know where to start equipment wise

Start by learning what you have and how to use it well.

and I'm wanting to put together things like "Specials" flyers to show current promotions or deals and a photoshoot ready lists for myself and for the clients. I'm sure theres a lot that I can't think of so any advice is appreciated.

You're not even ready to think about clients yet, do yourself a favor and put on the breaks for a bit. Learn your camera and learn photography.

Where do I start?

The beginning is usually a good place, but a business is NOT the beginning.

(littleraephotography@gmail.com)[/QUOTE]

[SusanH1970]

Agreed with all the other posters. You don't need a website or business cards. You need practice. Once you have the technical skills down and are producing professional quality images, that's when you can consider starting a business. Paying clients are NOT people to practice on. Keep in mind, too, that when you own a photography business, only about 10% of it is the fun part (shooting). Research the business aspects - it's a LOT of work!

We're not trying to get you down, please don't take our advice as being harsh. None of us wants to see you fail, and that's why we're heading you in the other direction. Keep shooting, post for critique, and read, read, read!

[SusanH1970]

Originally Posted by LittleRaePhotography

I need help to get a business started as I have amateur skills and a limited portfolio.

Just re-read your post and this stuck out to me. Think about it...would you go to someone in business as a hairstylist who had no training, but had a pair of scissors and a comb? Or would you go to a restaurant that just opened, but the owner/chef didn't really know how to cook, but liked to experiment? Just some food for thought (no pun intended).

[Jim Bryant]

YIKES!!!

There's nothing more than I could add that nobody else hasn't already mentioned.
The most important ingredient for success is: Learn what you camera can or can't do for you.
Read the manual and practice, practice and practice. You gotta be able to operate your equipment so that it becomes second nature. Every time you fumble with f-stops and shutter speeds, you'l miss the picture.

IF you want to shoot portraits, that little pop up flash isn't going to work. Take some photographic classes and learn the business side of photography before you take the leap.

After seeing your website and photos.

You really need to start working on a portfolio. I know you have photos in what you call a portfolio, but frankly you don't really have one.

~Eric

[Azure.Crescent]

Hey, LittleRae, I just wanted to say thank you for posting what a lot of us amateurs think about. I think it's great that you have the ambition and drive to start a business so early. Don't lose that energy because you will need it to gather more experience and wisdom as you start taking more pictures.

I am not going to reiterate what everyone else has said. Just remember that introducing your own business is kind of like opening the curtains for a big performance. You want to have the skills, practice, and know-how before putting on the big show. We all should be so lucky to have such supportive members on this forum. I'm definitely learning a lot from all this.

I remember almost asking the exact same thing in some other forum a long time ago, and I got shot down pretty hard by some actual practicing models. It was definitely discouraging But I continue to persevere and now I have a lot more understanding of the camera. I still have a long way to go, but I'm much better than what I used to be.

Niresangwa reminds me of my karate instructor: harsh, but to the point and for a reason

At the very least try to get an internship or apprenticeship to someone that already has a business. That's what I'm doing right now! They may not always let you hold or shoot with their equipment, but the experience of watching a master photographer work can be priceless. Give it a try! And good luck! Keep me posted on your progress.