Tips on starting a part time "business" TIPS PLS!

[ZahraH]

Hello all

So to make a big story short I have started thinking about starting to make a bit of money on the side from my photography. I'm not looking to start a full fledge business (thus why I put it in " " in the title :P)

I've been playing around with my SLR for about 3-4 years now and have been using DPS to improve my skills. I still don't feel I'm knowledgeable enough to be able to be a 'pro', but my friends have suggested I'm good enough to get hired? (I did an engagement session for a friend and she was THRILLED with the results).


I'm in my 4th year of my undergrad right now and may end up pursuing photography full time after I graduate, but for now I would rather just "tip my toes in it" (and help with school costs as a student)

I would like to do weddings and baby portraits and engagement sessions. (mostly focus on weddings)

I think there is a big market for where I'm from. The market is like this: there is one photographer who is 'famous' in the field....but he charges outrageous fees. yes he is very talented but I personally could not AFFORD him. (his clientel are very rich)

Then there are 3 or 4 photographers who are 'ok' ...thats to say they arent anything crazyyy but they are pretty good (I would hire them). They are a tad pricy but you can splurge....

And then there are a bunch of people who are HORRIBLE.....like imagine taking pictures with a BASIC digital cam, stretching and pixelating, and then apply icky photoshop filters etc etc who charge about $1-3000

I would think my skills are at the 'ok' level...maybe a bit less.....

My equipment is Canon XS, the lense that comes with it, 55-250mm , and 50 mm

So here are my questions.....

1) Will I need to update my base if I want to do this? to what? What lenses should I invest in? Since I'm a student I cant afford to splurge...are there are a few cheaper lenses I can get? Or should I invest in ONE expensive one?

2) I would like to start developing a portfolio so that if I do start a business I have something to show clients. How can I start developing this portfolio and getting paid? I'm thinking of advertising myself as "new" and willing to take on a few jobs for a 'discounted price' since I am developing a portfolio. Would this be good? or bad? (would people not trust me?)

3) How should I go about advertising myself?

4) ANY tips or advice would be appreciated

[Niresangwa]

Originally Posted by ZahraH

Hello all

So to make a big story short I have started thinking about starting to make a bit of money on the side from my photography. I'm not looking to start a full fledge business (thus why I put it in " " in the title :P)

I've been playing around with my SLR for about 3-4 years now and have been using DPS to improve my skills. I still don't feel I'm knowledgeable enough to be able to be a 'pro', but my friends have suggested I'm good enough to get hired? (I did an engagement session for a friend and she was THRILLED with the results).


I'm in my 4th year of my undergrad right now and may end up pursuing photography full time after I graduate, but for now I would rather just "tip my toes in it" (and help with school costs as a student)

I would like to do weddings and baby portraits and engagement sessions. (mostly focus on weddings)

I think there is a big market for where I'm from. The market is like this: there is one photographer who is 'famous' in the field....but he charges outrageous fees. yes he is very talented but I personally could not AFFORD him. (his clientel are very rich)

Then there are 3 or 4 photographers who are 'ok' ...thats to say they arent anything crazyyy but they are pretty good (I would hire them). They are a tad pricy but you can splurge....

And then there are a bunch of people who are HORRIBLE.....like imagine taking pictures with a BASIC digital cam, stretching and pixelating, and then apply icky photoshop filters etc etc who charge about $1-3000

I would think my skills are at the 'ok' level...maybe a bit less.....

My equipment is Canon XS, the lense that comes with it, 55-250mm , and 50 mm

So here are my questions.....

1) Will I need to update my base if I want to do this? to what? What lenses should I invest in? Since I'm a student I cant afford to splurge...are there are a few cheaper lenses I can get? Or should I invest in ONE expensive one?

2) I would like to start developing a portfolio so that if I do start a business I have something to show clients. How can I start developing this portfolio and getting paid? I'm thinking of advertising myself as "new" and willing to take on a few jobs for a 'discounted price' since I am developing a portfolio. Would this be good? or bad? (would people not trust me?)

3) How should I go about advertising myself?

4) ANY tips or advice would be appreciated

Have you taken the time to actually sit down and read through this sub-forum? Even just the last 3-4 pages of threads?

I'm not being dismissive by any means, but these are very general and common questions that we answer frequently...

[ZahraH]

Originally Posted by Niresangwa

Have you taken the time to actually sit down and read through this sub-forum? Even just the last 3-4 pages of threads?

I'm not being dismissive by any means, but these are very general and common questions that we answer frequently...

Yes I have of course. But I wasn't able to find someone who is in a similar situation as mine. I'm not planning on getting licensing or taxes etc, nor am I planning a full fledged business just yet (AS I MENTIONED). Also, I would like tips on lenses and such based on MY particular situation.

I've also read the 5 ways to dip your toes article but ...I would like to dip my toes :P (Where I live I am exempt from applying for licences and taxes if it is under a certain amount//I'm a student etc)

[Rentham]

Well, I started with almost the same exact gear you now have. While you could do a wedding with it, I don't think it is in the best interest of you or the client. Weddings are one area where the limitations of your gear can jump up and bite you quickly. I seem to remember my Rebel completely falling apart around ISO 400. You can bet you'll have to exceed that in many wedding scenarios.

While it is a popular lens, I personally found the 55-250 to be utter shit. I think most wedding shooters have some variation of 24-70 and 70-200 as their primary lenses. If I had to pick just one, I'd go with the 24-70 2.8 and supplement it with some cheaper, fast primes like the 85 1.8 or 100 2.8 non-L.

You'll also need a dedicated flash like a 580EXII. It is possible to do a wedding with manual flash, but it would add a layer of complexity you may not be able to handle in your first wedding gig.

Then there are the "hidden" costs. You'll probably want a battery grip and additional camera battery. You'll need a boatload of AA batteries and a charger. You'll also probably want a battery pack for your flash so you aren't changing out dead batteries in your flash while the bride and groom are having that awesome moment during their first dance. Add in some CF cards for your upgraded camera body and the things are starting to add up quickly.

And then consider what you'll do if any one of the critical items break or malfunction during the wedding.

[Niresangwa]

Originally Posted by ZahraH

Yes I have of course. But I wasn't able to find someone who is in a similar situation as mine. I'm not planning on getting licensing or taxes etc, nor am I planning a full fledged business just yet (AS I MENTIONED). Also, I would like tips on lenses and such based on MY particular situation.

Well, hush my mouth. I guess it must be that other forum where I"ve seen every single one of your questions asked and personally answered in the last few weeks that I'm thinking of. Oh, wait, I don't hang out on other forums...

However, never let it be said DPS isn't helpful...

Originally Posted by ZahraH

Hello all

So to make a big story short I have started thinking about starting to make a bit of money on the side from my photography. I'm not looking to start a full fledge business (thus why I put it in " " in the title :P)

You and literally tens of thousands of other people. What makes you any different from them? I mean that seriously. Why should anyone hire you over the hundreds of other options?

These days everyone and their dog has a DSLR or knows someone who does, so what sets you apart from them?

I'm not saying you're not special, or don't have a twist that will make you marketable, but if you don't have one, you're going no where with this.

Originally Posted by ZahraH

I've been playing around with my SLR for about 3-4 years now and have been using DPS to improve my skills. I still don't feel I'm knowledgeable enough to be able to be a 'pro', but my friends have suggested I'm good enough to get hired? (I did an engagement session for a friend and she was THRILLED with the results).

Wait, what? You're not good enough to be a pro, but you're good enough to charge 'ere and there'? Here's a tip... all those tens of thousands of people you're competiting with...well, all of their friends and family told them they're great and that they're ood enough to charge. Your friends are the least reliable indicator of readiness to take this step outside of a magic 8 ball.

Originally Posted by ZahraH

I think there is a big market for where I'm from. The market is like this: there is one photographer who is 'famous' in the field....but he charges outrageous fees. yes he is very talented but I personally could not AFFORD him. (his clientel are very rich)

Then there are 3 or 4 photographers who are 'ok' ...thats to say they arent anything crazyyy but they are pretty good (I would hire them). They are a tad pricy but you can splurge....

And then there are a bunch of people who are HORRIBLE.....like imagine taking pictures with a BASIC digital cam, stretching and pixelating, and then apply icky photoshop filters etc etc who charge about $1-3000

It's generally considered bad form to badmouth another photographer's work without providing examples. Especially when you haven't provided examples of your own stuff.

I digress...

Let me guess.. you see a 'gap in the market' for a reasonably priced photographer that everyone can afford (because hey, even poor people deserve good pictures, right?) and you feel like you can fill that gap... again, that's what everyone thinks.

First of all you need to understand why photographers charge what they do. I don't think you really understand it. Rentham hinted at it, but it expands beyond just gear. Speaking of gear though...

Originally Posted by ZahraH

I would think my skills are at the 'ok' level...maybe a bit less.....

My equipment is Canon XS, the lense that comes with it, 55-250mm , and 50 mm

So you have basic equipment with no back up. Do you have any experience with lighting? Natural lighting principles, flash photography? Do you have the money to get the gear for these? Do you have the money to get lenses fast enough to work in dark rooms, and capture fast moving kids? Do you have the money for a back up body? Do you have the money to have redundancies fr your lenses, bodies, batteries, lights? Do you have the money to get insurance?

Originally Posted by ZahraH

1) Will I need to update my base if I want to do this? to what? What lenses should I invest in? Since I'm a student I cant afford to splurge...are there are a few cheaper lenses I can get? Or should I invest in ONE expensive one?

See Rentham's post. He covered this well.

Originally Posted by ZahraH

2) I would like to start developing a portfolio so that if I do start a business I have something to show clients. How can I start developing this portfolio and getting paid? I'm thinking of advertising myself as "new" and willing to take on a few jobs for a 'discounted price' since I am developing a portfolio. Would this be good? or bad? (would people not trust me?)

You can't realistically expect to use people to practice on and expect them to pay you for the privilege. Work on your skills with friends and family. Trade their time for copies of the work. Use FB to find willing participants.

Once you have a decent body of consistent work, put out another casting call, this time maybe asking to just have your expenses covered. Explain up front what you're doing, and why they're getting this break.

Between those two points you need to be working on establishing your cost of doing business, so that when you're actually ready to go you not only have a portfolio of sorts to lean on, you also know and understand the intricacies of running a successful business, even if it is just on the sides.

Though you keep going back to it just being a side gig, you did say you're thinking of doing this on a more permanent basis. You need to read a lot, ask a lot of questions, and suck it up when you don't hear what you'd like to.

Originally Posted by ZahraH

3) How should I go about advertising myself?

Word of mouth is the best and cheapest way, period. Use FB. Craigslist may work early on while portfolio building, but you're again competing with hundreds of others doing the same thing. Forget this for now (aside from reading and researching), it's too far down the line when you have more more pressing matters to worry about.

[Biomech]

I would think my skills are at the 'ok' level...maybe a bit less.....

Just something to bear in mind; what do you think of car mechanics, plumbers, electricians, waiters, cooks and shop staff that do a "less than ok" job?

[Jim Bryant]

Originally Posted by Niresangwa

Well, hush my mouth. I guess it must be that other forum where I"ve seen every single one of your questions asked and personally answered in the last few weeks that I'm thinking of. Oh, wait, I don't hang out on other forums...

However, never let it be said DPS isn't helpful...



You and literally tens of thousands of other people. What makes you any different from them? I mean that seriously. Why should anyone hire you over the hundreds of other options?

These days everyone and their dog has a DSLR or knows someone who does, so what sets you apart from them?

I'm not saying you're not special, or don't have a twist that will make you marketable, but if you don't have one, you're going no where with this.



Wait, what? You're not good enough to be a pro, but you're good enough to charge 'ere and there'? Here's a tip... all those tens of thousands of people you're competiting with...well, all of their friends and family told them they're great and that they're ood enough to charge. Your friends are the least reliable indicator of readiness to take this step outside of a magic 8 ball.



It's generally considered bad form to badmouth another photographer's work without providing examples. Especially when you haven't provided examples of your own stuff.

I digress...

Let me guess.. you see a 'gap in the market' for a reasonably priced photographer that everyone can afford (because hey, even poor people deserve good pictures, right?) and you feel like you can fill that gap... again, that's what everyone thinks.

First of all you need to understand why photographers charge what they do. I don't think you really understand it. Rentham hinted at it, but it expands beyond just gear. Speaking of gear though...



So you have basic equipment with no back up. Do you have any experience with lighting? Natural lighting principles, flash photography? Do you have the money to get the gear for these? Do you have the money to get lenses fast enough to work in dark rooms, and capture fast moving kids? Do you have the money for a back up body? Do you have the money to have redundancies fr your lenses, bodies, batteries, lights? Do you have the money to get insurance?



See Rentham's post. He covered this well.



You can't realistically expect to use people to practice on and expect them to pay you for the privilege. Work on your skills with friends and family. Trade their time for copies of the work. Use FB to find willing participants.

Once you have a decent body of consistent work, put out another casting call, this time maybe asking to just have your expenses covered. Explain up front what you're doing, and why they're getting this break.

Between those two points you need to be working on establishing your cost of doing business, so that when you're actually ready to go you not only have a portfolio of sorts to lean on, you also know and understand the intricacies of running a successful business, even if it is just on the sides.

Though you keep going back to it just being a side gig, you did say you're thinking of doing this on a more permanent basis. You need to read a lot, ask a lot of questions, and suck it up when you don't hear what you'd like to.



Word of mouth is the best and cheapest way, period. Use FB. Craigslist may work early on while portfolio building, but you're again competing with hundreds of others doing the same thing. Forget this for now (aside from reading and researching), it's too far down the line when you have more more pressing matters to worry about.

I have agree with everything you've said. However, if you don't have the lighting skills, business and marketing skills and only 3-4 years of photography experience, my advice is too gain more experience in the above before starting a business. Taking pictures is only a small percentage of running a photographic business.

[mokka]

I think the you may be making the same basic error that many photographers make and that is to assume that weddings and the like are the bread-and-butter of a professional photographer's work and that this is the arena in which to 'dip your toes'. Many budding pros fail because they have presumed (often on a friend's advice) that the first step in turning pro is to start doing weddings.

In fact weddings are probably the most demanding things a professional photographer can ever do, the photographers who succeed at this have many years of experience as professionals and back-up equipment to boot (because if the bride's mother accidentally kicks your tripod over and smashes your camera and you can't just pick up a back-up camera and continue shooting you will get sued). You have to work in difficult, cramped, often dark environment and you only get one chance to get each shot and the clients are very demanding.

I've been using SLRs for perhaps about 15 years now and I still think I'm nowhere near experienced enough to do a wedding. I have friends who have similar levels of experience to me who were asked to do weddings cheaply for friends, and they all regret doing it, often citing unbelievable levels of stress.

Engagement shoots might work for you, but it would be difficult to sell these if you weren't also a wedding photographer. If I were you I'd focus on the babies, portraits, perhaps a bit of commercial photography.

I think the thing to remember when being part time is that you are still competing with all the full time pros. You can either accept that your quality will be reduced because you don't have the time to spend on improving your skills or the time to spend perfecting each photoshoot. Or you can limit the number of commissions you accept and focus on getting outstanding quality for the ones you do take on, but turning others down because you are 'fully booked'. I would choose the latter.

[SierraPhotog]

First time post, so I'll be brief...

First, if you think you're only "ok", that should be an indicator that you're not happy with your work. Perhaps getting some more experience under your belt, tackle some of those points you know you are poor at (white balance, perfecting high contrast scenes, lighting, etc), and ask for and submit some critiques on various forums before choosing to market and take on clients actively.

Second, to be brutal friends aren't a good indicator of whether your work is good or not. Friends will say something is good whether it truly is or not. Working professionals will tell you where the bear--- well, you know the saying. ;-) Post and become a regular on forums for both amateurs and pros, such as this one and FredMiranda.com, read what people say, learn from others mistakes and suggestions, and PARTICIPATE! Good enough isn't good enough.

Finally, get your work seen and known. Start online if that's your thing, with forums such as Flickr for the casual stuff, SmugMug, PurePhoto, and so on. Learn about registering your images before you start sending it all over the world. If you specialize (such as cars, or B&W weddings, or whatever), post regularly on forums specializing in that. Get on Google+ (for example), join various photog circles, and participate, participate, participate!!

Don't actively solicit for clients (IMHO) until you have your craft down pat, and you have your own style that makes you stand out from the others. But above all else, get your work out there and PARTICIPATE!!

SteveB

[andyw]

Originally Posted by ZahraH

Yes I have of course. But I wasn't able to find someone who is in a similar situation as mine. I'm not planning on getting licensing or taxes etc, nor am I planning a full fledged business just yet (AS I MENTIONED). Also, I would like tips on lenses and such based on MY particular situation.

I've also read the 5 ways to dip your toes article but ...I would like to dip my toes :P (Where I live I am exempt from applying for licences and taxes if it is under a certain amount//I'm a student etc)

The highlighted bit is the relevant bit for my response.

ANY TIME you are selling yourself or your work then you are in effect "a fully fledged business" or making yourself out to be a professional.
I don't know the tax or licensing laws in your area but rest assured that it will not just be a case of being "exempt". There will be rules and regulations.
Even if you "get away" with the tax side you are still selling (attempting to sell) your services/product and as such will be under the same regulations regarding insurances etc as everyone else.

The mistake you are making (and many others make) is that you think that you can just "take a few snaps and make some money".
That is NOT the way to approach things.
You have to approach this as a proper business and ensure that you have ALL the relevant skills and other things in place before even thinking about doing it.

You said " I still don't feel I'm knowledgeable enough to be able to be a 'pro', but my friends have suggested I'm good enough to get hired?"

And yet here you are asking how to go about getting hired, making money etc. which means you ARE making yourself out to be a professional and you yourself say you are not knowledgeable or skilled enough to do so.
You have answered your own question haven't you.