making money with digital cameras

[framed]

I don't believe anyone on this forum believes that they can automatically start making money with a digital camera. If they believed that, they wouldn't be here seeking advice. EVERYONE HAS TO START SOMEWHERE. We can't all be born talented enough to know exactly which equipment is needed for any photography scenario without researching it and asking for advice. What I do know is that there ARE thousands of "self taught" photographers out there who are very successful. Everyone has a right to find their own style, and what lens, lighting, or backdrops that work for you, may not be what works for them. Good luck to anyone who has that "first assignment"! It will be a learning experience, just like all of the assignments that follow will be as well.

[framed]

Originally Posted by Jim Bryant

Nope...didn't get an infraction and why should I for being concerned. Like I said there too many not only here, but other forums as well, some of which are really good shooters and some, well still in learning process. Hell, I'm still learning something new everyday, gotta keep up with these changing times and believe me, the times change daily. I do understand you have to start out somewhere, I did, way back in 1970. I went through growing pains of learning, building a portfolio, starting a business and becoming successful, but that was in the film days, when there were no automatic cameras and everything was manual and not so many shooters. Now a days with these PhD cameras (point here dummy), anyone who isn't blind or maybe is, can shoot on auto or P (for professional) and can take a snap. What I'm worried about and concerned is that with so many folks with digital cameras, who do and don't know anything about the business are jumping right into the waters and competing with established photographers with free pictures, lower prizes and it just cheaper the business. Like I said in an earlier posts, "If you are going to start making money by selling photos, even if it's part-time. You gotta learn the capabilities of your camera and lighting equipment, write a business plan, get necessary licenses and arm yourselves with all the knowledge available through books, internet, seminars. In order words, ya gotta pay your dues All I'm trying to do is warn people that making money in this business gets harder and harder each passing day. You have to thoroughly prepare yourselves if you are going to succeed, some of you, as I see are well on the way and "good for you, welcome aboard." And to the others, who take the leap instead of properly preparing "I truly hope you can dog paddle and out swim the alligator and sharks out here in this ocean."

Thank you for such encouraging words. Now I'm more determined than ever! All I need is that "DSLR for Dummies" book to go with my "point here dummy" camera! Oh wait, I DO have that book..........

[Jim Bryant]

With your determination I'm sure that book will be a wealth of information for you.

[framed]

Originally Posted by Jim Bryant

With your determination I'm sure that book will be a wealth of information for you.

Lighten up...........it's a big world and there is certainly room out there for more than one photographer. Even if we can't ALL be "professionals". Sounds like you're a little intimidated. Maybe you should stop worrying so much about what everyone else is doing or knowing, and focus more on how you can continue to be better than the rest of us.

[navcom]

Originally Posted by framed

Lighten up...........it's a big world and there is certainly room out there for more than one photographer. Even if we can't ALL be "professionals". Sounds like you're a little intimidated. Maybe you should stop worrying so much about what everyone else is doing or knowing, and focus more on how you can continue to be better than the rest of us.

The first line of Jim's initial post explains why he had concerns...."There's been way too much talk on this forum about having a digital camera and I got my first assignment, what should I do??? "

The fact that so many people are asking implies that Jim has a point. There ARE a lot of people on this forum who think that now that they have a digital camera, they can immediately turn it into a business. For many, this is just human nature and absolutely nothing wrong with it. It's something to aspire to. You spend a lot of money on this equipment. It would sure be nice to get some of that investment back while doing something that you enjoy. But there are others that truly are a bit niave and just need some advice to prevent the inevitable train wreck...which is what Jim is giving them with his thread.

While I might disagree with the panic over so many ametuers in the market or how a new photographer breaks into the industry, Jim makes quite a few good points, especially concerning the business side of it. Having a photographic hobby and making a couple bucks on the side is one thing. Implying to others that you are a professional photographer is another matter altogether as people will get higher impression of what they think you can do when all you really are is an ametuer with an expensive camera. Not much different than saying you are a professional race car driver because you have a team jacket and a Ford Mustang.

Where I share Jim's concern is that there are some people who put the cart before the horse...they get the equipment and THEN decide to figure out how to make money with it instead of making a business plan, learning to become a professional, and then determining what equipment you need to succeed. This very fact demonstrates to those of us who own a business a lack of forward thinking and business planning...the death song for a business. If you are going to succeed at a business, you have to be in the business "mindset" and you have to have a plan.

You wouldn't go out and buy a manufacturing plant and equipment and THEN decide what to make with it, would you? Of course not. You would sit down and make up a business plan first, then determine what resources you would need to make your business plan succeed. No business plan, no business.

You are right, we all need to start somewhere. And folks asking questions here is a great way to get started. I think everyone has a right to pursue their career destiny and if they get excited about their camera equipment and want to try photography for a living...great! It's a wonderful thing! But those who are truly serious will pursue the business side just as serious as they pursue their art. They will make a business plan and they will follow it. And it's pretty obvious to everyone when someone has a plan and is following it versus those who are on a wing and a prayer.

[framed]

Well said Navcom. I appreciate you taking the time to write that and especially for writing it without being condescending. I agree with everything you said. I can only speak for myself when I say that I would never claim to be a professional photographer, nor would I ever try to give someone a false impression of what I can do for them. I just enjoy photography, and am also enjoying the process of learning photography. Someday I do hope to have a business on the side, or perhaps even a full time very successful one. Who knows? I do know that I have to start by purchasing camera equipment and computer equipment. How else will I ever learn if I have nothing to learn with? Then when I'm ready, I will certainly learn the business side of things before I actually "go into business". I don't really consider shooting a baby shower for a friend, a family reunion, a birthday party, or pics of my pregnant friend for free a business. I guess it's kinda like the chicken and the egg theory of which came first!

[navcom]

Originally Posted by framed

Well said Navcom. I appreciate you taking the time to write that and especially for writing it without being condescending. I agree with everything you said. I can only speak for myself when I say that I would never claim to be a professional photographer, nor would I ever try to give someone a false impression of what I can do for them. I just enjoy photography, and am also enjoying the process of learning photography. Someday I do hope to have a business on the side, or perhaps even a full time very successful one. Who knows? I do know that I have to start by purchasing camera equipment and computer equipment. How else will I ever learn if I have nothing to learn with? Then when I'm ready, I will certainly learn the business side of things before I actually "go into business". I don't really consider shooting a baby shower for a friend, a family reunion, a birthday party, or pics of my pregnant friend for free a business. I guess it's kinda like the chicken and the egg theory of which came first!

With that forethought, you will be fine. As far as shooting for your friends and relatives, there is no difference between doing that than and making a chair for them if you are an ametuer woodworker or painting them a picture if you are an ametuer painter.

It's stepping up for your friends and relatives in this manner that makes the world go around!

[Jim Bryant]

Not a problem framed...........I understand where everyone is coming from. I've been there and did that many years ago. In 1972 it got to a point were I had some much invested in camera equipment that I decided to turn pro and landed a job with a newspaper in Kentucky. Sometimes, I think I should have stayed a house painter and just shot like others my free time. Then again, I wouldn't have traveled the world jetting off to assignments on a moments notice. I'm just trying to tell folks to prepare themselves for the ride of their lives if they do decide at one point or another to jump into this vast ocean of photographers. As for being "intimidated", that I'm certainly not

[private]

As my Grandfather said - you can make your millions by selling to a lot of people for a little. Or sell to a little and make a lot. There is room for everyone and competition is GREAT! The people who sell for little would not have the same client as someone who sells their product/service for a lot - so who cares what your price is as long as you are happy.

[Jim Bryant]

You're grandfather, like mine, were wise men