Am I good enough? Be honest...

[equilution]

Being a pro is easy to define: You shoot pictures and make your living from doing so, regardless of how good you are.

On the flip side, there are people like me, who do it for pure enjoyment, have good equipment, and do a decent job. While my other business pays the bills and allows me to do what I want, when I want, I'd still like to turn my passion into source of income.

I'm seriously considering pursuing this as a money making venture...as long as it doesn't become a "job!"

I have a great deal of respect for the DPS community, and value its collective opinion. I think I'm a decent enough photographer, but what I think isn't worth squat.

If you're a professional, please chime in. I'm not looking for a pat on the back. What I'd like to know is this:

If I met you somewhere and I told you I was a professional photographer and wanted to do your family portraits (which I have already done), take pictures for your restaurant menu (which I have already done), or any other photo project of your choosing, would you feel that I'm of the caliber you would want to do the shoot for you? Everything on my website is my best work. If I present myself to you as a 'professional,' would you be thinking, "Man...what a poser...!" after you saw my work?

I would give you my business card and direct you to my website, J. Martin Harris Photography and ask that you get back to me after taking a look at my galleries.

Here's a link to my gear page: http://digital-photography-school.co...14-post44.html
I'm not using an entry level camera with a kit lens.

So to summarize, if you were considering me as a photographer for your event, would you come away from my website with a bad taste in your mouth, or would you be calling me to set up the appointment?

Thanks for your comments!! This is a great community. If you're new here, stick around...this is the best resource you're going to find!!

[RLucas]

Yes you are definately good enough! I am no pro, but that is my opinion. Almost every shot you had in your gallery made me want to look again, especially the aircraft shots. I am not too keen on the selctive color stuff, but I really do think you could iron out some good money.
Enjoyed it!
Luke

[Sime]

Hey Jim - I'm hardly qualified to speak, but you take some great photographs.

The one thing I notice with your site is, and this is only relevant if you're looking to sell yourself from that site, that there isn't any real specific area that you look like you spe******e in - that's not a bad thing I guess, but most people are either searching for a "this type of photographer" or a "that type of photographer" - but hey, maybe it doesn't matter that much.

And that track on your website, took me back a good while! Thnks

Sime

[equilution]

Originally Posted by RLucas

Yes you are definately good enough! I am no pro, but that is my opinion. Almost every shot you had in your gallery made me want to look again, especially the aircraft shots. I am not too keen on the selctive color stuff, but I really do think you could iron out some good money.
Enjoyed it!
Luke

Thanks for the feedback, Luke. I'm not really into selective coloring a great deal, but there are just some images where it just REALLY works.

[equilution]

Originally Posted by Sime™

Hey Jim - I'm hardly qualified to speak, but you take some great photographs.

The one thing I notice with your site is, and this is only relevant if you're looking to sell yourself from that site, that there isn't any real specific area that you look like you spe******e in - that's not a bad thing I guess, but most people are either searching for a "this type of photographer" or a "that type of photographer" - but hey, maybe it doesn't matter that much.

And that track on your website, took me back a good while! Thanks

Sime

Thanks, Simon! That actually is a good point. I've been asked what I shoot, to which I can only respond, "Anything, and everything." However, I'm really starting to have a deep rooted affinity for b/w. But, I don't want to be "type-cast" either. I guess what I want to show is that I CAN shoot anything.

Thanks for the feedback!

PS...so, you're a Candy Dulfer fan, too, eh?

[SoxAddict]

Jim, I can't speak as a professional (but then again, a pro isn't likely to be looking to hire you, so maybe it's idiots like me who should be chiming in more ;-) but I can speak as an everyday punter who could be looking for someone to take photographs for me - I'd choose you without hesitation.

[pjflan7]

Jim, I am sort of with SIME here. You are kind of like me but with much better equipment....we will shoot anything and we want to shoot everything.....from a commercial perspective, they would be looking at models, studio lighting etc and I don't see anything reflecting those types of shots......And for portraiture, I see very little there for showing people what you can do there. Most people don't buy the shots that you and I typically take. So I guess what I am really asking is what is your market? what are you wanting to shoot and for whom? Start building your portfolio to attract that market. I would think that you would need to redesign your site in such a way as to show projects that you have done for commercial clients.......what were you trying to accomplish for your client and what were the results? Once again a similar vein for families for portraiture.......then you can have an area for favorite shots that would be part of a sales gallery......flowers, landscapes, wildlife etc. have you thought about working on a photo book on those planes? what about an Arizona theme? Back to your original question, certainly you have the talent and the financial wherewithal to do photography commercially, but I wonder if you have a portfolio big enough to draw the market that will pay money.

[zona5101]

Well boss, your website is professional looking to me. I had a hard time driving to the menu because the opening slideshow was so captivating. Your images are top notch. I can only echo what Sime said and maybe drive it a bit further by asking "who do you want to hire you?" People or companies? Or are you interested in doing stock photography and the website is there to support that venture? For example, if I was looking to have some product photography done, I'd want to see more of it featured on the site. If I was looking for a wedding/portrait shooter, I'd want to see more of that.
I think you could shoot anything! But it is good to have a target market and focus.
And there is nothing wrong with having multiple websites to market to different potential customers...

[ressalg]

I've decided to wait and see what others have said after I make my comments... just to be sure my "opinions" aren't tainted.

First: Your website certainly has a professional feel to it. I'm not a huge fan of having it set to music... nothing against the style or anything like that. I just feel that if I go to a photographer's website it's because I want to check out their portfolio and not listen to music. It's kind of a distraction. Again, this is a personal preference... I don't care for it from any website... exception being a band website.

Second: All your photos are (in my opinion) very professional looking. When I see them, I don't think they were taken so much as created. A definate plus in your favour. I feel they show potential clients that you know what you're doing (technically) and that you put a bit of yourself into each of them (artistically).

Third: Although you have chosen a wide selection of subjects to display, I find that I'm left wondering, "So what's this guy's specialty?" I totally get the idea of showing a client the diversity of your work. I think, depending on the sort clientelle/assignments you're looking for, that being a little more specific in what you can do might help someone make that final decision on whether to go with you or someone else. If I had to venture a guess (at this point) I'd say you were more of a landscape photographer as opposed to say a portrait or events photographer.

Finally: I wouldn't hesitate to hire you as a professional. But I'd need a little more convincing that you were the person to do a wedding or portrait session.


I hope this helps and I wish you the best of luck.

[henson]

i dont know much. But good luck.