Need help creating bday invites

[Brit_Ladner]

I just started my photography business. I have been using Picasa to do all my editing in, and it has been great for what I needed. However, i now have a client that wants bday invites from the birthday pictures i took of her one-year old son. I don't have the slightest idea on how to even start something like this. I feel like I'm in way over my head. I have never used Photoshop or any other higher end editing software. Please help! Thanks so much!

[SusanH1970]

Not trying to sound harsh, but what on earth are you doing taking on paying clients before you are ready and able to address their needs (and using Picasa for editing)?

That being said, pick up a copy of Photoshop Elements 9 to start off with, and google "invitation tutorials using Elements 9". Gazillions of tutorials are out there. You can also find hundreds, if not thousands, of ready-made templates.

[karen_s]

Just a few ideas ...

1. FInd a photo or print lab and see if they offer a template that you can drop a photo into and add custom text. I use a local lab but there are many online like this one, MOO Greeting Cards | Create customized Greeting Cards online | moo.com USA, that might get you out of the jam.
2. FInd a graphic designer to do the card for you.
3. Offer to sell them a digital copy with limited rights for a greeting card and let them do all the work.

[MrJones]

Originally Posted by SusanH1970

Not trying to sound harsh, but what on earth are you doing taking on paying clients before you are ready and able to address their needs (and using Picasa for editing)?

+1 on that one!
if you've never done invites or albums before and you don't really know how to use those kind of editing softwares, maybe it's better you hire a graphic designer for this specific job.

[Jim Bryant]

Brit, after viewing your images, you're just one of many here that need to learn something about photography instead of putting your camera on auto and pressing the button. You're not ready to charge for taking photos. You need to take a photo course or two and actually learn something about taking pictures. Piscasa is really a crappy photo editing program, but what the hell it's free, right?

[Jim Bryant]

I just had to make a comment, I noticed you uploaded images from Friday last week on.
You really need to learn to compost your photo properly instead of the "tilting the camera method". I only found one good photo in all the ones you posted on your facebook page and that was the action at home plate. The majority of the pictures make my eyes itch! I know I shouldn't be so harsh in this forum, however, you are not ready to charge for taking photos.

[Brit_Ladner]

@ SusanH, I'm talking $50-$75 a session, not big $. I have to do something to build my experience, and my clients have been more than happy with their portraits. Thanks for the input.

[Brit_Ladner]

wow, despite all the negativity from most of you (except Karen, by the way thanks for actual helpful advice), i will keep working because it is my passion. you people need a little church. Didn't you mothers teach you if you don't have anything nice to say don't say anything at all? If my photos hurt your eyes, then do me a favor, and don't look. Seems like you'd have something better to do with your time other than be hateful. Get over yourself.

[SandeeWig]

Hi Brit,
I'm just going to chime in here a bit and try to soften the blow from what Susan and Jim are trying to convey. True, they were quite blunt, and I totally understand how that can sting, but they are both seasoned photographers and offer their opinions with your best interest in mind. If you read on this and other forums, you'll find how difficult the business of photography is for those with years of experience and training to have to compete with newbies who charge next to nothing and saturate the competitive landscape. A trained eye shudders at the poor compositions, lack of processing/editing know-how, exposure issues, etc. and feels not only frustration that amateurs like yourself are taking their business, but are providing poor quality products to customers who don't know better.

Furthermore, photographers who are actually trying to make a living doing this have real businesses set up. Do you? Are you paying your 15% in self-employment taxes to the government every quarter? Do you submit state sales tax on the products you sell? Are you tracking your income and expenses to report it at the end of year? If not, charging your customers is like running an illegal business operation and sooner or later that may catch up with you.

If you really want to get better and have a viable photography business one day, please don't just jump in w/ both feet. Learn your camera, learn the exposure triangle, read up on composition and lighting (and for heaven's sake, put down the pop-up flash! ), research articles/posts about posing your subjects, get/learn a "real" photo editing software, and PRACTICE on people, instead of charging them...until you can deliver consistent, good quality results. Post images on here for critique and try to learn from what feedback you get and practice some more.

Just because your family and friends say you take good pictures, does not mean you should necessarily be a professional photographer. Study and learn the craft. Even if you take good pictures, there is so much more to learn and be accountable for beyond snapping the shutter.

HTH...it got a little long.

Originally Posted by Brit_Ladner

wow, despite all the negativity from most of you (except Karen, by the way thanks for actual helpful advice), i will keep working because it is my passion. you people need a little church. Didn't you mothers teach you if you don't have anything nice to say don't say anything at all? If my photos hurt your eyes, then do me a favor, and don't look. Seems like you'd have something better to do with your time other than be hateful. Get over yourself.

[Jim Bryant]

wow, despite all the negativity from most of you (except Karen, by the way thanks for actual helpful advice), i will keep working because it is my passion. you people need a little church.

@Brit - I do go to church on Sunday's when I'm not out overing Mariners or Seahawks games.

Didn't you mothers teach you if you don't have anything nice to say don't say anything at all?

@Brit - You're case is an exception. You have no business charging for work. You are giving the professionals a bad name.

If my photos hurt your eyes, then do me a favor, and don't look.

@Brit - After looking at your cockeyed, poorly composed and processed images, I feel as if my eyes have been sandblasted.

Seems like you'd have something better to do with your time other than be hateful. Get over yourself.

@Brit - I'm not hateful, "It's just the facts Britt. Get over it! Youn eed more experience....way more experience before you start charging someone. And of course your family and friends will tell you just how great your photography is. It's either they don't know better or want to hurt your feelings. However, here on DPS, the seasoned pros are here to try to steer you in the right direction, whether you want to hear it or not!