Questions of a portrait photographer

In my genre I have lots of questions that I would like to ask. It seems that there are lots of articles that cover being a Commercial Photographer but very few on being the type of photographer that I am.

So the questions that I would like answered is as follows: and not in any particular order.

·        Basic backdrops for in studio use, which ones would you invest in that won’t be out of style the follow year?

·        How much time do you spend in processing photos? I.E. Photoshop etc.?

·        How many photo selections do you offer a client {poses}?

·        How do you select you’re the packages that you offer.

·        How do you control the time spent shooting the client.

·        How do you determine how and where to shoot a client.

·        Do you bill every client the same.

·        Would you take charity cases and if so how do you keep it under wraps so that everyone else doesn't look for a bargain price?

·        Do you enjoy your work or did you just fall into it?

·        When do you see yourself retiring?

·        What are your biggest challenges/do you ever get bored shoot portraits?

·        Do you every shoot subjects you are uncomfortable with, if so how do you handle it?

These are some of the questions that I would like to ask a portrait photographer. There are many more that I know would come along as we talked. I would really like to spend a day in the life of a portrait photographer to 1. Learn as much as I can, and 2. To figure out how to build that better mouse trap!

Photographers Guide to Business

 I found all of the case studies interesting because the common link seem to be that they all struggled from the beginning because they had obligations outside of their careers that had to be meet. I really didn't really see myself doing anything that they were doing. Bust I see my circumstances being relevant to their; Trying to start a career with life’s obligations in the way. I was inspired because they all channeled through the obstacles and went on to careers and won awards along the way. Travis Doves case study I liked the best because he struggled with his interest in photography and not so much as the business side. That’s where I was. My passion for photography blacked out the business since where I had to go back and rethink my whole philosophy and how I was going to make this a business and still provide for my family at the same time.

All of them seem to stumble in to their careers or branches of their careers on accident. There life’s were not really head where they turned out but it went where destiny took them. And they all ended up winning an award for it

Avoiding Business mistakes

A photographers cost of doing business

It is very important to you and your business that you charge what you are worth. I found this article very interesting as well as informative. Lots of time I've gone into a shoot worrying about whether or not I’m charging enough for my services. I've short changed myself so many times not thinking about myself as a business. I found it very interesting and helpful thinking along the lines of a corner store. The corner store doesn't charge less just because of who ore where they are. They charge in order to be profitable to be in as well as stay in business.

I also found interesting that fact that you should be including your expenses. Thinking along those lines will help you be more profitable. Things like parking, meals, travel expenses that are coming out of your pockets need to be passed on to the client.

I didn't look at insurance as something that I REALLY needed right away. It’s important to protect the client, but I Didn't think along the lines of protecting me and my equipment. On a photo shoot, there was an accident where one of my lenses was damaged. I can’t help but think what if I had insurance on my equipment.

Being prepared for a shoot is very important; I typically check everything before I go out so that part was as eye opening as the rest of the video.

Next Steps

Cons around being a Pro Photographer, the list is long. But I'd say the most prevalent ones is the risk involved in being an  entrepreneur. everything falled back on you. What happens if you loose all of your equipment? You let the client down? You run the risk of failing. Where are you going to run your business from?
There is plenty of competition. your expenses can be costly as well.
But I think the Pros out weigh the cons.

1. Creativity factor. Love it!
2. working for myself. (A dream come true)
3. Being in a business that you love you can't beat it!
4. Defining and being in charge of your own destiny

Next Steps
I really am inspired by Aaron Nace images. He inspires me to create after the image is taken.
I've been connecting with friends and family which is where most of my business has come from. I'm using those contacts to branch out further to reach clients that are not necessarily in my circle.
I believe that I have a thorough grasp on the pros and cons of being a Pro Photographer and running my own business.
I spend a lot of time on line researching and learning different lighting and techniques. You tube is one of my best friends since I learn best by watching.
My niche is tapping in to an un tapped market such as students in lower income or outside the norm educational background.
 I have not tried to get and internship or part time job with a photographer because I don't have the desire to do so. Not that I feel over confident in my abilities, I'm constructed to do it my self and succeeded!

Breaking into the Biz

Judy from the video "Breaking into the Biz" background is working with her partner since 1989 specializing in producing still life products and life style photography for advertisement and editorial clients. She also started giving seminars on digital photography in 1995.
As a photographer, I plan to join the PP of Ohio this year. Helping out and pitching in helps you build relationships with other photographers in the group. Informational interviews are a good tool to use. Look for a photographer you aspire to be like. Questions I'd like  to ask would be around the business such as how does your business run; time spent shooting; how much money should I be saving' and what is it like to have a career as a portrait photographer. Also its a good way to build a relationship and make contacts.
While working as an assistant some important things to remember are;

1. Don't be late
2. Be a professional
3. Be proactive. I really like this one. One thing my father always taught me while I was busy being a child laborer was to always anticipate his move. If he reached for nails I'd reach for a hammer.
4. Look like you are busy.
5. know or learn the equipment you will be working.
6. Be honest about your skill level.

Should I work for free? the answer is NO! There are lots of reason why someone else feels you should do the work for free. But really no good reason why you should. (unless its for Mom).

Five photographers that I would like to interview are

1. (Of course) Scott Hall, My Idol
2. Jared Polin My favorite You Tube Photographer.
3. JLK Photography
4. Grier Photography
5. Aaron Nace

I've seen a lot of photographers on line that I really like, however, Scott Hall has been my inspiration since a field trip that I went on in my Photo Seminar Class. I really like to learn how to structure my business similar to his. Scott shoots three times a day Mon-Thurs. and keeps his weekends free. Also he maximizes every inch of his studio in such a small space.