Starting off...

P

peterc2609

Messages
162
Name
Peter
Edit My Images
No
Hi,

I've been getting to grips with my 1000d recently, and getting a bit of pro tuition.

I think I'm ready to start 'working' as it was.

I'd love to take portraits, partys photos, and photos of kids... (I've got my own so get enough practice)

My only stumbling block is my confidence. I'd hate to agree to photograph somethign and then the results to not be as good as expected.

How do I get over this?

Also, how to advertise as a beginner?
 
To start with I'd probably just ask any friends/family if they want photos doing, as then it will enable you to develop your skills and build your confidence a lot. But I definitely wouldn't start charging until you are more than happy that you can produce brilliant results every time.
 
I don't think I've got the confidence to even do things for free.

Family & Friends are one thing, but as for doing someones birthday/event ... even if its for free, I'd still feel awful if things weren't up to scratch!
 
Im the same, im currently offering free shoots to people (mainly car shoots atm) if they are interested but because i havent got much work done then people are reluctant to agree and even after doing a few and having 5 free shoots booked once it comes to charging no one seems to be interested which is annoying. Would love to start doing portraits but doesnt help i need more equipment (imo) to properly offer portrait shoots etc.

oh and im like you aswell dont like to agree to something incase i dont get the results they want but i suppose just got to go 'balls deep' and hope for the best in a way.
 
You need to start showing your work somewhere, i.e. a personal website, flickr, these forums etc. Listen to the feedback you get, if it's all good your confidence will grow on it's own.

If your work is good enough family & friends will soon start asking you if you wouldn't mind photo'ing this and that. If you don't get asked, you probably need to learn more and practice more.

Don't be fooled into thinking it's all about the equipment, it's about trial & error and being able to take on board other peoples advice and criticism to help develop your skill and your own style. A good portfolio is what gets you work.
 
Hi there, I'm just up the road from you. I'm in the same boat as you, but through being cheeky I've got an outlet for my "amateur" attempts. Quite by chance I saw a guy driving a Land Rover down a Lake District lane. I took some pics, and he stopped to talk. We spent the day together, and I took lots of shots of him/his landy. He showed these to his mates, and now I go out with them when they are doing something "challenging". I'm their (un)official photographer.

I put my shots onto a CD, and they keep/discard/print as they see fit.

No money changes hands, but I get a free day out, and experience, and they get free pics which they think are brilliant. Everybody wins.

I have no intention of becoming a pro, but it's a damned good way to learn.
 
peterc2609 said:
I don't think I've got the confidence to even do things for free.

Family & Friends are one thing, but as for doing someones birthday/event ... even if its for free, I'd still feel awful if things weren't up to scratch!
Click to expand...

Then you are not ready, practice more until you know you can do it.
 
peterc2609 said:
Hi,

I've been getting to grips with my 1000d recently, and getting a bit of pro tuition.

I think I'm ready to start 'working' as it was.

I'd love to take portraits, partys photos, and photos of kids... (I've got my own so get enough practice)

My only stumbling block is my confidence. I'd hate to agree to photograph somethign and then the results to not be as good as expected.

How do I get over this?

Also, how to advertise as a beginner?
Click to expand...

I agree with the other comments.

Portraits are fine, explain that you're looking for more experience and you may have to do a re-shoot. Go with your friends to the park / forest and take your camera.

Events, if your kids are invited to a party, ask if you can go along with your camera and practice. If the pics work out, great, if not, no one loses - you're not offering to take photos for them but asking to use their party to practice.

It's hard to ask at the beginning, but it gets easier.
 
Practice on what!?

If I wanted to practice portrait or child photography, I need portrait or child models...

Not easy to get for zero return!
 
peterc2609 said:
Practice on what!?

If I wanted to practice portrait or child photography, I need portrait or child models...

Not easy to get for zero return!
Click to expand...

Your kids friends / your family / friends of your family
Do your kids go to afterschool activities? Do you know the leaders
School events / Toddler groups (depending on your kids ages)
Join a local camera club
Local camera courses - my community college does portrait classes
Go on TP meets / set up a TP meet

You can give them photos in return and if they aren't good then do a re-shoot.

Hope that helps!
 
peterc2609 said:
Practice on what!?

If I wanted to practice portrait or child photography, I need portrait or child models...

Not easy to get for zero return!
Click to expand...

Friends and friends children, practice, practice and more practice.

The only way to get the confiedence is to practice.

The flip side of the coin is how would you feel if you booked a tog who wasn't confiedent (if you were paying) would you be happy?

I am sure plenty of friends will be happy to get some free pictures in return fir sitting for you.

Good luck and remember practice:thumbs:
 
peterc2609 said:
Practice on what!?
Click to expand...

Well you answered your own question in the original post !!
peterc2609 said:
Hi,
I'd love to take portraits, partys photos, and photos of kids... (I've got my own so get enough practice)
Click to expand...


If you arent confident about working with people then maybe you need to rethink about being a portrait photographer ! However, if you are confident with people but not with your own photography then you need to practice practice practice !

Offer to shoot for free for experience only and to build a portfolio and to learn from mistkaes made. If people want guaranteed perfect results they wont book a total beginner (if you are honest about it), but make sure you get something down in writing.


And remember, you will be your own worst critic (i know I am of my own work), just remember that most of the time only you or fellow photographers will notice your mistakes
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top