I love photography...it's my passion.
2006-07-12 03:05:48 · 15 answers · asked by airam_k 2 in Arts & Humanities ➔ Visual Arts ➔ Photography
I now work as a full-time professional photographer, but I spent years trying to make it freelance, and I can tell you some of the things that worked for me, as well as some of the things that my company looks for in freelancers.
Portfolio:
This is of course the bedrock of your career as a freelancer. The first thing it needs to be is focused. No one will hire a freelancer who can’t demonstrate some work in their subject, whether it’s horses, politics, cars, food, travel or fashion. You’ll have to build a lot of that on your own, so think long and hard about the areas in which you want to specialize. Many people start building their portfolio with newspaper work; a nearby local paper will often give starting photographers credentials to cover a local event, although they may only pay $25 for a published photograph.
The physical portfolio itself has to look good. It’s your resume, so it has to grab attention right away, and demonstrate a knowledge of your subject matter. If you include a couple of 8 x 10 glossies (not from your home color printer), the rest can be on DVD.
Equipment:
You need to be able to provide your clients with imagery that meets their needs, so these days you must have a professional digital rig (listed at the end). If you’re going to do any product work, then you’ll need lighting equipment as well. You’ll have to be able to burn DVDs, as well as upload web content.
Go to your local library, and look at the 2006 edition of Photographer’s Market; it should give you some ideas. It won’t be easy, but once you’re established, you can end up making a very good living.
Appendix: Equipment. This is what I'd tell someone looking for a job here--we shoot classic cars...
Pro cameras—Nikon and Canon like to offer something at the top of their lineup in the $5,000 range; pros seem to feel anything less doesn’t cost enough. Entry-level pro cameras start around $1,500; this is the range in which you should start looking. Megapixels aren’t an issue here, as that refers to jpeg images, which you wont use very often. You’ll be shooting in RAW mode, so check the RAW file size, and you’ll want a good framerate or burst mode if you're doing action, at least 5 frames per seconds (fps).
“Prosumer” cameras offer some of the features of the high-end models, but with lower resolution and, more importantly, often in a less-rugged body.
Nikon vs. Canon: Nikon traditionally had about 90% of the 35mm SLR market, but Canon has made huge inroads into digital. Canon has more camera options, but there are more lenses for Nikon.
Lenses: You can operate happily with three. One close up (wide), one fast medium and one long zoom. Don’t skimp! The aperture (i.e., f/2.8) is a ratio describing how much light the lens admits; the lower that number the better, and more expensive. It’s described as lens speed, because a wide aperture enables a short (fast) exposure in lower light. This is vital for action and allows you to be free from the tripod more often. The difference in image quality between a cheap lens and good glass is breathtaking.
Your close lens can be a zoom, and will be something like a 17-55mm. Most camera kits will come with one, but it will be an f/4.0-5.6 (4.0 at 17mm focal length, 5.6 at 55mm). Don’t bother with it. Instead, find one that’s a constant f/2.8 or better for that range. These run about $1,000…If you felt confident, or poor, you could get a straight closeup lens, like a 16mm or 20mm f/2.8 or f/1.8 for under $500.
Your medium lens is your workhorse. You’ll use it for chrome shots where you have to be farther away, profile views, owner shots, specialist profiles, events. This will be something like a 28-70mm, or again if you felt poor, you could look at a straight 50, 60 or 80mm lens. I have a 50mm f/1.4, which is considered a portrait lens.
Your long lens will be the bank breaker. Good ones—like pros shoot with—run around $5,000 for a 400mm f/4 or 300mm f/2.8. But you have to have something over 200mm—this is probably where you’ll have to skimp or take what comes in a package with camera for the time being—it’ll be a 70-300 f/4.0-5.6, and it will suck. To get up to a straight 300mm f/4.0 will be about a grand.
Tripod. A pro tripod is an absolute must. Everybody here uses a Bogen/Manfrotto combination. It’ll run you about $200. You’ll determine which leg/head combination based on how much your camera/lens combination weighs.
Storage is the last item. RAW files take up a lot of room. You’ll need at least 4 gigabytes of memory in whatever card your camera takes. I have two 2gb cards, each one holds 79 photos in RAW (which equals 1,800 6mp shots).
Other stuff: A cable release or remote for the camera is must, and you’ll want a reflector (about $50). Eventually, you’ll need a sensor cleaning kit, about $100 for a year’s worth.
To get up and running, you’ll probably get some sort of ‘pro shooters kit,’ which will include the camera body, memory, 2 or three lenses and a bunch of worthless accessories. Once you’ve settled on a camera, check eBay, Abe’s of Maine, Addorama, et c. If you can afford it, but the body only and add on lenses, as it will cost less in the long run. Hypothetically, this is all tax-deductible, and of course you get to take it with you when you leave
Canon pro cameras:
Canon EOS-1DS Mark II, 16.7 Megapixel, $6,899.95
http://tinyurl.com/9t63t
Canon EOS-1Ds, 11.1 Megapixel, $4,999.95
http://tinyurl.com/fcyyd
Canon EOS 5D, 12.8 Megapixel, $ 2,879.95
http://tinyurl.com/8vqxl
Canon EOS 30D, 8.2 Megapixel, $1,299.95
http://tinyurl.com/gk8xe
Canon EOS 20D, 8.2 Megapixel, $1,034.95
http://tinyurl.com/77677
Canon prosumer
Canon EOS Digital Rebel XT 8.0 Megapixel,$674.95
http://tinyurl.com/7nvdz
Nikon pro cameras
Nikon D2Xs, 12.4 Megapixel, $4,699.95
http://tinyurl.com/ry5pf
Nikon D200, 10.2 Megapixel$1,699.95
http://tinyurl.com/cwp8x
You might be able to find a recently-discontinued Nikon D100 around, too.
Nikon prosumer
Nikon D70s, 6.1 Megapixel,$679.95
http://tinyurl.com/bto8q
My funky alternative (Nikon lenses). Check out the RAW file size—to get a larger raw file, this is the least-inexpensive alternative: http://tinyurl.com/m57ta. Downside is a VERY SLOW burst rate. It also is unique in using AA batteries, very handy.
Fujifilm FinePix S3 Pro, 12.3 Megapixel $1,199.95
http://tinyurl.com/lslv4
2006-07-12 03:24:29 · answer #1 · answered by proscriptus 3 · 1⤊ 0⤋
The best routes to take are to research the process of starting a business as well as the industry you're interested in.
I recommend checking out the SBA, Entrepreneur, The Start Up Journal & Nolo. All 4 are great informational resources for the new/small business owner. I posted links for you in the source box.
Associations may be a good avenue to explore as well. These organizations will address many of the thoughts, questions and concerns you'll inevitably have as well as many you haven't anticipated yet. See the source box for some relevant links.
Research, research, research – this cannot be stressed enough. Read as much as you can about the industry. Here are some book titles that are relevant:
* Photographers Market Guide to Building Your Photography Business: Everything you need to know to run a successful photography business by Vik Orenstein
* Legal Handbook for Photographers: The Rights and Liabilities of Making Images Paperback by Bert P. Krages
* How to Start a Home-Based Photography Business, 4th Paperback by Kenn Oberrecht
* Shooting & Selling Your Photos: The Complete Guide to Making Money With Your Photography by Jim Zuckerman
I also posted links to some free articles in the source box.
Hope that helps! I wish you much success & happiness in all your ventures!
2006-07-12 04:17:17 · answer #2 · answered by TM Express™ 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
If sports photography is your favourite, start photographing kids playing grade football or hockey or whatever - It's a never ending supply of subjects and parents will pay for good quality shots of their kids in action.
You may have to start off getting your developing done by someone else but if you do photo courses and get your own equipment in time you might make a decent business out of it.
If weddings interest you, ring all of the wedding photgraphers in the phonebook - they are always looking for assistants. Once you gain experience, off you go on your own.
I hope this helps. Good luck.
2006-07-12 03:19:12 · answer #3 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
start by spelling the word career correctly LOL!!
If you consider yourself a freelance photographer, then you already have a career, right? Now, all you need is to advertise your services.
There is no magic answer. Everyone comes to this field differently. Sometimes by luck. Sometimes by sheer brute force.
What do you like to photograph? What are your strengths, and what are your weaknesses? Do you like shooting people, or still life. Start there and market yourself accordingly.
2006-07-12 03:33:37 · answer #4 · answered by brian k 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Put a portfolio together, join professional photography groups (American Press International) and/or local photography groups, get you some business cards made and distribute them all them time, especially to women. Women love to spend money thinking they look good. Find a buddy system, maybe one of you do the pictures and the other develops...
Best wishes.
2006-07-12 03:14:58 · answer #5 · answered by Dancer3d 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Open your own small business and advertise youself.
You don't need an office...just work from home at first.
Print flyers, tell people you know to pass on the message, go to wedding shows and rent a booth, take some pictures and ask stores if they would consider taking your art on consignement
2006-07-12 05:29:09 · answer #6 · answered by Star 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
If you want to photograph people you have to advertise and get a clientele. If you want to take photos of other stuff and get published, there are resource books in the library for how and where to submit photos to publishers. Also you can self-publish which is a great way to do it, and don't forget to get yourself a website!
Also check out community ed schools and their resources.
2006-07-12 10:28:19 · answer #7 · answered by motherof3 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Go here- http://thacoach.com/
My suggestion will be to make your own portfolio with several pics of your work- Attend a couple of friend's or relatives parties and take free pictures of them (of course let them know you will post them in your portfolio as examples/models) --- Once u have the portfolio (make it classy and simple) then u can advertise ur services in the local paper and word of mouth- When u get potential clients then u show them your work!
Network, network, network, try to submit a job application to a magazine or the local paper!
Good Luck!
2006-07-12 03:09:55 · answer #8 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
using both digital and analog cameras, start taking pictures of everything... it could be a sunflower and as long as you have the right angle, the right light/shadowing, you'll do fine
ask friends if you can take candid shots of them, as well as ones where they're posing..
put them in a portfolio...
in a separate book, write down the time and date that you took the pictures and what you could improve on and with each picture after that, try to improve what you wrote down
good luck!
2006-07-12 03:13:12 · answer #9 · answered by ami 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
(This is an answer I posted earlier today for the same question asked by someone else)
Here is a good series of postings on dpchallenge you should check out:
New Studio Part 1: Starting out
http://www.dpchallenge.com/forum.php?act...
New Studio Part 2: Organization
http://www.dpchallenge.com/forum.php?act...
New Studio Part 3: Plotting a course
http://www.dpchallenge.com/forum.php?act...
New Studio Part 4: Financing
http://www.dpchallenge.com/forum.php?act...
New Studio Part 5: Shop Set up part 1
http://www.dpchallenge.com/forum.php?act...
New Studio Part 5: Shop Set up part 2
http://www.dpchallenge.com/forum.php?act...
New Studio Part 6: Vendors
http://www.dpchallenge.com/forum.php?act...
New Studio Part 7: Advertising
http://www.dpchallenge.com/forum.php?act...
New Studio Part 8: Customer Service
(I could not get to the last article because I do not have a log in name and password on this site. It looks like a very good site to be a member of, though.)
Here are some more sources to get you started:
http://www.freelanceuk.com/become/home_w...
http://www.photographybusinessguide.com/...
http://www.dphotojournal.com/business-op...
http://www.dphotojournal.com/category/bu...
http://www.allfreelancework.com/...
good luck!
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2006-07-12 03:24:50 · answer #10 · answered by eebee2bee 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Take your tincan pinhole camera that you made in elementary school EVERYWHERE. It's great for those action shots, and that coffee can hanging around your neck is sure to get you noticed, lol
2006-07-12 18:30:43 · answer #11 · answered by Rockford 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋