I am learning photography, I am not great but I don't stink either. I own a professional DSLR camera. I was considering offering my services locally for things like sporting events, kids birthday parties, family reuninons etc. Again, I am NOT great, but I am getting better and I am getting decent shots, I just have a lot to learn.
I would charge a small fee, maybe 20.00 or 25.00 an hour and I would just give the client their photos all on disc, they would have the rights to them to print as they see fit. I would retain rights to use some photos for my portfolio (but I would get a release signed for them)
I could also do things like photographing items people want to sell, property photos etc.
Would you ever use a service like this knowing that I am still learning? Its not very expensive, you get lots of inexpensive photos and I get experience.
Would you ever use this type of service? Why or why not?
2007-09-22 21:55:29 · 8 answers · asked by laketahoedragoness 3 in Arts & Humanities ➔ Visual Arts ➔ Photography
I am not ready for big special events like weddings, but I can handle smaller low-key events.
2007-09-22 21:56:03 · update #1
1. Using photos you have taken on someones "dime" in your portfolio is standard practice.
2. Calling me a "wanna be" simply for choosing a hands-on approach to learning is pretty brazen and rude.
The question was not "what names would you call me?" the question was weather or not you would hire someone like me for a small event like a birthday party.
Everyone starts somewhere. I am a MOM, dropping my family is not an option. Anything I do must be done around my family,
2007-09-23 06:25:10 · update #2
This a photo blog I have been working on, it also links to my photos taken during the Angora fire. This blog is about 1/2 snapshots and 1/2 my "work"
This blog is NOT a portfolio and I KNOW some of the shots are simply snapshots, the idea of the blog was to get a photo up each day, not be a professional. But there is some good stuff on there, take a peek.
http://dragonsproject365.blogspot.com/
2007-09-23 06:34:22 · update #3
I hired a student photographer from the art school for my wedding. I was very pleased. I would hire soemone like you. Not for my wedding as you said you are still learning, this girl was 3rd year in art school . So, yeah, and maybe charge 20.00, I think people would be willing to pay that.
BTW, you take excellent action shots.
2007-09-22 22:04:36 · answer #1 · answered by EXPECTING 5 · 1⤊ 1⤋
I don't think it's a bad idea, especially if you are putting a good bit of effort into learning photography, and not just depending on your expensive camera to do the work for you. Events like you describe are less hectic and stressful than , let's say, weddings, and usually if your images are well exposed and in focus you can consider it a success. You can learn the more artistic stuff as you progress.
Try to get some sort of portfolio together. It is very common practice to use event images you have taken as portfolio material, how else would anyone build a portfolio? Not sure where that poster is coming from.
The main problem I see with your plan is most people don't want to pay for photography that they feel they can easily do for themselves. But if you can scare up a market for it, best of luck to you!
2007-09-23 10:50:39 · answer #2 · answered by Ara57 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I'd have to see some of your work, but even without it, I strongly advise that you take photo courses. If people hire you to shoot birthdays or family reunions they're going to expect more than just a stack of 'happy snaps'. They can do that with a one-use camera or inexpensive digital. Owning a pro level camera is not going to make you a competent photographer. Get the education and learn what separates a 'happy snap' from a pro shot. Work at a pro lab or for a professional photographer for a year or more.
You also need to learn about copyright laws, releases, and the business of photography.
Today, anyone with the money to buy a pro level camera and print up a few cards think that's enough to call themselves a photographer. Don't be a wannabe, get the education and experience before taking on business.
2007-09-23 04:02:34 · answer #3 · answered by Chris L 3 · 2⤊ 2⤋
I think I would if the portfolio was really great. Putting that together would definitely be a good first step. A good portfolio would have portraits, concert photos, sports, landscape, photos of architecture, example Ebay photos, etc.
2007-09-22 21:59:47 · answer #4 · answered by americanaquariumdrinker 1 · 1⤊ 0⤋
I tend to doubt you'll have many takers but I'm biased.
I used to take students on as "interns" for my studio work. When I was asked to shoot events instead of telling the caller that I didn't do that type of work I offered them a couple of students. They were not paid for the work but they did build their portfolios and, when they did a good job, occasionally received a reasonable "tip" for what they delivered.
2007-09-22 22:04:04 · answer #5 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 0⤋
I think i will. It will be beneficial for both. for me economically and for the photographer. But of course i must get to know them better first. And maybe this could be a good platform for them to launch their career. So they will be doing extra hard to do their best thus all is good i think.
2007-09-22 22:01:54 · answer #6 · answered by cicadasx ~ 1 · 0⤊ 0⤋
As a fellow photographer, I suggest you put your profolio online as well. I listed my own website as an example, but there's plenty of other websites you could easily find online. You could get feedback at FAMESOURCE.com as well.
2007-09-23 02:54:18 · answer #7 · answered by nbt95337 3 · 1⤊ 0⤋
I don't think you should keep any pictures for your portfolio when you are working on someones dime.
2007-09-22 22:20:16 · answer #8 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 4⤋