Hi everyone recently as of yesterday I've been asked to teach a 2hour workshop on photography
For a teacher who had to bail

the audience = adults and they were all asked to bring a camera I'm guessing digital


I was just wondering what topics would be good to cover in this time period for beginners

ive never had this little time to prepare anything would be helpful from what I hear their a really enthusiastic group

So my little hobby photography business had grown like wildfire and has become my full-time job. Being a single mom and a small business owner of a super busy high-contact photography business is getting really tough. I can't find the time to return phone calls and I am in sessions nearly everyday so I don't answer any calls during that time.
I've hired an assistant in the past to handle my phone calls and scheduling from last Oct to Dec (the super busy fall and Christmas picture months), but come to find out, she wasn't doing a very good job at returning people's calls either. :/ So now I'm reluctant to hire anyone and my business advisor suggested holding off on that while we review my growing business with a fine-toothed comb to make sure I have everything running as it should be to avoid any sort of fines in the future (business licenses, LLC, accounting, insurance etc..).

So, basically, I want to know if any of you have seen or used a calendar that I can link when people are wanting to schedule an appointment so that they can see my availability without having to talk to me, then talk to the other people that are going to be in the session to make sure it works for everyone, then to call me back to let me know that it DOES work for everyone, but then I have to tell them that it will no longer work for me because someone else has booked it since we last spoke... blah blah blah... lol

What would be even BETTER, is if there were a way that I could empower my clients to make their OWN appointments, given my parameters, and the ability to make their deposit for the appointment they are scheduling all at the same time.

Is there anything like that???? I want something reliable so I don't mind investing $$$$ (Miller's Camera has something similar for free, but I'm not sure if that would be best or if some else has something better?)

Thanks everyone!
~Rebekah

I have been coming across a bunch of entertaining and educational youtube videos lately and thought I would share this one.

Since I have been in business for about 10 years now, you'd think I'd have a better handle on this... but I don't.

I STRUGGLE with the overwhelming amount of receipts/phone calls/emails/facebook messages/etc. I find myself always going "OH CRAP THAT BILL IS DUE TODAY" and "uh! I forgot to order that!" Dealing with the business side is by far a full time job and that's not even counting the hours spent behind the camera and computer screen!

Basically, I want a streamlined system to handle all of the above mentioned items. It is just me here in my little brick and mortar shop and I cannot afford to hire a helper. I do most everything old school (think actual paper and filing cabinets) but I need something better.

Quickbooks is NOT going to happen. Way too confusing for me. I would love a way for clients to fill out contracts electronically and I would love to have things stored that way as well.

What do you do to help your workflow/organizing?

Have you ever heard of a photography gift registry?

Say someone wants to book a photographer but can't afford to or the one he wants is out of his price range. So the photographer creates a registry with the session cost/product price of what the "client" wants and then people can donate to the cost (kind of like Kick Start).

Opinions?

I have an inquiry for bridal portraits in Wilmington, NC (working on vacation, shame shame!). Obviously the beach would be a great place to shoot at the right time of day, but I don't know much else about the area. We'd do one location in addition to the beach. Can anyone recommend public places that would provide nice backgrounds for bridal photos?

Hey guys. Just another reminder. When asking for C&C, if you let us know what it is you are after and/or what you were trying to accomplish with the shot (give us a little explaination), you'll get better help. For instance, do you want feedback on the posing, the lighting, emotional impact, how hot the model is, post processing or what? That way you're less likely to get stupid comments like "I don't like the breed of dog you used in this photo".

Thank you. That is all.

abphotograph | Formals

http://www.abphotograph.com

My cousin asked me to photograph her wedding, which would be my first, and I am considering it. I know most everyone on here recommends being a second shooter multiople times before attempting one as the main photographer. But I work at a hospital nights and weekends and every Saturday I work a 16 hour shift. So being a second shooter for practice really isn't an option for me.

This is the third wedding I've been asked to do and honestly a little extra money is a big part of why I'm considering it now. If I accept, I will have a second shooter with me. I have a Canon T3i body and I'm thinking I would rent the following lenses (at least):
Canon 70-200mm f/2.8L IS II
Canon 24-70mm f/2.8L
Canon 50mm f/1.4
Canon 100mm f/2.8L Macro IS

I'm mainly asking for advice from others who have been in similar situations as I am in now. I'm hoping to hear any tips/advice from those who shot their 1st wedding without ever second shooting and any suggestions they may have based on their experiences. Thanks!

Hello,

Im new to this site and I need some advice. I have been approached to do a photography job to photograph Persian Rugs. The Dealer has 2 locations in very high end areas. The rugs to shoot are 400 in number and all different. What should I charge for license? They plan to use the photos on their website and advertisement across all forms of electronic media. Also the rugs are 10 x 10 ft to 10 x 15 ft. Someone please give me some good sound advice. Also I would like to present a break down to the client of how I would come to the price for license fees.

Freezeframe1970

Dining director at campus has requested 25 images from me and said I can charge what a normal photographer would charge so what would you guys charge if you were me

I am also doing photo editing
And the chef wants to have final say in the images I give to the director so that will mean extra time because apparently if he does not approve them I can't hand it in (which I think is ridiculous) but I'm not going to argue with the chef

Hi! I am originally from Mexico but am a United States resident, my hubby is American so my legal name is Alejandra Williams, is my first name too odd to name my business after? I do know that americans usually have a hard time pronouncing it, which is why when asked my name, I just say my nickname, Alex. What do you guys think? I personally love my first name, but want to make it easy for everyone, should I go ahead and look for a different name to name my business after or go with (my personal favorite) First Last name Photography?

Any feedback would be much appreciated! Thank you!

I shoot with a canon t4i and for now only have the 18-135mm STM lens. Okay I have a photoshoot next week for a local DJ. He just wants some portrait shots of himself for his new website... Few questions.

1. How much should I charge?
2. What equipment should I purchase that will be essential and useful to get the shots he wants?
3. What is the best way to approach this?
4. Any tips?

Now the birthday party is in August so I have some more time to prepare and get some equipment that will be useful. Can you guys point me in the direction as to what equipment I might need to shoot birthday parties... Lenses, Flashes, Lighting, etc. Any help will be much appreciated! Thanks.

2

Maybe in the wrong forum. I am taking my first airplane trip to WA in a few weeks, and I have no idea how to travel with my camera and lens.

I do know to carry them on the airplane. I am taking the body, flash, 3 lens and reflectors. A friend will have other accessories when I arrive.

What happens when I check in at the airport?

Do I take the battery out?

Can you help me out:)

Thank you