Dipping my foot in the water: What's a good approach?

[sashbar]

Post your 3 best photos here, so we could have some reference point, the photos that you think could possibly sell. 3 months and 7000 shots does not say anything at all. What are you best 3 out of 7000 ?

 

[robbins.photo]

I've been shooting bugs for over two years now, but I still don't feel that I can shoot people.... So what I do is I just imagine them as giant mantids and suddenly everything becomes much easier. I'll be making money hands-over-claws before I know it!

In before the lock...

Perhaps you should start by shooting people who really bug other people. Politicians and Lawyers come to mind almost immediately. Or you could really clean up at one of those job fairs for outbound telemarketers. Just a thought.. lol

But like you shooting people really isn't my forte - I'm am amatuer wildlife photographer and probably always will be. Funny thing is though, I'm just fine with that. I don't have any aspirations of turning pro. Don't get me wrong, I have a tremendous respect level for folks who do make a go of it selling photos - but honestly I'm far to lazy and am far to attached to the notion of having a regular paycheck to ever go down that road.

 

[MalcolmDuffy]

What I'm wondering is this: What's a good way to dip my foot into getting into photography part-time (and paid)? I'm a full-time University student (23 years old), and I'd love to do a little photography for money, even if it's only one shoot every month or two. I don't exactly want to start a thriving business on the get-go.

It would help is we knew what type of photography you want to pursue. For example shooting weddings, sports or landscapes would each have a different approach on how to begin getting payed.

Shooting weddings held on sporty landscapes. Hmm.. I like it! lol

Well, good luck with that... Shooting weddings is something I would not venture, especially as a beginner. Too much stress. You don't know if you can make people happy and if they will appreciate the end product. You put your heart and sould in a project but you are not sure about the feedback. On the other hand, it may suit you, if you are adventurous enough.

 

[Hrgrace21]

I am in the same boat (well...kinda) I jumped in and started a business. Which in the short time has done fairly well, with a few hiccups. I however also have a degree in Advertising so that has helped with my business quite a bit too.

I have the same camera you do, except I have invested in some lenses (which help with image quality a bit.) Correct me if Im wrong here, but the D5200 is a crop sensor and ISO performance leaves a bit to be desired. When I get the funds I will be upgrading to a better camera (and all new lenses because its a crop) but you can do great work with this camera. Invest in some studio lights, backdrop frame, reflector board, and most importantly EDUCATION. That has been the one saving grace to my business, without it all my research on the internet does me no real good. I took the Professional Photography Course through the New York Institute of Photography and they have provided some essential tools (lighting) and business information. They step you through each type of photography and give you assignments so you have good direction. The course cost less then my camera so it is very doable.

 

[robbins.photo]

I am in the same boat (well...kinda) I jumped in and started a business. Which in the short time has done fairly well, with a few hiccups. I however also have a degree in Advertising so that has helped with my business quite a bit too.

I have the same camera you do, except I have invested in some lenses (which help with image quality a bit.) Correct me if Im wrong here, but the D5200 is a crop sensor and ISO performance leaves a bit to be desired. When I get the funds I will be upgrading to a better camera (and all new lenses because its a crop) but you can do great work with this camera. Invest in some studio lights, backdrop frame, reflector board, and most importantly EDUCATION. That has been the one saving grace to my business, without it all my research on the internet does me no real good. I took the Professional Photography Course through the New York Institute of Photography and they have provided some essential tools (lighting) and business information. They step you through each type of photography and give you assignments so you have good direction. The course cost less then my camera so it is very doable.

As far as ISO performance you won't do much better than the D5200 at least with a crop sensor. You can get a little better high ISO/low noise out of the 7x series, the 7000 and 7100, after that if you want better you need to go full frame.

 

[robbins.photo]

It would help is we knew what type of photography you want to pursue. For example shooting weddings, sports or landscapes would each have a different approach on how to begin getting payed.

Shooting weddings held on sporty landscapes. Hmm.. I like it! lol

Well, good luck with that... Shooting weddings is something I would not venture, especially as a beginner. Too much stress. You don't know if you can make people happy and if they will appreciate the end product. You put your heart and sould in a project but you are not sure about the feedback. On the other hand, it may suit you, if you are adventurous enough.

I shot one wedding back in the stone age when I had some high end 35 mm equipment, and the only reason I did it was that the couples were friends of a friend (yes, I got drug to the wedding) and the pro they hired was a no show. So I more or less got roped into it. So i've shot 1 wedding and would never, ever consider doing it for a living. Just not my thing, at all.

I love photography - as a hobby. I like going out and taking pictures that I want to take when I feel like taking them. Turn it into a business? I have no doubt that all the joy would go out of it for me right there. So no, no aspirations of ever going pro, and if I ever did Wedding photography would be the very last thing on the list. Right below "crime scene" I think.. lol