How do I not come across THAT way?

[SirenCherie]

First of all, thank you so much for all of the great feedback!
I'm still figuring out how to quote multiple people in one reply, so yeah...

I've been doing a lot of work for my husband's family, mostly for free. I need the stimulation and it's not conflict if there's no money, so it's more for me than it is them. Plus, they're family, and they're the best marketing team I've got right now.

I'm not up to posting any of my work on here just yet, but I can say that I know the basics, I struggle a bit with flash and strobes simply because my studio job has made me lazy and my education in that area hasn't returned to me as quickly as I'd like, but I'm not terrible at it. My work is good, it's definitely sellable. I feel it's especially a lot better than some of the work I've seen out there on the internet, a lot of which is coming out of my area. But it's no where near where I'd like for it to be. Hence, my painful need to get out and do work outside, but I feel it's been an uphill struggle. But I suppose, what isn't?

12sndsgood, I really like your take on the competitive part. It gets so overwhelming looking at all the photographers listed in my area (I live right outside of Denver, pretty big area) and thinking I have to compete with all of them. Makes me feel like I don't even stand a chance. Looking at it the way you said will make going into this feel a lot more manageable. So, thank you.

MLeeK, your response made me feel better as well. I just wish my accountant husband was more into taking risks. His take on it is that financial stability is all about guarantees. Being self-employed does not provide a ton of guarantees. Definitely not as many as working for a company that's been around for 75 years. He also thinks I can do it all on my own, only with no classes, no help, and no extra money spent (with the exception of equipment, of course).

I've done a couple weddings and have a few more family members' weddings in the summer. I want to get more experience, but I don't want to market and charge without having a business license and I'm not even 100% sure on how to even get that yet.

I guess I need to suck it up and just start asking around. Like you said, the worst that can happen is they say no. Then after I'm done crying from the rejection and feeling like a noob, I'll give it another try. lol

Thanks again!!

 

[SirenCherie]

No we won't. Most of the time, the quality of work has no affect on the quantity.

what!? the best way to gauge a photographer is the quality of work and to "prove that she is for real"

LOL you must be new to the industry.

True that! There is a huge market of people paying money for crap.

 

[SirenCherie]

Alright, I broke down. Here is some of my work for those who wanted to see. I'm not currently trying to prove myself to anyone, I know I am for real. I also know I am far from amazing.
My most recent failure...
my niece in natural light, she's 2.5 now, so this isn't exactly recent, I just like it a lot. She was so tiny!
yeah...
I'm usually the only person around to practice with, so this is my first go at self-portraiture to play with lighting and flash. I desaturated a tad, but I am actually very pale. Most people think my pictures are over exposed unless there are other people in the picture with me, lol.

These are just a few for now. Probably not my best, just kind of a random picking, really. Meh.
Enjoy?