Ok, I've been trying avoid saying it, but here it goes....

[blackrose89]

I think you gotta take one step at a time with these things.

First things first I'd focus on getting yourself a versatile and suitable tool for taking the photos of the pets* - focus on getting yourself a camera to work with. A cheap 50mm lens for starting off and a DSLR camera body. Once you've got that basis I'd then consider lighting - yes lighting. Sure you can take some great shots with just ambient light** but it significantly limits you if you can only work with the ambient. This becomes even more critical if you want to approach things professionally - you can't just roll up to someones home (or them to your studio) and cancel because the outdoors lighting is wrong - if the lights poor you've got to learn to make up for it with your gear.
On that note you can get cheaper flash units which will lack some of the auto features and many of the fancy custom modes, but will have manual power outputs which you can work with. A few cheap speedlites combined with a basic lighting setup of diffusers (Eg umbrellas and background).
This basic set of tools will, once you learn, set you in a good standing. At the very least all the skills you learn with the flash about diffusing, controlling, excluding, exposing, directing etc.. the light will carry forward into your ambient lighting control as well.


I know you don't want to splurge money on things and want to take your time, but I also feel that there's a minimum level of tools and understanding that you need to invest in - make that leap and you can start making a big advance in what you're capable of doing.



*I am not saying that DSLRs are the only way forward, but they are generally far superior and easier to use over point and shoot type cameras.

**I'm not falling into natural light or not - its ambient!

I am getting a DSLR next week thankfully! So that's a step forward. So in your opinion will this be a good focus and cheaper (cheaper, not saying I don't have to invest at all) to start out with then say full out people portraits or *gulp* weddings?

 

[Ballistics]

GeorgieGirl, did you read my post? Not being sarasctic, just asking

Well if she did, she would have read:

Well anyways I've been trying to think about where I want to startwhen I am done with school.

I am not looking to start charging for my photography or calling myself a professional anytime soon, just thinking of the future.

But again, I don't plan on calling myself a professional or charging anytime soon.

Again, I know I have a ways to go before I start charging

But somehow saw it relevant to tell a non-charging student that she wouldn't pay for her work. Good ol' GeorgieGirl.
I came into this thread earlier, so her post, and just hit the [x] on my screen, because I knew...
...someone else would call her out.

 

[Overread18 6]

Here's something - find GSGary's stuff and have a look here as well:
Flickr: Megan Lorenz's Photostream

Those two are your benchmark. Forget the rest of the self proclaimed photographers doing pets - set those two as your target to reach. If you want to progress you've got to set a high bar and reach it otherwise you'll just be joining the legions of the average (and the average starting photo biz is dead in the water a year or less later)

GUYS - stop harping on about the drama - read it - think about it - move on. We don't need to keep pressing drama in every other post.

 

[Bossy]

You might be able to make decent money if you have an "in" with breeders, they'll generally have a decent amount of $ to pay for shots. Outside that though, I don't see it as something many people would pay enough and often enough that you could make any sort of living, but you could probably bring in some extra change in for sure.

I also don't think you should plan on limiting your future possible career based on only using 1 resource, IE natural lighting. Artificial (??) light can be intimidating, but I'm sure they'll cover that in school. I'm *sure* you've seen these, but they use studio lighting Shake - Images | Carli Davidson Photography

 

[blackrose89]

Hey Angel.. ever notice how many of your threads seem to blow up into a SHEEET STorm? lol!

But I think drama on the first reply. New record

well.. she was being honest! I wouldn't pay you take shot of my pets either, yet! (although I can think of ways I would pay you to take pictures of my pets... but they all involve you wearing an extra small french maid costume.. while you chase my cats up and down the stairs!)

Well, when I do practice pet portraits with my cats, what do you think I focus on first when shooting them? Anything really distinct you see in my photos that I could work on? You take really great cat portraits so any excersizes, assignments would be

 

[2WheelPhoto]

blackrose I peeked at your flickr and like the autumn and brent pic. Is that horse around Tampa? I have a guy always looking to shoot models on horses and has the worst of luck hiring time from any owners.

 

[Overread18 6]

I am getting a DSLR next week thankfully! So that's a step forward. So in your opinion will this be a good focus and cheaper (cheaper, not saying I don't have to invest at all) to start out with then say full out people portraits or *gulp* weddings?

I think you'll find what you need in terms of gear for portraits of people is going to be nigh on the same as for pets - that is if you want to be able to control your lighting and your shots and produce a repeatable product that people want to buy. Also remember its not just a "cheaper than" option - working with pets requires that you have skills to work with a variety of pets/animals to get the shots, plus people skills to manage their owners (many will want to have pet portraits with their pets as well).

As for weddings that is a totally separate ballgame

 

[blackrose89]

Here's something - find GSGary's stuff and have a look here as well:
Flickr: Megan Lorenz's Photostream

Those two are your benchmark. Forget the rest of the self proclaimed photographers doing pets - set those two as your target to reach. If you want to progress you've got to set a high bar and reach it otherwise you'll just be joining the legions of the average (and the average starting photo biz is dead in the water a year or less later)

GUYS - stop harping on about the drama - read it - think about it - move on. We don't need to keep pressing drama in every other post.

Wow these are great!

 

[ph0enix]

but they all involve you wearing an extra small french maid costume

I can't remember what you said before or after this part.
Good stuff!

 

[BlackSheep]

With the pet photography, depending on where you are- take a look at including horses (shows and on-site portrait work) in your scope of work. I know of several photographers in my area who make a good living with it.

 

[blackrose89]

blackrose I peeked at your flickr and like the autumn and brent pic. Is that horse around Tampa? I have a guy always looking to shoot models on horses and has the worst of luck hiring time from any owners.

No it's the davie area (south florida). But if he's ever in that area they are great models. Especially Brent.

 

[cgipson1]

But I think drama on the first reply. New record

well.. she was being honest! I wouldn't pay you take shot of my pets either, yet! (although I can think of ways I would pay you to take pictures of my pets... but they all involve you wearing an extra small french maid costume.. while you chase my cats up and down the stairs!)

Well, when I do practice pet portraits with my cats, what do you think I focus on first when shooting them? Anything really distinct you see in my photos that I could work on? You take really great cat portraits so any excersizes, assignments would be

Darn.. I try and start some drama.. and it gets ignored!

Back off.. don't zoom in so much...leave some space! Basically all of the things that a lot of us repeat over and over on a daily basis... composition (read up on it!) Exposure ( you have improved with your PnS.. but your DSLR is going to be a whole different story! Read up on it!) Lighting... Ambient, flash, whatever.. learn it! I use flash in all of my pet shots,, even the outdoor ones.. for fill, or a reflector. The ways pets move.. fast!!! and the way they like to play with stuff and chew it up (reflectors and other gear).. I find flash to be a much better solution most of the time.

 

[LightSpeed]

Here's something - find GSGary's stuff and have a look here as well:
Flickr: Megan Lorenz's Photostream

Those two are your benchmark. Forget the rest of the self proclaimed photographers doing pets - set those two as your target to reach. If you want to progress you've got to set a high bar and reach it otherwise you'll just be joining the legions of the average (and the average starting photo biz is dead in the water a year or less later)

GUYS - stop harping on about the drama - read it - think about it - move on. We don't need to keep pressing drama in every other post.

Wow these are great!

Don't say that too loud.
GsGary will appear, with his head swollen the size of a beach ball.

 

[cgipson1]

but they all involve you wearing an extra small french maid costume

I can't remember what you said before or after this part.
Good stuff!

Ha ha ha.. it was a horndog trap! YOU are so BUSTED! lol!!!

 

[Overread18 6]

Horses you might want to avoid at first - for two main reasons

1) A lot of horse photography isn't going to be the close up 50mm portrait stuff, its going to be trotting and action and eventing where you'll often need a quality longer lens (70-200mm f2.8 - 200mm f2 - 135mm f2 85mm f1.8(or f1.4)) because you can't just move up close to the animal.

2) Confidence with horses (you might have this already I don't know) since whilst the owner will do most of the handling you'll also have times when you have to get up close as well - horses are not small animals and you'll need the confidence to be around and work with them before you can become a good photographer*


*note anyone can walk by a field and get a nice shot - when your a "pro" photographer you've got to turn up and get that shot every time or near enough.