SayGee
TPF Noob!
- Joined
- Oct 17, 2011
- Messages
- 23
- Reaction score
- 4
- Location
- NJ
- Can others edit my Photos
- Photos NOT OK to edit
Hi all,
This is my first post, and I'm trying to start a photo business, so please be kind.
By way of background, I've always loved photography, though it's only the past couple of years that I've been taking it seriously - leaving full automatic settings behind, switched from iPhoto to Aperture, and I enrolled in a comprehensive course. I should spend more time with my course, but both personal circumstances coupled with my learning style have me learning by doing, instead. I'm well aware that a SAHM with a DSLR does not, in of itself, qualify me to be a professional photographer. That being said, I've discovered that I do have a good eye and I'm developing my skill.
Over the past several years, I'd be the mom snapping pictures, not just of my kids, but others, too. In the past, I would post photos in a password protected online gallery (remember ofoto?) and email the link with password to the other moms whose kids were in the photos. That ended around the time I went from compact camera to DSLR and posted to a MobileMe gallery. My username notwithstanding, I absolutely love candid photos and strongly prefer not to force the contrived posed 'say cheese' makes me cringe. I also found both a love and a knack for nature photography (and would love to know how I can make money from some of those shots)
People around know I'm "an aspiring photographer" but it's reached the point of 'poop or get off the pot'
So here's where I am now, and my first of several questions:
One of the ways I've been able to learn by doing is by unofficially and officially volunteering at one of my child's school. Last year, I took pictures, and just gave them to the school. They have a website with all school relevant info and also where they post their own pictures (that the teachers take) - it's automatically password protected (PWP) as only parents of those kids can access it. But, the photos are linked with the ability to purchase, fulfilled by a 3rd party. (foreshadowing here)
While building a portfolio, I'm still shooting whenever and wherever I can (school events, birthday parties, etc). I don't want to just do freebies (at least not completely) anymore, especially now that people are making so many positive comments, I'm being asked to take photos and/or trusted to be designated photographer for a given school event. I want to use this as a springboard to being *hired*.
Since administrative follow through isn't really my strong point, and the irony of timing with MobileMe going away - I figured I'd setup a presence on Zenfolio. Last week, at the request of one of my children's teachers, I took photos of the kids during a special program at school. I haven't shown anyone the photos yet - and I also have a couple of photo ops in the next couple of weeks. I need to set something up NOW.
Though I haven't been formally *hired*, I see these as income producing opportunities anyway. I'm thinking I can and should post these events into their own PWP gallery on my about to be setup Zenfolio page - give the respective links to the teacher and PTO - letting them disseminate to the parents and if the parents want the prints, they can buy them. layball:
I just don't know what to charge!! I want to set the prices to reflect a business - high enough to have my time be respected, especially since on these events and many future events, I'm neither paid by the hour, the event or having negotiated some package. As an example: for the school events, as both a thank you and a way to keep getting my name out, I would like to charge $X per print, where a percentage of profits would be donated to the PTO.
Magic question - how much is $X??:scratch:
Thank you, in advance, for your help on this, the first of several questions I have!
This is my first post, and I'm trying to start a photo business, so please be kind.
By way of background, I've always loved photography, though it's only the past couple of years that I've been taking it seriously - leaving full automatic settings behind, switched from iPhoto to Aperture, and I enrolled in a comprehensive course. I should spend more time with my course, but both personal circumstances coupled with my learning style have me learning by doing, instead. I'm well aware that a SAHM with a DSLR does not, in of itself, qualify me to be a professional photographer. That being said, I've discovered that I do have a good eye and I'm developing my skill.
Over the past several years, I'd be the mom snapping pictures, not just of my kids, but others, too. In the past, I would post photos in a password protected online gallery (remember ofoto?) and email the link with password to the other moms whose kids were in the photos. That ended around the time I went from compact camera to DSLR and posted to a MobileMe gallery. My username notwithstanding, I absolutely love candid photos and strongly prefer not to force the contrived posed 'say cheese' makes me cringe. I also found both a love and a knack for nature photography (and would love to know how I can make money from some of those shots)
People around know I'm "an aspiring photographer" but it's reached the point of 'poop or get off the pot'
So here's where I am now, and my first of several questions:
One of the ways I've been able to learn by doing is by unofficially and officially volunteering at one of my child's school. Last year, I took pictures, and just gave them to the school. They have a website with all school relevant info and also where they post their own pictures (that the teachers take) - it's automatically password protected (PWP) as only parents of those kids can access it. But, the photos are linked with the ability to purchase, fulfilled by a 3rd party. (foreshadowing here)
While building a portfolio, I'm still shooting whenever and wherever I can (school events, birthday parties, etc). I don't want to just do freebies (at least not completely) anymore, especially now that people are making so many positive comments, I'm being asked to take photos and/or trusted to be designated photographer for a given school event. I want to use this as a springboard to being *hired*.
Since administrative follow through isn't really my strong point, and the irony of timing with MobileMe going away - I figured I'd setup a presence on Zenfolio. Last week, at the request of one of my children's teachers, I took photos of the kids during a special program at school. I haven't shown anyone the photos yet - and I also have a couple of photo ops in the next couple of weeks. I need to set something up NOW.
Though I haven't been formally *hired*, I see these as income producing opportunities anyway. I'm thinking I can and should post these events into their own PWP gallery on my about to be setup Zenfolio page - give the respective links to the teacher and PTO - letting them disseminate to the parents and if the parents want the prints, they can buy them. layball:
I just don't know what to charge!! I want to set the prices to reflect a business - high enough to have my time be respected, especially since on these events and many future events, I'm neither paid by the hour, the event or having negotiated some package. As an example: for the school events, as both a thank you and a way to keep getting my name out, I would like to charge $X per print, where a percentage of profits would be donated to the PTO.
Magic question - how much is $X??:scratch:
Thank you, in advance, for your help on this, the first of several questions I have!