P
paul13walnut5
Guest
Hi I've just bought a 6D and a 24-70, I've been doing photography about 6 months and really want to make that next step...
I kid, I kid.
I've been doing photography as a hobby since my EOS1000 (the 35mm one, not the digital) so thats for some 20 years probably. I've never aspired to be professional. I've had a long learning curve (film was expensive) and probably quite a bit of a way to go, in terms of portraiture posing etc at least (my technical and camera craft ability, I think, is pretty well sorted)
Along the way, I did a 3 year communications and media degree (from the university of Mickey Mouse for all it's been worth, hey kids.. don't study media, really!) and a 2 year technical college vocational course in television and video production. I've worked these last 6 years as a cameraman / VT editor for Europes largest publishing group, regularly doing broadcast work of various descriptions, so I have plenty of current experience lighting, directing, setting up scenes etc. For four years before that I worked at a Univeristy setting up TV studios, Photography Studios, Apple Mac produciton labs, doing equipment hire etc. Before that I worked in photo-retail for around 5 years selling everything from Olympus Stylus to Leica MP's, and the first few waves of DSLRS as well. I know it's not hands on photography, and I know more than anybody how different the skills are, I'm just making the point that I'm not 'uncle bob'.
I've always been asked to do video favours for folk or mates rates etc, and if the work will benefit me (financially, developmentally, or just feeling good) then I'll usually do it.
I have a few friend getting married this year, and they've asked me to take a look at various 'professionals' work.
I'm shocked. There are a lot of Uncle Bobs and Auntie Robertas masquearading as photographers out there.
When told the money they charge my jaw hits the floor. I don't think 'I want some of that action', I think 'I want to give folk better for their money'.
So I'm considering starting up a part-time photography business.
I'm really just after critiques of my business model. I don't need or want any more or any new gear just yet, and I don't need to ask anybodies advice on what I would like to move on to, so please don't respond with that kind of answer.
My Plan.
£250 wedding photos.
And thats it.
I turn up for 1 hour, after all the church stuff is done, and before the party begins. I do you 10 shots. Classic ordinary shots. The couple. The grooms gang. The brides gang. The Parents and the Couple. Everybody. Cheers, see you later.
No bridesmaid peeking out behind trees.
No close ups of rings on fingers.
No annoying the minister.
No getting ready shots.
Just a simple, straightforward collection of classically posed group and couple shots, in a nice setting. Correctly exposed. In colour. Nothing tw@tty Twee or convoluted.
Cheap. Limited hassle on the day.
And a CD passed over with all rights relinquished, the couple can print share canvas post any of the images as many times as they want wherever they want. I'll recommend they use Loxleys rather than boots of course, but no faffing about.
Basic. Solid. No packages. No Gold, Silver or Bronze.
I think i can make money at this, as a lot of folk don't have £2000 for a wedding photographer, or who don't want to be in front of a camera all day.
Do you think there is much of a market for this?
I plan to do a studio skills course at a respected local college, brush up on my photographic lighting practise and learn a bit more about posing people. So I'm not so arrogant to think that it's dead easy, I bring a lot to the table already and I think I've a grasp of what else I need to know.
It would be a sideline initially, and if things take off I might then invest more time in it, or more money in gear, but for now, I think it's a marketable idea.
Is anybody doing anything similar or disagree on strong terms?
Please please please keep gear out of this thread. I may have questions in the future, but this is a business post.
I kid, I kid.
I've been doing photography as a hobby since my EOS1000 (the 35mm one, not the digital) so thats for some 20 years probably. I've never aspired to be professional. I've had a long learning curve (film was expensive) and probably quite a bit of a way to go, in terms of portraiture posing etc at least (my technical and camera craft ability, I think, is pretty well sorted)
Along the way, I did a 3 year communications and media degree (from the university of Mickey Mouse for all it's been worth, hey kids.. don't study media, really!) and a 2 year technical college vocational course in television and video production. I've worked these last 6 years as a cameraman / VT editor for Europes largest publishing group, regularly doing broadcast work of various descriptions, so I have plenty of current experience lighting, directing, setting up scenes etc. For four years before that I worked at a Univeristy setting up TV studios, Photography Studios, Apple Mac produciton labs, doing equipment hire etc. Before that I worked in photo-retail for around 5 years selling everything from Olympus Stylus to Leica MP's, and the first few waves of DSLRS as well. I know it's not hands on photography, and I know more than anybody how different the skills are, I'm just making the point that I'm not 'uncle bob'.
I've always been asked to do video favours for folk or mates rates etc, and if the work will benefit me (financially, developmentally, or just feeling good) then I'll usually do it.
I have a few friend getting married this year, and they've asked me to take a look at various 'professionals' work.
I'm shocked. There are a lot of Uncle Bobs and Auntie Robertas masquearading as photographers out there.
When told the money they charge my jaw hits the floor. I don't think 'I want some of that action', I think 'I want to give folk better for their money'.
So I'm considering starting up a part-time photography business.
I'm really just after critiques of my business model. I don't need or want any more or any new gear just yet, and I don't need to ask anybodies advice on what I would like to move on to, so please don't respond with that kind of answer.
My Plan.
£250 wedding photos.
And thats it.
I turn up for 1 hour, after all the church stuff is done, and before the party begins. I do you 10 shots. Classic ordinary shots. The couple. The grooms gang. The brides gang. The Parents and the Couple. Everybody. Cheers, see you later.
No bridesmaid peeking out behind trees.
No close ups of rings on fingers.
No annoying the minister.
No getting ready shots.
Just a simple, straightforward collection of classically posed group and couple shots, in a nice setting. Correctly exposed. In colour. Nothing tw@tty Twee or convoluted.
Cheap. Limited hassle on the day.
And a CD passed over with all rights relinquished, the couple can print share canvas post any of the images as many times as they want wherever they want. I'll recommend they use Loxleys rather than boots of course, but no faffing about.
Basic. Solid. No packages. No Gold, Silver or Bronze.
I think i can make money at this, as a lot of folk don't have £2000 for a wedding photographer, or who don't want to be in front of a camera all day.
Do you think there is much of a market for this?
I plan to do a studio skills course at a respected local college, brush up on my photographic lighting practise and learn a bit more about posing people. So I'm not so arrogant to think that it's dead easy, I bring a lot to the table already and I think I've a grasp of what else I need to know.
It would be a sideline initially, and if things take off I might then invest more time in it, or more money in gear, but for now, I think it's a marketable idea.
Is anybody doing anything similar or disagree on strong terms?
Please please please keep gear out of this thread. I may have questions in the future, but this is a business post.