Want to start shooting professionally aNy suggestions?

[RLPhoto]

I have a 5d3 24-105, 70-200 2.8 is ii, 50mm 1.4. I want to start a photography business shooting family portraits at family outings or where ever they want to shoot. I like Candids and would love to go and capture those moments for families like first days at schools, parties, holidays, etc. just not sure how to get started and if I should do some free work to gain experience, etc. Any suggestions would be helpful.

1. Start a Website, and Show your best work.

2. Hit free social networking sites and expand.

3. Make sure your keyworded for search engines.

4. Call previous clients and inform them about your new business.

5. Get out and exhibit your work locally.

6. Get into stock photography if possible. It brings me steady monthly income.

7. Never shoot for free, but shoot to cover gas at minimum.

These are just basic stuff but much more details can be researched.

 

[awinphoto]

Most everything already has been covered so I'm not going to bother to regurgitate everything everyone else is saying... instead let me say this... have people critique your work.. DO NOT have friends critique, DO NOT critique your own work... have honest people who dont know you critique... other photographers both pro and novice... You will find photographers are far more critical of photography than the general public is, but if there is a glaring problem that you may or may not be seeing, they will be able to find it... Dont forget your shooting not for yourself but for other people... The buyer of said photographs has to love the photo in order for them to buy. Some pro's even have a shot list and shoot just to that shot list... they know what sells, they know what doesn't... that artsy fartsy photo you love may not be loved by the client... Shoot the shots that sell first, then if you have time, do the creative stuff that may or may not sell well and go from there... Lastly, treat it as a business, because frankly, it is. 1 happy customer may tell 1 person how much they loved you... 1 upset customer may tell 10 people how they didn't like you.

 

[wickidwombat]

I have a 5d3 24-105, 70-200 2.8 is ii, 50mm 1.4. I want to start a photography business shooting family portraits at family outings or where ever they want to shoot. I like Candids and would love to go and capture those moments for families like first days at schools, parties, holidays, etc. just not sure how to get started and if I should do some free work to gain experience, etc. Any suggestions would be helpful.

look at risk of sounding like a an ass and dont take this the wrong way, but based on many of your questions on this forum you seem to be a long way from proffessional shooting.

Think of mastering the camera as merely the very very basics, beyond that there is the ability to direct people this is particularly difficult with non models, there are lots of techniques that can be used to elicit the "look" you are chasing. proffessional models are much easier to deal with as they know how to work the camera.

Basically its not about the gear but about much more than that.

Definatley see if you can find a local photographer that is interested in a free assistant and while you are assisting pay special attention to how he directs the model and also how they react to certain directions.
being able to direct people the right way is not something everyone can do.

you might be able to second shoot a bit too but use this opportunity to see how they move and interact, the trouble is not many photographers are keen on training their future competition so its a bit catch 22

Remember if you want to shoot people its all about the people how they move what makes the insecure and stiffen up, what makes them relax and let their guard down without breaking down some barriers first you will just get a bunch of mug shots or snap shots. I would also strongly recommend reading everything from joe mcnally and looking at his work.

Good luck dont try jump in boots and all too deep because it might do more damage to your confidence than working up to it slowly.

 

[KKCFamilyman]

Thanks everyone. I was going to do a joint partnership with a more experienced photographer friend. I think for now I am going to look at trying to get an assistant gig. That sounds like a good idea. I have a busy career so not sure when this will be my calling but just want to be heading in the right direction.

 

[PeterJ]

@PeterJ

obscure terms like "composition" and "controlling light"

That's really very funny. You won't realise it. But it is.

Thanks, sometimes people don't get my dry humour .

 

[paul13walnut5]

@PeterJ

Guilty as charged, now that is funny!

I guess I read so much stuff like that, that I don't even question it anymore.

 

[dirtcastle]

I have a 5d3 24-105, 70-200 2.8 is ii, 50mm 1.4. I want to start a photography business shooting family portraits at family outings or where ever they want to shoot. I like Candids and would love to go and capture those moments for families like first days at schools, parties, holidays, etc. just not sure how to get started and if I should do some free work to gain experience, etc. Any suggestions would be helpful.

If you're passionate, talented, and entrepreneurial, you'll find a way to make it work.

Otherwise, you'll join the graveyard with the other 99% of photographers who wanted to be a pro photographer (but for whom it didn't work out).