E.L.. Shapiro Loc: Ottawa, Ontario Canada

Hey Tim! Thanks for your kind words. Any time you need an in-person lesson just pay me a visit- NO charge! If you come in Winter, just pack your thermal underwear. We have plenty of hardy Canadian food and hot beverages!

You! No matter what kind of photography you do, PEOPLE SKILLS are prerequisite- especially in the professional or business end. Even of you don't photograph people and specialize in food and beverage work or photograph nothing but hardware- nuts and bolts, you still have to deal with people to secure contracts, work with art directors, editors, stylists, secretaries, security folks and just about anyone you can think of. You need to be able to network with other vendors. The more you can get along with other folks, the more cooperation you will garner. Folks will not spend their hard earned money with people that the don't like- it's very basic but it's true- so be likable.

Portrait and wedding photographers have to be the epitome of PEOPLE PERSONS! Even if you are a technical guru, if you can't get good expressions out of folks and get them to relax in front of your camera
you will be dead in the water.

Kindest regards, Ed

Picture Taker Loc: Michigan Thumb

Ed, your input hit the spot. We all need to stop and think (like you did) when we get into this blog.

coullone Loc: Paynesville, Victoria, Australia

That's funny it only took me 4 years and twice around the world to get to a reasonable income. That was full time with one day a week at London Collage of Printing (and graphic arts as it was then). Gave up full time when computers became more lucrative, instantly doubled my income!

MarjorieB

Not quite as bad as it sounds, 10,000 hours. 40 hour work week, times 50 weeks (two weeks off for vacation), is 2000 hours per year. So five years of good solid work makes an expert. Nobody starts their career as an expert, we're all newbies first. So get a camera--there are many good ones--and start working with it. In five years you should have some solid skills and be well on the way to expert status. Good luck.

Crombie

What I'm reading is certainly to the point and mostly well informed. I've been teach at the college level for a fair amount of time and there's been change in the attitude of aspiring photographers. The new breed think they mostly know it all and are looking for 'tips' or ways to refine their magical talent. They don't listen, they'll argue with a mentor right out of the bat. I learned by listening to pro photographers who would unselfishly share their knowledge.

Now, it's buy and camera and instantly a photographer is born, very darn sad. The photo industry sells this with advertising like; gloriously expressing your creativity by capturing the so and so fantastic images with the newest revolutionary wiz bang mk11!!!

It's been a long day and yes I'm being a wee bit outspoken, comes with age not always wisdom.

tinwhistle

I certainly did not read all 5 pages of comments, but enough to remind me of when I was a driver/trainer for a large national trucking firm. Nowadays new drivers come into the business with no experience-at all. Maybe a few weeks of classroom instruction. One of the first things I told them: hang around with the winners. They will impart a good deal of wisdom. Seems appropriate here.

10MPlayer Loc: California

[quote=Weddingguy][quote=npsamson]You advice and suggestion is greatly appreciated. I have not got into digital photography much through I worked with film photography long long, time ago with Nikon F3/ Olympus OM1N, and some digital with Nikon Coolpix P80 and Canon T4i.
Now I want to buy my own camera. thinking of buying Canon T7i/ Canon 70D/ I am confused which one to go for. whether T series or D series.
Buying used or New, which one is good.

Awaiting you valuable suggestion.

Thanks,
Sam[/quote


Apparently, today, you need no special training to become a professional photographer. Buy the camera that has the most automatic features . . . shoot on full automatic with natural light . . . and call yourself an artistic photographer.

"Artisitic" photographers do not follow any rules in composition or posing, so it is not necessary to know those rules.

Under exposure creates artistic digital noise . . . while camera/subject movement blur adds creative lines of light and color to your image.

Simplicity will be the key to your success . . . buy the camera . . . have some business cards printed . . . run an ad, and away you go. Forget about the foolishness of the past, where aspiring photographers worked as assistants, second shooters and apprentices for years before feeling qualified to strike out on their own . . . such a waste of time!

The only downside of the new regime of today's artistic photographers is the competition. The average household in North America has at least one DSLR and as a result, at least one "artistic" photographer.

Good luck getting a "paid" gig.[/quote]
Wow that was bitter. Did folks treat you like that when you were starting out. He/she asked for advice. Why not give it?

Weddingguy Loc: British Columbia - Canada

Unfortunately, sometimes, the truth hurts.

I watched a "photographer" at the park a few weeks ago taking the formal shots of a bridal party. Camera on tripod . . . group about 20 feet away . . . sun lit from behind the group . . . and his pop-up flash being used as a fill light. A pop-up flash has, at the best of times, a range of 4-6 feet of "fill" ability. How much experience do you think this "photographer" has to be recording this couples most important day of their lives?

I personally had two years of apprenticeship before my boss would let me take on a wedding . . . and then only as a 2nd shooter.

No matter what era you are from, you should not be "practicing" on a paying customer that is paying for, and expects, professional results.

Just my humble opinion of course . . .

Meives Loc: FORT LAUDERDALE

How does a professional photographer get better gas millage? They take the pizza delivery sign off. Ha Ha

Weddingguy Loc: British Columbia - Canada

bkyser Loc: Fly over country in Indiana

In addition to what Ed said, either get an education in business, or hire someone to handle that part.