Jenni8 Loc: Oceanside, CA

I hate to be in front of the camera. I'd rather be behind with all the control. LOL.

Actually that is partially true. I do not enjoy having MY picture taken, but I do have to step into the frame every now and then so that I can say, "See I was their after all!"

The REAL reason, I love (need) to create, SOMETHING. I used to draw, just don't have the patience or time anymore. With photography I can have others be apart of my creation. To draw I needed to be away from others, to shoot I can be doing almost anything. I've always been artistic and the most down time of my life was when I had a void of creation. I was youngER, lazy with no drive from being in a horrible relationship. Later on, I met my husband, we got married and I couldn't stop taking pictures. It got to a point where my little point and shoot didn't let me have enough creative flexibility.

When I suddenly had that 'Ah HA!' moment, I told my husband that I wanted to be a photographer. The really great thing about that was that he believed me, and still does. The last two years we made large investments, for us, to buy my first DSLR, then to buy a MAC computer to handle the workflow as the old one was pathetic. We used a big chunk of our tax return for my dream, twice. We are like many others these days living paycheck to paycheck. So it was a huge risky investment in which I've made NO income from, YET.

I can be a bit over zealous when it comes to some things and can go over the top and just fail horribly because I loose the drive or just get in over my head. I've done that all too often being a gemini and all.

But this is MUCH different. I've never stuck to a passion for this long. Sure I've had some lack of drive here and their, but here I am, learning more, creating more. I had a period recently where I seemed to be unable to take any quality photos at all or take ANY at all, and would forget to take my camera with me. So I stepped back I suppose, but only briefly. But now that I've jumped back in, I'm suddenly grasping some basic concepts I was having trouble with. Things I didn't even realize I was doing wrong till I took my small break. I was frustrated, blocked I suppose.

I have limited equipment, and that frustrates me. But now that I've found a great print lab, I'm super stoked. Super driven, even more than before.

So after my big long explanation, the simple answer:

It makes me happy. It makes others happy. I show off my work to family and I get praise when I doubt myself. Now when I get to the point where I can make a living from it? I'll be the happiest person ever. And my family will be grateful I was their to capture so many beautiful memories. I just have to remember to step into the frame myself every now and then. ;D

Jenni8 Loc: Oceanside, CA

To answer the second question:

I think about it all the time. I dream to make this my living, because me working my ass off at a Retail Store is NOT a life long option for me. Sure I make decent money, but living in So. Cal, we are still considered poor. Sure I have the basics, but my family deserves more, I deserve more. ;D

When the time is right, it will all come together. I just know it. I need to first develop my skills.

johnnyg67 Loc: Northwest Georgia

Thanks for your comments wildbill> I'm with you...stop dreaming is to stop living. I do have several pictures that I've taken hanging on my walls that are not perfect by any means but they are my creations and I enjoy them.

johnnyg67 Loc: Northwest Georgia

Yep, it was! Thanks

johnnyg67 Loc: Northwest Georgia

jenni8 You're not alone in most of your points. I hate to be in front of the camera, but every now and then I think if I expect anyone to remember me when I leave this Earth I best get in a few shots myself!

As for investments, I think many of us have fallen into the bigger better equipment trap! I have made my living from photography most of my life...sometimes good :thumbup: and sometimes it was bad...very bad!
:thumbdown: Now I have around $17,000.00 worth of equipment that I never ever use and much of it is obsolete since digital came out (I have 2 long roll cameras that cost about $4500 each just sitting :-( so I have large investments that no longer pay for themselves)

If you don't mind I 'll make a couple of suggestions or comments for what its worth about the photography business.

EQUIPMENT: You can make great images from cameras that are not top of the line expensive stuff. Its the photographer's knowledge and vision as much as it is equipment. I used to own a 1 Hr Photo Finishing business and it would amaze me how some of my "amateur" customers consistently had great images developed on less expensive cameras than I had. I have also learned that the super hi megapixel cameras are not necessarily needed to produce good results. I've made poster size prints, 16x20's and 11x14's from an 8 megapixel camera that looked great. (I have some printed on canvas on my wall.) Hey, if you can afford the best then get it, however I'm saying that you can start with good, but less expensive stuff and still do a good job.

MARKETING: To make a living at photography takes time and it takes getting the word out. If people do not know you are a photographer then you will never have any customers. Ever heard of Guerrilla Marketing? Its simply shoe sole work, not big money advertising...i.e. giving out business cards cards, brochures and talking to anyone that will listen about your photography. Get the word out cheaply as possible. (You can find inexpensive and free marketing products at Vistaprint.com. Also I;ve found that the online printing company "Sir Cooper" has great prices and services for brochures etc)

PRODUCT FOCUS: Do you want to do studio style portraits, outdoor portraits, weddings? Decide where you mainly want to go and what you want to be known for. Studios can be small and in your house and you do not need a whole lot of equipment to start. You can use paper backdrops and inexpensive lighting. If you want concentrate on outside portraits or wedding photography just be sure your equipment (camera and lighting) are good and you have backup equipment just in case. You can work as an assistant to a professional to learn. The main thing is know your camera and lighting, do your best to build a decent reputation as you go of doing good work, do not build your business on dirt cheap prices or you will never make any money. On the other side if you charge high prices you better be worth it or you will not have any business.

I know this is a long response but you sounded a little down on yourself about spending so much with nothing in return yet. Hang in there and keep going. Most of the people we remember as great success stories failed over and over again before success came so don't give up. You sound like you love photography and that is a big part of turning it into a business but Rome was not built in a day as they say so learn from mistakes, shoot regularly, keep an eye on the working pro's in your area to see what they charge and compare quality of their images with with yours. You'll get there. Good luck

johnnyg67 Loc: Northwest Georgia

yep, I feel for you as far as living expenses in southern CA, but it is beautiful there and that is great for location photography. I worked there many years ago. Your skills will come as mentioned before by learning your equipment and shoot shoot shoot! After a while the skills will be there along with confidence to start charging for your skill.

mdorn Loc: Portland, OR

Works for me! :-)

krashzmom Loc: Columbia, SC

Thanks, JohnnyG, she sounds kind of like I feel and you said what I needed to hear. I do have a question. You talked about weddings, portraits, etc. but what about wildlife photos, basically any nature shots even underwater shots. How do you go about getting those on the market? You can't just advertise that you do nature shots like weddings, etc. Someone said greeting card companies like them, but I wouldn't know how to begin sending to them. Any Suggestions?

By the way, love your studio and photos, of course, even though you have none of you in your kilt. I know, you don't like to get in the shots. Just HAD to say it. jk. :lol: :D :roll: Thanks for the advice. :thumbup:

johnnyg67 Loc: Northwest Georgia

lol..Susan I promise I'm not Kilt modeling material :oops: As for nature photography etc there are probably people here that have more experience in that area even though I do some. I do know that there are stock photo sharing sites where people place their images for sale, but from what I hear and read those a very competitive with thousands of shots available so I'm not sure how good that will work for you. I did read an article about a photographer that furnishes prints for display at local businesses with his name on each print along with business cards left there as well. This is free advertising and its good to start with business you already have a relation with i.e. Banks, Dentist, Doctors, restaurants, and so on. Again its getting your name out there. Of course there are cost involved in the prints and frames etc. So you may want to leave them for a while and then move them to another locations after a month or two?? I have a picture that will be displayed next year in our city's Mayor's office of the local tourist attraction. It just puts my name out there. As for cards maybe you could start your own line. I've seen that done on a local basis spotlighting local attractions in a region. Postcards of your images might be good too? Sorry I'm just brainstorming, hopefully someone will have a better plan to help you. Start small and work to grow your market. Any move forward is better than not moving at all. Its all a learning process I guess.

Thanks for the compliment about my studio shots, truth is most are fairly old so I really need to update and I plan on narrowing my focus more and it probably will be more of the area shots and Headshots etc. I'm slowing down on the weddings etc because I'm not as interested in that anymore. jg

PS you may be able to sell your prints at local galleries or specialty shops. Leave them on consignment and offer the shop a percentage of the sale??? Use Google to find outlets for your photography style. You get the idea...hopefully you will find a market where you can start to see a profit on your work. :thumbup:

gonate Loc: sacramento,calif

good job johnny you just told it like it is.

gonate

johnnyg67 Loc: Northwest Georgia

Thanks gonate! :-)

krashzmom Loc: Columbia, SC

Thanks for your advice. Those are some really good ideas that I hadn't thought of. :roll: I'm just working my way into things and even though my family enjoys a lot of my photos, I'd like to do more than just share with them. I'd like other people to see stuff and see if they really like it, etc. you know what I mean. I think when you opened this thread you didn't know it would turn into a "Dear Abby" section, huh? Thanks.

johnnyg67 Loc: Northwest Georgia

Ha! Susan, I never thought about being a Dear Abby but hey it may work! :-) I'm just throwing ideas out but there are plenty of ways to get your pictures out there. You'll make it just keep trying! Thanks for your post.

krashzmom Loc: Columbia, SC

Thanks and Happy holidays.

catcher T Loc: Detroit

I have a HUGE addiction with the camera, i have for a very long time, i cant explain why, other then i am a creative type, im a little excentric. I do not leave home without my gear, it takes me forever to get out the door, taking this or that, God forbid should it be a family outing. I haven't a clue why im drawn to it, and its been all my life, my addiction, even looking at someones else's work. dont know.