feleekshia wrote:
I am getting a divorce after being married to an Air Force fireman for 7 years. Packed up suitcases & my 11 yr old daughter & I left. Moved from Hickam AFB Hawaii to AZ & currently living with my mom. I have a Nikon D5100 & the kit lens that came with it. I really could use some extra $ & would love to start doing photography here. I need a better lens to do portrait shots. I dont have much money to spend on equipment. Anyone willing to give me a great deal or help out in any way would be great! Advice on lenses etc.....
THANK YOU!
I am getting a divorce after being married to an A... (
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feleekshia,
Please allow me to offer some personal advice first.
1.) Don't act like a victim. You only attract the worst sort of men. Good Men respect women who are self sufficient, the other kind give you just enough of what you need to take advantage of you. Own your mistakes, change your behavior to get better results.
2.)Do your homework. If you do your homework before you ask questions, you will have be able to ask the questions that get the answers that you need. Use google, youtube, adoramatv, etc... to learn. Then when you get stuck, come here and ask a targeted question. And..Practice, Practice, Practice.
3.) You're a single mom now, so multi-task. Make your daughter a part of your photography. This is something you can share with her. Practice on her, and have her practice on you. Show your daughter how to be a strong woman, who can do it herself. The teacher often learns more than the student.
4.) Don't take money for photographs until you are ready. If you want to start a photography business, you need to build a reputation. Don't put out shoddy work to get by. Rely on your dental assistant profession for that.
Okay, on the lens advice. DO NOT allow anyone to buy your lens for you. Get it on your own. Remember, you are taking responsibility for your life now, OWN it! Then, before taking any advice from people here, go on youtube and watch some portrait/wedding photographers go through a shoot. They often will talk about the lenses they use. THEN come here, find the portrait/wedding photographers, and ask them specific questions about the lens you think you need. Don't listen to advice from landscape or wildlife photographers on what lens to get for a portrait. How would they know?
Finally, PM me if you have any questions about the advice you are receiving. I would be happy to send you in the direction of people that have had nothing in their hearts, but a sincere desire to help me learn. But these people won't build your business for you. Nobody will. And the best people will only help if they see that you are doing your part.
My heart is with you. My mother was a single mother that worked as a dental assistant, and things were tough. You have a talent here, girl. Learn it, own it, and use that heart of yours to make your clients feel at ease, but don't wear it on your sleeve so much anymore. The wolves out there don't deserve it.