Frightened: Hi All, So this is the dilema I have. I currently hold a full time job and want to get into photography shoots of any kind. I don't really have a preference yet. Is that...

dshelton

Hi All,
So this is the dilema I have. I currently hold a full time job and want to get into photography shoots of any kind. I don't really have a preference yet. Is that bad? Anyway, the problem is..I am hesitant that I am not good enough yet. The question is..when and how do I know if I am good enough? I am basically scarred.. How do I get past this stage and just get out there? How do I get started and try to do this full time in a few years?

docrob Loc: Durango, Colorado

dshelton wrote:

Hi All,
So this is the dilema I have. I currently hold a full time job and want to get into photography shoots of any kind. I don't really have a preference yet. Is that bad? Anyway, the problem is..I am hesitant that I am not good enough yet. The question is..when and how do I know if I am good enough? I am basically scarred.. How do I get past this stage and just get out there? How do I get started and try to do this full time in a few years?

Being scared is sorta normal - admitting it is sorta not (meaning most don't want to admit it), so you've already taken step. Go visit www.asmp.org and compare your work with any photographer listed there - that will give you a baseline to judge your skills against.

dshelton

Thanks, I think maybe I am looking for Critical comments. It may help. I have only done this for a year or so, by all means still learning.

Gayle Crawford

Everyone of us had to be a beginner at some point. No need to be afraid. this is why this web site exists. Go out and start taking pictures of anything and every thing that you see. Then, review your pictures to see what kinds of pictures you like best. review those pictures a little more carefully and ask yourself what you think you should do next time to make the picture better. Did you cut off someones legs or have what looks like a pole sticking out of someones head.. Keep taking and reviewing your pictures. they will get better as you learn what to look for. Ask other, more experienced photographers for suggestions.

dshelton

Thank you, that's what I need. I thought about trying to find a mentor somewhat like a internship. No luck as of yet.

ward5311 Loc: Georgia

Making the jump from having full-time employment to quitting your job to become a "professional" photographer is a giant leap. I would encourage you not to so it until several years learning and actually having sold many photos. With the advent of DSLR cameras there are many who think their work is marketable. Do you realize how many professionals are getting out of the business? Just look on craigslist and see all the photography equipment for sale. I don't think it works like a light switch. JMO but others would probably give the same advice. There are several topics here on the subject. Just use the Search feature.

dshelton

Believe me, I have no intensions of quitting my full time job at this point. If I was going to do that, I would not be asking how to get past stage fright. Thanks for the comment, I do realize there is a great competition out there.

docrob Loc: Durango, Colorado

dshelton wrote:

Believe me, I have no intensions of quitting my full time job at this point. If I was going to do that, I would not be asking how to get past stage fright. Thanks for the comment, I do realize there is a great competition out there.

you don't get past stage fright - its always lurking in the wings - and its actually a good thing - just go to www.asmp.org and look at the pics of people who are making money as professionals - find one or two in your area and give them a call. Most are happy to chat with you

GoofyNewfie Loc: Kansas City

docrob wrote:

you don't get past stage fright - its always lurking in the wings - and its actually a good thing - just go to www.asmp.org and look at the pics of people who are making money as professionals - find one or two in your area and give them a call. Most are happy to chat with you

I agree- there are shoots I get nervous about and I've been doing this full-time for over 30 years.
See if they could use an intern or assistant.
Kind of hard with a full-time job though.

Danilo Loc: Las Vegas

dshelton wrote:

Hi All,
So this is the dilema I have. I currently hold a full time job and want to get into photography shoots of any kind. I don't really have a preference yet. Is that bad? Anyway, the problem is..I am hesitant that I am not good enough yet. The question is..when and how do I know if I am good enough? I am basically scarred.. How do I get past this stage and just get out there? How do I get started and try to do this full time in a few years?

This was a long time ago, but when I was in your position, I just started pretending to be a photographer! I'd notice in the paper a political event being held someplace, so I would go and take photos of the speakers, etc. I wasn't selling anything, but I still made sure they turned out as well as possible. I kept doing this for about three months and, slowly, people began to recognize me at these things and started asking for copies of photos. By about month 5 I looked at my checkbook and realized I was a photographer! I never looked back...
Good luck to you!

St3v3M Loc: 35,000 feet

"Fear makes the wolf bigger than he is." -- German Proverb

All jobs require a focus so you need to ask yourself what is yours? Studio, Street, Sports, Nature, etc. Of course you can do it all, but where do YOU want to make money at photography? What do YOU like to photograph?

And in my opinion a good photographer never thinks they are good enough, but a smart one photograph all the same because we love it and it is a part of who we are.

If you want unbiased opinions post samples of your work here and let the 'world' judge your work that it may become more.

In the end, you are your greatest enemy or ally.

Roger Hicks Loc: Aquitaine

If you think there's a choice, there is. You shouldn't do it. Do it only when you can see no alternative, i.e. when you no longer see a choice (even if you're frightened).

Cheers,

R.

MWAC Loc: Somewhere East Of Crazy

dshelton wrote:

Hi All,
So this is the dilema I have. I currently hold a full time job and want to get into photography shoots of any kind. I don't really have a preference yet. Is that bad? Anyway, the problem is..I am hesitant that I am not good enough yet. The question is..when and how do I know if I am good enough? I am basically scarred.. How do I get past this stage and just get out there? How do I get started and try to do this full time in a few years?

I know your fear all to well. At least once a week, I hear from friends/family saying I should be in business as a photographer and I'm actually at the point were I've started to at least toy with the idea now. But I'm scared to make the jump even to "part-time/weekend only professional photographer" I seriously doubt my skill level and don't want to look like a fool and fail.

So I guess what I am saying is, if you find the answer, let me know. ;)

St3v3M Loc: 35,000 feet

dshelton wrote:

Hi All,
So this is the dilema I have. I currently hold a full time job and want to get into photography shoots of any kind. I don't really have a preference yet. Is that bad? Anyway, the problem is..I am hesitant that I am not good enough yet. The question is..when and how do I know if I am good enough? I am basically scarred.. How do I get past this stage and just get out there? How do I get started and try to do this full time in a few years?

I wonder how different the world would be if Michelangelo, Elvis or Ansel Adams worried about not being good enough.

docrob Loc: Durango, Colorado

St3v3M wrote:

quote=dshelton Hi All, br So this is the dilema I... (show quote)

Well can't say about Michelangelo or Ansel but Elvis did and it pushed him into numbing out and eventually an early exit.