Questions for those new in the biz who have actually gotten work

I have not discussed this here prior to this moment but I am getting to a point where I really think I need to make some kind of change or attempt at making some income with my camera.

I am not sure I am ready to jump feet first into "professional" photography but I would like to start doing some work for pay. I really don't care what type of work it is as long as I can maintain some consistent income even if small.

I have no portfolio at all and would need one I suppose. I would have to build it over the next few months.

My current job is a part time job at a dog boarding kennel. It was supposed to be for just a few months until I, hopefully, got hired at the Florida Department of Corrections for which I have been applying, taking tests, sending documents and background checks for the last three months.

I get a call from the recruiting officer last Thursday telling me that I have passed all the requirements but the institution I wanted to work at has already filled the positions with personnel that are already certified.

I have been trying to land decent employment for several years now. I can't live on what I make currently and am quickly descending into poverty. My part time job works me just enough hours to keep me from having second employment at most places.

So, to my main questions, of those that have just started your business;

- What would you recommend me try first?
- What steps should I take and in what order?
- How did you actually get your first jobs?
- What type of jobs did you land?
- Do's and Dont's?
- Real portfolio or website portfolio?
- What has been your best advertising?

Just out of curiosity I checked local Craigslist for "photographers" in the area. There is some truly horrific photographers out there trying to sell themselves as professional. I am a little leery of Craigslist advertising.

I started with postcards of my area sights. We lacked in the card business here. Now I do full size pictures of the same.

Just-Clayton said:

I started with postcards of my area sights. We lacked in the card business here. Now I do full size pictures of the same.

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Who too and where are you selling the post cards and now the full size art? What is you outlet?

I am not a pro , but I showed some of my photos to my local coffee shop and they said they would be happy to have some hanging on there walls to sell for me, it's win win they get good photos on the wall and I get some exposure ! I wish you good luck !

I started with dog photography, there is a small market for this here. I am best at doing a series with the dog or portraits.

I think you should try finding a kid to do portraits, both cute/nice portraits but also kid playing/laughing etc.

My best advice: people love pictures which really gets close to the subject - that's what most don't do them self when using a point and shoot or phone camera.

I am suggesting kids, because they are so much easier than adults. So many "rules" for posing an adult and many want you to tell them how.

Do you use Facebook? Make a page there. Free and easy. Directly contact with costumers.
I also have a website but I'm horrible at updating it.

I think a lot of my jobs are mouth to mouth in that way that when I do a shoot, I place my logo on it and then people see their friends/friends dog looking good, and want it them self.

I got a wedding! after they saw the images of a dog series. I think they went to my site and saw the people images too.

Another thing is selling pictures of landscape, sunsets, street photography and so on. I'm just starting and haven't sold anything yet, it's seems pretty difficult. Thought about selling for firm decorations (you know, in the waiting room etc) but don't think I do any stuff that is suited for this.


An easy portfolio are a website. Then you can print your best stuff for showing if you go directly to someone.


Wishing you all the best of luck! Breaks my heart to hear your worries for the future. Kids pictures sell, every mom/dad wants images of them, and kids are so much fun to do





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Good advice here. Most important (based on 20 years of doing it) is shameless online self-promotion. Get your work out there - no-one's going to do it for you - and get in as many outlets as you can. Local rags are good, too. They're always hungry for material to offer their readers. Maybe find old photos of your area and replicate them in modern times - easy and popukar.

Good luck to you, and I wish you a very merry Christmas and a prosperous new year.

One of the things we did for weddings was rent a small display space in the areas top hairdressers, have a display of wedding pictures there with business cards for people to take,if you are in a tourist area and want to sell views take some at the times tourist dont,sunrise/set,look for angles the tourists cant think i could do that.

I had been delivering mail in my small city for 20 years and noticed that the postcards were crap. I decided to go out and get similar shots of the area and show them to the locals. I produced 6 cards 3 years ago and 2 this year. Some sold like hotcakes and others so so... This is a very big tourist town and I sell them to local businesses for them to sell . ( Corning Museum of Glass) Most people come to me wanting a specific picture of the area and I frame it or sell it in matted form. I have also donated prints to local charities and fund raisers to get my name out. The postcards themselves don't make a lot of money. They are just a large business card for me. When my patrons tell people that the mailman shot the pictures and made the cards I actually have people stop me to sign them. I will tell you this. If it wasn't for me being the mailman, I would have just been another photographer to them. But, since they have known me for so many years it was easier to get that foot in the door.
As for the coffee shop deal you got offered, I would take it. Free advertisement! I also opened up a Smugmug account to sell and show my work. Just keep plugging at it. Things could take off. Good luck!

Mike d90 said:

Who too and where are you selling the post cards and now the full size art? What is you outlet?

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What I did:

1) Started a FB page for my landscape, critter, zoo and family pics and invited all of my "contacts" to like the page. This allowed them to see my skill grow over time, although you may already be at the "skill level" needed. This ended up landing me my first "job" which was second shooting a wedding with one of my buddies (and inspiration) whom I consider to be one of the best in the biz.

2) Practiced "portraits" a LOT on my family. Every pic worth a second look would go online to showcase my ability and craft. I looked for unique angles and ideas that nobody else in the portrait "mass market" was using and posted it. This helped a lot.

3) Advertised on that FB page that I would like to jump into the portrait business, so offered "FREE" sessions to folks that would allow me to use the pics I took for my portfolio. Each family would get their choice of 3 of the pics, edited and in digital format, plus a release to reprint as many as they would like and in any size. For the WHOLE session, I sold the complete set for a very reasonable price and gave them a release to print any pic up to 8x12 in size. I actually ran a contest, everyone interested could sign up, and I drew 3 at random. All 3 families were thrilled and purchased the entire sets of photos! I got to post their pics on FB and tag them, so all their family and friends could see, and it went from there...

4) As of yet, I have relied on word of mouth after that, and my FB circle of acquaintances. I scanned local photographers in the area and checked the prices they would set on sessions, put out some "promo" price plans on my FB page that would come in just under the average, and let folks talk me up. Even though it's currently in the midst of winter here, I've already signed a couple of folks up for full family sessions (by way of offering "Gift Certificates" online), and two of the families that won my "freebie" contest have already scheduled me for maternity and senior photo sessions. Quite a few families have expressed interest when it's warmer, too.

5) Like Ijustwant1, I'm talking to local coffee shops now to get some of my B&W's and landscape photos on their wall. They get nice, local art and a small percentage of sales, I get advertisement, exposure and sales. Once I've been up in those areas for a while, I get the right to advertise "As seen in XXXXXX coffee shop!" Win/Win/Win.

6) And, Like Jonathan said above, shameless self promotion. Online, business cards on local bulletin boards, craigslist, business cards in your pocket, etc. etc. etc.

I could keep typing, but I'm at work. SHHHH! I hope some of this and the other great advice helps, and GOOD LUCK!!

Created the Facebook page. Is it best to make one in my real name or make it business oriented with my "business name" and profile?

Your business name. If its Mike XXX as your real name, I would call the page Mike XXX Photography.

wud said:

Your business name. If its Mike XXX as your real name, I would call the page Mike XXX Photography.

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Wot Wud said, but perhaps checking there ain't no othe Mike XXX photographers in the area. Michael X would, of course, probably be a No.

I have also started setting up my Zenfolio page. I could use some help with this one. Anyone willing to show me their pages and give me some tips on setup, layout and pricing?

I use Smugmug. I can't help.

Just getting started as well and started using smugmug this year after being on Flickr. Good luck and I will be following this thread.

Mike - have you considered starting as a second shooter in prefer to get exposed in the business? Someone who can take you under their wings as you learn the ropes. Just a suggestion.


Sent from my iPhone.

gqtuazon said:

Mike - have you considered starting as a second shooter in prefer to get exposed in the business? Someone who can take you under their wings as you learn the ropes. Just a suggestion.


Sent from my iPhone.

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I have I just have not physically looked for someone who might allow that. I don't know another single photographer in my area personally.

Mike d90 said:

I have I just have not physically looked for someone who might allow that. I don't know another single photographer in my area personally.

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You dont have to know them. I have a hard time getting my portfolio done but thats what you do - print some of your best stuff, and go around and show while you ask if they could use a hand. Maybe you will hit it of with somebody

wud said:

You dont have to know them. I have a hard time getting my portfolio done but thats what you do - print some of your best stuff, and go around and show while you ask if they could use a hand. Maybe you will hit it of with somebody

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I can't yet seem to even give away my services. I posted on Facebook three days ago that I was giving away three free portrait sessions, this coming February, to the first three local friends that sent me an email as a request. Not one has sent an email. How do you give something . . . free?!?

I am going to hit up my family members to see if I can get some portraits done so I can work on that area of my portfolio.

Patience! People are busy this time of year.