The 'I wanna be a pro photographer' thread

**One Sock** · 10-01-2012, 02:04pm

Thanks S, that is good food for thought. What was swaying me towrds the disc offering was that no other photographers in my area seem to offer this. Maybe that is because it is not as lucrative though!

I guess as I get more experience of building my portfolio and a better appreciation for how long the editing process takes it will help shape my thinking. I guess offering both is a good compromise! How do you go about sourcing print suppliers? Are there any good online ones you can recommend?

**scatterbrain** · 16-01-2012, 07:29pm

My problem with disk is it seems to me to be a lot more work - everything needs to be edited to a much higher level. But then lots of photographers are doing it. It does make the initial outlay seem expencive, though, as not many people appreciate just how long it takes to fine edit 30+ photo's.

It's worth looking at the photography mags for reviews/recommendations. Other than that, lots of people go to trade shows, but there aren't any near me. You will need a pro lab for prints rather than a consumer lab (it really does make a difference). The first thing I did was to send a pic I was really happy with to 6 printers & compared the quality. Try Loxley, Peak Imaging & a few others. Other than that, it depends what else you plan to offer.

**One Sock** · 18-01-2012, 09:47pm

Thanks Scatterbrain. I need to do a bit more thinking about disk vs prints. Lucky I haven't got any paying customers yet really! Have got a few friends lined up to do free shots so might do a bit of market research with them to see what sort of format they might prefer/would be willing to pay for.

Also need to get some kind of logo made up. Am thinking there must be links on Flickr from people who will design one for you for a fee? Are they expensive generally in your experience?

**Diddlum** · 18-01-2012, 10:04pm

Logos - I paid $40 for mine (about £25). It was a pre-made one, from a lady I found on Flickr: http://www.flickr.com/photos/3079763...7623240548237/ She's only got one on there at the moment though! Just do a search on Flickr, and also on Etsy, there are lots of people doing logos. Also look for Isabelle Lafrance on Facebook. Or maybe Google her.

There's a group on Flickr called Natural Light Child Photography which is pretty useful, but very American. http://www.flickr.com/groups/naturallightchild/discuss/ And this one about just starting out, not sure what this one is like but worth a look probably: http://www.flickr.com/groups/jsochildphotography/

**scatterbrain** · 19-01-2012, 08:08am

I just made my own to start with & updated it a couple of years ago. One day I might buy one, but don't think it's necessary quite yet.

**One Sock** · 19-01-2012, 08:34am

Thanks Diddlum, will check them out. Scatterbrain, didn't think of doing one myself, but actually think there is a section on how to in the giant PSE book I have bought. If I really cock it up can always look into buying one!

**One Sock** · 24-04-2012, 02:59pm

Right, have now got myself a logo and am in the process of sorting out a website. Have done a couple of free portfolio building shoots for friends and am planning to stick an ad up on Netmums offering half price newborn sessions to help build my portfolio there.

I have found some model release forms online but am a bit stumped on putting together T&Cs. Anyone have any recs or any they would be willing to share?

**lisa82** · 25-04-2012, 06:22pm

Cant add anything as i havent done it but will be keeping any eye out as

i might be able to set something up next year

**scatterbrain** · 25-04-2012, 08:29pm

sounds like you're getting on really well. Most of your work to start with will come from friends & referals so don't worry if you don't get much from advertising on net mums (it works for some & not for others). But offering half price newborn sessions for portfolio building seems like a good idea.

**One Sock** · 26-04-2012, 08:31am

Thanks both. Scatterbrain I'm in two minds about advertising. Think I will do something on Netmums or similar to try and help with portfolio building as I have only done one newborn shoot so far. Not sure if I will bother with much else. There is a free family magazine for my area that a lot of photographers seem to advertise in, but not sure if it will be worth it. I am planning on offering a shoot as a prize in R's school fete raffle and may also ask to leave some cards/postcards in a couple of local shops. Plus may also approach a few nurseries and pre-schools.

Just feel like I don't have enough hours in the day at the moment! L naps for about an hour a day so just trying to cram everything into that time!