How did you get started?

[Steven Lam]

I want to become a real Photographer shooting engagement pictures or portrait or beautiful girls. Would someone please share your experience on how to get into the industry?

In a more realistic term, how do I become someone's weekend assistance for now?

Anyone looking for a helper in Southern California here?

Thanks!!

--



Steven
K20d, k100d, Tamron 17-50, FA77, Kenko 1.5xTC, Metz 48, Domke F-5Xb

 

[LuzArt]

Stephen,

Try this website: http://www.modelmayhem.com

It's a melting pot of photographers, models and hair and make-up artists.

Start out doing TFCD - Time For CD, a free way of you getting a model to shoot, a free way for a model to get photos of themselves.

It's a worldwide site. Check out my profile on there http://www.modelmayhem.com/luzartphotography to see my shoots so far.

Good luck,

Ben
--
http://www.luzartphotography.com
http://www.modelmayhem.com/luzartphotography
http://luzart.blogspot.com

 

[MikeChip]

Bookmarked

Mike

 

[hermanlee]

Hi Steven,

I see your profile and you are in LA.
What city are you at?

Not too many pentaxians here. So far I've only met one girl and she's almost near OC.

Maybe we can meet sometimes since I am also looking for a chance to learn more for wedding photography. Who knows we can learn together if you're interested.

--
'SEE BEYOND WHAT YOU SEE'

'I will treasure every moment in my life!'
Herman

 

[dotnik]

I want to become a real Photographer shooting engagement pictures or
portrait or beautiful girls.

1. Find some beautiful girls.
2. Get some Hasselblad equipment.

3. If you can't afford Hasselblad then don't worry. You still have those beautiful girls. ;-) ;-) ;-)

Seriously I think it is a great plan. This is how I got into event photography. It may not turn you into a photo artist but besides getting some new skills it will defenitely keep your images at a higher level consistently and so if will improve your images generally. Good luck.

--
.......
Have a nice day (a picture is worth a thousand words)
Jim

dotnik:
'Don't overestimate technology - nothing is knowledgefree'

 

[dotnik]

You should be confident with post processing at a serious level before entering into event territory. There is no time to educate you and you will not have the time to learn new techniques while processing images from actual sessions. That is something you must do in between sessions.

The improvement I was talking about is about your subjects. Things like spotting scenes, being in the right position, composition, anticipation, waiting for the right moment and qualtiy of the light.

I want to become a real Photographer shooting engagement pictures or
portrait or beautiful girls.

1. Find some beautiful girls.
2. Get some Hasselblad equipment.
3. If you can't afford Hasselblad then don't worry. You still have
those beautiful girls. ;-) ;-) ;-)

Seriously I think it is a great plan. This is how I got into event
photography. It may not turn you into a photo artist but besides
getting some new skills it will defenitely keep your images at a
higher level consistently and so if will improve your images
generally. Good luck.

--
.......
Have a nice day (a picture is worth a thousand words)
Jim

dotnik:
'Don't overestimate technology - nothing is knowledgefree'

--
.......
Have a nice day (a picture is worth a thousand words)
Jim

dotnik:
'Don't overestimate technology - nothing is knowledgefree'

 

[mactrash]

The most important is to understand copyright / usage right etc. and don't just drop the price to damage the market.

good luck

http:/ tinyurl.com/ltowqe
--
http://www.hkphoto.com

 

[Robert Daley]

I am not a professional wedding photographer, but my weddings (a half dozen per year) have paid for all of my Pentax equipment. I forward lots of wedding opportunities to a pro friend of mine.

How did I get started?

Traditionally my wedding present to friends who get married is a nice framed 8"x10" and two framed 5"x7"'s. If they are really good friends, I'd give them a leatherette album too with 24 - 5"x7"'s.

I was at a friend's wedding five years ago doing my wedding gift bit when the hired pro (using Nikon FE2's) approached me at the reception and said that he'd just realized that his main camera was malfunctioning. "How much do you want for copies of your prints?"

"Zip," I said. I'll give then to you if you will ley me tag along as the second shooter at some of your weddings. We worked about eight weddings together. He started paying me $125 as the second shooter afre the third wedding together. I was using a Pentax MX (never, ever worried about dust) and mostly an M-35 f/2 and my (sweet) K-50 f/1.2 with two Sunpak 544 flash units.

This has never been my "day job." I have a really good "day job." The weddings with him were never work. I enjoyed every minute. I learned a lot.

By the eighth wedding, I ventured out on my own. He sent me some weddings (often tough ones, or weddings that he didn't have time to do). After overhead costs, I net $500-$700 per wedding. I also do outdoor bridal portraits (started this with a Pentax 67 and 90mm lens).

Two years ago I transitioned from film to digital. It was tough. You must be a lot more careful with exposure and camera settings. Lots and lots of film/digital pros and cons.

I really love adapting and thinking on my feet.

My advice?

Get out of your comfort zone. Develop a small "people-based" portfolio. Approach a medium-level pro and get some time in as a second shooter. Budget your time and expenses well.

You'll ver quickly learn that the camera/photography skill part of the overall equation is only part of total business. You must enjoy people. You must stick to your prices and be prepared to walk away. Trust your gut instincts. Get deposits up front. And be prepared to regularly swallow your pride.

Oh yeah. Don't quit your day job.

Good luck.

PS - Your Pentax equipment is plenty, plenty good enough.

PSS - If I did photography as my primary occupation, I'd get burned out very quickly. I never want this to happen.

--
Bob :O)

-----------------------------------------

'I don't know if we each have a destiny - or if we're just floating around accidental-like on a breeze. Maybe it's both. Maybe both are happening at the same time. I miss you Jenny. If you ever need anything, I won't be far away.' Forrest Gump

 

[Steven Lam]

Thank you all for your advice.

My in-laws is engaged & will be married in a year. So, they will be my first portfolio. Yet, I still love to become a second shooter just to get learn from the Pro.

I don't care about the money, because it'll never be enough to support the family. I don't intend to make this my career either. Just want to improve my skills & make some pocket money for lens & etc. That's all.

I live in temple City, Los Angeles, CA. Feel free to email me if anyone want to gang up for a photo outing, or need a second shooter.

I am willing to do it for "free" ... depend on event, your expectation & my schedule. Well, tips or changes are always welcome if I am helpful.

[email protected]

I don't check my email daily. So, please contact me in advance. Thanks.

--



Steven
K20d, k100d, Tamron 17-50, FA50/1.7, FA77, Kenko 1.5xTC, Metz 48, Domke F-5Xb

 

[kotm14]

At the risk of sounding boring, there are also some good books.

They won't substitute for practice or tagging along with a pro, but there is a lot of info available - often on specific markets (weddings, stock, commercial etc.)

Here are a couple (read reviews etc. to see if they're right for you):

The Business of Studio Photography: How to Start and Run a Successful Photography Studio (Edward Lilley)

Profitable Photography in the Digital Age (Dan Heller)

 

[KRG1953]

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