Become a photographer!

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Simpo Two

Original Poster:

86,677 posts

271 months

Tuesday 15th November 2022
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Thinking back to those unfortunate family photos discussed recently, I may have found the problem...

https://www.ramseysolutions.com/saving/how-to-make...

Site said:
'21. Become a photographer.
If you have a nice camera and a good eye, snapping a few photos might be just the thing you need to figure out how to make extra money. You can go as all in with this as you want. Maybe you only shoot family sessions and birthday cake smashes on the weekends. Or maybe you decide to start a business as a wedding photographer! The choice really is up to you.'
Sharp-eyed readers will note that it's two places below 'Delivering for Amazon' and one place ahead of 'Washing cars'... nuff said!

_Hoppers

1,329 posts

71 months

Wednesday 16th November 2022
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Is it just in photography whereby when someone gets a camera they think they're a photographer?! Has anyone bought a pencil and ruler then decided to offer architectural services?!

sociopath

3,433 posts

72 months

Wednesday 16th November 2022
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_Hoppers said:
Is it just in photography whereby when someone gets a camera they think they're a photographer?! Has anyone bought a pencil and ruler then decided to offer architectural services?!
I gave up wedding photography in the end as I couldn't compete with "my uncle is taking the photos as he's got a nice camera".

In my last season at wedding fairs I used to respond with "has you auntie got a nice sewing machine, is she making the dress? ".

Most of the brides still didn't get it.

_Hoppers

1,329 posts

71 months

Wednesday 16th November 2022
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sociopath said:
_Hoppers said:
Is it just in photography whereby when someone gets a camera they think they're a photographer?! Has anyone bought a pencil and ruler then decided to offer architectural services?!
I gave up wedding photography in the end as I couldn't compete with "my uncle is taking the photos as he's got a nice camera".

In my last season at wedding fairs I used to respond with "has you auntie got a nice sewing machine, is she making the dress? ".

Most of the brides still didn't get it.
My brother in law's sister got married a few years ago. She got her brother's girlfriend to take the pictures, I realsied that was a bad idea when she turned up using a tripod!

StevieBee

13,362 posts

261 months

Wednesday 16th November 2022
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_Hoppers said:
Is it just in photography whereby when someone gets a camera they think they're a photographer?! Has anyone bought a pencil and ruler then decided to offer architectural services?!
Graphic Design suffers the same. "Download Corel Draw and hey-presto....you're a Graphic Designer!"

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GOwi3x92teo

Riley Blue

21,473 posts

232 months

Wednesday 16th November 2022
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I wrote to the publisher of a one-make motoring magazine asking why a particular model never featured.

His reply was, "If you want to read about it, you write it!" So I did, writing and photographing for around 20 years; eventually becoming motorsport editor and then assistant editor. I didn't make much money but it was hugely enjoyable going to car launches, shows, motorsport events, meeting racing drivers, interviewing team bosses, being flown abroad and enjoying their hospitality.

Derek Smith

46,315 posts

254 months

Wednesday 16th November 2022
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Back in the days of Mamiyaflex, and Voightlander Vito Bs, I helped out a friend who went pro. He had the C3, the Vito B was mine. He was a commercial photographer in the week and did weddings of a weekend, sometimes three in one day. We both would go to the first. I'd take candids outside the church, arrival, milling about, then leaving after which I'd return to the chaps darkroom and develop the films, 24 exposure 120 for him, a couple of cassettes for me. The joy of trying to put a roll on damp spirals! Only a pro could crack that.

He'd go onto the second, return with the rollfilm, dump it outside the door if, and shoot off to the third. He'd then produce the proofs for the first, go off to the wedding breakfast will I produced proofs for the second. He'd return and zoom off to the second. I resume printing, then wander off to the third, normally in the middle of the reception by then. I'd order a table, but someone would always pinch it.

I'd sell some, take the money, then chat up girls and get them to order more. Very hectic, not much fun when there were three, but two was manageable, and with just one, we'd take some at the reception - speeches, bride's first dance with various people, that sort of thing. They sold well and worth the effort.

He'd price the shoot and images according to how much he thought he could get out of them. Get it wrong and he either lost orders of lost possible profit.

Not for me.

My youngest had a party for his kids and ordered a pro photographer. She'd just started out. £75 for 90 mins, images free, prints extra. No way to earn a fortune but, as she said, the gap in bookings was there so needed filling.

Not for me. Too much like hard work for little pay. Mind you, I was impressed by the quality of her images: lots of framing, imaginative, and her patience with the kids was remarkable. She should do well. She needs a website and business plan to really get her going.