Starting up?

[CarlyDonna]

Ok, so i'm not quite sure where to put this, but here goes....

I have just started a photography course online, which in the end will get me a diploma (fingers crossed) I've already done a few assignments, which i have had praise for my pictures, from the teachers, and others...
I have always wanted to become a photographer, ever since i can remember, and it stemed into wanting to do it professionally rather than just for a hobby.

My problem is, i have just moved to Burnley from London, and know NOBODY! I want to get opportunities to take pictures for free, and maybe sell some IF my customers feel they are worth while to sell! I just don't know how to go about this? My boyfriend has offered to help me start my own website, but I'm still not sure on how to get people from this area to let me take pictures of them!

How did you all start out? And do you have any tips for me? I have college Tues and Weds from 6pm til 9pm, so am free every day, every hour apart from then!

Any advice would be much appreciated, thank you!

 

[purpleclouds]

Well there is no easy answer here!! It depends on a million and one variables...so firstly, what area of photography do you wish to specialize in??

A website is probably one of the best means of initially getting your name out there, as it is very low cost compared to most advertising and has literally a world wide reach. I get between 10 -20 unique visitors to my site daily without any other advertising, and little bit of work from it.

Word of mouth however, is probably the best method of advertising, again...totally free, but you need to get one job under your belt before it starts to kick in! It'll snowball over time

I'm working in (and soon possibly running) a studio in Manchester so you would be more than welcome to pop in, Burnley isn't too far on the train!

My paying work is generally the studio stuff and weddings, and I love nature/wildlife photography which I do in my little spare time....one day I hope to do that, so I'm currently looking into agencies to sell photos through...

...so there's a lot to take in without being a bit more specific!!

Phil

 

[CarlyDonna]

Well there is no easy answer here!! It depends on a million and one variables...so firstly, what area of photography do you wish to specialize in??

A website is probably one of the best means of initially getting your name out there, as it is very low cost compared to most advertising and has literally a world wide reach. I get between 10 -20 unique visitors to my site daily without any other advertising, and little bit of work from it.

Word of mouth however, is probably the best method of advertising, again...totally free, but you need to get one job under your belt before it starts to kick in! It'll snowball over time

I'm working in (and soon possibly running) a studio in Manchester so you would be more than welcome to pop in, Burnley isn't too far on the train!

My paying work is generally the studio stuff and weddings, and I love nature/wildlife photography which I do in my little spare time....one day I hope to do that, so I'm currently looking into agencies to sell photos through...

...so there's a lot to take in without being a bit more specific!!

Phil

Wow Phil that would be amazing, just to see what goes on would be more than enough for me!

Well i love People & Portraits. I have taken a few of the boyfriends family this summer, and am proud of how a few of them have turned out. And for assignments i have done motorcross, and plants and wildlife aswell as Scenery. So yeah a wide variety, i don't think i've had much experince as to decide which i prefer yet. Like i say, i would just like someone to let me take pictures of their event, whether it be a party, wedding, or just having the family over for tea! Atleast i can get experience and know what I'm letting myself in for!

I would also love for a professional to take me under their wing and teach me the ropes! However unlikey that may be, the best method of learning, is by examining others i feel!

So i shall get the website up and running, and pop in on you sometime!

 

[totalfusion]

Wow Phil that would be amazing, just to see what goes on would be more than enough for me!

Well i love People & Portraits. I have taken a few of the boyfriends family this summer, and am proud of how a few of them have turned out. And for assignments i have done motorcross, and plants and wildlife aswell as Scenery. So yeah a wide variety, i don't think i've had much experince as to decide which i prefer yet. Like i say, i would just like someone to let me take pictures of their event, whether it be a party, wedding, or just having the family over for tea! Atleast i can get experience and know what I'm letting myself in for!

I would also love for a professional to take me under their wing and teach me the ropes! However unlikey that may be, the best method of learning, is by examining others i feel!

So i shall get the website up and running, and pop in on you sometime!

Sounds like a great offer and a good starting point - don't forget the free C&C on the forum though ...

 

[CarlyDonna]

Sounds like a great offer and a good starting point - don't forget the free C&C on the forum though ...

Oh yes! I've been lurking around this site for quite some time! And have posted a few pictures, which i have recieved C&C on!

 

[Chrispix]

Hi Carly....

Good place to start is by just getting word out to friends that you are doing portraits. Kids are always a great subject, because parents invariably can't resist pictures of their kids. Take them, then print them on really good quality paper and frame and mount. Their friends see the portrait and you get a follow on job, this time charge. Word of mouth will get you further jobs. Well, it worked for me.

I live just down the road from you in Accrington. I'm in the process of looking to rent a unit in the area for a studio. You'd be more than welcome to use it when it's up and running. I also have a friend in Rawtenstall, also just up the road... who has a studio which i'm sure he'd be happy for you to visit and maybe use for the odd shoot.

The web site is a good idea... after a shoot, I tend to upload images to my site and then email a link to the prospective customer to view the images.... it does help to sell your work.

I do get a reasonable amount of work through portrait and weddings and it all started by taking portraits for free and giving prints to people who then spread the word. Same with weddings.... first few free, now i turn them down.

 

[Chrispix]

Also... do you have a flickr account? Good to upload your best stuff to flickr.... and then keep promoting your flickr to your mates and people you meet. If you have a facebook account, it supports flickr really well, so when you upload to flickr it posts it on facebook for you. Self promotion..... shameless, but effective.

 

[chouglez]

Can you give some details about the course please? I am planning to do one of these and gathering some info before I go and pay my hard earned dosh

Woud you recommend it to anyone and how would you rate it on a scale of 10?

 

[pxl8]

Two things that worked well for me in terms of a freebie in exchange for promotion are the local arts centre/drama groups where I cover all their productions and a local band who take me along to gigs as often as I want, they also pay me for some commercial stuff such as album covers, posters, etc. Both have given me the chance to meet and speak to a lot of people but without the "cold call" feeling you normally have and both have led to further paid work.

 

[CarlyDonna]

Also... do you have a flickr account? Good to upload your best stuff to flickr.... and then keep promoting your flickr to your mates and people you meet. If you have a facebook account, it supports flickr really well, so when you upload to flickr it posts it on facebook for you. Self promotion..... shameless, but effective.

Thank you also Chris! I just need to watch to begin with, get to know whats going on, and then butt in and take a few shots myself. I agree with what your saying, word of mouth is the best option. I just need to find my first "guinea pig" as it were... And then the ball can start rolling. When you next do a shot let me know, and i would love to watch you at work. Same as Phil! I'll concentrate on this website over the next few days and upload all my exisiting shots, and tell everyone i know to pass along the URL!

 

[purpleclouds]

Thank you also Chris! I just need to watch to begin with, get to know whats going on, and then butt in and take a few shots myself. I agree with what your saying, word of mouth is the best option. I just need to find my first "guinea pig" as it were... And then the ball can start rolling. When you next do a shot let me know, and i would love to watch you at work. Same as Phil! I'll concentrate on this website over the next few days and upload all my exisiting shots, and tell everyone i know to pass along the URL!

I'm usually in the studio Weds-Friday, with weddings and events at weekends

Got a couple of model shoots coming up which are 'on location' too so I'll let you know when I know more!

With your website, be as critical as you can with your own images...too many and people will get bored, not enough then you can't show experience...so judge your best ones, and try and set an amount to have in your galleries.

I can only echo what has already been said really...don't be afraid to ring groups etc, explain your situation and don't be afraid of them saying no. For everyone 10 that do, you will get 1 that says yes and thats all it takes!

 

[Chrispix]

Thank you also Chris! I just need to watch to begin with, get to know whats going on, and then butt in and take a few shots myself. I agree with what your saying, word of mouth is the best option. I just need to find my first "guinea pig" as it were... And then the ball can start rolling. When you next do a shot let me know, and i would love to watch you at work. Same as Phil! I'll concentrate on this website over the next few days and upload all my exisiting shots, and tell everyone i know to pass along the URL!

Also Carly

Have you thought about putting a portfolio up on a site like www.net-model.com
You can put yourself a photographer profile on for free and then post on the forum for TFCD of TFP work to build a portfolio and get some experience and images.

There are a few models listed in burnley and surrounding areas that have little or no experience that are just looking for shoots. The advantage that you have is that you are a female tog and that is a reasonably rare thing. You may find that models will be throwing themselves at you because you're female and they don't have a lot of experience... may feel more comfortable, safe, confident being shot by another woman. Just a thought to get you some guinea pigs.

As for coming along to a shoot with me, as soon I have something suitable for you to come along and watch i'll pm you and see what we can sort out. I'll speak to my mate at the studio and see what's booked in and see what we can sort out there too.

There are some superb locations around Burnley for shoots, plenty to shoot just to keep your hand in if you wanna get out with the camera.

 

[CarlyDonna]

Can you spare some details about the course please? I am planning to do one of these and gathering some info before I go and pay my hard earned dosh

Woud you recooment it to anyone and how would you rate it on a scale of 10?

The course is great, its with Stare Photography and they give you an online book in which you can read through yourself, which also means that you can take aslong as you want to do it! Every assignment you get, you have 4 or 5 briefs. Once you have done these and are happy, you upload your best shot to their website, which inturn they comment on, and add to your own personal page within the course. At the end you have a page full of your best photos and you get a Diploma!

 

[CarlyDonna]

Thank you Phil and Chris, I've taken on board what you have said! I think once i get the site up and running i will give you the link for some positive criticism! (if any!)

I agree, Burnley is such a lovely place to look at. The boyfriend has offered to take me for a drive soon, so i can try and capture the beauty of it!

I never thought about models, and i totally agree with what your saying about them maybe being more comfortable with a female photographer. I've decided that myspace might be my best bet with bands, I'll see if there are any local ones and message as many as i can!

Many thanks to you for your great advice, and i hope to see you sometime soon!

 

[KIPAX]

Wow.. East lancs is a real hotbed of photgraphers.. thats three I know of from Accy on here

 

[CarlyDonna]

So i took your advice, and i messaged about 20 bands on myspace from Burnley and the surrounding areas. I finally got an email from a band in Burnley

"Im actually in a band thats looking for some coverage and we need some profile shots taken. If you're interested you could add me on my other myspace. I could get in touch with you about it?"

So my first opportunity! I hope i don't mess it up! I've told others about this, but they don't seem so excited... It's a biggie for me!

 

[KIPAX]

bands? you want bands in our area... ddint realise ... try this website.. guy who runs it lives in accy.

www.northwestbands.co.uk

I did a couple of bands... didnt really get into it.. I think I am too old

 

[CarlyDonna]

bands? you want bands in our area... ddint realise ... try this website.. guy who runs it lives in accy.

www.northwestbands.co.uk

I did a couple of bands... didnt really get into it.. I think I am too old

Awwww your never too old!

Yeah well anything whilst just starting out is good for me! I'm just nervous my pictures wont be as good as they want them to be! :shrug:

 

[KIPAX]

Awwww your never too old!

Yeah well anything whilst just starting out is good for me! I'm just nervous my pictures wont be as good as they want them to be! :shrug:

too old to listen to the stuff they play. and the volume

If your doing things like rock bands.. dont use flash.. just do em noisy and rough.