Photographers Out There???

[nun69]

that have prints printed professionally and maybe do some on the side studio photographs? here are my questions:

1. how did you get started?
2. where did you get your studio stuff {lights, props, backdrops, etc}
3. where do you get your prints printed?
4. what are your prices {if you don't mind me asking}
5. do you do any re-touching, etc

thanks in advance for any help :) and advice :)

[DawnMarch]

I am taking a (possibly permanent) break from my biz right now for personal reasons, but

1. I read everything I possibly could about photography for about 2 years -- just because I love photography and wanted to know more about it, not because I was planning to go into business. I started improving the pictures of my kids and when friends began asking me to photograph their kids, I started thinking about doing it as business. I started doing some photography for friends, set up a website and told everyone I knew that I was in business. Business came in from friends and friends-of-friends and then mostly spread by word-of-mouth and by people finding me through my website.
2. Lights from Alien Bees; BGs mostly from Silverlake; I didn't use props really -- just some seats, benches, baskets that I picked up at various places (pier1, joanne's, etc.). I did a lot of on-location environmental portraiture, so often did not use lights or BGs at all, which is how I prefer it since I hate setting up all that stuff.
3. WHCC
4. I charged a $200 session fee for up to 4 people, then $25 for each addt'l person. My prints ranged from $35 minimum up to (um, can't remember! but over $100 for larger prints). Album of all shots was $800. [weddings and events were priced differently]
5. yes, I retouched every shot.

[jovi_girl]

Im pretty similar to Dawn actually.

Im possibly taking a permanent break from photography (new baby and just generally over it) but i started out working for a childrens photography studio. They did all on the job training, and i learnt alot about kids and posing. But i really learnt nothing about the camera or lighting as it was always set to the same exposure.

So after a few years of working there, i realised i hated the sort of photography i was doing. So i started reading everything i could and worked out what MY style was as opposed to the crap i was being forced to shoot.

Then i started doing some shoots for friends and family. They reccommended me to people and so on. I never had a website. I just had a blog as it was never intended to be a business...more just something i did for fun, but then i somehow kept getting asked to do more and more shoots.

I never bought studio stuff. My thing is natural light...i think i just wanted to get as far away from "studio" as possible after working in one for a million years.

I never printed pictures either. I used to charge a flat rate of $200 for my time and then id give them a disc of the photos and they could print them to their hearts content. (keep in mind, i was working full time and doing this "business" on the side so i needed to keep things simple for me)

And yep, i edited every photo (very time consuming) especially cos my thing is natural light black and whites...

Good luck!

[Beth Swann]

I'm just sorta getting started myself. I'm a few months into the process of establishing myself.

1. I did the same in terms of reading everything I could get my hands on...most importantly the camera's manual. I am taking a class at our local community college and plan to keep taking all the classes I can. Go into Photography forums and blogs and read, read, read...ask other photographers you may know about their experience and recommendations, etc.

2. I haven't purchased any lights for a studio yet but when I do, I'll probably get it at AlienBees.com, too. However, I did purchase some sturdy fabric as backdrops. Still haven't ventured too far into it financially in this aspect.

3. I also just give a CD of the images. I let people print where they want, mostly because if I were a client, that's what I'd appreciate and want the most from a photographer if I were the client.

4. Since I'm so new, my prices are pretty low. Right now, my prices start at $50 for 1.5 hour session with 4 edits of their choosing. I give them the CD of the entire session and include one sample edit. Then they let me know which poses/pictures they like best for me to edit and then it's $10 for each additional edit if they would like more. I take around 120 pictures so there's no way I'm going to edit ALL of those. LOL!

5. Absolutely edit....I don't know a photographer who doesn't!

Good luck! And thanks for starting this thread....I'd love to hear what others are doing or have done.

[putri]

I'm just an amateur but maybe one day I might do work for money... we'll see :) I'm not very confident with my skills.

Printing... I use WHCC. I use WHCC for my digital pages too.
Learning... On my own and college classes. I work for a university (with a pretty good photography program) so it's one of my benefits to be able to take classes for free. Read the manual and there are tons of websites with tips and challenges. I always learn something every time I pick up my camera.
Fee... I dunno, I am not into that right now, but our family photographer charges $75/hr and then a la carte for the photos. I think if I were to charge I'd start at $50/hr and then look at other people's prices for a la carte photos and average it out.
Purchasing... I buy through a company that only sells to students/faculty. The rep comes to campus once a semester. They have some sweet discounts. I do also buy from Calumet, B&H and Adorama. For props, I'd pick stuff up from antique stores/flea markets or Etsy. I haven't used them tho cause I'm still an amateur :P I'm just stalking my girls right now he he...
Editing... yes, I do. I like to set my camera up to the best exposure but I do a lot of manipulating in either Lightroom and/or Photoshop.