How to become a photographer on the side?

[retronymical]

AMA,

how does one become a photographer on the side? How do I know what to include in a wedding/family portrait/senior portrait package? Where do I go to get business? What equipment do I need? How do I know how much to charge? How to do prints/where to do them?

Is there a site for this information? I have searched google and come up with ehow

Comments

[crassy]

1. Make sure you can take photos

[retronymical]

I have 2+ years training in college and a nice digital camera, perhaps I will edit the top post. Thanks for your help. Also, it's not that I personally don't know how to do prints--I don't have my own printer.

[crassy]

Yeah, that's neat and all, but you need experience and probably more than just a 'nice digital camera'.

[retronymical]

I get that and I didn't mean to make you mad. I do want experience, which is why little/nonpaying gigs would be nice. I was just asking for help, not to be criticized.

[lisasimpsonfan]

1. Learn from others mistakes. http://youarenotaphotographer.com/
2. Take some photography courses. Some art courses will help as well because you need to understand how to put together a good portrait if you want to be a professional.
3. Practice, practice, practice. Have your friends and family be your guinea pigs and set up practice shoots with them.
4. After you get a portfolio started try contacting professionals in the area to see if you can get an apprenticeship or work photographer's assistant. Don't expect much pay or anything great but you need to learn the business.
5. Go visit #1 again to make sure you didn't pick up any bad habits.
6. If you still want to be a photographer after working in the business start small. Start with little jobs and work up. Even experienced pros mess up if they get in over their head.

[bkmichele]

That is a funny website!

[retronymical]

Thank you. I have already done the above and I do have a portfolio/I have 2+ years in photography training. I'm just wondering how to get the jobs, since I already have the skills and I love photographing people.

[lisasimpsonfan]

I would look into getting an apprenticeship. Most photographers need an extra hand when doing a wedding or other event and it will give you some exposure to the business side. I would also look into building a website, getting some business cards printed with the site so people can see your work and look at setting up a booth at local bridal and baby expos. That's a hard way to drum up business but it will get your name out there.

[mrflagg]

step one ... be born hot in Canada
step two ... move to the US and marry a marine
step three thru step 400 .... ???
step 401 ... profit

[ink_smear]

Dude, you got that ENTIRELY incorrect. DO NOT MARRY THE MARINE. Abort, abort!

[crassy]

Haha! I was going to correct him but thought I would wait for you to do it. :)

[ink_smear]

Thank you. It was quite satisfying.

[neuroticsquirrl]

My cousin's started out small with an expensive digital camera and slowly converted her garage into a studio and is now doing quite well for herself, specializing in maternity photography. She just started out by getting a camera and advertising on Facebook and Craig's List. I think it helped that she chose to specialize in a particular thing. She had a blog with samples of her best photos.

[xnikki118x]

First think about why you want to be a photographer. Is it something you love or does it seem like an easy paycheck? If it's the latter, stop right there and do something else. If it's the former, read the above posts and take their advice.

[retronymical]

I want to do it on the side/as a hobby. I in no way think that photography is an easy paycheck--on the contrary, I don't think it is. I love photography and I want to be able to afford more equipment as well as taking photos of/for other people.

[xnikki118x]

Sounds like your head is in the right place at least. =) Good luck!