Hello there my dear Steemers :)
If you are into photography as a hobby but wanted to earn money as a family / portrait / wedding photographer, this post is here to help you.
This is my experience, my point of view as a female photographer. I've worked so hard to this point of my life. Photography saved me from social anxiety and gave me self-confidence. Dream big, trust your instincts follow your heart! <3
QUICK INFO
I am 28, an experienced photographer with a demonstrated history of working in the wedding photography industry. This year I am marking 4th birthday of my own photography business.
If you need more inside tips, don't hesitate to contact me. I am here to share my knowledge.
Sometimes... I can't believe how many people I've photographed, how many lifes I've changed and how many memories I've created.
SO, WHERE TO START?
1. First things first - EQUIPMENT!
Quality over quantity. You don't need 10 lenses. You need one good camera body and 1-2 prime lenses for shooting a portrait or family (in the beginning). For example, my first DSLR was Canon 40d + Canon 50 mm f/1.8 (cheap, second hand). This lens taught me how to shoot portraits and weddings (as assistant photographer).
Portrait / Family photography
If you are new to portrait photography, first thing you have to do is to take photos of your friends and family. You have to learn how to talk and how kindly suggest poses to your models. The best and cheapest option for this type of photography is using Canon 50mm f/1.8 lens.
The most important thing while photographing people is patience and tolerance. They expect you to be in a good mood, positive and talkative even if you're in a bad mood and don't feel like doing anything or worse (for girls), to be on your first day of period.
Wedding photography
Weddings are hard work and often very complicated. You have to be everywhere at once. Ask professional local photographer if you can work for them (for free) so you can see how they act in front of clients. If they allow you to shoot weddings with them, you are lucky! This is how I got into wedding business. I fell in love with it! Day by day and they started to pay me as a second shooter!
When shooting a wedding I am mostly using Canon 5d Mark III + Sigma 35mm f/1.4 and Sigma 50mm f/1.4 and for the wedding party, Canon 24mm f/1.4 + Canon flashes.
IMPORTANT!
If you are working alone but want to shoot weddings, you must be aware you're going to need two DSLR bodies, two flashes, few camera batteries, fast memory cards and external back up drives. If something happens to your equipment during the wedding or to your files it's your fault and it is the stress and money you can't afford. Be careful!
2. PORTFOLIO
Your future client need to see what type of photographer are you, how do you work and what is your approach. This means work, work, work. Check out other photographer's work, admire them, don't criticize. Find photography that moves you, LEARN from it.
The easiest way to start building your portfolio is to offer free photo sessions (which got me in the spotlight in my hometown). People talk to people who talk to other people and that's how you get new models or FIRST CLIENTS! Word of mouth is very important and still to this day books my dates.
If you want to focus more on wedding photography, check out Pinterest and search for Styled weddings. Contact your local wedding vendors and try organise one. If that is not working, offer a free photo session to one couple of newly weds in your city.
If you want to focus more on portraits ask local models (new faces) if they want to help build your portfolio in exchange for photographs.
Don't be a dick, pay for a coffee if there is a chance ;)
Be creative, express yourself trough your own photo projects.
(photographs from my second solo exhibition)
3. VISUAL IDENTITY
We, humans, are visual types. Your future clients associate you and your visual identity with feelings. You need to know what is that feeling you want them to feel. For example, I wanted my clients to feel emotions like: being safe, loved, softness, intimacy, creativity.
This is one example of my logo (headliner on my website) which is also printed and engraved on my packages, business cards, thank you notes etc. Logo was designed by Lana Dreams, Croatian graphic designer.
4. WEBSITE & SOCIAL MEDIA
When you have everything ready, it's time to put your photography work online, for a world to see :) Official website is must have. It looks professional even if you are just at the start. And I am not talking about those free Wix sites. You need to decide what is your business name and go with it.
yourname.com
Also, you NEED to have Facebook page and Instagram. Tag people, places, share your photographs on your private account, connect with everyone. Make sure your sites are simple and informative. Easy to use with type of photography you would love to do more in the future. Post your photographs often but don't be a spammer.
5. FREE MARKETING
In my experience, if you don't have any budget at all, offer your services to the local artists in exchange for their service or exposure. Photographing for a local newspaper is also a good start. People will notice you and they will talk about you.
When and if someone uses your photograph on their own social media, make sure they credit you. Be nice and leave them a comment.
Don't forget to share your business cards to everyone your know and fingers crossed! :)
If you want to read and know more about it, let me know.
Love,
S.