Call for comments ...

Posted by Ken McCoy (Orlando-Daytona Beach, FL, United States) on 31 January 2008 in Miscellaneous.

I have a question - has anyone considered making the leap from doing friends' pix for free to "going pro"? Even as a part time job? What are the issues, and if you have done so, what are the rewards/shortcomings?

Since this is a "photo" blog, I have touched up a photo of actors for today's post, since theatrical and headshot photography would be my specialty should I hang a shingle out. (Don't worry - I won't be quitting my day job any time soon).

I would welcome any advice yea or nay - I only ask that longer responses be sent to my email so as to not take up too much space on the am3 server. For brevity, say on .... :)

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Comments (6)

Scott B from Houston, TX, United States

I really liked your shots of Alyssa. How well received were you with her photos? In my opinion, if I were her or a family member, I'd gladly pay for your services. The majority of your photos are great. Some, boring (just my opinion.) By some, I mean very few.

Prepare a portfolio and ask Alyssa or others about their opinions. Ask a neutral party to collect and analyze honest feedback. Hook up with a marketing program at a local college or university and see if they would give you feedback on how to proceed with promoting your business concept.

Do you have the talent and skills? Absolutely! Again, I have you on my RSS feed for a reason. And it wasn't because Alyssa is cute. Its because you are a good photographer and I like to study the best so I can be better.

31 Jan 2008 6:40am

@Scott B: Everyone seems to really like Alyssa's photos. Thanks for the supportive comments!

Steven from Montreal, Canada

I think your theatre series and some of your beach shots look professional but can't advise on whether turning pro makes sense or not. The beauty about photography is that it can be done part-time at the start and you could build up to making it a full time job.

31 Jan 2008 9:34am

@Steven: I don't think it will ever be full-time - I'm just looking for a way to supplement income and pay for more equipment :)

Daniel from Scranton, United States

Hmm well that depends..... I recently started accepting money for what I do and found that I spent less time photographing thethings I wanted too and more time photographing things that payed me money. It has been a struggle to still do the things that I have always done for the joy of creating art becasue most people don't want art they want silly pictures of people they love in focus... LOL

31 Jan 2008 10:00am

@Daniel: That is my fear as well. Thanks for your opinion!

Jason Kravitz from Brussels, Belgium

Good discussion Ken. In my opinion turning pro does not have to be such a transitional definitive moment. I think the problem with many talented amateur photographers is they do not value their services enough to ask for money. I already assumed that you were working as a paid photographer shooting promotional images of these plays.

When looking at any business you have to offer something of value to people. It seems that your high quality photos of actors performing is a good start. You may face a challenge because you have probably been giving away your photos for years so asking these people to pay could be a challenge.

Still, you have something that many amateurs do not, which is access to a niche market. You should consider this heavily in your decision process.

good luck!

31 Jan 2008 10:09am

@Jason Kravitz: Thanks for assuming I was already being paid :) In fact, I am a college professor of theatre who believes in preserving our work through photography. One of my colleagues thinks that might be an advantage when it comes to helping others archive their productions, and an aesthetic a "regular" photographer might not share. I will probably never charge my students for headshot photos, as that might be a conflict of interest ... but there are plenty of aspiring actors around who need that service - and again, as I have perused thousands of headshot photos at countless auditions, I think I have a good idea of what makes them work - both angles do make a good niche. Thanks!

Viewfinder from Bradenton, United States

From my experience... I started off as a hobbyist. Then I did weddings. It took my hobby to a business level. Made what was fun into work and worry. I took another path and quit photographing weddings or taking pay for photos. I enjoy photography again. If I ever wanted to go pro, I'd probably want to do things other than portraits for hire. But National Geographic and their like don't want me. Heh. That's ok, too.

All this is to say, ask yourself how committed you'd be to the grind of getting started and staying in business once you do.

31 Jan 2008 12:52pm

@Viewfinder: Thanks, VF. I really do enjoy theatrical and portrait photography - not so much wedding photography. I used to sing at weddings, and it was often a big hassle getting paid. Plus weddings are very tense for me - I don't really even like going to them. Even though that's where the money is, I will be keeping my day job and shooting what I like part time - whether for money or on a "time for CD" basis. Thanks for sharing!

Jen from Alpharetta, United States

I say semi-professional...if you are not quitting your day job, do the portraits on the side and get paid for helping actors get their headshots and pictures together for interviews...don't make it an all or nothing thing. Have your work and your students speak for you and see how it works out. Hope that helps...and btw I really like your collage...cool stuff!!

31 Jan 2008 11:49pm

@Jen: Amen to that! Thanks for noticing the Photoshop magic :)

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