One of my co-workers, Lisa, noticed an article in a local paper about a photography studio that was voted best in that particular town; it included a picture. She looked at it and thought that some pictures I'd taken recently of my friend's (Betsy) kids which I'd shown her were much better.

She point blank asked me why I don't just start a photography business, why don't I actively search out positions, sell myself, etc., etc.

That's a good question!

Let's examine the pros & cons:

Pros

I'd love my job
There'd be less stress at work
I'd enjoy what I'm doing
I wouldn't have to deal with some unpleasant folks at my present job anymore

Cons

- the expense
-- renting a place, advertising, set up, insurance
- I seriously don't think I'm good enough
-- should take classes (again, the expense)
- need a zoom lens
- I get along great with kids & animals, but adults, not so good sometimes!
- I have a VERY hard time promoting myself
- I'm not very organized

Hmmm...

There are definitely a lot of cons to starting a photography business. You really have to love it. My dad had his own photography business for 20 years and he both loved and hated it at times. You really have to love people, more than anything!

There are a lot of ways to start a photography business that do not have to be all or nothing at the beginning which will help with the cost.

-- the expense
-- renting a place, advertising, set up, insurance (don’t rent a place at first get serious and fast acting on getting a good website going and invest some money here) get a good ecommerce tool set up on that web site so you can sell easily on the site)
- I seriously don't think I'm good enough – THIS IS YOUR SINGLE BIGGEST HURDLE!!!!! You are good!
-- should take classes (again, the expense) – Plan to take one just one – then you can say you are “staying current with photography trends with ongoing education”
- need a zoom lens – Christmas is coming – get all your friends to chip in instead of getting more random Harry Potter, Candles, a nice smelling stuff
- I get along great with kids & animals, but adults, not so good sometimes! – so? You work with adults now and you have a friend who would gladly help part time with things.
- I have a VERY hard time promoting myself – YES SO COMMIT TO IT and start small; the idea of quitting your job and opening a business is a long short unless you plan on taking out a loan or have a money tree that you have not shared with me.
- I'm not very organized: You need a helper *raising hand*

Steps I would suggest: because I am bossy like this:

1.Get a new website up with the ability to sell photos from there – I would think this is THE most important step. Sure it is an investment but a hell of a lot cheaper than renting a space - go with a professional designer – mid level nothing crazy. You know what you like contact some of the designers of those sites for quotes.
2.Once you have this you can list with photographer websites associations or whatever they are called.
3.Get yourself out there at the FALL CRAFT FAIRS!!!!!!!
4.Flyer a 1000 cars
5.Get everyone you know with a blog to link to you
6.Contact local art galleries and ask what the policies are for showing work (your helper can help with this)

You do know that I was browsing through your flickr account the other day looking for pictures to decorate my house with, right? And that I already own some pictures of yours that I plan to hang? So, excuse the harshness, but you need to get over the not good enough thing. And listen to Michelle.

OK....I think you can do it.....

maybe find a partner (an adult you DO get a long with - lol) and this person possibly could pick up where you "strengths" arent and vice versa!!!

Im a genius...I know.....but you can tell me anyway if you like!

Let's eliminate a few of the cons real quick:

-- I seriously don't think I'm good enough
> You're just WRONG about that and everyone that sees your photos will back me up on that.

-- should take classes (again, the expense)
> You think you need classes, because you THINK you aren't good enough, which isn't true (see above). And I like Michelle's idea - plan to take just one.

-- I get along great with kids & animals, but adults, not so good sometimes!
> This doesn't count as a con because you have to deal with adult people everywhere, including your current job.

-- I have a VERY hard time promoting myself
> Definitely start with a website and a printed portfolio. You can use them as "talking aids" when you have to self-promote.

I think your photos are great! Why not start doing it on the side? (Photography, I mean! you grubby girl!)

I think your photos are great! Why not start doing it on the side? (Photography, I mean! you grubby girl!)

you will be getting a bunch of exposure with this dog rescue site... who says you need a storefront? go with an online setup for starters... what was that link you sent me a while ago? you could so sell your stuff... set up a cafepress site and do select shots as notecards, etc. it's getting to be craft fair season again, that's another way to get some exposure. talk to local businesses and see if they'd be willing to sell some shots as (again) notecards, etc. put some business cards at local bridal shops, decor stores, etc.

baby steps.

I have been telling you this for some time now! You could totally do it. You just have that natural talent. Just think, you could work for yourself. There would be no evil empire to report to everyday!

I agree with Laura. Find somebody who can handle the business/marketing aspects of this new venture and give yourself the time you need to be creative, artful, and even better than you already are. I think so many artists don't get to pursue their first love b/c of the business side of making a living off of what you love and are passionate about.
find that person.....!

I keep telling you, set up a table at a craft fair or some other cheap venue. I see photographers there all the time selling stuff in mats and not frames. Do your landscapes.

Is there not some 'safe', for lack of a better word, alternative to diving headfirst into the photography career? The internet should be able to be somewhat of a marketable venue, it still involves you doing alot of self promotion. Can you look for smaller jobs to do, etc to build up a portfolio to help you get jobs? I think its great to pursue what makes one happy especially if you can eventually make a living doing it but I wouldn't let the fear of dumping everything and going for it stop you from taking small steps right now.

lovey-dove, you can do it! You just need someone to kick in in the butt *kick*

I never ever thought that my web design thing would turn into an actual business with actual clients and actual profits. I still doubt my talent, I think everyone does. But you can do it. Look how far you've come already.

Hi,
You do have some very nice photographs shown here :)

I think Michelle is right! You're totally good enough. And the Intertron can help you out...a virtual storefront means very little overhead, after all. Right? :)

Sure, take a class if you're so inclined. And start little, as a side business.

*thinks*

I know that with crafts it sometimes helps if you have a "gimmick" you can use to hook people and get them to explore your site. (Something inexpensive and/or unusual.) Maybe you could do inexpensive portraits of people's dogs? ;) Then you could sell larger or artier work at craft fairs or online...

...hmm...

Oh, I forgot! I'm here from Michele's today. Not that I'm not here every day. ;)

Cons

- the expense you pass that on to the customer
-- renting a place, advertising, set up, insurance you do the ecommerce stuff like in the other post
- I seriously don't think I'm good enough I'd pay for it
-- should take classes (again, the expense) you don't have to, or you could do it later...many ammatures work their way into it.
- need a zoom lens you can work your way up to it
- I get along great with kids & animals, but adults, not so good sometimes! then don't work with them. I know that they have the money, but you can limit your exposure...it is doable
- I have a VERY hard time promoting myself let your work sell itself
- I'm not very organized
can't help you much there. But lists work for me.

My biggest thing with starting my business this year was believing in myself and getting over the fact, I don't know everything. I don't know half of anything. But when it works, DAMN it comes out right!!

YOU CAN DO THIS!! Go buy a lens. *hug*

You have lots of people that believe in you.