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First Foot on the Ladder
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I’ve decided I’m going to go pro within the next two years. At the moment while I’m earning a pretty good salary as an employee in an unrelated industry I have started to build up the equipment I will need when the day comes. I’ve got to say I’m really looking forward to it and can’t wait for it to happen.
I’d like to ask a question about how one becomes established. For example, how does a new photographer win a wedding gig without having done one before that you can show case ? I’m at a bit of a brick wall with that one and I’m sure the same would apply to any other job I might go for.
Anyone got any hints or tips ? How do I get that first foot on the ladder in order to start building up a portfolio that I can show to prospective clients ?
Find someone established in the field. Contact them and ask if you can assist or tag along on a job. Ask if you can use images taken for your own portfolio.
Repeat as much as is needed.
Take it from there.
Two other pieces of advice :
(1) Learn how to run a business (e.g. sales, marketing, bookeeping etc.etc.)
(2) Don’t give up the day job until you have successfully completed a significant (leave interpretation of that up to you) amount of paid work, and are still happy to go aheadFrank is right there, I’d say don’t give yourself a deadline “i’m going to turn pro in 2 years”, start to take on jobs, build up a reputation within the business and when you have enough work onboard and done that you can afford to ditch the day job then do so.
Personally I think the 2 year target is a good thing, but don’t worry if you’re still working the same job in 2 years.
Seriously consider going part-time first – cut your hours down to a 3 day week.First you need a website with quality shots.
How do you win your first wedding gig? Try to get to as many weddings as possible, cousins, friends, sister/brother, work colleagues or whatever and take as many shots as you can. Learn the skills first and then spread the word and you will get couples, probably friends, who are short on cash and ask you to shoot.Attend a wedding workshop, you’ll learn from professionals about handling crowds of people, learn about poses and how to shoot people without them realising – you could even use these workshop photo’s on your website to give an indication of the quality of your work.
Get accredited to an organizations (SWPP, RPS). You don’t have to leagally do this but IMHO having those letters after your name on your website may help some couples lift the phone to you – if you get 1 wedding out of it then it’s paid for itself. Also, getting a panel of photos together will make you think and will improve your work too.
Don’t just focus on wedding photography, shoot portraits too. Offer a free session with people you know – it all helps to build up quality shots for your website.Attend those wedding fares, pickup a vibe for what other guys are doing and then have a stall at one yourself.
And most important of all, have a thick thick skin and be really driven. You’ll get lots of knocks and put-downs along the way.
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