MSN had a similar thing a few years ago – when the recession first started – I think it was 10 was to make extra money – one of the ways they suggested was stock photography.
Only problem that they failed to mention to all the stock wannabe’s is that
1) it is very difficult to get images accepted by a stock agency
2) Even if your image is accepted it still has to appeal to a mass market
3) blurry, out of focus, poorly exposed images will not sell
4) There are 50 million images of sunsets, flowers and beaches – those will not be accepted nor will they sell.
and finally
5) with the rise of the micro stock industry you have to sell approximately 1,000 images every couple of days to actually eek out a living.
Best advice to someone wanting to become a photographer – if you really want to do it – find someone who will be honest with you regarding the quality of your images. If you show them a snapshot style image with poor lighting or other flaws and they don’t point them out to you – find another friend who will point them out.
Everyone has to start somewhere, but I think most of these people just take advantage of people with little knowledge of how to judge a photograph. Maybe with the help of groups like YANAP the public can be educated in what to look for. Thanks YANAP!!
I am not totally against this. There are some who can take excellent pictures, but have never shot professionally.
However:
1- Be aware of your skills. Don’t be selling yourself as a pro if you have never done this before.
2- Be honest. To those willing to have you shoot them, be honest of your skill level. Then let them make the decision.
3- Be willing to do it cheap. Don’t try to ask for professional rates if you never have shot before.
4- Be aware of what you are getting into. I personally can take some very good pictures, but choose not to be a professional. Taking pictures as a hobby and as a professional is totally different.
“3- Be willing to do it cheap. Don’t try to ask for professional rates if you never have shot before.”
Great. So now you’ve got a bunch of people undercutting professionals and producing sub-standard work. Thus robbing clients from the real professional photographers who have to make a living. Nice advice.
Idiot.
If your work is worth it, you should charge for it.
If it isn’t, how about taking some time, studying, learning, improving and then working towards starting your own business? Rather than just being a douche with a camera and getting in everyone’s way.
Dave
MSN had a similar thing a few years ago – when the recession first started – I think it was 10 was to make extra money – one of the ways they suggested was stock photography.
Only problem that they failed to mention to all the stock wannabe’s is that
1) it is very difficult to get images accepted by a stock agency
2) Even if your image is accepted it still has to appeal to a mass market
3) blurry, out of focus, poorly exposed images will not sell
4) There are 50 million images of sunsets, flowers and beaches – those will not be accepted nor will they sell.
and finally
5) with the rise of the micro stock industry you have to sell approximately 1,000 images every couple of days to actually eek out a living.
Best advice to someone wanting to become a photographer – if you really want to do it – find someone who will be honest with you regarding the quality of your images. If you show them a snapshot style image with poor lighting or other flaws and they don’t point them out to you – find another friend who will point them out.
CCP
this just makes me so angry! there are so many people on my fb freinds list who are currently doing just that!
Anonymous
simple – un friend.
Victoria - Washington Boudoir Photographer
Everyone has to start somewhere, but I think most of these people just take advantage of people with little knowledge of how to judge a photograph. Maybe with the help of groups like YANAP the public can be educated in what to look for. Thanks YANAP!!
Dave Taylor
I am not totally against this. There are some who can take excellent pictures, but have never shot professionally.
However:
1- Be aware of your skills. Don’t be selling yourself as a pro if you have never done this before.
2- Be honest. To those willing to have you shoot them, be honest of your skill level. Then let them make the decision.
3- Be willing to do it cheap. Don’t try to ask for professional rates if you never have shot before.
4- Be aware of what you are getting into. I personally can take some very good pictures, but choose not to be a professional. Taking pictures as a hobby and as a professional is totally different.
Dick
“3- Be willing to do it cheap. Don’t try to ask for professional rates if you never have shot before.”
Great. So now you’ve got a bunch of people undercutting professionals and producing sub-standard work. Thus robbing clients from the real professional photographers who have to make a living. Nice advice.
Idiot.
If your work is worth it, you should charge for it.
If it isn’t, how about taking some time, studying, learning, improving and then working towards starting your own business? Rather than just being a douche with a camera and getting in everyone’s way.