Reply To: Just Starting Out

[IHF]

Grinning,

Just something to think about.  I only say this because I’ve been there, flirting with the idea of shooting for money as only a hobby or while I learn.  Then I thought about it a little more deeply and decided it wasn’t for me, and I’d much rather learn first, and then go all out (if I even chose to do so).  Currently I’m just happy knowing that by shooting just for myself, I’m improving quickly with my portraiture, much more quickly than if I was shooting for others and under the pressure that being for hire brings. I’m fulfilled creatively, and I don’t feel taken advantage of, or funny charging for what I know isn’t professional.  I don’t feel over worked and away from my family either.

Ask yourself this:

How much time do you spend per week…

preparing for a shoot

Traveling for sessions

Shooting a sessesion

Talking to clients

Marketing

Processing images

preparing images for your clients

updating your website/blog/facebook

networking

how much do you spend on products, equipment, software, etc

how much do you get paid per session?

how many sessions do you do a week?

and if after you calculate your expenses vs pay, and how much time you put into being for hire and you’re happy with your hourly wage you are receiving for all your work, then by all means just keep keepin on.  It didn’t pan out for me, even as just a hobby.  I’m worth more than .60 an hour and so is my time