Reply To: take a look

[Gnork]

You seem to have a lot of focusing issues. I understand that sometimes people move when you’re taking a photo. It happens. When a photo turns out blurry, though, you shouldn’t include it in your portfolio. If a person has a great expression, or something about the photo really speaks to the personality of the person or event, go ahead and show it to your clients, prefacing with, “I know this photo is blurry, but I thought you might want to see the wonderful expression on your mother’s face,” for instance. For stationary objects, take your time and make sure you get the photo in focus. Most lenses cannot focus when too close to the object; back up and zoom in. Focusing will be easier.

If you truly enjoy photography, continue shooting as much as possible. I wouldn’t set up a business yet, though. Ask to take photos of your friends, their families, and their small events (housewarming parties, family get-togethers, etc.) for free. Photograph things around your house or your neighborhood, heck, photograph your pets. If you’re interested in photographing weddings, look into being a second shooter for a local photographer. He or she will probably want to see more out of your portfolio first, however. Read up on lighting and composition. Read every page of your camera manual, and be sure you understand each and every setting. Experiment with different lighting techniques. Buy dinner for a friend then sit him or her down on a stool with a drink (or 5) for a couple of hours and experiment with portrait lighting, posing, and composition.

You have a lot of work before you should really be charging for your services. I’m not saying you shouldn’t take money if your family or friends offer to give you $20 or something after you show them their photos, but marketing yourself as a photographer at this time will, in the long run, hurt your clients, your reputation, and you.

Just take photos as often as you can, and you may be able to charge for your work in the future. Good luck!