master photographer | photographic craftsman | certified professional photographer
Maybe you don’t have a home office, yet. That’s okay. Tuck this article away until you do.
I’ve been working for myself full-time for just over three years. I converted a 2.5 car garage into a studio, but my office is in my home. I spend 8-10 hours a day in that office, sometimes more.
Continue reading “Carving out personal space in your home office”
Get the hell off Facebook. And Twitter. And LinkedIn.
That’s right, everyone else is telling you how important social media marketing is and I’m telling you to stay the hell away.
You wanna know why?
Because you are not ready to market. You should be reading, studying and practicing your skills.
Continue reading “Increase Productivity with Internet Blocking Software”
Good morning! Now that we’ve got the website launch out of the way and the Labor Day holiday is over, we’re going to get down to business. (By the way – *I* worked all three days this weekend for 10+ hours per day. That’s how it is when you go into business for yourself. Please don’t be under the illusion that you will make full time $$ from part time work).
EDUCATION IS THE KEY.
Did you catch that? Read it again. And again.
You are not going to be a successful photographer because you have passion and a creative eye. Stop fooling yourself. Seriously.
Continue reading “Before you can become a photographer, you must be a student of photography.”
Time after time, I’ve seen the following happen:
Someone gets a fancy DSLR.
Said someone proceeds to take oodles of photos with new camera, and receives many compliments from friends and family and much encouragement to take photographs professionally.
Same someone decides on a business name, designs a cute little logo, signs up for a free blog site, gets the free VistaPrint business cards and VOILA! They are in business.
No. No. No.
Did you hear me?
I said “NO!”
If the above pretty much sums up your journey so far, go stand in the corner. NOW. You are grounded and you’re staying after class.
For crying out loud, slow down. Please.
Take a good while to learn the art of photography before you try to sell it to others.
Remember yesterday, when we talked about startup money? I described the process that I used. Yes, I bought a camera and 2 lenses initially as a birthday gift to myself, but all other purchases after that were from the $100 per pay (every two weeks) allowance. Slowly, but surely I saved up for other camera bodies and lenses. While I was saving, I learned my equipment inside and out. Sometimes several months passed before I had enough for the next piece of equipment, so I read my manuals and practiced with the settings on my camera and learned how to use the lenses I had. I read every book I could get my hands on and researched the internet for information. Eventually, I received more formalized instruction, but that, too, costs money and needed saved for.
So, please. Slow down and pace yourself. You will thank me later when you have increased your skill set to the point where you feel confident in what you are doing instead of starting “OMG I have a shoot tomorrow and I am clueless!” threads on photography forums.
I’m going to talk a bit about money. It takes money to get into the photography business. A lot of it. Don’t be fooled. You cannot adequately go into business with one camera and a kit lens.
Continue reading “Start-Up Money: What is it and where do I get it?”
Oh hey! I’m receiving questions via the “Contact Christine” spot in the upper left hand corner. See it? Up there in the left… higher …a bit higher.. yeah – right there!
So – this actually presents a quandry for me. I guess I didn’t think too far ahead about this – so here’s the plan.
Questions received on the Wootness™! website will be answered in a blog post.
So – our first question is:
I am looking for a good photo lab to print my photos. WalMart just is not that great. Any info would be great.
Thanks, Teresa
Welcome, blah blah blah.
You’re going to find out soon enough that I’m not one to mince words, so I’m just going to go ahead and start this project out as myself. No namby-pamby BS to pull you in and make you feel all comfortable. I’m going to be like the irreverent aunt in the family that gives a refreshing view of the truth.
