tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-362083477762544112.post6390246695945865910..comments2024-01-03T08:18:54.427-08:00Comments on Young and Restless.: Photography Babble.Alihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08003287925875649802noreply@blogger.comBlogger2125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-362083477762544112.post-56879845274465735662012-07-18T09:33:54.356-07:002012-07-18T09:33:54.356-07:00I think this is an excellent discussion, Ali. Pho...I think this is an excellent discussion, Ali. Photography and "breaking in" can seem really overwhelming when you're just starting out. Been there, done that, still doing it. <br /><br />I think you're totally right, though, that intrinsic talent is a must. It was something I didn't know I had until I just threw myself out there and started shooting. Not saying my skills don't still need honing, because they absolutely do, but I have found that composition is something that comes naturally to me, and that's one of the biggest hurdles. I don't think it's necessary to have the biggest and best equipment when you're starting out, though. You can do wonders with an entry level DSLR with a really good lens like the 50mm 1.8 or 1.4, neither of which are that expensive. I think it's just imperative to learn to shoot in manual and learn some basic photo editing skills with something like Photoshop Elements or Lightroom. While you're saving for better equipment, you can do $50 1/2 hour to one hour session and only promise people 15-30 images, so you don't spend a ridiculous amount of time editing. Do as many of these sessions as possible, because the experience you get is PRICELESS. I feel like I learn something major and make big progress in every single session I shoot lately. <br /><br />Marketing yourself is also key. Don't be afraid to use every single avenue available to you, and have a place to send people to see your work, even if it's just your personal Facebook page. Oh, and believe in yourself. I've heard that the market is saturated, too, but I let that slide right off, because I know I have something great to offer and I'm not afraid to work my ass off to build my business. And I have had zero trouble finding plenty of work lately. :) (we'll see if I still have this much work when I'm charging a little more for sessions, though... right now I'm only charging $100 per session!)<br /><br />Just my thought/advice/babbles. :)Jenni@Story of My Lifehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/09396354837060085305noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-362083477762544112.post-78164396445283111332012-07-17T08:12:35.107-07:002012-07-17T08:12:35.107-07:00Ali - You hit this on the nose. It is what you wa...Ali - You hit this on the nose. It is what you want it to be. Someone told me once that Professionals built the titanic, and and AMATEUR built the Ark! So there ya go! It is what it is. Art... not too specific, not too technical, just clean and simple. :) You are doing great by the way!Anonymousnoreply@blogger.com