|
|
| *SoulEyes Photography>>>Portrait Photography |
Where is a good resource on the web for information on starting a portrait photography studio? |
Where is a good resource on the web for information on starting a portrait photography studio? Something that explains what kind of equipment is used, the different positions needed in the studio to run it, how to attract clients and so on. Websites and/or books would be useful, but if there is a good website out there I'd like to find it. If you know anyone who has a current Mac computer, you can use IWeb to create a website showing your recent photographs. Set up an .mac account [$99 per year] and publish your IWeb webpage(s). Acquire from Vistaprint.com a colorful business card by selecting from their many templates a suitable one that meets your needs. Make sure to list the URL of your website along with a telephone answering device. Do not place your home address or anything personal such as a cellphone on this businesscard. Then when you receive the finished business card, pass it around to various churches, temples and the like to solicit business. When you receive a major photography assignment, visit your local professional camera store and "rent" the necessary camera equipment to fulfill this assignment. Because of ever changing technology, you don't want to get stuck with owning old technology and if there are sometimes dead time in business activity, you still can rent on a daily or weekly basis and not have so much money tied up with stationery unused photo equipment. For the best all-in-one "budget" DSLR camera starter kit with "image stabilization" built into the camera body, two lenses (a normal 18-55 mm and a 50-200 mm telephoto); case, tripod, and 1 gb SD memory card for $600 [until July 31st, 2007], look at the Pentax K100D 6.1 mp which is far superior to the Nikon D40 camera at samys.com. Instead of renting a studio, take people pictures at local parks and beaches and for indoor shots, go to the client's residence or office to set up a photo shooting environment which consists of a set of lights, reflective screens, background drapery, etc. Good luck! The best way to do that is work for a studio as an assistant for a few years and learn by doing. Academia is fine for getting a degree, but not so hot preparing you for the real word and your methodology seems to be more of an academic approach. In any case be prepared to fork out about $50-60,000 for equipment (studio lights, backgrounds, office computer, photo computer (including a notebook for location shoots) cameras and lenses). Unless you buy an existing studio (a good way to go by the way) you will have about another $15-25,000 building the studio within what ever building you rent, changing room, darkroom and makeup area for your models. If you do any food photography, you will also need a full commercial kitchen. This may seem far fetched, but in the end when you have a nice studio, you will want to have it being used at least 70 hours a week and to do that you will be renting it out to local photographers who need a studio from time to time but not enough to justify owning one .... like me. Editorial, sports and glamour photographer |
Photography Categories--Copyright/IP Policy--Contact Webmaster |