Starting a Photography Business?

The other day a friend told me she was interested in maybe starting a photography business. She wanted my opinion and advice on it. I thought I would share my response here on the blog in case there are others who are thinking along the same lines. I should start by saying that most people (including myself) who consider starting a business are not ready. I'm talking about skill wise. Quality wise. What I mean is, someone (friends and family) told us our pictures were great and we thought, "hey, I could make money doing this!" Not knowing that we actually suck and the people who told us we were good don't know anything about photography. So... here's what I told her and what I would tell you if you are in the same boat:

"As far as the quality of the images, I'd have to say you're a long way off, but... this stuff is learnable. When I first started thinking about trying to make a living doing this, I posted some pictures on some forums where I knew professional photographers spent some time. I also told them I was thinking about starting a photography business. Wow... I got some really harsh feedback. Not only that my pictures sucked, but most were actually mad at me for even considering trying to do this to make money. After I got over my bruised ego, I decided that was fine, and I'd just spend every second and dollar I had to become the best photographer in the central florida area. I'm still not there but I've come a long way from those photos I posted in those forums. So I guess I tell you that because if you really like photography, it can be learned and you can get better, much better.

First you need to find the manual that came with your camera and read every word of it. Not knowing everything about your camera is a terrible excuse for not using it the best it could be used.

Second, you need to understand exposure and the four things that fit into the equation when making a correct exposure: aperture, shutter speed, ISO, and white balance.

Third, you need to study light. direction, color, quality.

Buy and read these books:

The Moment It Clicks by Joe McNally
The Digital Photography Book Vols 1 & 2 by Scott Kelby
Understanding Exposure by Bryan Peterson
Existing Light Techniques for Wedding and Portrait Photography by Bill Hurter

Subscribe to my blog at www.bdwblog.com. Not all of my posts will help, but many of them will help you to see what I'm thinking and doing as I make my photographs. I blogged 125 times from May to the end of December in 2008. You might want to read them all or maybe not.

Subscribe to strobist.com blog -- this is everything about off-camera flash. Read every word that is on this site!

Get a flickr account (free) and start posting photos and join groups. The people will give you good, honest feedback most of the time.

After doing all of this, if it makes you even more excited about photography, you'll eventually want to spend some money on a good camera and good lenses. When you get to that point, I'll give you my advice if you want it on what to buy.

Sorry this is so long, but I hope it helps. This stuff really is fun!"