Scott_Quier
Jan-11-2007, 02:42 AM
As is often quoted, "... begins with the first step." And those first steps can often be very small.
Something I've been doing for the last little bit that seems to be having the beginings of an impact is to go to High School sporting events and shoot, just like you are a "real professional". I have my kit bag with me, my nice black 30D and that huge 70-200 f/2.8 IS hanging off it and I have been able to go just about anywhere I please in the gym to get the shots I want.
The sport I know best is HS wrestling, so that's what I go shoot. After the teams are done for the night, I approach the coach of each team and verbally introduce myself while already having a business card in hand and presenting it to him/her. They ALWAYS take the card. I explain that I'm just there to practice, not to make money, but that any good shots I got that night of kids on the mat would be up on my web-site in the next couple of days and that, if they are interested, the kids and/or the parents are welcom to come take a look and purchase a print or to. I emphasize that the cost of the prints just barely covers my costs and that I don't really make any money on the print sales (which is true after you consider the time I take to just PP the shots).
Last night one of the coaches asked me if I would be willing to do a team portrait and, if so, how much I would charge. He was very busy with all his kids, so I suggested he give me a call when he has a moment and we could talk about it. If he calls, this is one way to get into that High School as a senior portrait photographer, something that I include in my list of services!
Another coach last night said his wife had a BA in photography but was having a hard time making it make money. She's been doing the stock photography thing and not getting anywhere. She also has some questions about lighting. Would I be willing to mentor her? I'm thinking to myself, "Sure, a little time with her, networking, talking photography, what could it hurt? Besides, if I get on well with her and the coach, I have a in into another High School. And, the kids on his team LOVE him! This could work!"
I get some portrait sessions lined up, make them happy and before you know it, they or a friend of theirs is getting married. Hmmmm.....
Anyway, I've learned so much on DGrin and taken so much that I thought I would offer to put a little back. Yeah, I know, it's not much, but it's what I have right now.
I would be interested in reading any thoughts/comments that you might have.
Thanks for looking.
Something I've been doing for the last little bit that seems to be having the beginings of an impact is to go to High School sporting events and shoot, just like you are a "real professional". I have my kit bag with me, my nice black 30D and that huge 70-200 f/2.8 IS hanging off it and I have been able to go just about anywhere I please in the gym to get the shots I want.
The sport I know best is HS wrestling, so that's what I go shoot. After the teams are done for the night, I approach the coach of each team and verbally introduce myself while already having a business card in hand and presenting it to him/her. They ALWAYS take the card. I explain that I'm just there to practice, not to make money, but that any good shots I got that night of kids on the mat would be up on my web-site in the next couple of days and that, if they are interested, the kids and/or the parents are welcom to come take a look and purchase a print or to. I emphasize that the cost of the prints just barely covers my costs and that I don't really make any money on the print sales (which is true after you consider the time I take to just PP the shots).
Last night one of the coaches asked me if I would be willing to do a team portrait and, if so, how much I would charge. He was very busy with all his kids, so I suggested he give me a call when he has a moment and we could talk about it. If he calls, this is one way to get into that High School as a senior portrait photographer, something that I include in my list of services!
Another coach last night said his wife had a BA in photography but was having a hard time making it make money. She's been doing the stock photography thing and not getting anywhere. She also has some questions about lighting. Would I be willing to mentor her? I'm thinking to myself, "Sure, a little time with her, networking, talking photography, what could it hurt? Besides, if I get on well with her and the coach, I have a in into another High School. And, the kids on his team LOVE him! This could work!"
I get some portrait sessions lined up, make them happy and before you know it, they or a friend of theirs is getting married. Hmmmm.....
Anyway, I've learned so much on DGrin and taken so much that I thought I would offer to put a little back. Yeah, I know, it's not much, but it's what I have right now.
I would be interested in reading any thoughts/comments that you might have.
Thanks for looking.