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Finally my passion...

T

Trudy Montgomery

New member
Hi all,

I'm an newbie here and in the photography world. I bought myself a rebel xti for Christmas '06. Purely for taking better pictures of my kiddos...... and since then I have done a couple weddings for family/friend and several photo shoots for my friends kids and newborns. I have received such great feedback from my work along with being forced to sign copyright forms every time I get anything developed at a lab... That I've decided to make it a business.

I'll post some pics in the 'risk it' section once i'm brave enough to go in there, again. I feel my photography skill is at a level that I can make some $$$ at it. However, I'm in complete awe of the many masters that regularly share on this forum, and hope to one day be at the level too.

I am very excited about starting this new business and the discovery of my true passion. I have reflected back on the many things that have brought me to this point and wonder why I didn't figure it out sooner... I started with my pink 110 barbie camera at 11 yrs old arranging and taking pictures of stuffed animals.... to the daydreams I had, on long car rides, of traveling the world taking photos of all the beautiful scenery we drove by... to today and that Christmas gift I gave myself and the constant opportunities that have come my way since then that test my abilities and improve my skills.

~trudy
 
Last edited by a moderator:
Asher Kelman

Asher Kelman

OPF Owner/Editor-in-Chief
Hi Trudy,

You are so welcome to OPF! You have already jumped in and that's what we love. Keep it up!

Asher
 
R

Rachel Foster

New member
Trudy, we're in very similar places, but you've been shooting longer than me. You can get a lot out of OPF if you do three things. First, you need thick skin. These photographers are great and know their business. I've asked for and received some excellent comments. It's important to realize that almost every image, even those by the really top notch folks, can be better.. For me, it's a great honor that any of them take the time to critique my work.

Second, you need to carefully consider every comment. And, here's the hard part, after being open to the suggestion, discard those that don't fit your artistic vision. Take what you can, but keep your own style.

Third, be brave! If your image was without merit, it would be completely ignored. (But don't interpret lack of input as meaning it's no good, either.)

Welcome to OPF!
 
K

Kathy Rappaport

pro member
Budget too

Budget for the passion too because it's an expensive one. Someone might make a comment about opening a studio or crossing over to where there is no escape. It's all consuming and becomes a way of life with a camera continually glued to your hand and the viewfinder positioned for you to see the world only via an L Lens.
 
T

Trudy Montgomery

New member
Thank you all for the warm welcome :)

Kathy Rappaport said:
Budget for the passion too because it's an expensive one.
Click to expand...

Oh, yes it can be so expensive! Right now I'm making my business plan and building a portfolio so that I don't dive in too quickly and do a belly flop. I have enough basic gear to get me started (camera, 3 lenses, flash, tripods, ect.) and can add more of the 'toys' as the business and my skills grow.

I've found that photographing newborns is a good subject for me and also a good 'niche' to start in as there is little competition for that currently in my area.

I'm also currently a REALTOR and so I need to make a transition out of that field and fully into photographer. I have been playing with HDR and trying to beef up my abilities in photographing homes .... so that I can market to my colleagues.

There is a master of the Real Estate HDR in the area (about an hour away, in a major city), I've considered contacting him and asking him to mentor me as I provide any assistance he may need..... But I'm afraid. I don't know if it's acceptable to gravel at the feet of an established PRO. Nor do I know how one really goes about arranging it so the student and the teacher both benefit. So any advice on that for me?


~trudy
 
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