Our member below is looking for some advice.

"I am just starting out, and would really like to get some business from high school seniors for portraits. I am having a hard time "searching" for seniors at specific school's in my area using the myspace friend search...especially the "real" 18 year olds! How do you find your seniors that you have worked with?

Anything else that I can be doing differently?

Thanks, I really appreciate it!"

One of our members is asking for help:

"I'd like to find good quality card stock (and envelopes) to mount my photos on to make my own cards. Does anyone know a good supplier?"

Question:

"Here's a dandy of a question for the blog pertaining to a bit of ethics in shooting and representing your abilities:

Three beginner wedding shooter questions today. If you don't know the answer, you are probably in way over your head trying to shoot a wedding.

Why is it that as soon as someone gets their hands on a DSLR and they get a couple decent shots, they think it is time to hop into the wedding shooting business? The draw of the money, I am guessing? Professional wedding photographers earn the money they charge and gamble every time they shoot one. They gamble on their knowledge and ability to make the pictures come out right. They shoot pictures that can't be simply replaced. If you do some portrait shots for someone and mess up, you can always hang your head and ask them to come back in for another shoot. If you blow wedding pictures, exactly what do you plan to do to make up for it?? Personally, I can't think of a single thing you could do that would even be worth voicing.

Simply put, these pros can answer those questions you asked and many many more you haven't stumbled upon yet. Please understand that I am NOT a professional wedding photographer, or even claiming to be a pro at any style. I respect those in the business who have proven their work for the happy couples and hate to think what they would go through when finding out that their pictures of that special day were less than perfect. You could turn out to be the best wedding photographer ever, but until you know that you can handle it, shouldn't you think of the bride and groom first, instead of the pay day? Would you hire a beginner to shoot your daughter's wedding, or would you turn to a proven pro? Would you hire the person who said they could do it, or the person who can show you they can do it?"

Question:

"I have done two weddings so far, and i feel really comfortable doing more weddings. the past two weddings, i work with a two different friends of mine, but they were the ones who got the job/client, so i just asked to get whatver they wanted (since i was not experienced as a wedding photographer) now i have another wedding coming up in june that a friend wants me to help him out with. he and i are meeting with the client this friday morning and i was wondering if you guys knew more or less how much i should charge as an assistant photographer. i will be helping my friend w/reflectors and flashes for some photographs, as well as helping him shoot the rest of the wedding. its going to be an all the day event and the wedding will be in atlanta (around 35mls from my location) and since i will be the assistant photographer, do all of my images automatically go to the client, or can i still get them to purchase prints or cd's from me?

thank you very much in advance "

Question:

"I am wanting to purchase a good, but not TOO expensive, Photoshop, something to do editing with. And I'm not sure what route I need to go. I'm not quiet a "professional" photographer, but would love to get there! I have had several jobs offers lately, and would love to be able to offer my clients exeptionally edited photos. What would be the best one to buy??

Thanks!!
Tessa

(My husband bought me "The PrintShop version 22" but it doens't give me alot of editing options) "

Hi Everybody,

I thought I'd dedicate a blog to recognize the efforts of ALL members of this wonderful community, who are actively participating in helping others.

We are now over 2,700 members strong and continously growing - over 100 new members joined us in the past month.

There may be communities with ten-fold that number in members, but I know of NO OTHER photography support site that is as active and on the ball as ours. Even though I hang my head in shame for not having been my active self over the past month and a half.

Most of this recognition goes to the founder of the site, our No. 2 friend! :) 

For now, our photo contest have been put on hold indefinitely. There are plenty of contest sites around and more popping up every day, so you contest lovers should be well covered. There is a generic Default and Background picture up for the time being.

BTW, I went to JPG Magazine on the web yesterday and was very surprised to find rules such as "no picture frames" and "no watermarking (!!!)"... Anyway, that is another (non-myspace) site with ongoing contests. If you want to check it out, here are the rules to participate.

JPG Magazine

I will be posting your "Comment Craving" submissions over the next few days, please be sure to stop by and leave everybody some love.

Thanks all for your patience!

Have a safe & enjoyable 4th of July, all over the world. And take LOTSSSSSSS of pictures!!!

Dany
[MyPhotographers} Photography Community

Question:

"I am wondering what you photographers have in mind about music on photography websites. What are your views on that? Your inputs are very much appreciated.
 -Esther"

Question:

"I  am getting ready to do my FIRST EVER wedding shoot at the end of the summer! Its a very large wedding with about 400 guests and ten bridesmaids and ten groomsmen, plus the bride and groom. WOW! Nothing like starting it off with a bang, right?

My question is, what are some important things i may need to remember? does anyone have any tips to share? Does anyone have a sample contract that you wouldn't mind sharing with me?
It will be an indoor wedding and reception. They have also booked me to shoot at the bridal shower, bachelorette party and the rehearsal dinner as well as do their engagement photos.

Thanks everyone, i really appreciate your input and I love this Community!!!! "

Question:

"I have a digital rebel xti. I have just stared out on taking pictures and I was asked to take pictures at a weeding for a friend of mine. BUT, I have nodes a smudge on my pictures. I can nodes it most on blue back rounds, like in the sky shots. Can I clean it my self or do I have to send it in some where. I know that the smudge is not on the lens, I think it is on the mirror or in the camera.
thank you.
lisa "

Question:

"I have a client who has photosensitive epilepsy. I've done his sessions outdoors before to avoid the need for flash as he can't handle the flashing lights. Now, I'm being asked to do his senior portraits in my studio and i'm not sure how to go about it without using a strobe.
any suggestions?? "