We've all been in this situation. You can try to get some business with your small camera but no one will view you as a professional because they will see your camera and think they can take the exact same pictures.

In all honesty, if it is what you want to do then you need to invest in a DSLR (digital single lens reflex.) To truly be a professional photographer you need to have control over your aperture and shutter speed. Plus the picture quality of a DSLR is far superior.

I know it sucks to drop $700 or more for a camera (I just spent about $7,000 on a camera body and a lens) but that's the price you pay to be a professional. If you spend that $700 though, and learn everything about that camera, market yourself well, and get some sessions; you can pay for that camera in no time.

For the time being just try to do all your sessions outdoors so you don't have the expenses of lighting and studio equipment. Or just get creative and use sheets as backdrops, window lights, reflectors made of tin foil, etc. Your imagination is your only limitation!

Good luck!
 

Like he said, we have ALL been here. Don't get discouraged! He is right... in order to get a business going you will have to invest in a different camera. I had the same camera pretty much as you did starting out, then my hubby bought me a Cannon Rebel TI, (in 2005 it was $600) now a days you can get it for like $200 or $300 I think. Anyways, I STILL have that camera! Yes, it's a 35 mm, yes I have to pay for film (which is getting old) BUT I have done so well with that camera. I am breaking down and buying a Cannon digital Rebel XTI ($700 or more) next month along with a new editing software program too.
The best thing you can do if you can't afford the camera right now, is at least invest in some kind of editing photo software so you can edit your pictures and enhance them. Learn that program like the back of your hand. You can get a decent one for like $100 or less I think. I think editing your pictures, no matter how good you are at taking them, is A MUST!
Send me a message for more Q&A! Take care, and good luck!

Shani Baird
Timeless Images
www.myspace.com/timelessimagesphotography
 

what kind of editing photo software do you suggest? i see so many out there but i am just nt familiar with any of them, which one would you recommend?
 

i personally suggest photoshop, i know its expensive but you can do wonders with it. And the learning part is simple, just go online and search for some tutorials, there are many out there, both text and video ones alike.
 

I agree with the first comment.....people will not take you serious or be willing to pay you unless your camera is more professional looking. My daughter started out on a purse string and has developed quite a good business with children's photography. She started out with a Nikon D100 with a battery pack attached to the bottom which made the camera look bigger to her clients. She just shot outside stuff for the first while since she had no inside lighting. That means you must have a decent flash as well. She started out just taking children in the neighborhood..getting her style worked out and a small client base for references and it took off from there. As she has grown her pricing has increased. After she saved up a bit she bought a used lighting sysytm on EBAY and started inside shots. She amazes me with her talent. She is at a point in only about 3 years that she is about ready to quit her regular job and go full time. Her web site is agjohnsonphotography.com if you want to see her work. Just take it slow,always do your best work, and study the craft any way you can. Good luck....RObert
 

When I first started out I have written in here before that I started out with a Polaroid camera. I would go out to street festivals and go to a night clubs selling Polaroid prints for $5.00 each and sold them with a Polaroid cardboard frame, that you can buy at any Camera store that sells portraits products.

If you dont believe me just remember something, you know those Mexican photographers that go in and crash a wedding using their Polaroid cameras? believe it or not it works. I would make $350.00 to $500.00 a night depending on the event. Selling Polaroid prints right there and then. People wanted to buy them to keep it as a memory.

During a street festival I would wear my photo vest and hang my Polaroid camera around my neck and with a sign pasted on my vest.
Want a photo ? $5.00 Polaroid Portraits.
I would see a family and go up to them and ask if they want a photo of them during the street festival. Believe it or not alot of family don't carry cameras and so they would buy the Polaroid photo for $5.00 each. Just for them to save it in their family album.


Everyone in here have said that you need a professional looking camera so that people can take you serious. That is somewhat true. But what gets you clients is showing your actual work. I carry a portfolio at all times. No matter where I may be going. I have different types of portfolios. I even got one in a 2x3 wallet size portfolio that fits in my wallet. I would have some business cards printed out or have 4x6 prints with Fonts typed on the print with my business name and telephone number. You go and find someone you would like to photograph and introduce yourself and tell them your a photographer and if you ever need a photographer to capture that special moment in your life Please give me a call and then you pass out your business card.. If the client ask, Do you have proof of your work? Behold you got your portfolio ready to show and tell. It really doesn't matter what type of camera you got. As long as you are selling top quality work that is all your customers want.

If they laugh at your camera .. Just say you saw my portfolio this camera was the one that created those images. SO don't worry I know what I am doing.
And if they agreed that the portfolio was very good they will shut up and allow you to take the photos.

So honestly it doesn't matter if you have a 50.00 camera or a $25,000.00 camera. Because People only go by the top quality you are selling to them.
So to start your business start building your portfolio.
Then print out some business cards or fliers. Go out and find clients. Introduce yourself to them and then lead them into a conversation where you will end up showing your portfolio to them. It is not easy as some people dont want to be bothered but you have to seek and find
your future customers.
Selling pictures or photographic services is like selling anything else. It requires time, talent, energy and a knowledge of where the markets are. Unless you are famous you can not expect the market to come to you. One must go out and seek for it.
 

you have inspired some newbies here. in austin theres alot of action going on here and it is so easy to have the polaroid handy and sell those. there is actually a guy who does that along side teaching. he said he makes more in one night than teaching in the day!!! crazy i know, but he loves it and he just bought an awesome dslr camera. thank you!!!! you gave some great advice!
 

i really appreciate your help, and yes like yousaid i am just starting out, so i guess that i'll stick to the equipment i have, and start buidling my portfolio. eventually i will buy a nice more professional camera and all the equipment needed, all i need is time to learn more and money, jaja.

hopefully i'll be going back to school in the summer to take some photography classes.

but to tell you the truth, i have learned so much from here, there are so many talented photographers, and just by seeing their work inspires me even more. i very grateful for everyone that has replied to my question, thank again.