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First paid photography gig coming up and questioning myself "am I ready"?


9 years 2 weeks ago #437707 by Kris W
The butterflies are really going today.   I have my first paid photography job coming up this weekend.  A corporate BBQ for a insurance company here.  They want me to cover the event and take photos of the ceremony they will have to recognize key employees.  My mind is playing games on me, and for the first time, I find myself questioning if I'm ready.  

When you took on your first paid job, did you have any doubt if you were ready or not?  I'm hoping these thoughts are somewhat normal.  How did you get beyond these thoughts?  

Please shed some wisdom.  Thanks in advance!

Kris 
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9 years 2 weeks ago #437716 by Don Fischer
[[url=#]quote
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[/url]="Kris W" post=437707]The butterflies are really going today.   I have my first paid photography job coming up this weekend.  A corporate BBQ for a [url=#]insurance
img\def
[/url] company here.  They want me to cover the event and take photos of the ceremony they will have to recognize key employees.  My mind is playing games on me, and for the first time, I find myself questioning if I'm ready.  

When you took on your first paid job, did you have any doubt if you were ready or not?  I'm hoping these thoughts are somewhat normal.  How did you get beyond these thoughts?  

[url=#]Please
img\def
[/url] shed some wisdom.  Thanks in advance!

Kris [/[url=#]quote
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[/url]]

If your good enought to be invited to do it, your probably good enough. You have stage fright!
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9 years 2 weeks ago #437719 by Kris W
You are awesome, thank you for the words of encouragement!  
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9 years 2 weeks ago #437727 by KCook
Use any spare time before the gig to brush up on flash, posing, and/or RAW.  Wutever skill you are a little rusty on.  Then embrace the opportunity with gusto.

nohelpKelly
Canon 50D, Olympus PL2
kellycook.zenfolio.com/
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9 years 2 weeks ago #437743 by Kris W
So helpful, thank you again!  I have been working on my people post processing skills like a mad man during the last few weeks already! 
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9 years 2 weeks ago #437793 by KCook
Posing victims is where I am really, REALLY weak!

ohwell
Canon 50D, Olympus PL2
kellycook.zenfolio.com/
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9 years 2 weeks ago - 9 years 2 weeks ago #437798 by icepics
Have you done any events before? For me, I was nervous-excited but had no doubts I could do it.

I get the impression you're new to this; if you're an experienced sports/events photographer you may not need to read the rest of my post! But in case it might be of some help... these are my suggestions.

Go early. Know or find out when and where things will happen. Figure out where some good vantage points will be. If you'll be doing some posed pictures figure out where would be a good place if that's an option; if you need to get a speaker or presentation you may need to get pictures wherever they will be set up so be aware of your vantage point and background and framing. If there's signage make sure letters/words aren't cut off (they'll probably want to see their company's name and it needs to be readable and look good). Make sure you have people's feet in the pictures if you're doing full body shots; or more close up getting upper body framing from just above or below the waists works for me.

I wouldn't expect to have to do much post processing; having done sports and events I learned to get what I needed mostly in camera since the expectation could be that the photos may be needed right away. Go early and do test shots as needed at the venue to make sure you're all set; I find things can happen quickly and you need to capture things as they happen.
Sharon
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9 years 2 weeks ago #437800 by Alan Nunez
I am sure you will be fine....Make sure you have plenty of batteries and cards!!!

If you are really worried see if you can ask a photographer friend to tag alone and back you up. Be honest and say you are nervous...we have all had to deal with our first shoot and I still get butterflies if I am shooting a big event solo!
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9 years 2 weeks ago #437803 by Karen Comella
I keep hearing in my head 'The Waterboy' saying "YOU CAN DO IT!"
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9 years 2 weeks ago #437815 by JeremyS
Situations like this make me happy that I've gotten under my belt a year of event work with low pressure.. We'll 15K$ betting on me doing good work but relatively no pressure. I'd just think of everything you've done to deserve it, and run theough your head all pf the little things that you need to be conciously aware of while you shoot.
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9 years 2 weeks ago #437828 by CanonKid

KCook wrote: Posing victims is where I am really, REALLY weak!

ohwell



That's what family and friends are for
Canon 7D, 15-85mm, 18-55mm, 70-200mm, 100mm Macro, Sigma 120-300mm, Speedlite 430EX II

A bad day at the race track is better than a good day in the office
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9 years 2 weeks ago #437889 by Ryan Obryan
I remember my first job, for me it was the same feeling.  That quickly went away when I got on the job.  It ended turning out to be a ton of fun and the client was happy.
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9 years 2 weeks ago #437941 by Roman Omell
I have a friend who use to take a shot of Wild Turkey before starting a job.  He never skipped a beat! 
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9 years 2 weeks ago #438127 by Silver Fox
Looks like today is game day for you, good luck! Keep us posted on how the job turned out for you.  
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9 years 2 weeks ago #438312 by The Gardener

Ryan Obryan wrote: I remember my first job, for me it was the same feeling.  That quickly went away when I got on the job.  It ended turning out to be a ton of fun and the client was happy.



Isn't that the truth, you get so tied up in the moment, there is no time to worry about anything else. 
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