Starting a business

Dear forum,

I am thinking of starting my own photography business (I wnat to call it litebox fotos). I have been given a 400D and a zoom lens. I also have a 50mm lens.

I use to take photos of my kids when they were young. That was about 20 years ago but I was given a digital camera from my son recently and I decided I might make some extra cash

I've put a picture I took on this letter so you can see it. I think i have a unique artistic eye for photography and would like to sell some prints or possibly do some weddings.

Thank you for your time,
Gaye

You CAN start a business... but if I were you I'd try and get a bit more experience first.

Your snowman picture is underexposed and the white balance is too warm BTW.

Stealthy Ninja wrote: You CAN start a business... but if I were you I'd try and get a bit more experience first.

Your snowman picture is underexposed and the white balance is too warm BTW.

Thank you, what's "white balance"? It wasn't warm, it was snowing that day. I had a bit of trouble pressing the buttons because I had my gloves on.

Litebox Fotos wrote:

Stealthy Ninja wrote: You CAN start a business... but if I were you I'd try and get a bit more experience first.

Your snowman picture is underexposed and the white balance is too warm BTW.

Thank you, what's "white balance"? It wasn't warm, it was snowing that day. I had a bit of trouble pressing the buttons because I had my gloves on.

Well not to be mean about it. I think you should first learn the basics of digital photography and, photography in general. White Balance is the lights temprature, which is why Ninja said it was warm the light itself is showing to be too warm on the white scale or, a yellowish cast in this case. You either set the light meter compensation by temprature, measurement or, through presets. What White Balance does is make the photo adjust to make the light white or like sunshine. With film you had to use flash to get rid of yellowish cast from incandescent bulbs and,green to reds with flourescents. Now the camera will adjust to it through settings.

The best advice I can give you is get a good book on digital photography and books on composition and exposure.

Ok well it's already been said, but I have to put my two cents into it.

Anyone can start a business (if they really want too and have the means too), but you do not have the photography experience too. The photo you attached is poorly exposed. I can barely see it. Too dark. Wrong composition. And you don't even know what white balance is. You need to learn your basics first.

In the end, just because you snap pictures of your children when they were young does not mean you should start a photography business.

cwightmanphotos wrote: Ok well it's already been said, but I have to put my two cents into it.

Anyone can start a business (if they really want too and have the means too), but you do not have the photography experience too. The photo you attached is poorly exposed. I can barely see it. Too dark. Wrong composition. And you don't even know what white balance is. You need to learn your basics first.

In the end, just because you snap pictures of your children when they were young does not mean you should start a photography business.

Really? I think you could have just let this one lie and could have also left this out...

"In the end, just because you snap pictures of your children when they were young does not mean you should start a photography business."

I think what everybody else said was enough and made it pretty clear... I'm sure you meant well but like you said "it's already been said", so why rub it in?

I guess we all must live and learn. Yes you need and should want more experience before going into the photo biz but then everyone starts somewhere. Read the boards here- even our tongue in cheek answers- and learn what it is you need to know. Post your pix and get some feedback--all critique is good even if it points out the shortcomings of our work. Besides it's better to hear it here than from a paying client after the fact. Build a portfolio of work and then venture out on your own into the photo biz. Good Luck and Happy Shooting !

Dear everyone,

Thank you for your honesty. It's a bit hard for me to take nice shots because I'm not sure how to use the camera yet.

I guess I can just give out my business cards I had made and see what happens.

Thank you,
Gaye

Learn your camera like the back of your hand. Practice, practice , practice. learn the language of photography. There are no dumb questions-but sometimes we have fun with our answers. Have fun and get enjoyment out of shooting- don't make it work or a chore. Explore your vision of what you think is beautiful and you will find your way.

Rob pix4u2 wrote: Learn your camera like the back of your hand. Practice, practice , practice. learn the language of photography. There are no dumb questions-but sometimes we have fun with our answers. Have fun and get enjoyment out of shooting- don't make it work or a chore. Explore your vision of what you think is beautiful and you will find your way.

+1 Thumbs up to that!

My son told me about a website called crag list or something, but I can't find it. He said it might be a nice place to advertise. Can someone tell me how to find that please.

Thank you,
Gaye

Thanks Karl , I had a hard time breaking into pro photography and still have to work hard at it so I like to encourage those with talent and desire to pursue their dream no matter how long it takes to realize it even on a small level.

Make sure you have something to sell before throwing around business cards. I look forward to seeing your progress.


Welcome to the boards.

P.S. I like snow women over snow men

Scotty wrote: Make sure you have something to sell before throwing around business cards. I look forward to seeing your progress.


Welcome to the boards.

P.S. I like snow women over snow men

Thank you Scotty. I look forward to learning a lot from these forums.

Thanks for the welcome. What's "boards" mean?

Litebox Fotos wrote:

Scotty wrote: Make sure you have something to sell before throwing around business cards. I look forward to seeing your progress.


Welcome to the boards.

P.S. I like snow women over snow men

Thank you Scotty. I look forward to learning a lot from these forums.

Thanks for the welcome. What's "boards" mean?

Forums/boards, same thing.