Beautiful photographs like always. I have been meaning to ask you @alexey1976…how did you start into photography?
Did you just buy a camera and start shooting photos…and learning on the way? Did you go to school for it? Plus, taking photographs of scenery is one thing, but how did you get into taking pictures of people (family and wedding photos, models, etc…)?
And how does the pay structure work? It makes sense that people pay you to take family and wedding photos. And taking pictures of scenery is probably at no cost. But what about models, do they pay you to take the photos, and then they use those photos to promote themselves?
And does it cost a lot for the equipment; the cameras, the lighting, the studios, the locations, etc…?
I really enjoy doing renders. And I think about photography often because I have to use different photographic techniques in my renders. And I am just curious about the business of photography.
Hi! I'll try to tell you everything. I started taking pictures a long time ago and at first I had a very simple digital camera from Casio. I photographed the flowers) .
I started studying myself by buying specialized magazines about photography. (now there is a lot of information on the Internet and it is easier to learn yourself) I also read books on posing for models, composition and others.
Then I began to train on my friends, acquaintances and their children. Everyone was happy: I was getting experience, and they were photos....and we had an interesting time.
Then, through friends, I was advised to go to the wedding as a photographer. It was the first time and very scary))
Gradually, I developed a portfolio that I could show to potential clients.
On the issue of payment, I act like this: if I want to photograph the model myself and she agrees, then we do it for free. If someone comes to me for my services, then I say the price for my work. In Russia, the photographer usually takes payment for an hour. But I have to explain to the client what he will get as a result of this hour's work. (For example, 100 photos with color correction and 10 in retouching).
Sometimes customers order a photobook of photos, then it's a separate fee.
I take pictures on a Canon, but also many use Nikon or Sony.
If you live in the USA, then probably you
will have that equipment even cheaper than in Russia.
Thank you so much for taking the time to respond @alexey1976, this is a lot of great information.
So I need a camera :) And friends and family that are willing to get in front of that camera :)
I may have asked you before, but is it better to take photos outside (natural light) or inside?
Yeah, I'm in the US. I was looking at camera prices, they range from $400 to $2,500 (US Dollars)… and I'm sure it can get a lot more expensive when you get “extra equipment” with it.
I use photoshop to touch up my renders, so I'm sure I can do the same with photographs. What “touch up” software do you use?
Thank you for being interested in my experience. I will continue my story)
I would recommend starting to take photos in natural light (outdoors, in the city or indoors, but with a large window). Here you will not need additional equipment costs.
If you want to photograph portraits indoors, it is also advisable to have an external flash, as well as a tripod and a softbox. (for starters, one is possible, but preferably two or three, so that you can experiment with light). But this is extra money....and you need a car to carry with you, since it will already be hard) . It is better to rent a studio with lighting equipment, there they will tell you how to better position the light.
Regarding the camera, I would recommend choosing an average price. Not the cheapest, but you don't need an expensive one either, you won't be able to use all its functionality. It is better to invest money in good optics. (In Russia, used cameras are getting much cheaper, but optics keeps the price, so this is a good investment)
To process photos, I use Photoshop and Lightrum from Adobe. If you also work in Photoshop, then everything will be familiar to you.
This is amazing advice, thank you @alexey1976. Especially the “optics” part…I didn’t think of that…but now that you say it, it makes perfect sense.
And another thing, when I create renders, lighting is incredibly important, it can turn a render from average to incredible if I just have the correct lighting, so using an external flash, tripod and softbox makes sense…I had to look up the definition of softbox :)
Hey @alexey1976, with your experience, where is most of the money made for professional photographers? For example...Weddings, Family Photos, Professional Models, Nature/City Photography, etc...?
I earn money from orders from family photo shoots (both in the studio and outdoors.) I also periodically photograph graduates and make them photo books, as well as children's holidays in kindergartens. I am invited to photograph weddings and birthdays.
I don't know how to make money with nature photography) It may be necessary to work for some magazine, But most likely it will be unrealistically difficult to get there, because they are already cooperating with someone. However, I upload nature photos and other photos to photo banks, where customers from all over the world can buy them. This is Shutterstock, Adobe Stock, istockphoto.com . By the way, he is there and drawings, graphics are also accepted.
"Shutterstock, Adobe Stock, istockphoto.com" I did not know about this...thanks. What about when you do shots with professional models...is there any money in that?
Photos of beautiful models always attract customers in social networks) So even if I take pictures for free, it still benefits and expands my portfolio
Wow, that makes a lot of sense @alexey1976...didn't think about that.