Tradd
5-28-11, 11:26am
I've been thinking about what to do when I'm totally done with a program of classes I'm taking (2.5+ years). I have people on all sides telling me I should turn my photography hobby into a side business. I've got the eye, it seems!
I already have a niche - shooting Orthodox Christian weddings, baptisms, etc. Our weddings, especially, are very unlike Catholic/Protestant weddings so you really have to have a photographer who knows what is going on in the service. I've had several friends who got totally cruddy pics because the photographer was clueless as to what was happening. Since I'm a choir member at my own parish, I know exactly what goes in the services.
I've shot weddings and baptisms for friends, just because they were friends. I was singing and brought my little Canon PowerShot point and shoot along. One friend was so grateful I got the 40 pics at her wedding as the pro did a cruddy job. I simply uploaded all the pics to Walgreens website and she got to print what she wanted. I gave her my favorite shot framed for a wedding gift.
Last fall a friend asked me to be the only photographer at her wedding (at my church) and loaned me her DSLR. My first time handling one, so I shot on automatic, but it was such fun and the photos were pretty good. Another friend just loaned me his DSLR to shoot my goddaughter's dad's ordination to the priesthood tomorrow, but I'll have my own camera, just in case.
I recently took hundreds of photos over two days when our new bishop was consecrated and installed. One of my photos was (and still is) featured front and center on our diocesan website, while the pro's photographs are buried in an article about the event. :D Other photos from that weekend, and Easter at my church, were featured on other parish websites in the area or our national church website. I'm now acknowledged to be my parish's photographer. People will get others out of my way so I can shoot at various events.
I'd have to research to find out what other photographers are in the area that might concentrate on this niche. I know there was one priest's wife who did a lot, but she's retired for the time being, due to having small children.
I'm fortunate that I'm already known by a good many of the priests in the area due to my involvement (current prez) of local pan-Orthodox group, as well as just having friends in lots of parishes. I'm also a member of a well-respected parish with a well-respected priest, and I'm known to be very active - it's amazing what doors that opens and gets me leeway to do things I might not otherwise.
My only issue is that I need to get better camera. I've shot events with everything from an iPhone 3G, iPod Touch 4, two Canon PowerShots (my 18 month old one is much better than the one from 2005!), and a Canon Rebel DLSR. From checking around a bit, looks like a basic DSLR (I love Canon), with a wide angle lens and a longer lens will run me about $1K, plus I need to add a flash, extra batteries for camera, and a camera bag. I do have photographer friends (including one in anothe state who does weddings) to ask for advice and pick their brains.
I have an excellent eye and get incredible pics whatever I'm shooting with, but to do this for more than just a hobby, I need better gear. I've got a good sized portfolio already and people who would write references.
I'm thinking of just providing bare bones, especially for brides on a budget. I'll shoot the wedding and group photos at the church, but I won't do receptions. I don't want anything that will interfere with my full-time job OR involvement with my own parish.
Any thing else I've not thought of or you would like to add?
I already have a niche - shooting Orthodox Christian weddings, baptisms, etc. Our weddings, especially, are very unlike Catholic/Protestant weddings so you really have to have a photographer who knows what is going on in the service. I've had several friends who got totally cruddy pics because the photographer was clueless as to what was happening. Since I'm a choir member at my own parish, I know exactly what goes in the services.
I've shot weddings and baptisms for friends, just because they were friends. I was singing and brought my little Canon PowerShot point and shoot along. One friend was so grateful I got the 40 pics at her wedding as the pro did a cruddy job. I simply uploaded all the pics to Walgreens website and she got to print what she wanted. I gave her my favorite shot framed for a wedding gift.
Last fall a friend asked me to be the only photographer at her wedding (at my church) and loaned me her DSLR. My first time handling one, so I shot on automatic, but it was such fun and the photos were pretty good. Another friend just loaned me his DSLR to shoot my goddaughter's dad's ordination to the priesthood tomorrow, but I'll have my own camera, just in case.
I recently took hundreds of photos over two days when our new bishop was consecrated and installed. One of my photos was (and still is) featured front and center on our diocesan website, while the pro's photographs are buried in an article about the event. :D Other photos from that weekend, and Easter at my church, were featured on other parish websites in the area or our national church website. I'm now acknowledged to be my parish's photographer. People will get others out of my way so I can shoot at various events.
I'd have to research to find out what other photographers are in the area that might concentrate on this niche. I know there was one priest's wife who did a lot, but she's retired for the time being, due to having small children.
I'm fortunate that I'm already known by a good many of the priests in the area due to my involvement (current prez) of local pan-Orthodox group, as well as just having friends in lots of parishes. I'm also a member of a well-respected parish with a well-respected priest, and I'm known to be very active - it's amazing what doors that opens and gets me leeway to do things I might not otherwise.
My only issue is that I need to get better camera. I've shot events with everything from an iPhone 3G, iPod Touch 4, two Canon PowerShots (my 18 month old one is much better than the one from 2005!), and a Canon Rebel DLSR. From checking around a bit, looks like a basic DSLR (I love Canon), with a wide angle lens and a longer lens will run me about $1K, plus I need to add a flash, extra batteries for camera, and a camera bag. I do have photographer friends (including one in anothe state who does weddings) to ask for advice and pick their brains.
I have an excellent eye and get incredible pics whatever I'm shooting with, but to do this for more than just a hobby, I need better gear. I've got a good sized portfolio already and people who would write references.
I'm thinking of just providing bare bones, especially for brides on a budget. I'll shoot the wedding and group photos at the church, but I won't do receptions. I don't want anything that will interfere with my full-time job OR involvement with my own parish.
Any thing else I've not thought of or you would like to add?