On Becoming a Photographer - full-time and self-employed

My questions for you are this:
Do you enjoy your job, what's some pros/cons?
Yes. I love my job.
Pros:
1) I'm always learning and being creative
2) I get to spend lots of time with people and I meet new people ALL THE TIME!
3) I have a flexible schedule - there is no 9-5 (I don't like to have the same thing every day, I love that life changes...but I've gotten REALLY GOOD at using my calendar)
4) my photography "seasons" come and go (so I get some "down time" as well as a busy season)...lots of others, too.

Cons:
1) Being self-employed means everyone is your boss...you serve your clients and if you don't do it right, you loose business.
2) Your schedule really depends on what other people need - my summers are super busy and I'm booked almost every weekend.
3) When you have "seasonal work" you also have seasonal pay.
4) You are not only a photographer, but you are an accountant, graphic designer, costume picker-outer (for almost 80% of your portrait clients!), and office staff and you are CONSTANTLY working. There is no 9-5


How does one become a professional photographer as far as education/degree stuff?
I have a degree in Art Education. For me, this was a well-rounded degree. I train several photographers each year and my education degree has really helped me. If I were to do it over again, or go back, I'd get a double-major in Graphic Design and Business...but that would take a lot of work. I have really had to make up things and learn from talking with other photographers for the most part.

Would you recommend this career?
I would recommend photography as a career. My best advice though is to work for another photographer, someone you really admire and want to "be like when you grow up". Learn about the Art, the people-skills, and the business as much as you can. I worked for Kelly Brown Weddings for four years and I still entertain the idea of working for her again...it was an amazing and growing experience. I am really glad that I did it for so long because we worked through all kinds of things and I learned more than I would have any other way.


Where did you go to college? Did you take specific courses for Photography or did you simply fall into the job?
I went to Northwestern in Rsvl. I only have had 2 photography classes EVER! I took several graphic design classes while I was in college, but things change so quickly!

My first wedding was in 1999 and it was a friend's wedding in Rochester, NY. They asked me to do a slideshow for their MN reception and take candids that day. I LOVED it and they used my photos instead of their professional photographer's photos! I thought, "I can do this!" and I did. Then, I worked for Kelly for four years as I went to school and taught. The fourth year, my business was so busy and I was teaching full-time. I had 34 weddings that year. So, I quit teaching and quit working for Kelly. I shot 24 the next year on my own! Then, I was pregnant and shot 15 (by choice) and this year, I'm at 19 for myself and one for my associate photographer. I'm already booking for next year. God has truly blessed me.


What kind of camera do you use? Digital or Film?
Canon 5D
Canon 5D Mark II
Canon 30D (back up)
I shoot all digital. That's another LOOOOOOONG story.

I hope that is helpful.
Please, keep sending your questions. I love to chat with you all.
If anyone has other comments on this, please leave them! I'd love to hear from you.
ali

PC or Mac?

When you edit your photos do you work with PC or Apple? Which do you prefer?

Also, have you ever thought about teaching and photography classes?

I'm a Mac girl. Typically, artists use Mac and the business world uses PC. It's hard to honestly tell someone to go one way or the other.

When I was in college, we used Macs and I learned Photoshop on them. But, I know a friend of mine, Noemi (Noemi Photography), who decided to buy a computer more often and get PCs because they aren't as expensive as Macs.



Have I ever thought about teaching again?
Sure. I am actually planning to do a workshop, I just don't know when it will be. I'd love to hear what you all think about that and if you'd come. Also, is there a price limit on what you'd be able to afford? How long would you want it to be (a whole weekend? just one day?) and what you'd like to focus on.

I have my thoughts, but I'd LOVE your feedback!

How did you get started?

How did you get started?

My first wedding was in 1999. I was a freshman in college and attending a friend's wedding. His mom asked me to take candids - they had hired a pro photographer. The couple (and their families) used my pictures instead of the pro's! I was honored and thought, "I loved that! I could do that more often..."

Then, once I had shot one, I simply told people and got more and more.

In 2001, I started assisting Kelly Brown. This was one of the best decisions that I have ever made! Working with Kelly was hard and a lot of work, but I learned so much information really quickly and got a lot of experience.

I signed a 3 year contract with Kelly and I think that was vital to the whole process. It would have been easy to go on my own after one or two years, but we had made and deal and both honored that. Actually, I worked with her for 4 years!

Kelly had very high expectations for me and I believe that it has made me a better photographer and mentor for others.

While working for Kelly, I taught Art and did weddings on my own. Finally, three years ago, I quit teaching and have been doing full-time photography. I went from 2-5 weddings in 1999-2001, to assisting 18 weddings in 2002, to lead shooting 23 weddings in 2003, 27 in 2004, 32 in 2006, 25 in 2007...in 2008, I got pregnant and was due in November, so I raised my prices a bit and cut back on the number of weddings.

This year, I've booked 18 and my goal is to be between 15-25...so I'm there. It's so good.

Just remember that it takes time. You'll have to do quite a bit for free or cheap...and really try to accept constructive criticism. When you receive criticism, grow from it. Figure out how to make the changes necessary and if you don't agree with what is said, chalk it up to experience.

We never really get to a point where we have no where to grow...remember to always find inspiration and continue to learn.