Photography and The Portrait by Richard Rives

Photography is not about buying a sign and hanging itanyone so unique before. Get excited when your
on your door and poof, you're now in theshooting and your client will feel your excitement and
photography business. It's way more than that, it'sthis will make for a successful session.
about learning the trade or hobby you've beenNumber 3. How to treat your potential client. When a
interested in all these years and learning about andpotential client calls always answer with a smile. The
turning it into a business. A portrait photographer isperson calling can tell if you're in a good mood or
only successful if he can accomplish three things.woke up on the wrong side of the bed. Never put a
Number 1. Know your camera; Get to know shutterclient on hold! If you get a call on the other line tell
speeds, F-stops, lighting and composition. Practiceyour potential customer told and then answer the
taking pictures of your family members, your dog orother line and tell whoever is calling if you can please
pet. Go out at different times of the day and seeget their phone number so you can call them back
the lighting results you get with each situation. Writeand give them your undivided attention and and
down your results if you're shooting in bright sun,answer whatever questionsthey have.
shade or a gloomy, overcast day.Follow these steps, as we have, and you should
Number 2. Have a plan on what kind of portraitsound professional to your potential portrait
photography subjects you want to attract whethercustomer. It's very important to have confidence and
it's all wedding and bridal portrait related or with localabilities to be in a business such as photography. Buy
high schools photographing high school seniors.some photographic books, join a local photography
Whatever you decide on take one step at a time.organization, take some digital courses. Don't just
Take each type of portrait and get to know whatjump out there blindly or, take a chance like I did and
your client is looking for. Sit down and ask themlearn as you go. It's a long road but at least you will
what they're wanting out of their session. What arelearn your own way and techniques for taking
they wanting to say in their portrait? Who is theportraits of people. Don't ever give up your dream if
portrait for, etc.photography is where you want to be. If it's in your
Get into what you're doing. I mean when you're in aheart then go for it.
photo session act like you've never photographed