| As "artists" most of us have problems with self | | | | mention that those are the best photos they have |
| doubt. | | | | available. Why display a bad one?) |
| Does my work measure up? Could I have done | | | | Then you need to stop comparing yourself to all the |
| better? Did I use the right combination of shutter | | | | other photographers you see published. Even if they |
| speed/f-stop? Will anyone like these shots? Was that | | | | are all tremendous shooters, it doesn't matter! If you |
| the best pose? Angle? Is this ART or just a grab | | | | start selling your work, you aren't trying to please |
| shot? | | | | them! You are trying to please your customers. |
| We constantly compare ourselves to the best in the | | | | Every photographer has an individual way of seeing |
| field and - in our minds - we frequently fall sort. This | | | | things and YOUR customers may like what YOU do |
| low self esteem state of mind causes us to endlessly | | | | BETTER! |
| agonize over the biggest decision we will ever need | | | | That's all that matters. Is the customer happy? |
| to make in our careers... | | | | Here is a well kept secret that all professional portrait |
| To sell our photography or simply remain a frustrated | | | | photographers know - the average person doesn't |
| amateur. | | | | judge photo contests. They don't know what makes |
| Photography as a hobby is incredibly expensive. We | | | | one portrait a contest winner and another one a |
| have to buy cameras, tripods, lenses, film or -if digital | | | | loser. |
| - computers, printers and software. Lights, stands, | | | | AND they don't care! |
| backdrops and etc., are all just the tip of the iceberg. | | | | All they want is a good, competent job, showing an |
| At some point, pretty much ALL intermediate and | | | | attractive pose and nice expression. |
| advanced amateurs wonder if they could sell their | | | | There IS a way to be sure you never have an |
| work. | | | | unhappy customer - don't charge a session fee. |
| If nothing else, it would help pay for the equipment. | | | | Work on speculation. That way, they are only |
| Then, the self doubt starts to creep in. We start | | | | obligated to buy the photos they want! |
| looking through our books and magazines and | | | | The bottom line is, you don't have to be brilliant, just |
| comparing our work to those we see. We check out | | | | treat your customers well and take care to do the |
| websites and study contest winners. | | | | best job you can on every session. You'll be |
| The lump in the pit of our stomache starts getting | | | | surprised. |
| larger and larger. | | | | I hope this will help you with one of the hardest |
| But on the other hand, all our friends and relatives | | | | decisions we are forced to make. Make the choice to |
| say our work is gorgeous. Everyone says we could | | | | start selling your portraits, and don't look back - you'll |
| become photographers but, that doesn't do much to | | | | be glad you did. |
| relieve the cold sweats in the middle of the night. | | | | If you are interested in getting started in a part time |
| Does it? | | | | photo business (don't start off full time) check out |
| What to do...? | | | | the website listed in my bio. It's the easiest, least |
| First, stop comparing yourself to the magazine | | | | expensive and fastest way I know to get started! |
| photographers. Odds are, several thousand dollars in | | | | Publishers - Feel free to publish this article at will, as |
| retouching fees were expended to get that perfect | | | | long as the entire article is left intact - including the |
| cover "look". Same with contest winners and the | | | | bio and links. |
| window display at the local photo studio. (Not to | | | | |