Where are the best places to learn photography classes?
There are many places either books, workshops, webnars, online, classes in colleges. There are tons and tons of books out there to teach you photography. Here is one really great site:
Creativelive.com has tons of online workshops that I LOVE to watch because 1st they show them free, this way you can decide if you want to buy them or not. If you do choose to buy them you can go back at any time and rewatch them and take notes.
Starting a Professional Photography business takes a lot more than just a camera. Here is a list the money breakdown to get you started so you understand what your getting into before you jump feet first without knowing.
2 professional camera bodies (pros have to have at least one backup) | $3400 each x 2 = $6,800
2 external flashes | $500 each x 2 = $1,000
4-6 professional lenses | $12,000
Computer for editing | $1,700
Protection plan for computer | $300
External hard drives to keep your images safe | at least 2 per year at $260
Camera strap | $125
Business license | $50 annually
Business liability insurance | $330 per year
Professional Photography Memberships PPA | $40 per month
Studio Management Software | $50 per month
Website hosting | $10 per month
Website setup | $300+
Logo design & branding | $1,000 (that is on the low end)
Rolling camera bag | $300
Lens bag | $250
Photoshop | $700
Postage – $400+
Office Supplies- $600 +
Prints -$1000-$20000 depending on how your selling
Props- $1000 a year for first 3-4 years.
Lightroom editing software | $300
Studio lighting setup | $2,000
Continuing education to make me a better photographer | $2,000 annually
Blankets/Backgrounds | $500+
Memory cards | $100 a year
Miscellaneous expenses:
Gas, car care, merchant fees, professional clothing, gadgets I’ve bought and then sold and lost money, networking events, advertising
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Total = $40,000+ (YES, THOUSAND)
Is this a lot yes it looks like a ton to get started I remember reading a list similar to this and literally putting my head down on the table after I read it thinking I can’t come up with $40,000. It’s OK you will in time it takes time to make money. You can save and that’s exactly what I did. Worked really hard and saved to buy everything. Before you know it you will see you can succeed running a Professional Photography business but there are many steps in the process and I am here to teach you the exact steps to get your started. Once you get the hang of it before you know it you be super busy and running your own company.
How to become a professional photography and run a highly successful business is another. I love helping people in general LOVE it. I thought this would be a much faster way to help people then writing tons and tons of emails back and forth. Through the past 4.5 years I have been in the photography business I have let’s just say a lot of people ask me questions. Where to buy things, what photography equipment I have, what is the best lens. I used to write back all the time because I love helping but then it was taking way too much time away from my family. I have a 2.5 year old and a 5 year old plus a husband and all want me to spend time with them. Running a professional business takes much more time then going to a job clocking in and leaving. It’s extremely time consuming writing contracts, emails, printing, editing, marketing, learning, practicing, figuring out taxes, keeping organized, posting on your blog, creating a website, fixing your site, writing thank you cards, packaging CD’s, uploading images to a gallery, some people go to client’s homes to sell prints, driving to meet and photograph the client, if you have a studio you will need to clean it before and after (at least 8hours of that) buying products all the time for your business between lenses, hard drives, computers. You will need time to invest doing research on what is the best for your work. I am here to help you with your time so that you can become much more efficient and save you time to spend with your family as well.
If you have a questions email me to Leslie@5ee.a0d.myftpupload.com