Infotainment Resource

Have you ever dreamed of becoming a photographer? Wondered what life would be like if you spent all day working at a job you love?

Well, if you aren't making any money as a professional photographer, what's holding you back?

Let's take a minute to talk about our competition. When we compare ourselves to others, we tend to compare ourselves to the best photographers out there. We buy the latest photo magazines and check out the stunning, award winning photos (while secretly doubting our ability to EVER do something as beautiful as that!). Or, we go to local photo competitions and see incredible images that take our breath away. And, sadly shaking our heads, we bury our dreams - once again - and go back to our humdrum, boring existence.

Big mistake!

Those images are rarely, if ever, an example of the day in and day out images of a working professional. They're usually once in a lifetime shots - and YOU are comparing your day in and day out abilities to THAT! Bad move.

Have you ever walked by the portrait studio in the local mall and watched them shooting for a little while and thought, "I could do better than that!" Guess what, you probably could.

Most of the mall photographers you see are part time kids - still living at home and working to earn a little extra spending money. They don't have any special degrees or any special talent. The store manager spends a day or so working with them to teach them how to load the camera, helps them learn a few simple poses then turns them loose!

Most likely, they walked into the mall one day, saw a help wanted sign and thought, "That looks like an easy job!" Then they applied - got lucky - and were chosen. Or, just as likely, one of their friends works there and they got the job that way.

In other words, they got the job of YOUR dreams, by sheer luck. They got the job of your dreams, the one that you always felt was out of your reach!

Let's discuss their abilities and knowledge. (I'm hoping the standards are higher now!) Some time ago, I had a chance to talk with the manager of a local branch of a chain baby portrait studio. She'd been manager for three years and had NEVER even bothered to look and see what brand of camera she was using. When asked, she had no idea. AND I guess one lighting setup fits all because the lights were permanently attached to the wall.

Before I get a lot of hate mail from the mall shooters, let me say that I'm sure many of them are conscientious and hard working. I'm sure many of them care about their images and have studied and know everything about photography. My point was not to put down the mall shooters. My point is that the career of your dreams is not out of reach. You don't have to be brilliant, another Ansel Adams. You just have to be competent at creating and shooting the basic poses that most people buy and that's it.

Then, once you learn the basic poses and lighting patterns, you need to learn a few time tested and proven marketing strategies. Ones that will have potential clients banging down your doors and clamoring for your services. To learn these, check out my website - the links are in my resources box. I believe ANYONE with an interest in photography and just a tiny bit of competency, can be making money with their camera within two weeks. By anyone, I mean YOU.