Starting out in photography.

We all have been there. Whether you are Rolando Gomez or David Mecey or even Joe McNally, or just some local photographer in the middle-of-no-where, Oklahoma, we were all a starter at one point in out lives. Even myself 2 years pro, 10 years screwing around, I had to learn somewhere.

My most frequent question in photography is "I want to get started, what do I need to do?"

That is a multi part question, so here it goes!

First part: Like modeling, a lot of people think you need a degree to be a photographer, this is not true. Photography as a business is nothing about the art, and everything to do about business. If you are to or were to get a degree, I would say go the business route. The reason I say this is because a photography degree is basically worthless, what you learn there in school you can learn from YouTube videos. Workshops are another great way to learn about lighting and posing and the basics of your camera. Zack Arias has a wonderful one light workshop DVD I own. I would highly suggest this DVD series to.

Second part: Starting gear, what should you get? Well this depends, my starting set up was a nikon 70 to 300mm f4 to 5.6 lens, a 18 to 55mm 4 to 5.6 lens and a SB800 and a D80. Ran me about a grand all in all. However, if you want to go cheaper you can. If you want to go Canon the Rebel t3i is a great beginning camera, and a 50mm 1.8 lens is a great starter lens, fast glass and sharp images for about 130 dollars

t3i
http://www.amazon.com/Canon-T3i-Digital-Imaging-Body/dp/B004M170YC/ref=sr_1_2?s=electronics&ie=UTF8&qid=1306958495&sr=1-2

Canon 50mm 1.8
http://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/12142-USA/Canon_2514A002_Normal_EF_50mm_f_1_8.html

If you decide to go Nikon I would reccomend the D90 and a 50mm 1.8

The D90 can be found at the following link

http://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/580241-REG/Nikon_25446_D90_SLR_Digital_Camera.html

The Nikon 50mm 1.8

http://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/247091-USA/Nikon_2137_Normal_AF_Nikkor_50mm.html

The great thing about the Nikon bodies above the D5000 is they come with AF built in.

This will get you started and have some great glass with a decent body. Remember, lighting and glass are what is important!

Third part: Actually getting started. This business does take a long time to build a name and get known. When I started I asked friends to model for me and did senior picture type photos, eventually I found 2 awesome models on Craigslist and got a www.modelmayhem.com account for free. These are great networking sites, but Facebook has been my best. If you want to do seniors, find some friends in a church or in a workplace that have children that are seniors, do their photos are a discounted rate, please them, and they will tell a lot of people. Post Facebook posts and what not. It is all marketing yourself. You will get there eventually. Personally I did a lot of time for shoots before I even got a penny. The old saying "spend money to earn money" is oh-so-true in the world of photography. However, this is also a pretty middle-of-the-road career money wise. You will make between 15 and 35 grand a year on average. But everyone can do it.

If you want to get into weddings, a nikon D90 and a 70 to 20mm 2.8 lens with a great flash is a good starter kit for weddings, from there see if a friend is getting married, work out pricing. Book a few weddings build a portfolio, get a print one made. Take it to the shows and saturate it with cards and get your name out there. Again word of mouth is great.

Fourth part. Never settle. The second you think you are where you need to be at is the second you quit.

Fifth part. Lighting. Start out with ambient, learn your camera in manual mode learn the reflector meter, learn how to use a reflector, properly. From there move up better and beyond.

Submit your questions into wolfiemuellerphotography@gmail.com and I will answer them!

Hope to hear from you guys!