PentaxForums.com - Professional Photography and Business http://www.pentaxforums.com/forums/ This is an area for professional photographers to discuss their work and technique. en Sat, 21 Nov 2009 14:38:50 GMT vBulletin 30 http://www.pentaxforums.com/forums/images/pentaxforums/misc/rss.jpg PentaxForums.com - Professional Photography and Business http://www.pentaxforums.com/forums/ What do I say???? http://www.pentaxforums.com/forums/professional-photography-business/80837-what-do-i-say.html Sat, 21 Nov 2009 04:18:43 GMT When the client asks who I use for prints??? I use mpix so of course if they go online and see their prices they are going to flip at my mark up. What do I say??? I'm just now getting into print sales. I've just been selling the cd up until now.

Also, they want to know what to wear. It's a group of two families and their parents. So six adults and two kids. They want some all together, some of families separate, and just kids.

Any advice is GREATLY appreciated!

Thanks! ]]> Professional Photography and Business Sarahbell http://www.pentaxforums.com/forums/professional-photography-business/80837-what-do-i-say.html what markup do you charge for prints and canvas wraps? http://www.pentaxforums.com/forums/professional-photography-business/80606-what-markup-do-you-charge-prints-canvas-wraps.html Thu, 19 Nov 2009 00:52:31 GMT i mentioned to a friend his gf was saying she wanted an enlargement of a photo of mine, so he said do it :D

i'm just unsure how much to charge for it. obviously i don't want to jack them, they're friends, but a profit is always nice :)

what markups do you guys charge for prints and canvas wraps? ]]> Professional Photography and Business zenimagery http://www.pentaxforums.com/forums/professional-photography-business/80606-what-markup-do-you-charge-prints-canvas-wraps.html Selling Prints of Buildings http://www.pentaxforums.com/forums/professional-photography-business/80299-selling-prints-buildings.html Mon, 16 Nov 2009 17:47:27 GMT Hi everyone! I was wondering if it is okay to sell prints of buildings? Such as churches, front entrances of hotels/resorts, or bars like in Key West? Do I have to get someone at those establishments to sign... Hi everyone!
I was wondering if it is okay to sell prints of buildings? Such as churches, front entrances of hotels/resorts, or bars like in Key West? Do I have to get someone at those establishments to sign off on something? Or not?

I have taken a couple cool shots of a church that people want prints of; but I don't want to do it if it's illegal.

thanks for any advice!

~Amanda ]]> Professional Photography and Business stillinmotion http://www.pentaxforums.com/forums/professional-photography-business/80299-selling-prints-buildings.html Zoom Lens Recommendation for Award Banquets http://www.pentaxforums.com/forums/professional-photography-business/80165-zoom-lens-recommendation-award-banquets.html Sun, 15 Nov 2009 15:02:16 GMT I'm hoping some of the pros out there might recommend a good, fast "all around" zoom lens for shooting large banquets/award ceremonies. I'm thinking of something perhaps in the range of 17-70mm, preferably even longer, but defer to your experience.

I'm getting some freelance work from a local studio as sole still photog for large banquets and award dinners e.g., Kiwanis Club events. The first thing I learned about award dinners: there's absolutely no time to change lenses. One second you're shooting a fairly close-in grip & grin of a local politician and 4 guests when suddenly, out of the blue, another award or citation is being presented from the podium. The podiums (podia?) are usually set up in the middle of a vast empty space in front of the room, so even running in risks losing the shot. Each presentation is a must-have, for the local newspapers, for the club's wall of honor, and for the recipient, and they come fast, unexpectedly, and continuously all night long. I've asked the various MCs to give me a "heads up" but they're pretty busy and usually forget.

Consequently, I need to go from wide to long in a heartbeat. I am addicted to shooting with a camera-flip bracket and would infinitely prefer not have to lug two of these contraptions around. A decent zoom seems to make the most sense in this situation but I'm not sure which one to go with.

Your thoughts and advice would be greatly appreciated. ]]> Professional Photography and Business marianne718 http://www.pentaxforums.com/forums/professional-photography-business/80165-zoom-lens-recommendation-award-banquets.html A question on freelancing http://www.pentaxforums.com/forums/professional-photography-business/79070-question-freelancing.html Fri, 06 Nov 2009 16:54:54 GMT Hey everyone, Hopefully this Q is not too off topic. I absolutely love photography and just love seeing a really nice image pop out of my camera (film or digital or whatever). Ever since I picked up my... Hey everyone,

Hopefully this Q is not too off topic.

I absolutely love photography and just love seeing a really nice image pop out of my camera (film or digital or whatever). Ever since I picked up my Pentax DSLR for my Singapore/Sydney trip, I've never really put it down since. Whenever I hear the word 'assignment', something in my heart and mind click and I get really excited, whether it be a wedding, a photoshoot, a project, etc.

Which has me seriously considering doing freelance photography for events and weddings and portraits and such. I've done a lot of reading up on the business on photography but I would like to know people's personal experiences.

One thing that sort of came up for me was this: Most wedding photographers are booked way in advance of the wedding. My question is, if something comes up (like you get sick, seriously injured or a family member gets sick or seriously injured or... something to that extent) and you're forced to back out like a week before the wedding... I mean, how do you deal with that? That obviously looks really bad. Do you folks ever have a backup plan?

I know it's an extreme hypothetical situation, but I guess I'm just curious.

Thanks!! ]]> Professional Photography and Business dugrant153 http://www.pentaxforums.com/forums/professional-photography-business/79070-question-freelancing.html question on price, photographing for an ad campain http://www.pentaxforums.com/forums/professional-photography-business/78119-question-price-photographing-ad-campain.html Fri, 30 Oct 2009 08:40:36 GMT I just contacted an advertising firm, and got a quick reply that they might hire me for an project. The project will be placed on airports (in Norway). So now theyr asking for my price. And really not sure... I just contacted an advertising firm, and got a quick reply that they might hire me for an project. The project will be placed on airports (in Norway). So now theyr asking for my price. And really not sure where to start, any advice on pricing? ]]> Professional Photography and Business devisor http://www.pentaxforums.com/forums/professional-photography-business/78119-question-price-photographing-ad-campain.html Need advice for 1st wedding http://www.pentaxforums.com/forums/professional-photography-business/77164-need-advice-1st-wedding.html Wed, 21 Oct 2009 20:59:51 GMT Call me crazy, but I want to be a wedding photographer. I have done a few bridal portraits just for practice (friends and family) but for those I wasn't rushed and had great lighting etc. I only have a 18-55 kit lens and a DA* 300 lens (I also love nature photography). I am considering renting or possibly buying a lens and wondered what you all would recommend as indispensible - must have. I have been really wanting a DA* 50-135 just because... but now I am wondering if a FA 50 1.4 wouldn't be better being faster and all. Also, if I decide to rent would it be worth it to pay double and go with the DA* 55 1.4 And one more, what about the DA* 16-45. I had also wanted to own it. Do I really need something with a 1.4 aperature if I will probably be using flash - as least for fill anyway. Please help... Any and all advice greatly appreciated. ]]> Professional Photography and Business mhodge http://www.pentaxforums.com/forums/professional-photography-business/77164-need-advice-1st-wedding.html Pentax for business http://www.pentaxforums.com/forums/professional-photography-business/77086-pentax-business.html Wed, 21 Oct 2009 05:42:16 GMT How many people here use Pentax professionally for a photography career? For weddings for example, or anything?

How's finding/networking with other pentax photographers? ]]> Professional Photography and Business Psynema http://www.pentaxforums.com/forums/professional-photography-business/77086-pentax-business.html Calendar printing http://www.pentaxforums.com/forums/professional-photography-business/76925-calendar-printing.html Mon, 19 Oct 2009 16:56:10 GMT [ I don't know that there is a more appropriate forum for this; I'll be happy to move this if someone has a better idea ]

[ EDIT: OK, I've moved it from general to Pro ]

Every year around this time, I put together a calendar. Usually of my paintings, but this time I think it will be photography. I've used several service in the past, and while none were terrible, none were so great that I don't keep looking.

I'm talking about standard flip-a-month-at-a-time wall calendars (some companies offer only whole-year-on-a-single-page calendars). I'm not talking about doing high volume offset printing here - small batches or single orders.

I don't have any special requirements - just decent quality at a good price. Last time out I used Lulu, which was the cheapest I had seen ($9.99 in quantities of just 5), but quality and customization options seemed a notch below what I was expecting. I'd use them again if no better options presented themselves, though, as the other options were generally close to twice as expensive.

Looking around, I see what looks like a similar deal at Vistaprint, although I have no idea how long their current advertised sale prices last. I have heard of them of them primarily because I know a lot of people use them for business cards. Not sure how their photo storage fee structure works out long term if I were to use them more often. ]]> Professional Photography and Business Marc Sabatella http://www.pentaxforums.com/forums/professional-photography-business/76925-calendar-printing.html The End of the Print Portfolio? http://www.pentaxforums.com/forums/professional-photography-business/76814-end-print-portfolio.html Sun, 18 Oct 2009 14:59:39 GMT The End of the Print Portfolio?

I was recently asked to share my portfolio with a magazine and asked how would they prefer to view it.* To my surprise they said "just bring your laptop, that will be fine" and they added that "more and more photographers are presenting their work using this medium".

I was pleased and disturbed at the same time. Being that the press are moving towards the internet and are losing millions in print media, I suspect that seeing the images on screen was more relevant than seeing my work in print. As a result of this changing paradigm, photographers will have to consider their output based on other conditions that were not considered even 2 years ago.* Considering the price of constantly updating your book, as well as the environmental considerations, perhaps that is a good thing.* I have considered printing books, as an alternative which costs about 4X -10X less than printing your portfolio yourself.* Just check out the deals available on the Internet.* Custom portfolio's can't compete.My leather bound portfolio and plastic sheet mounting cost around 450€ per book, not including the carrying case.
I would like to hear your impressions regarding this subject and how you see where and how the presentation of commercial photography has changed and is going.

Ben

Photo by: Lewanna Kanarek while I was shooting a Fashion Editorial.* Shot with Pentax Optio M60.

Benjamin Kanarek Blog The End of the Print Portfolio?
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]]> Professional Photography and Business benjikan http://www.pentaxforums.com/forums/professional-photography-business/76814-end-print-portfolio.html Business name? http://www.pentaxforums.com/forums/professional-photography-business/76214-business-name.html Mon, 12 Oct 2009 12:32:51 GMT I'm maybe a little far from creating my business, but things can change really quickly. A jump in the local chamber of commerce and a week later I could have it running.

But I'm still thinking of the name, and in a couple of years, I'll maybe use it for IT consultancy also.. (strange mix up, indeed, but that's not the point now ^^) That's also the reason why 'photography' won't be on official documents as the company name, but could be used for publicity or other use.

So, which one sounds better and inspires more confidence? I have my preferences but I don't want to influence anyone.

You can make 2 choices, but one is better of course :) ]]> Professional Photography and Business ezechiel http://www.pentaxforums.com/forums/professional-photography-business/76214-business-name.html