How to start a Project if you are not a Professionl photographer?

[miguelcandela]

Hi,

I would like to knw the different techniques in which people accomplish a project.
I try to do a lot of research and contact with basically everyone who is related with the subject. However, because I´m not a professional photographer, sometimes it seems really difficult to accomplish a photographic project. I suppose it also depends on the subjetc...

Please, if you can...can you let me know the different ways you have to get your way and have a photo shooting?

Thank you!!
Miguel

[tegan]

Well, if you are talking about a professional photographic project you need to know the law related to copyright and how to set up a contract indicating what your services will be and how much they will cost the client.

In that regard, you need to determine your specific expenses which will vary with the project but might include travel expenses: gas etc, parking, meals, accomodation, renting equipment, buying batteries, memory cards, film, printing, CDs, framing, etc.

The other area is your time involved to both take the photos, do the postprocessing and any meetings with the client and reprints or reshoots if that if part of the contract and the price. You need to gage all this and cost it out.

It needless to say helps if you know "standard" rates for similar projects in your particular area.

Then of course it is necessary to assess whether you have the right equipment and resources to complete the project. In this case you need to know when you are out of your depth. At the top end, a truck, a crew, and several thousand dollars worth of equipment may need to be rented and paid for. At the other end, it can be accomplished by a creative photographer with a couple of good camera bodies, some lenses, flashes, lights and tripods.
Of course, a few business portraits or public relations shots may require even less in the way of fancy equipment.

Where the possible problem occurs for a beginner is that as a photographer you need to know what you need equipment wise and skill wise for the particular project and how to best set up and compose the shots. Prior experience builds confidence but the challenge is how do you get the prior experience.

These are just a few of the challenges related to projects. Hopefully it has got you thinking.

Tegan