Expert: Don Wood - 4/19/2004

Question
I am an aspiring portrait photographer, and i was wondering if there was any information and or tips on becoming a better professional photographer. I would like to attend a well acredited school, and start my own businiess. Can you help me?

Answer
Brooks Institute of Photography comes to mind for your training. Use an Internet search engine for photo schools, and investigate the results you get. You could also get an education in guiding your own business at many colleges and universities. You will need to get a thorough grounding in sound business practices before specializing in your chosen career of portrait photography. You will experience many lows and highs in this business. There will be periods of intense boredom where you are scratching to find enough to pay the basic bills, then there will be times when you have so much business, you will think that there won't be enough hours in the day to finish what needs to be done. You will have to be patient while you are building your business, your best advertising will be word of mouth which has its bad side too if you offend some client.
On the plus side, this is something you could do on weekends, evenings, while keeping your day job which puts the bread on the table, pays the rent, etc. By being a weekend warrior you can build your reputation while you are not having to depend strictly on photography to pay the bills. Remember that there are equipment costs, lighting to buy, backgrounds to purchase and erect, as well as the everyday costs of lights, heat, rent, etc. You will learn that a portrait studio in a small town usually must do more than just portraits to make a living, weddings, reunions, family gatherings. Even in a large city, you will still need to be more of a general purpose studio. I've even been called upon to take pictures at a family wake with pictures of the deceased in the casket, etc.
Best of luck to you, if I can be of further assistance, please ask.
Don