Expert: Don Wood - 7/18/2006

Question
I have never had any training or taken any classes in photography. I was wondering to start just a small business out of my home , would I need to take classes or training and if so how would you suggest getting started.

Answer
I would attempt to get as much training in the field as possible even if it's only by correspondence school. You have to have a working knowledge of the ins and outs of running a business. You see, the type of business you're contemplating is very iffy. You need equipment that is better than the average amateur photographer. You need a good camera, good flash equipment, good transportation to and from your jobs. You need to pay the rent, buy the groceries, buy gas, buy clothes, etc. You will need to haunt the libraries looking at books of art and photography just to develop your photographic eyes. You will need to go to Art, Photography museums and exhibitions examining the materials to give you ideas on how to create your own pictures.
Photography is a business more than just the selling of a picture. If you think a picture is worth just twice or three times your cost of producing that picture. You will quickly go bust. You must factor in the amount of training you've undergone to run your business. You must factor in the clothing, transportation, equipment costs and replacement costs.
Bear in mind that the average person wanting to start a studio out of their home will quickly go bust unless he is a stickler for details. Of 10 people who start, maybe one will last the year and go on to the next year. I say, don't give up your day job that pays the mundane bills until you're totally able to support every facet of your life just on your photographic efforts.
I do wish you well, perhaps you can get some training from attending a photo class in a trade school, or attending an institution like the Brooks Institute of Photography in California or the New York Institute of Photography. These would be the top end of the learning cycles. Get as much training as you can. It will help you in the long run.
Photography on the scale you are contemplating is do-able, it's a field that mostly is done on weekends or evenings. Keep your day job while building up your business.
Good luck, if I can help further please reply in this forum.