AboutSteve Meltzer Expertise I am a professional photographer and I've been shooting for newspapers, magazines, commercial clients and artists for over 30 years.
I have shot stock photography for dozens of years and in 1977 created West Stock (Seattle, WA) which was one of the first to produce stock photo CDs and later one of the first to establish an online stock photo slaes site.
I have a new book on digital photography "PHOTOGRAPHING ARTS, CRAFTS AND COLLECTIBLES (Lark Books, 2007)which is available at Amazon.com, eBay.com and in bookstores like Barnes & Noble and Borders. I have another book, CAPTURE THE LIGHT which will be puiblished in November, 2008.
I write 20-30 feature articles and columns for regional and national publications a year.
My education includes studying with photographers like Cornell Capa, Duane Michels and Oliver Gagliani (from the Ansel Adams Center.)
Question I have been taking pictures for a while now and ever since I can remember I have always had a passion for it. I want to start my own business, but before I go out and spend a fortune, I need some advice on what I should consider. I plan to start on taking pictures for friends & family then word of mouth and I also have someone close to me that has many years of business experience. Please, any advice would help, I was looking at a Nikon D60 for about $600.00. I don't know what to do, and how many more websites I can look at and get even more confused.
Answer Rae
You are definitely on the right track. Besides family and friend try volunteering with some local groups. The trick is to get your name and face out there and be known as a photographer who is available for work.
Camerawise a D60 is a fine camera but I suggest that you get an 18-135 zoom with it. This will cover most of your needs, everything from interiors to portraiture. If you are going to shoot sports I'd suggest an 18-200mm zoom or two lenses to cover this range.
Once you get the camera it is very important to spend time shooting with it to learn how it works. Every digital camera is different and you need to know all its quirks before you are on a job and so you don't look foolish to your clients.
