Hello! I am a student who is interested in getting into the photography business, and I'm looking for advice. I've been shooting casually for some time and I've taken some classes and I'm thinking it's something I would like to do for a living, but the school I'm going to is a liberal arts college that isn't about turning out professional photographers, they're about the arts side. This is great except I'm not learning the business side and I would like to. So here are my questions:

1. People are starting to take interest in my photography and I'm wondering about protecting the images. I've recently had some prints purchased by an art director for a local hospital, and a friend from work has expressed interest in purchasing some prints. Should I copyright my work?
2. How do you back up your files? I have about 20G of photos. Small change compared to the rest of you I'm sure, but still too much to easily backup using conventional means. I could back them up to DVDs, but most of my files are psd's and I don't know what software to use to burn that kind of file. I'm currently thinking of buying a second external hard drive and storing copies of them on that.
3. And finally, what's the best way to get started? I would really love to work for a photographer and learn from someone who does it, but I have a medical condition that prevents me from leaving my full time job because I need the insurance. Is there another way that I can get the experience I need?

Hi laura, Welcome to OSP. I'm going to just jump right in here...

It's a common misconception that you need to register/copyright your images in order to "protect" them from illegal use/copying/distribution/sales. This is totally untrue. Your images are copyrighted and protected by federal copyright laws the moment you click the shutter. Of course it's a bit more complicated than that, but that's the basics.

As far as backing up goes... it's hard to suggest something without knowing what platform (mac or PC) you're using. However, I strongly suggest using a mac if you're going to get serious in photography, it's one of the best investments you can make and quite possibly the easiest thing to back up. There's a VERY intuitive and very powerful took called "Time Machine" built right into Apple's OS X Leopard operating system. It will automatically back up all of your files every hour to whatever drive you want. That being said, hard drive backups are not entirely reliable, as hard drives WILL (not might) fail somewhere down the road. In this case, it's important to back up at least your original files to DVD. I do this on a shoot-by-shoot basis, generally I'm using 5-6 DVDs per wedding right now, but when blu-ray drives and discs become more available and cheaper I'm going to turn to them, as you can store 25gb on a blu-ray disc. That's one or two years down the road though...

As far as getting started, I'm going to leave that advice for someone else.

Again, welcome to osp and enjoy your growth into photographer-ness!

Welcome, Laura!

Backups are so important! I do both. I make backups on DVD as well as a 1TB external hard drive. External hard drives are coming down in price. They're a smart investment to make.

So, in regards to copyrighting and such. Do the laws differ from state to state? I'm in Michigan.

They shouldn't. If you are actually going to make a business out of photography, I HIGHLY recommend joining the PPA (professional photographers of america - http://www.ppa.com ) they have TONS of copyright information along with contract/release templates, and each member is covered by their indemnification trust, which in a way acts like malpractice insurance... a VERY important investment to make if you're considering moving forward with your business.

More questions:

• As I mentioned before, one of my coworkers is interested in purchasing some 8x10 prints, but I'm not sure what a fair price would be. The other photos I sold were to a hospital and they paid $25 a photograph, but is that too high for a beginner selling to an individual buyer?
• I'm interested in learning more about lighting and using flash. I have a top-mounted flash but I avoid using it at all costs because I hate the direct washed out look of flash photography. I'm looking into the possibility of getting some sort of diffuser or reflector attachement but I'm not sure that they make one for my particular flash. Someone suggested using some sort of fabric or plastic to place over the flash and act as a diffuser. Does anyone have any recommendations for something I could use?

i suggest attending some type of workshop on lighting. you will learn loads and be able to implement it right on the spot.

Your images are your property as soon as you click the shutter but your ability to collect damages for unauthorized use is limited if your images are not registered. You can register them in batches if you want. The process is changing so it would be good to Google and find out what the current procedure is.

I do not trust any optical media as my only backup. I have DVD backup of everything but everything is also on hard drive as well. The only sure thing is that your data storage will fail at some point so you need redundancy.

To get started, I suggest making your work so good that people seek you out to hire you. If you have a full time job that you are not going to leave there is no reason to get ahead of yourself. Working with others is a good idea but I think taking time to develop your own style will take you further in the long run.

The price of your prints has nothing to do with how long you have been in business. If they are good then they are good.

On-camera flash diffusers are all but worthless. To make any real difference in quality your light has to move off the camera. (This is a broad generalization but one I stand behind.) Take a look at Zack Arias' One Light Workshop. Even if you do not go to a workshop he has a DVD coming out soon and a lot of information on his blog.

check out Guide to Building your Photography Business

by Vik Orenstein

Hey there, I'm going to speak candidly for a bit.

First. You're far too worried about being a beginner. Your insecurities are your biggest problem. You need to relax, conduct yourself professionally at all times. If you act professional you are professional.

With regards to print pricing I feel it's a very organic process but i'm sure people more involved in the commercial part of selling prints will have a more solid idea.

Now for a point far closer to home. You don't need to get a photography degree, work for peanuts for a big name photographer or sell your soul to get experience. You need some tools, (strobist, Morguefile Classroom, Jasmin's Photoshop Tutorial) and the drive to take pictures.
ALL YOU HAVE TO DO is read a bit, then shoot shoot shoot shoot shoot shoot shoot shoot shoot shoot shoot shoot shoot shoot shoot shoot shoot shoot shoot shoot shoot shoot, then read some more, then edit edit edit edit edit and then shoot shoot shoot shoot shoot shoot. Then do the whole process all over again. (And i typed all of those out, no copy and paste cheating)

You don't need any fancy lenses you don't need any fancy lighting or a fancy camera to start. If you have it, great it gives you tons of room to grow but if not, learn to do the dang best with what you have then once you know you're limited by your gear then move up.

As for backing up, have two external harddrives, both from different manufactures, but of the same size. And manually backup your photos onto each. It's safe secure takes a bit of elbow grease but as long as you keep on top of it you'll be solidly protected.

This is all great advice guys, I really appreciate it.