So I definitely need to get some new experience since I am coming in new to this digital thing and I had an idea (Still don't have the camera, b ut working on it). Why not offer a local photographer some skill that I am good at (being web design... not in flash yet mind you... still tryin to learn that) in exchange for some time learning with them.

I found a local photographer and I am going to be calling her tomorrow to see if I can set up a meeting with her to explain how I can best help her while learning things about the business myself. Any suggestions on how to do this?

I know it is late and I will most likely be calling around 10am, but I will check this forum before calling to see if I get any good advice.

--- Gregg

PS --- If any of you have done internships / assisting and would like to offer any comments or advice on things to ask, I would greatly appreciate it. Especially since I have no idea about digital.

Just be open with her and anyone else you meet with. I think people are impressed with honesty. I think there is always the temptation to make yourself look better than you really are. Tell her exactly what you can and can't do, and I think your earnestness for the opportunity will shine through.

Oddly enough, the first time I ever met David Jay was the first day I ever held a digital camera in my hands. I was shooting a soccor game and in typical fashion had been so excited about the new camera that I hadn't bothered to look to see REALLY how the camera worked! So I was at the game and couldn't figure out for the life of me how to tell how many shots I had left. So I looked around and here was this stud with a BIG digital camera (a 10D with a vertical grip....big compared to my school's digital rebel) and with a HUGE lense (70-200) and so I totally embarressed went up to him and asked him if he knew how to tell how many shots I had left on the camera!!! So started the adventure that ultimatly led me into my own wedding photography business!

So....all that to say, things will happen if they are supposed to happen.

Good luck!!

Thanks Chris... I always tend to downplay myself, especially with photography... at least that's what my friends say.. I don't give myself credit enough for what I do know. All I know is that I want to learn as much as I can so that I can start on this digital... A hunger and passion to learn, that what I hope to convey to these prospective apprenticeships.

--- Gregg

QUOTE (Musicmanchris @ Mar 9 2005, 08:00 AM)

Just be open with her and anyone else you meet with.  I think people are impressed with honesty.  I think there is always the temptation to make yourself look better than you really are.  Tell her exactly what you can and can't do, and I think your earnestness for the opportunity will shine through.  Oddly enough, the first time I ever met David Jay was the first day I ever held a digital camera in my hands.  I was shooting a soccor game and in typical fashion had been so excited about the new camera that I hadn't bothered to look to see REALLY how the camera worked!    So I was at the game and couldn't figure out for the life of me how to tell how many shots I had left.  So I looked around and here was this stud with a BIG digital camera (a 10D with a vertical grip....big compared to my school's digital rebel) and with a HUGE lense (70-200) and so I totally embarressed went up to him and asked him if he knew how to tell how many shots I had left on the camera!!!  So started the adventure that ultimatly led me into my own wedding photography business!  So....all that to say, things will happen if they are supposed to happen.    Good luck!!

So....all that to say, things will happen if they are supposed to happen.




I love that Chris.. Your so right!

Chris! You're right on the money! (except the stud part)

QUOTE

Just be open with her and anyone else you meet with. I think people are impressed with honesty. I think there is always the temptation to make yourself look better than you really are. Tell her exactly what you can and can't do...

Harry Beckwith in Selling the Invisible says, "if you make a client think you will do better than you can do, the client will end up disappointed. Even worse she will decide that you misled her, or lied. It isn't worth getting that business. A disappointed person who thinks you are a liar will usually tell three other people. Suddenly, one great sale has become four big problems."

...and the words of my hero ring in my ears constantly "Never believe your own hype!"

...You're on the right track Gregg! Let others bring you up...it's incredibly freeing, a lot safer, and you'll be more successful long term!

Hey guys... Thanks for the info and advice... I've been calling around and I got a couple of no's and left a few messages.. So we will see what happens!

It seems since this is a small mountain community people are very guarded towards their business... not like all of you!

I'm very thankful for all the relationships that I made here and look forward to learning a bunch more!

--- Gregg

That's too bad that no one has been open to this. Have you tried just offering your services for free, rather than as a trade?

I hope you find someone who is willing to work with you.

No... not yet, but a good thought. Although with my job right now I am hardly making any $$ (most of what I make covers gas to get there and food for the family and stuff), so I am trying to get something that I can get some compsenation (sp??) for. This week at work I am barely pulling in 15 hours over a week period... I just need to find something that's closer to home.

--- Gregg

Greg,
I found a similar response in the area I'm from when I started looking. It seems like other photographers were afraid of me stealing clients from them.. Ha what a laugh.
I simply wanted to learn from them. I did some research in my area and found that the weddings to photographer ratio are huge. There is no sense in photographers being so anal about losing a client. In fact I think that if they were to really think about it, being a mentor is a great compliment and could be used to their advantage.
I feel so empathetic to your situation. I cant possible understand the pressure you are under to earn money to take care of your family.

I'm going to say a prayer for you and your family.


My thoughts are with you!

Linda

Thanks Linda... The prayer means a lot.. I have been sitting here stressing myself out tryig to figure out how to help my family and do what I love at the same time. It's been very frustrating. I'm hoping to find something in the next couple of weeks so that I can get the ball rolling. And after seeing Tim's post about working for free, I'll even do that for a while!

--- Gregg

Well it's been a week of a lot of no's.... I've even thrown in the I'll work for free bit Tim... I found a great photographer today that I would like to work with in the Denver area. He's also part of a Christian art collective here in Denver called Entersection. So I'm sitting down and writing a rough draft of an e-mail, which I will refine and send to him hopefully this weekend. I'd like to see if we can get in contact and get something rolling this next week.

Here's his website... Let me know what you think.

http://www.mccory.com

Thanks again.

--- Gregg

So tonite on my way home from work I picked up a Colorado bridal magazine (the name of it is... Wedding Sites and Services) and I'm looking at other photo studios to do internships for. There was also another magazine in which I saw and ad for Strawdawg's business (but I didn't pick it up... perhaps I'll go snag one tomorrow).

Right now I am currently looking through it, looking at each photographer's website, and making a list of different studios that I would like to contact... Tomorrow I'm going to be finishing up a introduction e-mail to each studio and sending it out.

Here's to a late night of looking at photos!

--- Gregg

Hey Gregg,

I think you're doing the right thing - that's exactly how I got started getting experience. Just keep praying abouit it, and keep your head up. I had to email literally about 200 photogs in my area before getting a few responses.