As "artists" most of us have problems with self doubt.
Does my work measure up? Could I have done better? Did I use the right combination of shutter speed/f-stop? Will anyone like these shots? Was that the best pose? Angle? Is this ART or just a grab shot? We constantly compare ourselves to the best in the field and - in our minds - we frequently fall sort.
This low self esteem state of mind causes us to endlessly agonize over the biggest decision we will ever need to make in our careers...
To sell our photography or simply remain a frustrated amateur.
Photography as a hobby is incredibly expensive.
We have to buy cameras, tripods, lenses, film or -if digital - computers, printers and software.
Lights, stands, backdrops and etc.
, are all just the tip of the iceberg.
At some point, pretty much ALL intermediate and advanced amateurs wonder if they could sell their work.
If nothing else, it would help pay for the equipment.
Then, the self doubt starts to creep in.
We start looking through our books and magazines and comparing our work to those we see.
We check out websites and study contest winners.
The lump in the pit of our stomach starts getting larger and larger.
But on the other hand, all our friends and relatives say our work is gorgeous.
Everyone says we could become photographers but, that doesn't do much to relieve the cold sweats in the middle of the night.
Does it? What to do...
? First, stop comparing yourself to the magazine photographers.
Odds are, several thousand dollars in retouching fees were expended to get that perfect cover "look".
Same with contest winners and the window display at the local photo studio.
(Not to mention that those are the best photos they have available.
Why display a bad one?) Then you need to stop comparing yourself to all the other photographers you see published.
Even if they are all tremendous shooters, it doesn't matter! If you start selling your work, you aren't trying to please them! You are trying to please your customers.
Every photographer has an individual way of seeing things and YOUR customers may like what YOU do BETTER! That's all that matters.
Is the customer happy? Here is a well kept secret that all professional portrait photographers know - the average person doesn't judge photo contests.
They don't know what makes one portrait a contest winner and another one a loser.
AND they don't care! All they want is a good, competent job, showing an attractive pose and nice expression.
There IS a way to be sure you never have an unhappy customer - don't charge a session fee.
Work on speculation.
That way, they are only obligated to buy the photos they want! The bottom line is, you don't have to be brilliant, just treat your customers well and take care to do the best job you can on every session.
You'll be surprised.
I hope this will help you with one of the hardest decisions we are forced to make.
Make the choice to start selling your portraits, and don't look back - you'll be glad you did.
If you are interested in getting started in a part time photo business (don't start off full time) check out the website listed in my bio.
It's the easiest, least expensive and fastest way I know to get started! Publishers - Feel free to publish this article at will, as long as the entire article is left intact - including the bio and links.