Couple of questions from a newbie

[mommy2jaidyn]

Hello all. I hope every one is having atleast an okay day. :o

I was wondering if there are chat sessions?

I would also love some input from everyone on a project I'm working on. I am putting baskets together for bereaved families at our local hospital. I have some ideas so far, but would love suggestions from parents who "have been there". I have already requested info from NILMDTS, a woman I recenlty met is going to send me a gown she made. I would also Like to put a blanket, a cap, booties, a journal, maybe a disposable camera. I also plan on having a folder with information like funeral homes, local churches, books, poems, etc.

I just have one more silly question. I was wondering how you become a photographer. Do you go to college and get a degree or is it like a technical school? I just was wondering.

Sorry it is so long :rolleyes:

Hugs
Jen

[Erica Stone]

Right now we don't have chat sessions, but Cheryl or Sandy or Kirk will have to give you more info if there is anything like that in the plans.

I would suggest talking to your hospital's "Decedant Affairs" office, and/or the maternity ward directly. I didn't even know there was such a thing before, but in my situation, the Decedant Affairs liason gave us some helpful information (grief resources, funeral homes, etc.) and the maternity ward took care of clothing for the babies. They also took digital photos for us, but nobody suggested our own camera. What a nice gesture!

[Jen Eagan]

Jen-
To answer your "how to become a photographer" question- we all do it different ways. Some go to Art Institute type colleges, some take comm college courses, some start out part time at other studios until they learn the ins and outs of the business. I took the New York Institute of Photography course, which really didn't help me all that much on the business aspect but it did help me learn the basics pretty well. Probably the majority of photographers I know though learn through online forums like this one. There are several out there but the ones that are aimed at true professionals tend to cost money to join. For one reason, that weeds out the people who are not serious about it from the people who are- and there is no part of photography that is cheap, so the small investment to join one of these groups pays off tenfold in the long run. I know a lot of people on the I love photography board- which is www.ilovephotography.com and quite a few of us are on the pro4um which is www.pro4um.com. Learned most of what I know about photography on the 4um- the rest of it from trial and error.

I started charging well before I should have (I was so not ready) but people wouldn't have come to me if I told them I was "practicing" so I told them I was professional. They still liked my work, and got it for a lot cheaper back then. I continued to just fake it until my work really started to get a lot better and now I am pretty happy with it and my clients getting mad at me because they are too good to choose from- makes me feel pretty confident at this point. :) It's not easy, but if you have the drive it's achievable. Shoot, if I can do it, probably anybody can.

[Jessi Hill]

Thanks Jen... now I don't feel so bad teaching myself:p . I figure I am going to learn WAY more doing hands on work than in a class!!! lol not that there aren't good ones out there. I am charging minimal right now... to get practice, but cover a few bills too! (it would be great if we didn't have them!)



As far as the baskets... I have been there (3 years ago) I would say the disp. camera, a keepsake possibly with baby's name or something baby (keychain, necklace, charm, etc.) -I have a baby ring from my son.
Maybe a certificate for a photo enlargement.
SOFT tissues would be a plus.... the others from the hospital tear your nose and eyes up!!! lol These are all good ideas. Also,I do artwork and could do a limited amount of drawing for people- unfortunately :( I would have to charge due to the amount of time I put into this type of work. I would be able to work from your wonderful photos. Just an idea.

[Kirk Kief]

Jessi,
Yes, you do learn from experience, however, without the classes, then how do you know when you are doing something wrong?
As far as myself, I learned from years, and years, and years of experience (I took my first photo back in the 50s). My Mom was a newspaper photographer, and I was loading reels of film and developing at the ripe old age of 6! I knew then what i was going to eventually be. I read every book/magazine that was around. I went with my Mom on her assignemnts, learned how to take meter readings, etc., back in the days before Auto Exposure! I was doing some of her assignemnts for her while she stayed home and watched Milton Berle!
AS Jen mentioned, you can learn a lot from the Forums, but, there is a problem with those, as well. (Now, keep in mind that I'm a firm believer in Forums, as witnessed by the fact that I operate this one, I also operate one for the Children and Family Photographers of America, the Florida professional Photographers, and I'm a moderator at Pro4um). There are a lot of folks that post in these forums that have a wide ranging level of experience, so, again, you can be learning from someone that is teaching you the wrong information. It would actually be very risky to use the Forums as your only base for education.
The best way to learn, is from other, established photograhers. You can do this by joining your local Professional Organization, we call them Sections or Guilds. I see that you are located in Wisconsin. What metro area are you close too? I'll do a little research for you and get you some info on your closest local. These groups generally meet once a month and bring in other professionals to give programs. The next organization would be your state association, and then, of course the National association.
Sandy serves on the Board of Directors for the National organization, PPA, and I serve as an officer for my state organization, Florida. So, if you have any questions as far as how either your State or National group would benefit you, we'd be more than happy answer those for you.
So, if you are going to learn, be sure to learn from where you will get the most benefit, and more importantly, Accurate information.

[Jessi Hill]

Thanks Kirk, I do hope to eventually find GOOD classes. I took one while in college and it was an honest "dive" they had a potter come in to sub for the photography teacher for the whole year because the normal teacher got cancer back.... :confused: a tough situation, but I think they should have found someone more qualified to teach it... or cancel it. But that is my opinion!

I am closest to LaCrosse... which isn't huge either. I have joined the camera club there. They are helpful, and I am slowly learning from them. I make sure to enter all of the competitions they have so I get critiqued for tips. I am sure there is a lot of false info out there. Any advice would be helpful. I am on a pretty limited budget at this time... (we are in the middle of an adoption, and I am not working much) So I know some of the organizations are going to cost to join, and may not be able to at this time.:mad: