Would You Hire Me?
 

So, I've done photography for about 12 years now. Never did anything professional, but I've been told I should try. I would like your honest opinion. If you were looking for a photographer for family, pets, etc... would you hire me? I tend to prefer outdoor shots. Also, I've done no editing to these pics. And if I did decide to pursue it, I would upgrade my equipment.

I've compiled a little portfolio of some shots I've taken for you to take a gander at.
And mods, in my defense, there is a pic of my Yorkie Lily in it. But if you feel you need to move it, go ahead. :D

Hope the link works, if not just check my albums:
http://www.yorkietalk.com/forums/album.php?albumid=7743

Your animal pictures are very nice upgrading the equipment is key. i would hire you. keep the price cheap till you get a good portfolio up then you can charge people more because you have proof of your good work.

I think photography could be something you could really do! I know you love taking pictures AND I know your camera is amazing! :)

I'm NOT a photographer. I've got a little Cannon digital Elph that's practically point and shoot so I don't really know anything about photography.... That said, obviously editing things makes everything look better, but these "raw" photos show that you have a lot of potential! A tip: focusing and centering can make a photo! My cousin once told me that if you put the main focus/area/object of your shot slightly off center it draws more attention to it... I don't know if that works all the time but I do know I do that whenever I'm trying to take an "artsy" photo. Also work on keeping your subject in focus, as for instance there was a shot of a flower with nothing really in focus.... But also, I loved some of the shots of your kids and Dirty! (Especially the last few)

If you're interested I'd definitely work on it a bit more, as far as getting photos your proud of to show off to get clients! I'd also see who else is doing this around town, because I know I've seen at least a few ads on craigslist for pet photographers. Feel around a bit, get some stuff you want to show off, and charge somewhat cheap until you've built yourself up to being amazing and well established! ;)

I love all your pics! The outdoor scenes are my favorites!:)

Hmmm...I think you need to weed out the portfolio pics. The little boy close up is off color, the purple flowers are very out of focus, even the wedding band shot is not in focus, several pics need to be cropped and recentered, etc... You asked and since I have tried to become a photographer I am really good at identifying mistakes! :D I make more than anyone! I can critique pictures all day but still make the same mistake in mine. I try to compensate by just taking LOTS of pictures and then throwing out the ones that do not make the mark.

Sometimes out of focus is an artform taking advantage of a short depth of field, but I think the ones I mention really are not meant to be that way or at least would be better in focus.

What kind of camera are you using? What about software? Do you have photoshop? If you shoot in raw and then use photoshop you can fix almost anything.

If you really want to get in the business, you may need to shoot some events free to get started. Shoot free and charge for prints. After you get several paid events under your belt, then you can go ahead and establish a shooting fee and make package deals for prints and possibly CDs.

Thought I would give you some more input - I love the picture of the long-necked deer-like animal. Usually you do not want people or animals looking out of the picture, but this one still works because you are also showing the peaking out of the other animal's head, to me that is what makes it more than a snapshot. The picture of the two kids playing with the nemo fish is really nice, but needs to be cropped and recentered so the "half a kid" is out of the picture. I kind of like the short depth of field in the fireworks picture -- that is an example of how having part of the picture out of focus is good, just not sure the back of the girl's head is enough to have in focus. The big sphere in Orlando -- I have one just like that and probably most who have been do too -- to make yours special enough for a portfolio, it needs something more interesting. Pay attention to shadows, focus, colors, cutting off of feet, ear (yorkie), and tops of the head. You can take a partial head shot, just make it a good crop, not just that the head missed the top of the shot or the foot was chopped off. I am thinking some of the graininess is from zooming in. Better to use a good telephoto lens with a DSLR or SLR. If you have to zoom, make sure all other aspects are optimal (i.e. light vs dark, still vs action). The gorilla shot could have been killer, but the lack of lighting and the graininess sort of steal the shot from you. I hope I am not being too critical, but that is what people who will pay for your work will be too.

I would also consider taking a photography class or two. That can really help with some of the things I mentioned, basics. Even the artist has to learn the equipment -- what it can do as well as its limitations. Then the artist will take it a step past the equipment. I really envy those that see the art in everything around them --the ones that find the interesting angles, the best vantage point, the music in the color and crop. When you find yourself doing that naturally, then you will know you are ready.

I took a photography class at the local college. When they started critiquing our first assignment, I could not believe it how many aspects there were to a good photo! All of mine had something that could have been improved upon. I remember the first photo the instructor really loved....I had almost deleted it! It was a stump with interesting fungus growing on it and I had done a closeup. Took a while before I got that kind of approval from him on a people shot. Still, I can critique better than I can photograph. But knowing what is wrong, is half the battle anyway.

Keep on shooting! Looks like you could refine with just a little "schooling." There are some great books and even online help available. Try the Canon site -- they have actual courses online to help you take great pictures! Good luck!

I agree on the Cannon suggestion. I took their online course to learn more before attempting to take my daughter's senior pics. We have a HUGE family and the cost of providing them all pics would have been insane. Thought I would take some for just family, then have some professionals done. Once I took the family ones, everyone told me to forget the professionals.
The thing I try to always keep in mind is "the rule of thirds"

Thanks for all of the helpful advice!!! FL Debra, thanks for taking the extra time to critique. I do really appreciate it all!!!
I'm using a Nikon D40 with the standard lens and the telephoto lens.
I know that pics need to be cropped, centered, photoshopped, etc.. I just thought I would show them in their raw form.

I think at the first of the year I will look into maybe taking some classes and upgrading my equipment.