Newbie starting out in freelancing

[Fudgecakes]

I all. I'm thinking of doing freelance photography as a part time job after my Os. I know next to nuts about business in this area so I'm wondering if anyone could perhaps guide me in the right direction but first, a few questions

1) besides a portfolio,is there anything else I would need to start this up?
2) I have no real editing software is that ok? Or is it absolutely necessary? If so which one should I get?
3) any idea what my starting rates should be? I have some experience in portrait shooting and events shooting.

Thanks millions in advance for your constructive replies

 

[Agetan]

Hi, there are lots of post regarding to this matter on the photobiz section.

Why don't have a search and have a read?

First thing if u want to earn from photography is do your research on your own.

Regards,

Hart

 

[Fudgecakes]

I did actually but the results are kinda off topic

 

[sjackal]

I did actually but the results are kinda off topic

Right. First thing is to drop that school environment attitude that every question has a correct answer or even a answer at all.

People who picks info and knowledge out of the confusion of data grows. People waiting for textbook answers, waits.

 

[Fudgecakes]

Right. First thing is to drop that school environment attitude that every question has a correct answer or even a answer at all.

People who picks info and knowledge out of the confusion of data grows. People waiting for textbook answers, waits.

Alright I'll take another look

 

[Agetan]

There isn't step by step guides so to speak and everyone will have different way of doing things.

So read up and piece the puzzle yourself and don't ask to be fed with info.

Take care and good luck.

Hart

 

[Fudgecakes]

There isn't step by step guides so to speak and everyone will have different way of doing things.

So read up and piece the puzzle yourself and don't ask to be fed with info.

Take care and good luck.

Hart

I actually just wanted to know if I need to get some business approval of some sort or anything, not really how to do it

 

[junliang78]

I actually just wanted to know if I need to get some business approval of some sort or anything, not really how to do it

Huh ? can define Business Approval ?

 

[catchlights]

Huh ? can define Business Approval ?

maybe approved by TS's parents?

 

[foxtwo]

To start a company you need to register with ARCA to get your business registration no. With that you can setup a company bank account.

There is no need to get approval from any photographers association even if your photography is poor or excellent. If this happens to be what you're thinking.

 

[hanqiang1011]

I all. I'm thinking of doing freelance photography as a part time job after my Os. I know next to nuts about business in this area so I'm wondering if anyone could perhaps guide me in the right direction but first, a few questions

1) besides a portfolio,is there anything else I would need to start this up?
2) I have no real editing software is that ok? Or is it absolutely necessary? If so which one should I get?
3) any idea what my starting rates should be? I have some experience in portrait shooting and events shooting.

Thanks millions in advance for your constructive replies

Hi,

My suggestions for your below questions:

1) besides a portfolio,is there anything else I would need to start this up?

Obviously your tools of survival - camera(s), ext flash(es), equipment and knowledge. Please know your directions on where would you go into first. Then follow a few professionals or friends with similar experience to shoot. Find them for critic and improve bit by bit.

2) I have no real editing software is that ok? Or is it absolutely necessary? If so which one should I get?

IMO, yes you should get one decent laptop with the right editing software - Adobe Photoshopor Corel Paint? Editing is a must, but subjective.

3) any idea what my starting rates should be? I have some experience in portrait shooting and events shooting.

Don't overcharge and not undercharge either. Either you recommend client any budget then consider whether taking up or not. The choice is yours ultimately.

Cheers.

 

[Fudgecakes]

Hi,

My suggestions for your below questions:

1) besides a portfolio,is there anything else I would need to start this up?

Obviously your tools of survival - camera(s), ext flash(es), equipment and knowledge. Please know your directions on where would you go into first. Then follow a few professionals or friends with similar experience to shoot. Find them for critic and improve bit by bit.

2) I have no real editing software is that ok? Or is it absolutely necessary? If so which one should I get?

IMO, yes you should get one decent laptop with the right editing software - Adobe Photoshopor Corel Paint? Editing is a must, but subjective.

3) any idea what my starting rates should be? I have some experience in portrait shooting and events shooting.

Don't overcharge and not undercharge either. Either you recommend client any budget then consider whether taking up or not. The choice is yours ultimately.

Cheers.

I see. Thanks for your help

 

[Fudgecakes]

maybe approved by TS's parents?

I actually meant is there anything I should do to protect myself if something goes wrong. Or must I register with any associatation or anything

 

[Fudgecakes]

To start a company you need to register with ARCA to get your business registration no. With that you can setup a company bank account.

There is no need to get approval from any photographers association even if your photography is poor or excellent. If this happens to be what you're thinking.

It is actually. Thanks

 

[sfoto100]

I actually meant is there anything I should do to protect myself if something goes wrong. Or must I register with any associatation or anything

i believe that registering as a Private Limited company does offer more protection that sole propreitor (wrong spelling i know)

 

[lobsterkia]

i believe that registering as a Private Limited company does offer more protection that sole propreitor (wrong spelling i know)

And I know that registering as a PLC is way way more ex than registering as a sole proprietor .

 

[sfoto100]

And I know that registering as a PLC is way way more ex than registering as a sole proprietor .

if u diy, it costs $315.. compared to $15? for sole proprietor.. but PLC is troublesome.. need to file Annual Return.. tax .. and the "wonderful" ACRA site didn't make it better (although they did improve after i send complaint email to them, but they still didn't see it from user point of view... anyway, better not OT)

 

[foxtwo]

I all. I'm thinking of doing freelance photography as a part time job after my Os. I know next to nuts about business in this area so I'm wondering if anyone could perhaps guide me in the right direction but first, a few questions

1) besides a portfolio,is there anything else I would need to start this up?
2) I have no real editing software is that ok? Or is it absolutely necessary? If so which one should I get?
3) any idea what my starting rates should be? I have some experience in portrait shooting and events shooting.

Thanks millions in advance for your constructive replies

1. A portfolio should contain at least 15-20 of your very best photos for each genre. A website to showcase the photos will be good but if you don't have enough or you don't think the photos are good enough then I will suggest not showing them. Firstly I think it's depressing (to you & client) and it wouldn't make you stand out amongst the other 999 freelancers. Do more shoots and keep improving, you can still try to get business without a website. Meaning you approach prospective clients instead of them looking for you. Anyway with 999 other freelancers out there what are the chances you'll be the first 10 they see.

2. You editing machine needs to be able to handle the processing, use a desktop. You need a software to convert RAW files. Some use GIMP as a replacement for Photoshop since it's free. If you shoot RAW then you should edit. If you shoot in Tiff or Jpeg then you might only need simple editing.

3. Look at some of the 999 freelancers in CS directory for an idea. Some of them advertise openly their rates. Determine how you want to charge, by time or by photos. Then determine how much you're worth for eg. 1hr or 1 photo. You can charge low, it may be a little frowned upon but no one's gonna slam you for it. You can charge very high, and if your clients are convinced then good for you. It's very hard for us to recommend a rate. (I think) Professionals are charging ~$150 per hr. Junior photographers ~$100, and freelancers ~$80.... Maybe. Just don't degrade yourself shooting for $30 per hr for a job unless it's happening right next door to you.


My advice, since you're still young and fresh & uncorrupted by poor practises, go be an assistant to learn the ropes instead. Find a good teacher and learn as much as you can from him/her. Then find another good teacher and repeat. You're ready when you finally feel ready.

 

[foxtwo]

The economy determines the rates, now it's low so even though our costs increase or remain the same we can't be charging the same rate as before. Last time companies still willing to pay $200-250 per hr for events. And we can still pick and choose clients. Now forget it. Wait for economy to recover before we can all raise our rates.

 

[Fudgecakes]

1. A portfolio should contain at least 15-20 of your very best photos for each genre. A website to showcase the photos will be good but if you don't have enough or you don't think the photos are good enough then I will suggest not showing them. Firstly I think it's depressing (to you & client) and it wouldn't make you stand out amongst the other 999 freelancers. Do more shoots and keep improving, you can still try to get business without a website. Meaning you approach prospective clients instead of them looking for you. Anyway with 999 other freelancers out there what are the chances you'll be the first 10 they see.

2. You editing machine needs to be able to handle the processing, use a desktop. You need a software to convert RAW files. Some use GIMP as a replacement for Photoshop since it's free. If you shoot RAW then you should edit. If you shoot in Tiff or Jpeg then you might only need simple editing.

3. Look at some of the 999 freelancers in CS directory for an idea. Some of them advertise openly their rates. Determine how you want to charge, by time or by photos. Then determine how much you're worth for eg. 1hr or 1 photo. You can charge low, it may be a little frowned upon but no one's gonna slam you for it. You can charge very high, and if your clients are convinced then good for you. It's very hard for us to recommend a rate. (I think) Professionals are charging ~$150 per hr. Junior photographers ~$100, and freelancers ~$80.... Maybe. Just don't degrade yourself shooting for $30 per hr for a job unless it's happening right next door to you.

My advice, since you're still young and fresh & uncorrupted by poor practises, go be an assistant to learn the ropes instead. Find a good teacher and learn as much as you can from him/her. Then find another good teacher and repeat. You're ready when you finally feel ready.

The economy determines the rates, now it's low so even though our costs increase or remain the same we can't be charging the same rate as before. Last time companies still willing to pay $200-250 per hr for events. And we can still pick and choose clients. Now forget it. Wait for economy to recover before we can all raise our rates.

True true. Thanks alot for your advice. I think this is by fr the most constructive one up till now haha. One question that I have is that since I'm learning from a pro, should I pay him or should he pay me for bein his assistant?