Recently I visited with 2 former students who have begun their journey towards becoming professional photographers.

Mary Hamer and Jina Jani are good friends but I believe their competitiveness spurs each other on, much in the same way as when I worked amongst 20 other photographers at the newspaper.

Though Mary and Jina both shoot events, portraits and fine art, they have very distinct tastes.

I caught up with them at an Arts & Crafts fair at the Hillside Farm in the city of Norco.

While in my class, they were highly motivated to learn and they never missed class.

Taking the big step

 

Having another means of income while trying to make this big move is a big advantage.

It’s really too bad, colleges and schools that teach photography never make their graduates take business classes.

It’s as if the folks who prepare dictate the curriculum assume everyone wants to just be an artist or worse, become a professor who teaches.

That leaves those who aspire to be independent to have to fend for themselves.

It’s great to see Mary and Jina take on this challenge on their own.

They have to be excited that a stranger wants to pay them for capturing something in their cameras.

I have no doubt before long, I will be asking them what I should do to grow my business and how to set my prices.

Jina, for instance, had still lifes of cars and colorful buildings with lots of saturated colors and best of all, they are printed on aluminum and ready to hang.

Mary who has horses and lives in the horse-friendly city of Norco specializes on horses, animals and pet photography.

Over time, I think Mary and Jina will come to know how much inventory to keep, which images sell in what locales and what is a good asking price for their work.

I tell my former students I am always accessible via email for advice or just to stay in touch.
Peter Phun Photography

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