10 mistakes every beginning photographer makes

Just because you’re just starting out doesn’t mean you have to charge $20 a session.

Really make sure that you do a cost calculator how much you’re going to have to make per session before you start charging low Baller rates that will attract little Baller clients

Just because you can do all sorts of crazy stuff in Photoshop doesn’t mean you necessarily should.

It’s better to have things clear and clean then have pictures edited according to a particular fad.

Make sure you really understand what type of client you want to come to you. Are they newly married? Do they have young children? Are they young entrepreneurs?

It’s better to have a focus in marketing then be all over the place.

Camera and gear can get really expensive really fast.

Will you make sure that you just have the bare-bones essentials while you’re first starting out before you get 20 lenses and three camera bodies.

You might get asked to do all sorts of jobs at hotels, barns, and difficult lighting situations

Really make sure that you have the basics and your lighting knowledge down before you say yes to any of those projects.

Make sure you’re capturing peoples information like address, phone number and model releases for all your clients.

You really want to start building that email or contact base early on.

Getting out of auto is going to be the best thing you do.

If you don’t know how to do basic manual settings, basic studio lighting or even basic off-camera flash or external flash than you should really get those foundational things practiced and memorized.

Make sure that you’re having a distinct voice and style that people can recognize your work as.

I bought Over $300 apiece it’s and I don’t use any of them because none of them are my particular style.

Really make sure you have someone you can text or call about any questions or concerns that you have in your business.

The worst thing that you can do from personal experience is to go at it alone.

It can get a little intimidating getting yourself out there and meeting new people at different events. But no matter how many years of experience you have you can still be outgoing, professional and articulate while you’re working.

Work hard and get Photos in on time. Really treat every customer like it’s the President of the United States.

These habits really go along way and keeping a client base and having your reputation on the line every time you shoot.

Christal Marshall is the owner of Virginia Photos and Films, www.virginiaphotosandfilms.comwww.instagram.com/virginiaphotosandfilmsVirginia Marketing and Media www.ineedmybusinesstogrow.comwww.virginiamarketingandmedia.comwww.instagram.com/virginiamarketingandmediaVirginia Beach Photobooth Company www.virginiabeachphotoboothcompany.comwww.instagram.com/virginiabeachphotoboothcompanyShe lives, breathes and does media and marketing pretty much 24-7 for over 14 local business through social media management, website design, photo, video or media coverage or graphic design.   She is a homeschool mom of three, cat lover, sushi eater and poke fan! She started her business in 2011 with nothing but a $400 camera from Amazon, now she is has been published in over 60 different blogs and websites for her media work and rank top Wedding Photographers in Virginia