How it all started...Over the past year I have had a dozen or more Facebook friends start a photography business...that was me once!
And countless professional photographer friends who tell me their new feeds are the same & growing! It's an epidemic now with the advancement in DSLRs at consumer prices. "They" are now creating business Facebook pages, creating websites, & charging for sessions. BTW--> Watch what you put out there in public for anyone to see & share!
The thing with being a photographer is there doesn't have to be a degree associated with it, unlike being a Registered Dental Hygienist (like myself) or a being a doctor, lawyer, electrician, etc. There is no law that you need to go to school & get a degree in photography to title yourself as one or even to start your own photography business. Many photographers went to school for it & just as many didn't; but that doesn't mean they didn't study, learn or invest their time & money in it just as much as those who went to school for it! There are laws however reguarding charging people for services...maybe something we'll cover in future blog posts?
 
After hearing & seeing some interesting debates on amateur vs pro photographers I thought I would start a few blog posts to chime in on this discussion going on in the photography world. To start off let's talk how it all started for me... A career in photography... It all started out as a hobby for me, for my own children & family, because I needed something to do; not to make money. So I like many others out there started a Facebook page for only my photography & titled it "Hobby Photography & More" (the "& More" because at the time I was even making diaper cakes & photo collages) Clients then started to come to me asking for photos of their own children after seeing photos of my children & family/friend's on Facebook. I only owned a Canon Rebel XSI (Not a pro DSLR camera!), I starting taking online and in person classes & workshops. It took me years to build up the professional gear, backdrops, equipment, props & experience I have today! My first sets of mini sessions were free! My first few newborns were family & friends at no charge! My first few events (which I no longer do because I found out it wasn't for me & there were other areas of photography I enjoyed more) were all done at no charge! Then I started working for exchange of new children clothes, props, etc. "working" for in person & online businesses who needed photos of their merchandise, but at the same time it was still practice & portfolio building for myself! I tortured my own children for years practicing on them, which is now probably why they rarely let me take photos of them!! Those were all portfolio building & self awareness experiences! WHICH EVERYONE JUST STARTING OUT NEEDS! Hence why "Hobby Photography & More" became Sarah Dipity Photography- Serendipity (noun) a "happy accident" or "pleasant surprise"; a fortunate mistake. Specifically, the accident of finding something good or useful while not specifically searching for it.
Incase you didn't already know, I am a registered business & fully insured in the state of NJ! <--This is extremely important! You must not just invest your time & money into your business, but you must also invest your heart & soul for it to be successful for years to come! Four years in & I am still doing all of that & more... This is now a career for me, my job, my business...between being a part time registered dental hygienist (which I also put my heart into) & owning my own photography business I support my family of 4 (plus our cat Charlie)! Check back soon for updates & next blog post...it just may contain some helpful information for those trying to break into the photography world themselves or those looking to hire professional photographers in the future! Hope you've enjoyed my first blog post of 2015! As always, feel free to comment & share! -Sarah
Keywords:
professional photographer
Comments
Vanessa Young(non-registered)
Sarah, you are the best at all you do. A true inspiration to all that know you. Miss you. <3
Susan(non-registered)
Sarah, you are a true professional and a great role model!
Barbara(non-registered)
I love looking at your work.
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