3 Grand!

[DREAM FACTORY]

Hey Nick! Alot of people including myself sees all the fun you are having with your career but we all know it didn't start off like that. I know it's alot of grinding and hard work involved in all success stories! So it got me to thinking...let's just say you were stripped of all your accolades and fame and tommorrow morning you had to wake up as just Nick with about 3 grand in your pocket...what would you do starting from scratch to get you back to the point you are at right now in your career! The only thing you have is 3 grand...no camera, no computer, no clientel! What would you do to generate income and build clientel? This should be fun and interesting!

[faceoff]

damn that is a great question! I wish that I could make 3 grand this year doing photography in VA! (just venting)

[Nick Saglimbeni]

Hey Nick! Alot of people including myself sees all the fun you are having with your career but we all know it didn't start off like that. I know it's alot of grinding and hard work involved in all success stories! So it got me to thinking...let's just say you were stripped of all your accolades and fame and tommorrow morning you had to wake up as just Nick with about 3 grand in your pocket...what would you do starting from scratch to get you back to the point you are at right now in your career! The only thing you have is 3 grand...no camera, no computer, no clientel! What would you do to generate income and build clientel? This should be fun and interesting!

Wow, Dream, that's a great question. Actually, someone asked me something similar a few weeks ago, so I will give a two-part answer (the second part announces a very big secret, so please read all the way through).

1) I would first get a studio, because every artist needs a place to experiment and practice. Before I started Slickforce, I had just quit my job working graveyard shift at Kinko's (yes, I said it), and I knew I wasn't going back to that suck-ass job. So when I decided to pursue photography (keep in mind that I had NO experience—I took my very first professional photo only 6 years ago), I partnered with 3 friends on my first studio because I had no money. My rent came to $250/month.

Then I'd get a camera, because you can't really call yourself a photographer without a camera. However, I'd think VERY hard about where you want to be in two years. If you like Canons, for example, then buy a super-cheap body but buy the BEST lenses because you can always upgrade the body when you have cash down the road. But if every piece of equipment you buy is crap, then you always have to start from scratch, which costs a fortune, and your old equipment collects dust. Even though I've upgraded my camera system FIVE TIMES, I'm still using the very first lens I ever bought. In fact, I shoot every page of SHOW magazine with that same lens. And it's super-used (over 300,000 clicks) and I bought it super-cheap on eBay. I couldn't afford new stuff, but I knew I want good equipment.

If you can't afford the lenses you want, rent them. There are camera stores in every major city, and used lenses are also a fantastic deal if you can find them at the right price and in good condition.

Then, I would get some lights, unless you're a natural light photographer (in which case, skip this part). I actually didn't know how to use strobes when I started (they scared me...lol), so I borrowed a friends hot lights (movie-style lights). But you can go to Home Depot and get construction lights that do the same thing, and are way cheaper. You just need to shoot at a slower shutter or a higher ISO. When I finally switched to strobes, I could only afford 2, so I lit with two lights for the first year of my career. The good news is that there are MANY cheap strobes available. But again, think to the future. If you like a particular brand, buy a starter model of that brand, so you can upgrade (instead of starting over) later.

Last, you need a computer. I hated Macs when I first started (I was a PC freak until recently...), but I knew Macs were faster at processing Photoshop files, so I paid a friend to borrow his Mac every time I had a shoot. Then after about a year, I saved enough money to put a down payment on one (but not actually buy one), so I leased it with an option to buy (which I did, 3 years later).

The point of all this is that I started my studio with a lot less than $3000. In fact, until a few years ago, I didn't even own most of my own equipment. Your purpose is to build your career, not to own a bunch of equipment. Most photographers think it's the other way around (you may want to re-read that last line several times.) They think owning a bunch of equipment makes them a photographer, but they forget to learn how to shoot.

Forget $3000...if you only have $300, you should put every penny of that into shooting everyday and building your career. I only bought my own equipment after I was making money....not before.

So...with all that in mind, here's part two:

2) So many photographers have asked me everything from how to get started, to how to light, to how to direct models, how to shoot for magazines, how to retouch, etc....so I've decided to teach them. Finally.

This summer, SlickforceStudio is launching PhotoKamp, which will be a two-day workshop with me, where I teach you EVERYTHING that I believe you need to start not only a successful and artistic photography career, but also how to MAKE MONEY. Because in this economy, it is not enough to be good. EVERYONE is a photographer now. I am going to teach you how to stand out, build your network, and have models calling you, begging you to photograph them. If I had PhotoKamp when I started, I would have made it here in half the time.

Hope that answered your question.

Stay tuned for more...

[DREAM FACTORY]

Wow Nick! You went from Kinkos to Slickforce! But that was a good answer! That answer should give alot of ametuer photographers confidence! That you don't need a shit load of money to start your career! So get the studio and a cheap camera body but an expensive lens! Ok I can do that! What type of camera are you shooting with currently? And what type of lens did you buy that can be used over 300,000 times????? That's a good investment! I want one like that!!!






Wow, Dream, that's a great question. Actually, someone asked me something similar a few weeks ago, so I will give a two-part answer (the second part announces a very big secret, so please read all the way through).

1) I would first get a studio, because every artist needs a place to experiment and practice. Before I started Slickforce, I had just quit my job working graveyard shift at Kinko's (yes, I said it), and I knew I wasn't going back to that suck-ass job. So when I decided to pursue photography (keep in mind that I had NO experience—I took my very first professional photo only 6 years ago), I partnered with 3 friends on my first studio because I had no money. My rent came to $250/month.

Then I'd get a camera, because you can't really call yourself a photographer without a camera. However, I'd think VERY hard about where you want to be in two years. If you like Canons, for example, then buy a super-cheap body but buy the BEST lenses because you can always upgrade the body when you have cash down the road. But if every piece of equipment you buy is crap, then you always have to start from scratch, which costs a fortune, and your old equipment collects dust. Even though I've upgraded my camera system FIVE TIMES, I'm still using the very first lens I ever bought. In fact, I shoot every page of SHOW magazine with that same lens. And it's super-used (over 300,000 clicks) and I bought it super-cheap on eBay. I couldn't afford new stuff, but I knew I want good equipment.

If you can't afford the lenses you want, rent them. There are camera stores in every major city, and used lenses are also a fantastic deal if you can find them at the right price and in good condition.

Then, I would get some lights, unless you're a natural light photographer (in which case, skip this part). I actually didn't know how to use strobes when I started (they scared me...lol), so I borrowed a friends hot lights (movie-style lights). But you can go to Home Depot and get construction lights that do the same thing, and are way cheaper. You just need to shoot at a slower shutter or a higher ISO. When I finally switched to strobes, I could only afford 2, so I lit with two lights for the first year of my career. The good news is that there are MANY cheap strobes available. But again, think to the future. If you like a particular brand, buy a starter model of that brand, so you can upgrade (instead of starting over) later.

Last, you need a computer. I hated Macs when I first started (I was a PC freak until recently...), but I knew Macs were faster at processing Photoshop files, so I paid a friend to borrow his Mac every time I had a shoot. Then after about a year, I saved enough money to put a down payment on one (but not actually buy one), so I leased it with an option to buy (which I did, 3 years later).

The point of all this is that I started my studio with a lot less than $3000. In fact, until a few years ago, I didn't even own most of my own equipment. Your purpose is to build your career, not to own a bunch of equipment. Most photographers think it's the other way around (you may want to re-read that last line several times.) They think owning a bunch of equipment makes hem a photographer, but they forget to learn how to shoot.

Forget $3000...if you only have $300, you should put every penny of that into shooting everyday and building your career. I only bought my own equipment after I was making money....not before.

So...with all that in mind, here's part two:

2) So many photographers have asked me everything from how to get started, to how to light, to how to direct models, how to shoot for magazines, how to retouch, etc....so I've decided to teach them. Finally.

This summer, SlickforceStudio is launching PhotoKamp, which will be a two-day workshop with me, where I teach you EVERYTHING that I believe you need to start not only a successful and artistic photography career, but also how to MAKE MONEY. Because in this economy, it is not enough to be good. EVERYONE is a photographer now. I am going to teach you how to stand out, build your network, and have models calling you, begging you to photograph them. If I had PhotoKamp when I started, I would have made it here in half the time.

Hope that answered your question.

Stay tuned for more...

[Nick Saglimbeni]

Don't worry about the camera—try them all and see what suits you.

As far as surviving a high click count...if your camera breaks because you are shooting too much, then you are doing well enough to buy a replacement. Trust me, that's a good problem to have.

[DREAM FACTORY]

Ok! I will start pricing some camera's today actually! Thanks for replying to these post so quickly!




Don't worry about the camera—try them all and see what suits you.

As far as surviving a high click count...if your camera breaks because you are shooting too much, then you are doing well enough to buy a replacement. Trust me, that's a good problem to have.

[berriman]

Wow PhotoCamp, I would be up for that. Any idea when as i would need to make plans to come over from the UK

[Matt Timmons]

Excellent advice- it's the same with musicians, some seem to think you need a 10,000 guitar rig to make it in the biz, while the successful musicians are using the same old beat up Marshall and Gibson. Equipment are only TOOLS to help you reach your creative vision- they can't make you a great photographer. Practice can. I saved every penny to buy my gear, nothing was bought on credit. I could have had 5 hot tubs in my back yard, but I've put everything into my profession. I've been lucky enough to get a good word-of-mouth business following partially because I am professional at all times around the models.

As I see it, there are two parts to success-

1. You've got to be damn good.

2. You've got to know how to do business and have excellent network ability.

I'm still working on both, and always will I suppose. But then again, I'll always be a student no matter how far I get. I'm interested in Nick's class- I hope there's a big focus on the business side, because I'd love to make it out depending on costs.

[Nick Saglimbeni]

Glad to hear the enthusiasm. Berriman, the Kamp wouldn't be until the Fall...it's been slightly delayed because of an even bigger project that we're putting together over the summer. If you're on our mailing list (you can sign up on the home page) you'll definitely hear about it at least 2 months in advance.

In the meantime, I welcome all suggestions as to how to make PhotoKamp most beneficial to all of you. I'll post a new thread in General Questions, please give me your feedback on everything from content to cost!

[maxx]

Nick:

Your thoughtful response to Dream's initial question is a classic. I'm going to cut and paste it into a file that I can refer to (and repeat) often.

I develop internet and software companies and your "create now, buy later" approach applies equally well there.

I will see you someday soon at a PhotoKamp.

[Matt Timmons]

Just a quick update since you'll notice this thread is nearly a year old-

1. The Mastering Retouching DVD's took priority over PhotoKamp last year, so that's one reason why PhotoKamp has laid low over the past several months.

2. PhotoKamp is being re-designed into a whole new element. The original idea was given a dose of some secret DNA that is going to blow the doors off anything you've ever heard of. It's going to be the experience of a lifetime. It's going to prepare you for your dream job, and it's going to be what starts the careers of the next generation of professional photographers. Stay tuned...