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I am wanting to learn more of the business side of photography but I am not having any luck on this. I have called about 30+ photographers in my area. I have told them of what I am wanting to learn and I would not mind working for free just to get the knowledge and maybe learn a thing or two. They said one of two things, "We don't need and help" or "I have been doing this for 10+ years and I can not find any work around here." What should I do? I am getting tired of having the door slammed in my face.
Quote: I am getting tired of having the door slammed in my face.
You have to ask why you are getting the door slamned in your face?
Nothing is easy especially in business. Most local photography businesses are probably struggling to keep their own work and income without having to worry about teaching someone else how to do it. In addition do you expect them to nurse you to become professional just so you can take some of their business away.
Its a hard road and its going to take a lot of effort, and maybe if you cannot do it on your own - then it might not be for you. The quality of your photo's will drive your busines so you will have to concentrate on that and build a reputation. Take a look at some of the images on this site, they are just incredible taken by numerous people who are amatuers - you will have to be achieving the same quality consistently to be able to have a thriving business.
€olin
I echo Colin. The last thing local photography businesses want is another competitor, especially if there is little work out there. They certainly aren't likely to want to mentor you.
What about local colleges - are there any that offer short business courses? Perhaps evening courses? In the UK there are loads of local short courses run during school term time on all sorts of subjects.
As said above, your photography has to drive your business, so assuming your photography is good enough to make money, it is the running the business side of things you need help with, rather than taking the pictures.
I know plenty of brilliant photographers who never make any money because they have no business sense, and conversely I also know plenty of barely competent photographers who sell themselves well and make a decent living from it.
Nick
I echo the above, as well as of course concentrating on honing your photography skills, take up a "start your own small business" course at the local college - (though I'm in a different country) I presume the local Chamber of Commerce or whatever might provide some free ones - maybe enquire in the local library
Stephen
Quote: I have called about 30+ photographers in my area..
Don't know how big an "area" you are talking about but, if it is less than about 1000 square miles, then I suggest that it is already over-saturated with professional photographers.
I would endorse Tooth's comments above. As far as I can ascertain, the biggest challenge facing wannabee pro togs (see how I have learned the jargon since joining EPZ? 
) is acquiring the necessary business skills rather than their photography skills. If you do take the plunge, be prepared to spend 80% of your time on marketing, selling, accounting, filling out tax forms and suchlike and only 20% with a camera in your hand.
We do Business Survival workshops but not to anyone who's local. They're not cheap but most delegates have recovered the cost very quickly - one within two days. With FREE courses, you tend to get what you pay for.
What saddens me is that so many newbie snappers will happily spend thousands on shiny new cameras but won't invest a couple of hundred in training that will make their business profitable. After all. the price is less than one month's depreciation on a good DSLR.
A few readers of this Forum have made serious enquiries but all of them have said that they "can't justify the cost" and so haven't booked in. Training is an investment rather than a cost!
Quote: I am getting tired of having the door slammed in my face.
You have to ask why you are getting the door slamned in your face?
it was a figure of speech. 
Quote:
In addition do you expect them to nurse you to become professional just so you can take some of their business away.
I have also told them I am looking to move out of here in about two years for school. Which I am still researching on. I am thinking somewhere in the UK or Canada.
Quote: What saddens me is that so many newbie snappers will happily spend thousands on shiny new cameras but won't invest a couple of hundred in training that will make their business profitable. After all. the price is less than one month's depreciation on a good DSLR.
Avery valid point.
Quote: I have also told them I am looking to move out of here in about two years for school. Which I am still researching on. I am thinking somewhere in the UK or Canada.
Why should they believe you ? Some people [present company excepted etc] will say anything to get money
Also - lots can happen to make you not move: Relationships change or begin, illness, work visa refusal etc etc...................
Quote:
Why should they believe you ? Some people [present company excepted etc] will say anything to get money
Also - lots can happen to make you not move: Relationships change or begin, illness, work visa refusal etc etc...................
I have lived in this state my whole life. I have been wanting to get out for years but couldn't because of my finances. Now I have a clearer head the desire and motivation to leave this place. I will not go into details as to why I hate my state.
What saddens me is that so many newbie snappers will happily spend thousands on shiny new cameras but won't invest a couple of hundred in training that will make their business profitable. After all. the price is less than one month's depreciation on a good DSLR.
THEY DON'T DEPRECIATE THAT BADLY for a good camera, otherwise in a year my camera/ camera's would be worth nothing for a 5d mark ii or 7d, a little over exaggerated me thinks, considering these type cameras hold there money extremely well.
Good courses can cost £100.00 a day I know I've been on a few myself.
I do get your point though and am with you on that score, too many new photographers think buying more gear will improver there photography when actually they need good tuition until then all the gear they buy is simply BLING.
On the other hand you do get people like me that know better gear helps, and buying the best is a good investment too, and I tend to read an awful lot and use all the nets vast knowledge including this site to achieve better photography skills to use the gear i brought, one more thing to point out is not all courses cover the actual photography gear i use so i need the internet to learn.
So although i agree with your comment you cannot tar everyone with the same brush, there are people out there that learn very fast, that are technically minded and understand what they are reading and viewing and actually surpass pros with there ability.
After all the only difference between a pro and an amateur is a pro earns money that's it.
I love it when photographers get on there high horse and think there better than everyone else, to me it's a sad place to be, people are capable of learning why put them down for trying, applaud them for trying not put them down.
I have a young lad 20, who loves photography and comes out with me, and an older gent who is 61 wants to learn too Knowledge is there to be had for everyone and if i can teach Technic's to people like this then i am happy to help.
Ian.
GUYS LETS PUT THIS INTO PERSPECTIVE, SOMEONE IS ASKING FOR HELP AND ALL I SEE HERE IS SOME GRUMPY OLD MEN GETTING ON THERE HIGH HORSE ABOUT WHAT THEY THINK THEY KNOW.
Try a different approach like help the guy.
I presume Mr collywobbles you run a Training programme for photography?
Ian.
Drippingsoul I commend you for asking for help and to be fair I thought that was what this site was all about.
If I knew enough to give good advise I would tell you as you are no threat to me, unfortunately I cannot give you enough information on the business side of photography, other than send your images to magazines, papers, websites, and get your name out there as a recognised photographer.
I have done this and had photos published in magazines and papers and used on websites too, keep trying keep learning and really enjoy your photography and good luck for the future.
Ian.
Hi Danny. I can't recall if I've referred you before to this blog article by an experienced pro photographer. It is worth reading, if you haven't already done so.
You've got to ask yourself "What exactly do I want to learn?" There is no easy way to learning photography other than getting out there and doing lots of it. Pro photographers in your area may be having a tough time of it, so why should they provide training for someone who may set up as a competitor? The response you have had, from local pros, does not surprise me in the least.
The sort of training you need may not, in fact, be camera skills anyway. If you conclude what you actually need is training in business or marketing skills , just enrol yourself on a suitable local course. Hope that helps.
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