When you are out shooting and someone approaches you and asks you if youre a professional photographer what do you tell them?
I've had plenty of people approach me and ask me this question. I always tell them that I do it for fun, and half the time their interests die.
I wouldnt mind selling my work to folks, but I have this honesty issue that I dont feel right saying im a pro unless I have some sort of business setup and I sell my work. However I would love for people to buy my work.
Well... I've never been in that situation but here's my two cents.
I think it's all about attitude and confidence. If people are showing you interest, don't turn them away. If you feel saying that you are a pro would be dishonest, sell one photo to a family member for a dollar - you've now sold your work and are a pro! ;-D
Or something like, when they ask if you're a professional or not, say "well, yes, I am interested in selling my work!" which encourages their interest while also being honest.
Why not say you are a semi porfessional who shoots in their spare time. Have a business card handy with your details. This comes accross as someone who is serious about their photography.
Edit to add this is what I do as I feel the same as you do. I don't feel right calling myself a professional as I dont feel good enough for that even though I do sell some of my work.
Why not say you are a semi porfessional who shoots in their spare time. Have a business card handy with your details. This comes accross as someone who is serious about their photography.
Edit to add this is what I do as I feel the same as you do. I don't feel right calling myself a professional as I dont feel good enough for that even though I do sell some of my work.
This is exactly what I was going to suggest. Have a card though, even if it's just to your online portfolio here. It gives them something to walk away with, think about and maybe contact you again.
I do action sports part-time, but tell people I'm a semi-pro. My standard for being a pro would be doing photography as my only job, but until I get there...
When you are out shooting and someone approaches you and asks you if youre a professional photographer what do you tell them?
I tell them yes.
Originally posted by JaimeVinas:
I've had plenty of people approach me and ask me this question. I always tell them that I do it for fun, and half the time their interests die.
I wouldnt mind selling my work to folks, but I have this honesty issue that I dont feel right saying im a pro unless I have some sort of business setup and I sell my work. However I would love for people to buy my work.
before i made a commitment to a fulltime pursuit of photography, when people asked me what/who i was shooting for, i told them 'fun & practice'. when they asked if i was a professional, i answered, 'not yet, but maybe someday.' when my wife told me to 'go for it', i built a website, got business cards, and started answering 'yes' when people asked me if i was a professional. you can go further and have less to worry about being straight up and honest, rather than trying to make up something.
