Camera Bag

[DawnM]

So far I only have one bag! Amazing for me!

I have the Kata

http://www.amazon.com/Kata-KT-DR-46...2?ie=UTF8&s=electronics&qid=1258243210&sr=8-2

I can't say enough good things about it! I find it just perfect. Comfortable to carry, has room for my extras like keys, lip gloss, etc...up top and room for my Canon 40D plus an additional flash and lens in the bottom.

It is very comfortable and has added padding on the lower back area.

I just haven't found the need for another bag, although I have thought of getting a small bag for carrying around town, but that would require me to carry a purse in addition, so it hardly seems worth it. I am still debating.

Dawn

 

[ColleenG]

I think that the ideal way to carry gear is a backpack because it handles the weight best. The problem is gear access. The best way to handle that is to have your assistant (often referred to as spouse) wear the backpack so that you can access it.

I'll try that on this Disney trip and see how well it goes over. I have already been given my strick warning that we are not stopping every 2 seconds for me to take pictures. Well then what was the point of me getting a DSLR? I need to take a trip by myself. We should plan a DIS photo meet at WDW! That would go over real well with the kids!

 

[PhotoJenic]

You might need to change your job search if you want to move to Florida, or any other state. Maybe just start by trying to get a job that will help you settle into the area you want to live in. Then start to look for a photography job at local studios or whatever type of photography you want to do. Also try and think outside the "job interview process" be creative, employers get hundreds of resumes for one job opening. make yours stand out.

Also do NOT think having a good college on your resume is a plus in todays job market / economy. I have friends who manage local retail stores and they have people who are applying that have a phd for cashier position! You are fighting for a job in a very limited job market openings right now, whith people who have real world experinece on thier resume, who will work for much lower pay then they would have in the past.

Also keep in mind that at Olan Mills and those entry level studios, they will have you photograph and/ or sell to customers, so the abillty to upsell is key to them. They make money from selling, not the picture taking process. Use the interview as a way to show that you can sell, after all you are selling yourself. Go to the library and checkout a sales book, to learn some ways of how to close and bring those techniques into the interview. Some examples are Zig Zigler, Tom Hopkins.

Please do not take this as a negative againest you, just a way to help achieve your end result. I hope you find a job you love in a area you love.

Dave

I'm just going to try to internship with the only photographer around here. I don't want to risk moving to a new state doing a non-photography related job then finding out there is none there anywhere and have to pack up and move again. After moving around 14 times for college I'd like to stay put a littler longer for once. Also my friend tried to convince me to pack up and do a blind move. I obviously didn't. She did and moved to this forgotten state and now regrets it. She didn't believe me when I said there's hardly any photographers or any studios here. Oooh well!

It's been nearly 5 months, I know that having a good college on your resume isn't going to open up every door. I only thought it would have helped get me at least a couple interviews for the 100+ jobs I've applied for all over.

With Olan Mills and Portrait Innovation, after I saw how they actually act I refuse to work for any of those chain studios. They're going to eventually go under because they don't focus on photography. It's to see how much they can pressure people to buy sadly when in reality if you hire someone who takes good photos the photos sell themselves. People will have a harder time just picking a couple and if they've got the money they'll buy more.
Also when I was applying for those jobs non-stop I always wondered why they'd get filled then a couple weeks later the same ones would be open again. I figured people were transferring within the job... wrong. I found some inside info and it turns out they have an insanely high turn around rate because they can everyone. I found out from one person that worked there the manager was conducting interviews at the studio to take the place of the people who were still working. I'm so very glad I never got that job. I'd hate to move all that way then be canned for something stupid like not meeting the $100 sales goal even though they run packages constantly for $10. That never made sense. A lot of people only come in to spend the $10 because that's all they have. My friend works part-time for one of those studios and she's told me about how hard it is to make the sales goal when the company does those packages. It's setting up the employees for failure.

I'll eventually find something. It's just the waiting and not knowing where I'll be living that's the hard part. It'd be amazing to be able to see into the future. I'd like to know where I'd be living.

 

[disneyboy2003]

With Olan Mills and Portrait Innovation, after I saw how they actually act I refuse to work for any of those chain studios. They're going to eventually go under because they don't focus on photography. It's to see how much they can pressure people to buy sadly when in reality if you hire someone who takes good photos the photos sell themselves. People will have a harder time just picking a couple and if they've got the money they'll buy more.

Hmm...I know that Olan Mills has been around for decades, and for the general public, that's probably the first name folks think of if they wanted to go to get their portraits done. That's probably the biggest advantage of being a chain store vs an independent photographer. Just like Zales vs. a local jeweler. The chain stores do a great job marketing to the general public to create their name brand. And if you knew nothing about jewelry (or nothing about photography), the first place you'd probably go to is a name-brand chain store.

I'm not in the photography business, but I have heard that successful photographers spend more than half their time (75-90% of time?) on advertising and their business. If you're trying to make money from photography (or any other skill), it's really more than just about the pictures. You can have the most stunning photos in the world, but without any advertisement, business sense, or customer service, your photos will just hang right there on the wall.

That internship with your local photographer is a great idea. Hopefully, you'll be able to learn how a successful photography business is run. To bring in more money for your photography, you've got to have ideas on how to make more sales. Potential customers are always attracted to FREE stuff and are always drawn to discounts or deals. Remember, everyone wants a deal!

For example, ask a couple to do an engagement session with you, and if they like your photos, offer them a discount on their wedding package. Or, pass out business cards with a 10% discount off your next portrait. Or, give someone a referral bonus if they refer their friends / family to you.

Customers always come into the store expecting to spend only $ amount for photos. However, with personalized customer service and good presentation of your final products (ex. photo books, enlargements, etc), customers (or their friends/family) might be drawn into spending $$$.

You see examples of this all the time in every other sales-oriented industry. You go in thinking you're just gonna buy a car, but end up buying a car + a whole package of stuff. You walk in wanting to buy a DSLR, and end up with a DSLR + a 10-year "warranty" + camera bag + overpriced filters, etc.

You went to school to hone your photography skills. Now that you're in the "real world", you've got to learn about the business aspects of photography.

 

[PhotoJenic]

Hmm...I know that Olan Mills has been around for decades, and for the general public, that's probably the first name folks think of if they wanted to go to get their portraits done. That's probably the biggest advantage of being a chain store vs an independent photographer. Just like Zales vs. a local jeweler. The chain stores do a great job marketing to the general public to create their name brand. And if you knew nothing about jewelry (or nothing about photography), the first place you'd probably go to is a name-brand chain store.

I'm not in the photography business, but I have heard that successful photographers spend more than half their time (75-90% of time?) on advertising and their business. If you're trying to make money from photography (or any other skill), it's really more than just about the pictures. You can have the most stunning photos in the world, but without any advertisement, business sense, or customer service, your photos will just hang right there on the wall.

That internship with your local photographer is a great idea. Hopefully, you'll be able to learn how a successful photography business is run. To bring in more money for your photography, you've got to have ideas on how to make more sales. Potential customers are always attracted to FREE stuff and are always drawn to discounts or deals. Remember, everyone wants a deal!

For example, ask a couple to do an engagement session with you, and if they like your photos, offer them a discount on their wedding package. Or, pass out business cards with a 10% discount off your next portrait. Or, give someone a referral bonus if they refer their friends / family to you.

Customers always come into the store expecting to spend only $ amount for photos. However, with personalized customer service and good presentation of your final products (ex. photo books, enlargements, etc), customers (or their friends/family) might be drawn into spending $$$.

You see examples of this all the time in every other sales-oriented industry. You go in thinking you're just gonna buy a car, but end up buying a car + a whole package of stuff. You walk in wanting to buy a DSLR, and end up with a DSLR + a 10-year "warranty" + camera bag + overpriced filters, etc.

You went to school to hone your photography skills. Now that you're in the "real world", you've got to learn about the business aspects of photography.

Oh, we definitely went over the business aspect in photography school. It may have been a 10 month intensive program where we were in classes from 8-5 then after school until 1am working on assignments, but we learned two years worth. We did everything from record keeping to how to run your business and from doing portraits all the way to aerial. Aerial in a 4 seater plane is definitely not my idea of fun though.

It's just right now I'm not ready for my own studio. It hasn't been an interest yet and mainly because you need to be able to support yourself for about 5 years before you start seeing any real profit. Also the fact that I have no clue where I want to live yet doesn't help, but that'll be figured out someday by traveling.

Right now I'll just have to see if the photographer does internships because I can tell I'm not going anywhere for a long time. I also really don't want to advertise myself because I don't have a business license. I'm okay with doing requests because so far its only been family but I'm not open for business. I'd rather not get fined.

 

[mom2rtk]

You know, the economy is just a tough for those needing photograpy services as it is for you. Do you have a portfolio? What you need are a few customers and some referrals. Maybe you can find someone getting married who will let you photograph it for next to nothing. They get your service, and you get a referral and something for your portfolio.

I sew for others, and had to do many jobs for next to nothing before I could ever charge what my time was worth......

 

[bleeps]

Couple of quick thoughts:

I appreciate those in the know with the strong reasons not to move to Orlando in hopes of a WDW job, and the comments about Photopass photographers not needing photo skills to get the job. I just want to say that over the years we have definitely had some incredibly skilled Photopass photographers who were clearly trained professionals -- you can tell right away by the way the person is doing their metering and set up if they know what they are doing, and we have some incredibly amazing photographs that have been taken by these folks (GREAT candids, for example, rather than the stiff smile-and-wave shots).

In terms of getting experience and exposure, though, you might want to consider connecting with small elementary schools in your area -- www.aisne.org is a great source for finding private independent schools. School are always in need of great photos -- for their web sites, for their promotional materials (ads and brochures), etc. If you can offer your services for free in exchange for being credited as the photographer, you can get both exposure and portfolio materials to show.

 

[beachphotog]

A photography DIS meet would be so much fun! I leave next week and meant to get a new bag before we left but it just doesn't look like it's in the budget I have a lowepro but I lost the strap for it... any suggestions on what to do, bag-wise?

 

[zackiedawg]

There is actually a photography disney meet, though not organized through disboards. I don't know if advertising another board is OK, so I won't mention it directly...I have the event link in my sig, hoping to meet other DISers up there...it's Dec 3-6 for that photo event, and there will be several other DISers up there too along with this other dis photo site members. If you happen to be up there those dates, stop by!

 

[DawnM]

Oh, that sounds lovely! I would have to have kids with me though as DH can't get off during December, but I am seriously considering a week long trip with the kids before our APs expire in January.

Dawn

There is actually a photography disney meet, though not organized through disboards. I don't know if advertising another board is OK, so I won't mention it directly...I have the event link in my sig, hoping to meet other DISers up there...it's Dec 3-6 for that photo event, and there will be several other DISers up there too along with this other dis photo site members. If you happen to be up there those dates, stop by!

 

[beachphotog]

There is actually a photography disney meet, though not organized through disboards. I don't know if advertising another board is OK, so I won't mention it directly...I have the event link in my sig, hoping to meet other DISers up there...it's Dec 3-6 for that photo event, and there will be several other DISers up there too along with this other dis photo site members. If you happen to be up there those dates, stop by!

Ha, thanks! I just found that other site today! Thank goodness for twitter! We are actually leaving on 12/3, but since we are driving, we can leave whenever. I might have to check out the pre-meet on the 2nd in AK!

 

[princess.chell]

Keep in mind: the internship could possible turn into a paying job as well.
I just had this happen to me. I interned with a local photographer all summer, worked my butt off and at the end of September she offered me a one day a week paid internship. So now I'm there twice a week: once as an unpaid intern and once as a paid intern. It's probably been one of the best things I've done, the experience in seeing how a small business runs as well as the photography related experience has been awesome.
I really have no other advice for you since I'm not even in college yet (117 days till I graduate high school then off to art school), but I wish you luck! =)

 

[ColleenG]

I will be there those days! But I don't think there is anyway I can get away from the rest of the family to go to any of the events but I will keep an eye out for everyone. Do they do the meet every year?

 

[zackiedawg]

They have met as part of Mousefest for the previous 3 years, so when Mousefest canceled, they forged ahead with their own meet. Quite a few DISers are also on those boards - it's just an extension of the Disney love specifically tuned to photography. Sounds like there will be a nice group up there this time.

 

[ColleenG]

Maybe next year, or the year after that. Oh how I wished I lived closer to WDW so I could go for just a day or 2.

 

[jann1033]

i'm thinking of going the small bag route from now on if i can figure out which of these http://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/produ...0_205_Large_Zoom_SLR_Reversible.html#features will fit my 40d and 70-200 lens. right now i have a little cheap discount drugstore rip off camera bag that is ugly but fits all my lenses and is so light weight it is ridiculously comfortable to carry.... problem being my camera won't fit in it with the lenses cause it's kind of narrow. soooo this would protect the body from sudden downpours since when i'm out with my camera i never put it away anyway. i have 2 other bags for full gear storage and transport or "iffy", ie beach situations but i want "light and simple" for shooting

 

[Diz-Mommy]

UNFREAKING BELIEVABLE!! There hasn't been a single time within the last two days where the PhotoPass sight hasn't locked up on me and I've visited several times a day even!! WHAT GIVES!? Either I get the Mickey clock thingy that never goes away, the edits error out when I try to save, or I can't get the borders show up in the option window. Then they have the nerve to charge for time extensions! Are you kidding me!?

I have been on all sorts of other online photo processing sights and this has got to be the highest priced and least efficient. They can't use the excuse of high volume, because this is just folks going to Disney parks vs. every other photographical moment on any other sight. I'm am not feeling the Disney magic today folks

 

[Iwant2BAprincess]

that site always locks up on me-4 different years-I always start as soon as we get back and just plan to work in increments until I hit my maximum frustration level. BTW-if you happen to keep late hours or can't sleep one night it works much better at, say, 1 am. Good luck

 

[Diz-Mommy]

BTW-if you happen to keep late hours or can't sleep one night it works much better at, say, 1 am. Good luck

I am a night owl, so I'll give that a shot I still have enough time- I hope! We just got home, but we spent a little time in with my parents in Ft. Lauderdale after leaving Disney, so I'm feeling like I lost a few days there that I could probably should have used since this seems to move at a snails pace...bummer!! We pre-paid for a book and a cd, so I'd love to get the best use of both.

I just can't believe they have the nerve to charge for time extensions when the site locks up so much... If they are truly deleting pictures after 30 days, shouldn't the site run a little better?

The borders also are annoying, because when I was on the pictures of Princess Aurora, her border wasn't available...but when I'm on castle pictures- there it is! Same thing with the Princess and the Frog, I KNOW I saw the borders flipping through unrelated pictures, but do you think they show up once I'm on those pictures? NO! And the Fairy borders show up for everything and I have no use for them since I refused to wait in an hour long line for those photo ops Why don't they just make ALL the borders available for all photos? How hard can that be folks!?

Anyone know any tricks around getting the borders I want to show up?

 

[tiggr33]

Propably asked and answered elsewhere, I am just not in the mood to look (bad, very bad day for me). Does anyone have any experience with camera bags and wheels at WDW? I have a Kata 3n1-30 and a set of wheels for it (not the kata trolley) will WDW give me a problem with this set up?