i need serious opinions.

[Sparx]

as you all know, a majority of my time is taken up at bettering myself in photography. i have no formal training in photography, but i've read the books, and i know the techniques, and i know things books can't teach you. i've had many many people ask me questions about their cameras, or about photographs. so i've had this idea in my head for awhile. i'm thinking about starting to offer photography classes/lessons.

would you take lessons from me?

this is a bit of my resume:
i'm displayed in one local cafe, and i have another interested in showcasing my work.
i've clocked more than 500 hours of shooting, and a quarter of that has been with models.
i have photographed a fashion show on the nashville strip.
i have been complimented by wilhelmina modeling agency.
i've won local photography contests.

those are just the highlights of my resume.

so would you be interested in taking a class that i taught?
i'm just trying ot get a feel of if people are going to watn this or if i'm just wasting my time.

 

[PurpleDucky]

Yes I would

 

[Sparx]

Yes I would

thanks.

another question, what should i charge? (i'd love to do this for free, but just my materials alone won't allow me to do that)

 

[marypops!]

I would. You take awesome photos

I can take good photos, but I know nothing about the camera to make good photos better (like making the colour more brighter and so on)

 

[PurpleDucky]

Hmm, it all depends.
I think they should have to buy film for your camera. If you're doing a photoshoot for someone they should pay for AT LEAST half of the set and supply the film for how ever many photos they need.

 

[Sparx]

Hmm, it all depends.
I think they should have to buy film for your camera. If you're doing a photoshoot for someone they should pay for AT LEAST half of the set and supply the film for how ever many photos they need.

i do digital and i'd teach digital, so film isn't really an issue. and they would all need to bring their own cameras (i do own several, but its better to learn your own before learning someone elses) so mostly they'd be paying for my time and my instruction and my models time and instruction.

the lessons would probably be 1-3 times a week, and maybe an hour to two hours long depending on what we're doing that time.

 

[Tinkerbell424]

Yes I would take classes from you.

 

[marypops!]

I went to a photography lesson thing for a week about 2 months ago, it was 2 hours a day for 5 days, and cost £10 ($20)

So maybe that much for a week?

 

[Sparx]

I went to a photography lesson thing for a week about 2 months ago, it was 2 hours a day for 5 days, and cost £10 ($20)

So maybe that much for a week?

that sounds reasonable. thank you.

and thanks for the reassurance you guys.

 

[STOPxmickeytime]

Honestly, since you asked for serious opinions, I wouldn't.
I think you take fantastic pictures, but if I was a kid looking for photography skills and willing to put money into photgraphy lessons, I wouldn't invest in a non-professional class. I'm trying to take the perspective of someone who had never seen your photographs or heard of your qualifications before, just heard that you were offering classes.
But maybe if I knew about your qualifications beforehand, I'd change my mind.

Sorry if that's a downer, but then again, I'm one person.
If you really wanna do this and you're passionate about it, go for it!
And I'm sure you'll get tons of business from people who have already seen your work and heard about your qualifications...which, come to think of it, is probably who you were referring to in the first place...well, anyway, good luck!

 

[::Snow_White::]

I definately would. Your photos are amazing, and I believe I could learn alot.

Good luck with your decision.
Hope it works out.

 

[♥DizzyDizney♥]

I would. You seem experinced with photography, and your resume makes you sound professional. I would take it if the prices sound fair also.
Good luck!

 

[imabrat]

Shelby, please please PLEASE don't take this the wrong way.

I have no background in art or photography and I don't know if those highlights are something everyone has or if they are rare and exceptional.
I would be very skeptical taking a class.

That being said, I would have to see most of your work first. If I'm impressed with what I see, you bet I would take classes.

I say go for it. If it doesn't work out, it doesn't work out. At least you tried, and that's important!
Good luck with whichever path you choose.

 

[disneyworldluvr349]

I would love to see some pictures. That is the only way to truly judge. I am an aspiring photographer as well.

 

[AbsoluteAwesome1]

Yes, I would take lessons from you.
But if it was someone else I didn't know offering the same class?
I probably wouldn't, because... I don't even know, I'm uncomfortable having people I don't know teach me things.

Also, I don't have a huge interest in photography.

 

[Loves Disney]

I cannot give you a completely honest answer without seeing some sort of "portfolio" ...or on the DIS, just a couple of photos of yours that you feel are your best.

As for a straight answer right here and now, I'd say no. You're resume is impressive for your age, but I would want to take lessons from someone who has formal lessons under his/her belt. Teaching something is more than just knowing enough about the subject matter. However, with that said, I do not know you well enough, I have not seen your artwork to full value, and I do not know what your official resume looks like. I think it would be stupid to tell you not to try it out because what's learning without experiencing right? I say go for it - just don't invest too much money into it. Before you get that serious, I would wait a couple more years and get some courses in. People might find it more appealing and worth while to see that their money is going into something more "official" (for lack of a better word). Financially in today's world - with gas prices rising and inflation - my thought would be that people are less willing to invest in something a bit more caual than formal. But like I said, go for it. You might get a great response and do really well. Don't resist doing it because you have a couple limitations. Go for it and see what happens. Who knows, it might be a good start in the right direction

 

[Sparx]

Honestly, since you asked for serious opinions, I wouldn't.
I think you take fantastic pictures, but if I was a kid looking for photography skills and willing to put money into photgraphy lessons, I wouldn't invest in a non-professional class. I'm trying to take the perspective of someone who had never seen your photographs or heard of your qualifications before, just heard that you were offering classes.
But maybe if I knew about your qualifications beforehand, I'd change my mind.

Sorry if that's a downer, but then again, I'm one person.
If you really wanna do this and you're passionate about it, go for it!
And I'm sure you'll get tons of business from people who have already seen your work and heard about your qualifications...which, come to think of it, is probably who you were referring to in the first place...well, anyway, good luck!

thank you. it would have weirded me out if no one said no, to be honest.

 

[Sparx]

thanks for all the replies everyone. of course, i'll have a portfolio printed for people curious as to see it, and a copy of my resume for those interested in taking my course.

 

[pigletgirl]

You know, I probably would....But in the future do you plan on majoring in photography in college? If you can start now, thats fantastic. It'll look better down the road.

 

[Sparx]

You know, I probably would....But in the future do you plan on majoring in photography in college? If you can start now, thats fantastic. It'll look better down the road.

yes i do. i want to be a professional photographer.