Do i Go for it?

[markgozz]

Dan have you considered trying to build up your photography business along side your " normal " job , just to test the waters and see how you would get on once you put more effort into promoting yourself .
I know that it wouldn't be easy because you wouldn't have a lot of spare time to devote to photography but you would have a steady income while you got yourself established .

Not an easy decision and I wish you all the luck in the world .

Mark

[jet_kit]

Garry (Cathus) has summed it all up very neatly.
Don't forget that once you turn pro all kinds of things change - Your household insurance no longer covers your gear, it must be insured separately, and it's expensive. Public liability insurance can cost a lot as well, depending on what you're planning do and where you're planning to do it. Your whole tax structure changes as well and you may need an accountant to steer you through the minefield.
If you have an objection to working NYE then I suspect pro-photography is not the vocation for you. If you want to put bread on the table, you must be prepared to work (often at a moments notice) any time of the day or night any day of the year. In my younger days I damn-nearly starved and had to do bar-work and anything else I could find just to pay the rent. It was probably 10 years or more before I could say, "My hours are 8:00 to 5:00, Monday to Friday and no Public Holidays.", but then I was working in advertising which made that comparatively easy.
You need to think this through very, very carefully. It's a tough world out there and for every pro that makes it big, there's a hundred who are just scraping a living and many more who spend their evenings darning socks and sewing patches on their worn out jeans.
But, if you're passionate and you don't care what life throws at you as long as you have a camera in your hand, then go for it.

[jools-elliott]

If I remember correctly, public liability insurance isn't all that much in the grand scheme of things.

The others are right with regards to your work ethics. If you must say no to working on a specific day, how will that look in the eyes of people who want to employ you as a photographer?

One of the realities of this game is you never really stop. Today is Sunday and I am in the midst of typing up an article for a magazine. But isn't Sunday the day of rest? Forget it!

You have to remember as well that it is not just about photography. You spend a lot of time:

1) Making calls
2) Chasing bills
3) Sorting out paperwork
4) If you're a member of a library then you'll have to get used to sorting through your images. I'm a member of four and each one is different. Some you have to do everything, some will do more for you.
5) And of course, there is the chasing and trying to drum up work too!

Lastly, as Jet quite rightly points out. It's not just you trying to do this. There are many others trying the same thing.

If it's landscape photography you want to try (just looking through your portfolio) then the battle will be quite steep.

[dan123]

Thanks Everyone, Some Really Great AdVice, Cathus thanks for the Really Comphehensive answere, i now i have soooooo much left to consider about it, Ive given it a fair amount of thought, i now i need to do more, Wont be an Easy Decision thats for sure, But then i like to Really go For things, and i like to push my self hard,

But Today my supervisor Hinted that I only have two weeks left at work anyway..... And a freindly work that i should look for another job,

Its not Really an objection to working NYE i have, Ive worked it beofre, its more that its just this Year... I myt aswell Say it, but IVe been with my Girlfriend for Long enough now, and Wanted to take the NYE To maybe change that and make it more... Thats the Main reason..... Ssssssshhhhh havent told you all that.......


but ive also Looked into the Advice Karen gave me and have lookied into Doing a Level 3 course in Photography

But thanks for everyones Opinipons and Some Great Advice aswell, Definately Good to be able to Speak to People about this,

[Cathus]

Ah, you old romantic!

[dan123]

hahah I now Right.... Dont now whether i can or not... Depends if i work or not and if my Next payslip has enough in it.... Fingers Crossed, lol

[andydo]

have you spoken to ur lass about it does she want the stability of a permanent job not just something that might come off, im not trying to put you off the idea but if it falls flat it could cause a lot of strain between u nd ur lass

[dan123]

Thanks andy, I now what you mean, I dont Think so Really, Shes at Uni at the moment, Wich means we Dont live togehter,and wouldnt be until she finishes, so i have Very little financial Responisbliltes, but shes still got two years on her course, wich is why im thinking its a good time, So hopefully id be half set by the time she finishes,

[Ashleyj]

Just a little bit of constructive criticism, Dan.

If you do decide to give up regular employment and work full time as a photographer you will no doubt have to communicate with potential clients. Can I therefore suggest that you seriously look at improving your spelling, grammar and punctuation.
Reading your posts can be hard work at time due to the random scattering of capital letters where not needed and lower case ones where they should be upper case.

I'm not trying to be clever here but I feel that if you were to write like this to a client it might have a negative impact on your business.

There must be plenty of good books on English available from your local library, pick one up and give it a read.

[littlebro]

I think you are being a bit harsh Ashley, do you know whether Dan is Dyslectic or not, I think you should have at least sent him a PM or e-mail instead of putting your thoughts on here even though your intentions are helpful.