I'm only just too old for Prince's Trust who else can help?

nesco

www.senta.co.uk


try this

they are very helpful

Missy™

Moogyboobles could you get work as a second shooter at weddings with a pro that provides kit? One or two seasons doing that and you'd probably be able to save enough to make a start on your own (and gain valuable experience along the way?)

Or otherwise get another job (any job) and do photography on the side, upgrading and adding to your kit gradually? This is how I did it

moogyboobles

A job to fit around my husband I've been on the lookout for years now (no regular childcare about, I can get help for the odd day just not everyday, he gets home too late for me to get evening work and tax credits don't pay for babysitters) although once the youngest starts school I can find something then. This is why weddings suits me, mainly weekend work but you get alot of notice to make arrangements if it's a weekday.
I wasn't after a grant from Prince's Trust, they do loans too. Just that with my husband losing his job a few years back (only for a few months) it ruined our credit. I can't see a normal bank saying yes. Oddly I recently raised over 90K for charity...just can't find money for me.

I already do second shooting, never found a pro that helps you equipment wise (or pays) though.

Thanks all for your ideas, I was hoping there was something similar to Prince's Trust for people a bit older!

Katie-Kat-Kins

I think you need to start the business and start earning money to pay for your upgraded equipment. You can do a lot without expensive equipment, my hubby started small and built up his business on the profits he made without ever borrowing, and without any financial support from family.

Why not try to get some work with photographers that provide equipment, event photographers, or school portrait photographers, studio portraits with an established company etc.

Do some work that your equipment is up to, being the back up at weddings, doing events that don't have an official photographer, work with amateur dance/theatre groups etc all to earn money and build a portfolio until you can upgrade your equipment.

You can also offer a budget service for things like weddings on the proviso that they accept that your equipment isn't up to the minute. On the wedding section of this forum you will find people who can't afford a professional photographer but may be prepared to pay for a pro who is starting out to do a job which will be better than a friend with a point and click but not up to usual pro standards.

It won't take too many jobs to earn enough to buy "last years must have pro camera" second hand which is much cheaper than buying this years must have brand new!

paulwf

OP, how about posting a detailed list of all your startup costs here? As there are some photographers about maybe they can help you work out alternatives. Getting the views of other people can always help overcome obstacles.

Speak to Business Link as well, as you will be spending the money on equipment that can be sold/repossessed if it doesn't work out I think you have a good chance of getting a loan...it won't disappear into thin air on marketing.

keithadams

As a Wedding Photographer myself here is my advice

Aim at the low market to start with do budget packages aim for the people on a tight budget for there wedding. for example if you charged £300 (i know cheap) but only did it for a dvd/cd of the images after your costs you will have say £275 to go towards your equipment. a few of these and your laughing.

for this level of wedding you dont need expensive equipment you can do it on basics even kit packages.

the best thing about budget weddings is everyone at the moment is looking for them and you could have 10 budget ones to 1 average priced one.

also remember dont be fooled by pricing i reckon most photographers who use canon will carry a 50mm f1.8 prime lens which you can get for £60 one of best investments i ever made.

need any advice pm me

Missy™

Moogyboobles it is hard when it has to fit in with family, I'm on my own with my son so I know all too well about childcare challenges! It became easier when he started school, I was able to up the work significantly at that point

You mentioned you want to do portraits and promos as well as weddings, could you set up a headshot studio at your home? You could start with a very basic daylight studio?

moogyboobles

keithadams wrote: »

also remember dont be fooled by pricing i reckon most photographers who use canon will carry a 50mm f1.8 prime lens which you can get for £60 one of best investments

Oh gosh yes the nifty fifty is brilliant, couldn't do my gig work (flash is usually banned) without it! I've got an 85mm f/1.8 too which is lovely. But I want faster!
Problem I've had is the weddings I've done so far the noise has been too bad, even with fast lenses I can't go above 800 ISO on my camera. Really struggled. I need a 5D mkII.
I have read so much about starting off cheap or going in fully prepared. I don't want to ruin a future reputation by doing some mediocre shots iykwim.

Studio stuff I'm trying to buy some strobist bits and bobs, but my house is too small. When it comes to portraits (apart from fashiony stuff which is different) I love natural light, especially children.

I went to my bank of 15 years today, computer says no, without even a look at my plan. I don't have enough disposable income at the moment. Well yes if I had that I wouldn't need a loan! But I rang Barclays and they seemed more accomodating so hopefully I'll get more joy there.

keithadams

why do you need a 5dmkII thats 3k alone for the camera why not a 5d which you can get 2nd hand for £800 or even a 40d or 50d for cheaper. what are you using at the moment.

moogyboobles

I worry about spending on a camera I'd rely on when I have no receipt or guarantee...not to mention the fact I don't have £800 either! If I'm going to have to get a loan and do it properly I want to be able to compete with the others, they pretty much all have mk2. A 40 or 50D I did ask about in my local shop, they let me have a play with my own lenses to show their really wasn't enough difference or improvement. They talked me out of sale (so I rather like them in there)! I've got a 450D now.
5Dmk2 you can get for about £1600 now