NWR: Hey Vendors! Specifically photographers... or super helpful brides too!

I thought about Craigslist, but I was really worried I'd get a bunch of dead ends and major creeps.

I'll give that a shot!

Hi Soonyee - My MOH is doing the same thing right now! Her business is really starting to pick up...

She actually started with just getting friends and family in front of the camera - she posted a few of those on FB (with her copyright of course) and then she had friends asking her to take family pictures.

Her brother got married last year (April I think) and she did some of their "getting ready" pictures and then some fun pictures after their formal portraits were done.

She created her own website and FB page...she has really expanded her business with word of mouth from her family and friends.

She is also looking into taking classes at NESOP - New England School of Photography - that particular school offers a referral system for potential customers and it gives her the "credentials" (sp?) to be a "pro"

Good luck with this adventure - I love photography and someday I want to have time to get back into it.

Eh ... you'll be able to tell who is creepy pretty quickly, at least most of the time.

I think that's a great place to start, and also to let a few friends and families know that you're getting into it and ask them to spread the word. Holiday photos are a great place to start! I'd also start to build a professional-looking website once you have a little bit of a portfolio and make yourself searchable. If you are trying to get into weddings, make a vendor account here and on TK :-)

Facebook/social media

I always see so many people posting on different community boards/walls/etc. about wanting a photog that's affordable

Advertise with your friends... Maybe your child's school if you have one.... Say bring a flash drive and ill shoot free. You'll get tons of people that will do it. They'll get a copy of the photos (no printing for you) have them sign a typed up paper saying that they give you permission to be used in your portfolio.

You're most important thing is lighting! It really is! It's hard to get that indoor shot with a normal camera flash... Every photographer has a

Slave flash! Outside photos are the easiest... They don't require a flash... Use creativity and props!!!! Have an imagination! Anyone can sell photos, make yours stand out!

A fast compacFlash card! Spend a little more to get one that saves faster, it'll really help and cut down the waiting time for the next photo to begin.... Shoot in threes.... I was always told in college when you're first learning to shoot the items in threes on f stop above and one below and one dead on so you can see te difference...

Learn blurring of the background and foreground and what causes it... People really love those photos because those are the ones that their friends couldn't snap themselves.

I knew to ask you ladies first, you are awesome!

Several of my FB have become "pro" photographers some have been more successful than others. I would advertise on FB. I know many of the top photographers in my area offer workshops and classes. You should see if there is a professional network in your area that holds meeting or at least has a message board.

My sister's in the process of doing this as well. She had gotten some business by word of mouth and then started a Facebook page to share her work and spread the information. She also ordered business cards to share if people asked her about pictures she's taken. She did pictures for some close friends and family free of charge but got referrals from people who saw their pictures.