Branding Yourself MAYRA (QUESTION): My mentor said to find a style, I have to find a brand! What do you think about that? PHILLIP VAN NOSTRAND (ANSWER): I have some thoughts about that, and I kind of disagree. It’s like telling Brad Pitt in his first year of acting that he has to know what […]
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9 Tips For Being the BEST Second Photographer
How to be the best Second Photographer Katie (QUESTION): Phil, I have my first second photographer job at a Santa Barbara Courthouse wedding this Friday! Have any advice on being a top notch 2nd shooter? Phillip Van Nostrand (ANSWER): AWESOME! Yes I do have some tips: 1) Remind them to sync camera times with you at the […]
Charging for Pictures — When to Start?
When to Start Charging for Pictures LAUREN (QUESTION): How do you judge if you’re good enough to start charging other people for pictures? PHILLIP VAN NOSTRAND (ANSWER): I love this question! I guess my first gig happened because someone offered to pay me! So I didn’t begin by charging others, someone literally asked me to shoot […]
How to Make Money Taking Pictures – Best Camera Accessories
Best Camera Accessories LAUREN (QUESTION): What is the first photography accessory would you recommend getting, besides a camera? PHILLIP VAN NOSTRAND (ANSWER): I think a good solid flash is the best accessory to your camera. By using a flash, you open yourself up to a whole other world of photography, and you can start doing […]
How to Make Money Taking Pictures – How I Negotiate
Negotiation Katie (Question): Do you let people go if they say you’re out of their budget, or try to have some negotiation with them? Phillip Van Nostrand (Answer): Great question! If I feel like it is worth it for me I am always willing to negotiate, and even at the highest level of photography people are […]
Reflector- How to Make Money Taking Pictures
Reflector JOHNNY (QUESTION): Thanks again for coming down and taking shots of Cohen. The few we seen so far are awesome. I’m wondering if you can tell me what that thing is called that you used to block/add light. Also, if there was a resource (webpage or book) that you would recommend. PHILLIP VAN NOSTRAND […]
Flashes and Lenses- How to Make Money Taking Pictures
Flashes and Lenses JOHNNY (QUESTION): Any advice on getting flashes and lenses for my Nikon? I have a couple Tamron lenses but I’m not sure they are doing the job my camera could do. It probably has to do with me not knowing how to shoot very well also, but I’ve heard Nikon is known for […]
How to Make Money Taking Pictures- How to Hustle
How to Hustle in the Wedding Market DENISE (QUESTION): I want to shoot weddings in California! How do you hustle? PHILLIP VAN NOSTRAND (ANSWER): You can definitely break into the California wedding market! If you want to hustle, go look up Flutter Magazine and submit a wedding to them. Then go and set up a meeting with them […]
Photography discounts- How to Make Money Taking Pictures
Photography Discounts JOSE (QUESTION): How do you charge for friends? I want to give photography discounts for my close friends, however I don’t want to feel like the services have to be free, cheap or even cost me. PHILLIP VAN NOSTRAND (ANSWER): Honestly, you should just charge what you would anyone else. Seriously, don’t give […]
How to Make Money Taking Pictures – Incentives for Referrals
Offering Incentives for Referrals TOM (QUESTION): Do you offer any incentives for referrals or anything like that? PHILLIP VAN NOSTRAND (ANSWER): No, at this time I don’t accept referral fees. For those who don’t know, referral fees are a somewhat controversial practice in the wedding industry where a venue or a wedding planner will take a 10-20 percent fee […]