If you’re in a small area, start out doing literally everything you can. Local band wants some pictures taken? Charge a small hourly fee (or a flat fee if the word "hourly" scares them – but make sure you get SOMETHING up front for bands). Shoot lots of your friends if you’re interested in portraiture, just to build a portfolio (don’t charge them ). Get listed in local directories (Yellow pages, newspapers, etc). Be sure to advertise senior portraiture, as that’ll always be a big deal (and can be milked if you’re low on cash). Afterwards you can take on more interesting contract gigs.

If you’re in a small area, start out doing literally everything you can. Local band wants some pictures taken? Charge a small hourly fee (or a flat fee if the word "hourly" scares them – but make sure you get SOMETHING up front for bands). Shoot lots of your friends if you’re interested in portraiture, just to build a portfolio (don’t charge them ). Get listed in local directories (Yellow pages, newspapers, etc). Be sure to advertise senior portraiture, as that’ll always be a big deal (and can be milked if you’re low on cash). Afterwards you can take on more interesting contract gigs.

http://photocamel.com/forum/tutorials/16516-rules-good-portraiture.html

http://photocamel.com/forum/tutorials/34770-posing-family-four.html

http://photocamel.com/forum/tutorials/16516-rules-good-portraiture.html

http://photocamel.com/forum/tutorials/34770-posing-family-four.html

Part of the problem in asking for critique here on Y!A (or many places on-line) is the quality and knowledge base of the respondents. You don’t know who is replying, or how much they may actually know about the craft in question. You have heard from the gushers. They obviously like your work, and that is fine. I enjoyed it as well. Although the gushers have proclaimed how amazing and professional it all looks, remember that they are probably teens, understanding neither the basics of the craft, nor the art of critique. I am not in charge of a "photography agency", but I have been at it a while and have been on both ends of reasonable critique. Your work is what it is: Beginning photos from a young beginner in the hobby. They are pleasant, rather typical of newbie efforts, with common subjects and common exposure and compositional errors often made by beginners. Your camera is over-exposing sometimes, leaving highlights with no detail, or "blown". The giraffe and mushroom both have some major blown areas. I liked the mushroom shot, except for the over-exposure. The flowers are mundane snapshots, not the best lighting or viewpoint, and they are dead center in the frame. The rose and yellow flower are not too sharp, and the butterfly is almost lost in the composition. Most teen beginners take pictures of flowers, drawings, scraps of paper, and tennis shoes. Yours are in focus. I also see you are learning some manipulation techniques, such as selective color. These are good skills to practice, although selective color is dated and cliche, I still do a few from time to time myself. Brides in this area still like it. Do remember that excessive post processing will not save a mediocre shot and make it amazing. Often less is more.

Here are a couple of links for beginning to learn some basics:

http://www.kodak.com/eknec/PageQuerier.jhtml?pq-path=38/13915&pq-locale=en_US

http://asp.photo.free.fr/Composition/photoProgramCompMainClass.shtml

Taking a class is always a good idea, or join a local camera or photography club. Most advanced hobbyists are happy to mentor a newcomer. There you will get real and meaningful feedback to help you grow. Visit the local library for a book on the basics. Begin learning about exposure and composition. Look at good images in books and magazines. Read some photography magazines, like Popular Photography, Outdoor Photographer, and browse through National Geographic. Pick up some old Look magazines to see some classic B&W work. Even if your digital camera is not adjustable, (I believe your film Minolta is a manual camera) learning some basics will help you improve. Continue to practice and have fun. Enjoy the hobby as you learn. Continue to share your progress with us, Best wishes in the future and happy shooting.

Part of the problem in asking for critique here on Y!A (or many places on-line) is the quality and knowledge base of the respondents. You don’t know who is replying, or how much they may actually know about the craft in question. You have heard from the gushers. They obviously like your work, and that is fine. I enjoyed it as well. Although the gushers have proclaimed how amazing and professional it all looks, remember that they are probably teens, understanding neither the basics of the craft, nor the art of critique. I am not in charge of a "photography agency", but I have been at it a while and have been on both ends of reasonable critique. Your work is what it is: Beginning photos from a young beginner in the hobby. They are pleasant, rather typical of newbie efforts, with common subjects and common exposure and compositional errors often made by beginners. Your camera is over-exposing sometimes, leaving highlights with no detail, or "blown". The giraffe and mushroom both have some major blown areas. I liked the mushroom shot, except for the over-exposure. The flowers are mundane snapshots, not the best lighting or viewpoint, and they are dead center in the frame. The rose and yellow flower are not too sharp, and the butterfly is almost lost in the composition. Most teen beginners take pictures of flowers, drawings, scraps of paper, and tennis shoes. Yours are in focus. I also see you are learning some manipulation techniques, such as selective color. These are good skills to practice, although selective color is dated and cliche, I still do a few from time to time myself. Brides in this area still like it. Do remember that excessive post processing will not save a mediocre shot and make it amazing. Often less is more.

Here are a couple of links for beginning to learn some basics:

http://www.kodak.com/eknec/PageQuerier.jhtml?pq-path=38/13915&pq-locale=en_US

http://asp.photo.free.fr/Composition/photoProgramCompMainClass.shtml

Taking a class is always a good idea, or join a local camera or photography club. Most advanced hobbyists are happy to mentor a newcomer. There you will get real and meaningful feedback to help you grow. Visit the local library for a book on the basics. Begin learning about exposure and composition. Look at good images in books and magazines. Read some photography magazines, like Popular Photography, Outdoor Photographer, and browse through National Geographic. Pick up some old Look magazines to see some classic B&W work. Even if your digital camera is not adjustable, (I believe your film Minolta is a manual camera) learning some basics will help you improve. Continue to practice and have fun. Enjoy the hobby as you learn. Continue to share your progress with us, Best wishes in the future and happy shooting.

Here are the group shots: http://www.flickr.com/photos/samfeinstein/tags/group

Here are the group shots: http://www.flickr.com/photos/samfeinstein/tags/group