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DWB · 11-03-2008, 02:17 AM

It took me a looooooong time to get my foot in the door.

I started out on my own, not knowing the difference between white balance and an F-stop. However I did by a good 3 chip video camera at the time and a pair of cheap video kit lights from the local camera store. I had a little digital camera that got me through just fine for a long time before I upgraded to an SLR and started shooting DVD box covers.

Mike South was a HUGE help to me, taking the time to answer my questions about shooting and the industry. He actually spent some time and took me around at my first AVN show (2000) and introduced me to people and talked about the product I had. He was also a straight shooter and told me how to make what I had better. For that, I'm always grateful to him, and I suggest you find someone like him (someone suggest Jum Gunn) who is willing to take the time to give you a hand and not blow smoke up your ass.

Then along the way I was able to sit in on a few sets of veteran shooters and I learned a lot of little tricks.

I shot a LOT of crap while I was learning. I mean a ton of it. Buuuuut.... over time it got better and doors started to open. Now I am turning down work almost daily. I still suck if you put me up against someone like Dean Capture but the bottom line is I MAKE A LOT OF MONEY and SELL A LOT OF PRODUCT with the limited skills I do have, so I'm living proof you don't totally need to know it all to make a living.

CLIFF NOTES:

* Get the best gear you can afford.
* Read everything you can about shooting and your gear.
* Practice, practice and practice! Then compare it with others in your niche. How does it pair up?
* Find someone who will allow you to pick their brain.
* Don't expect pro results overnight.
* Make as many contacts as you can and always hold up to what you tell them you will do. Always deliver.
* And then somewhere along the line you have to learn how to deal with models and talent and get them to do what you want.

11-03-2008, 02:17 AM
DWB Registered User Industry Role: Join Date: Jul 2003 Location: Encrypted. Access denied. Posts: 31,779	It took me a looooooong time to get my foot in the door. I started out on my own, not knowing the difference between white balance and an F-stop. However I did by a good 3 chip video camera at the time and a pair of cheap video kit lights from the local camera store. I had a little digital camera that got me through just fine for a long time before I upgraded to an SLR and started shooting DVD box covers. Mike South was a HUGE help to me, taking the time to answer my questions about shooting and the industry. He actually spent some time and took me around at my first AVN show (2000) and introduced me to people and talked about the product I had. He was also a straight shooter and told me how to make what I had better. For that, I'm always grateful to him, and I suggest you find someone like him (someone suggest Jum Gunn) who is willing to take the time to give you a hand and not blow smoke up your ass. Then along the way I was able to sit in on a few sets of veteran shooters and I learned a lot of little tricks. I shot a LOT of crap while I was learning. I mean a ton of it. Buuuuut.... over time it got better and doors started to open. Now I am turning down work almost daily. I still suck if you put me up against someone like Dean Capture but the bottom line is I MAKE A LOT OF MONEY and SELL A LOT OF PRODUCT with the limited skills I do have, so I'm living proof you don't totally need to know it all to make a living. CLIFF NOTES: * Get the best gear you can afford. * Read everything you can about shooting and your gear. * Practice, practice and practice! Then compare it with others in your niche. How does it pair up? * Find someone who will allow you to pick their brain. * Don't expect pro results overnight. * Make as many contacts as you can and always hold up to what you tell them you will do. Always deliver. * And then somewhere along the line you have to learn how to deal with models and talent and get them to do what you want.