7 things I wish I knew before becoming a professional photographer

[@erik346x]

I'm a huge fan of your work, Sal. Love this advice. Straight to the point, no BS.

[@SalCincotta1]

ty sir!! :)

[@monsterwerksvideo]

I'm taking the scenic route to start my business. Thank goodness other photogs warn us away from shooting and burning. I avoided that altogether. Love your practical advice.

[@Keith80027]

I agree with you 100%! I wish I could just stand behind you for a week and just watch what and how you do. You don't have to say a word, just watching would be a huge education even for me at 70 years old. Keep up the videos.

[@leohall5881]

Great tips Sal!

[@gottago9824]

When it comes to equipment - "Buy right or buy twice"

[@SalCincotta1]

oh i like that.

[@avpguy]

This is absolute gold! Even though I focus on automotive photography and nature. This is all perfectly applicable for that area too! Thank you for these videos!

[@waynosfotos]

A lot of videographers give all their raw clips. I disgree with this. You are delivering a finished product, you don't want people changing you raw images. Then they say you shot it!

[@richwoodham3296]

Great advise Sal ... Thanks for sharing.🖐

[@bengalej]

Good stuff Sal! Thanks for sharing.

[@skillcubator1]

Absolutely agree with all of these tips. I would also like to add one more to the list. Create Your Style: I see a lot of "Professional Photographers" just clicking pictures that all look the same. Same composition, same props, same lighting, same background, whether indoor or outdoor, etc. I believe, to stand out and bring that uniqueness into your art, a photographer must develop a unique style. For example: instead of going to the same 'Battlefield Park' (In Virginia), where you will see 100s of photographers taking shots, try to build a composition using a small stream of water with woods surrounding it or look for props that's not used before. What do you think Sal? Thanks & Regards, Chetan Mehta

[@SalCincotta1]

I AGREE!

[@dorothyswiegoda2797]

Thanks for sharing some great information! I enjoy your enthusiasm in sharing your craft!

[@Jwitherow1964]

That’s me I have bought every thing I mean everything 5 complete systems 30 lights 60 light stands 70 lens 5 tripods, and every gaget you can think of. Still have not made a dime, now with 200 k spent I am glad I found your channel.

[@kennymccannYT]

Thanks for the knowledge.

[@robdlain9145]

I like it. Great tips.

[@laurahatcherphotography]

Excellent! I shared this with a few of my mentees, now I need to go out and find that calf massaging chair!

[@SalCincotta1]

ha ha. :)

[@luissalazar2021]

Nice job, lots of great stuff Can you make a video about coming back on business again., I still have my old gadgets. Thanks for sharing

[@beverlybasden2648]

Thank You!

[@g35silver]

Sal: Been following you for years. I enjoy all your videos. Question: Will a Canon 24 - 105 L lens set at 85mm do as well as a prime 85mm L lens?

[@SalCincotta1]

great question. and ty for following! :) it will and it wont. yes - the focal length will be the same, but i have always found the optics on the zooms NEVER to match that of a prime lens. there is so much going on inside the lens of a zoom - so many pieces of glass and moving parts - its never quite as crisp if that makes sense. that has been my personal experience.

[@g35silver]

Sal Cincotta Thanks for the quick reply. Based on your reply, other than the mm difference, do you think a 50mm L can do as good as an 85mm L when doing head shots? I want to do my best but the price of that 85 L ....wow and I already have the 50 and 24-105 L. Honest opinions welcome (duh, no I want you to bull shit me...LOL)

[@kidglove55]

I really respect you for sharing this information.

[@kathydinatale7160]

I'm a fairly new photographer just doing this on the side. The business is picking up and time is a huge issue. I've been using Smugmug for photo delivery...my clients order the prints they want but I review the order before it goes thru so I can make sure it's all good. Would it be worth it to start dealing with physical products at this point? I really do want to make enough for that R5. Lol

[@arbull7264]

Wish I knew some of them too! Especially working with a pro studio; volunteer!❤

[@daledaily1902]

One thing that is always glossed over is building a portfolio...doesn't that had to be done for free or on the cheap? Who's gonna pay you $300/hour without proof you can deliver?

[@karlweb1]

Good morning Sal Actually in the wedding arena back in the day we had photographers that would shoot and give the clients 35mm raw film, sad but true. Thanks for this

[@SalCincotta1]

insanity!!

[@frenchromancephotography7408]

Love cimment #5!! Yes!!! Learn how to manage your finances!!!

[@kennypringle4580]

I still deliver edited jpeg files for clients who choose to go wherever for prints. I do tell them if they choose not to go through me I can’t be held accountable for poor prints. I probably should stop doing that.

[@RalphNicolay]

Thanks for the great info.

[@SalCincotta1]

You bet!

[@StudioGalvan]

End the video by stepping into your Delorean so you can tell Young Sal all this Gold Info! 👨🏻‍🔬

[@SalCincotta1]

ha ha that would be the perfect ending!! :)

[@waynosfotos]

As with burning your images. Many lower end state: 100 edited images for a few hundred dollars. They aren't what i call edited, just a preset or a LUT with a white balance. New to weddings. How do you market against this? A video on this or comment on this would be appreciated. 👍

[@SalCincotta1]

i think it comes down to making sure you are offering an end to end srvice for your clients - not just digital files. for us - thats how we compete. albums, etc.

[@waynosfotos]

@@SalCincotta1 cheers, thanks Sal, putting out some top content, and you shoot the odd good pickie too! 😉

[@MeredithRyncarzPhotography]

Get professional education as early as possible

[@Jwitherow1964]

KZbin just now showing me your channel after 5 years of binge watching photography videos. ???

[@SalCincotta1]

@@Jwitherow1964 lol

[@Nicosalgadophotography]

I used to shoot and burn but now no way !

[@saradavis448]

Buy once, cry once lol

[@karlweb1]

A lot of the you tubers are a joke. They say stuff and I cringe

[@DeaqonJamesLV]

Shoot and burning is the absolute worse. Why would ANYONE leave all that money on the table.

[@SalCincotta1]

amen to that!

[@frenchromancephotography7408]

there will always be idiots who think they know better.