Hello, My name is Samantha. I have been into photography for about 3-5 years. I would like to know if there is any place I could possibly bring my photos, to have them professionally looked over, and maybe even sell a few pieces? All help will be greatly apprechiated.

I assume you hope to become an Art Photographer, selling prints. To start, you need a portfolio. You need a group of images with a central theme, printed and matted, ready to sell. Call around and find art galleries that sell photographs and ask for an appointment to bring in your portfolio. Also look for cafes and coffee houses that have rotating art exhibits and ask if you can display your photos.

You should also have a website that displays your photos.

You will probably also benefit from joining some photography forums and entering online contests. A good site to start with is Digital Grin Photography Forum - Powered by vBulletin. You can post a photo and ask for C&C (Comments and Critique). You may find that in the beginning you get a lot of "critique" replies if your photos are not truly excellent. This is how you can learn from other photographers and hone your skills to make photos that are excellent.

You may also want to take some photography classes. Many community colleges have a photography department - some have an AA program. I've been taking photos for over 30 years but I'm learning a LOT about aspects of photography I had never touched (e.g. studio lighting) in classes at CCSF. The first studio lighting class I took had us prepare a professional portfolio as our final assignment.

Good luck!

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Originally Posted by jcdill

I assume you hope to become an Art Photographer, selling prints. To start out, you need a portfolio. You need a group of images with a central theme, printed and matted, ready to sell. Call around and find art galleries that sell photographs and ask for an appointment to bring in your portfolio. Also look for cafes and coffee houses that have rotating art exhibits and ask if you can display your photos.

You should also have a website that displays your photos.

You will probably also benefit from joining some photography forums and entering online contests. A good site to start with is Digital Grin Photography Forum - Powered by vBulletin. You can post a photo and ask for C&C (Comments and Critique). You may find that in the beginning you get a lot of "critique" replies if your photos are not truly excellent. This is how you can learn from other photographers and hone your skills to make photos that are excellent.

You may also want to take some photography classes. Many community colleges have a photography department - some have an AA program. I've been taking photos for over 30 years but I'm learning a LOT about aspects of photography I had never touched (e.g. studio lighting) in classes at CCSF. The first studio lighting class I took had us prepare a professional portfolio as our final assignment.

Good luck!

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Thanks so much! And yes I do plan on becoming an art photographer. I already have my portfolio almost 100% ready. I plane on taking photography classes at Broward College(formerly known as BCC) in a couple of months. I have a myspace dedicated to my photography, but I don't use it often because I don't like the idea of myspace, even though I'm sure many people have benefited from it. I think I'll try some of the sites you suggested. As for everything else, you were a tremendous help! I appreciate it greatly.