Skip to main content

So You Want To Be A Photographer?

By
Are you interested in becoming a photographer?  Do you want to turn your passion for creating images into a source of income to support yourself and your family?

Tim Walck Photography will soon be offering online courses in photography training, and portrait business training.  Each course will span 4-8 weeks.  Every student who participates in all classes will gain the tools necessary to succeed in the wedding and portrait photography business.

----

I started my photography business with only $2,000, which I had saved from working as a tele-marker, social services provider, and substitute teacher, all while being a full time graduate student at Mansfield University.  That was enough to buy a camera, lens, and flash.  I poured my heart and soul into photography, read everything I could get my hands on, and began to build my business.  After 3 short years of juggling multiple jobs, and being a photographer on the side, I made the leap into photography full time, and opened up a retail studio.  Within the first 8 months I generated more income as a full time photographer than I had made in my previous two years combine!  Now, only one year after opening my retail studio, I own over $30k in equipment, and have $10k of a product line hanging on the walls of the sales floor.  I did all of this without any credit cards, or loans - just hard work, research, and a few leaps of faith!

In the classes that I have been mapping out, I will be providing a wealth of knowledge which is more than sufficient to get you moving as a successful independent photographer.  I will save you from making the same mistakes that I have made over the years.  And yes... there have been mistakes.  Lots of mistakes.  Some mistakes I made cost me thousands of dollars (literally). 

 Each class will consist of multiple weeks of online training, as well as 2 meetings in my studio for in person training, and hands on time with professional grade equipment.

Classes:
Intro to Photography 
Intro to Photography as a Business 
Photography I
Photography II
Photography as a Business I
Photography as a Business II


For more information, contact me:

tim@timwalckphotography.com
(814) 260-0323


Labels:

Comments

  1. AnonymousOctober 31, 2014 at 12:46 PM

    A few years in a small business qualifies you to teach? How much will these classes cost?

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. UnknownOctober 31, 2014 at 1:27 PM

      Dear Mr. Anonymous @ 12:46pm

      For teaching qualifications, I hold a a Master's degree in Education from Mansfield University, as well as a K-12 teaching certificate (which is current, as well as all clearances). From 2004 through 2007 I taught at Lycoming College in Williamsport Pennsylvania, and have taught in many public schools as well. I have been heavily involved with the teaching profession for over a decade. I have found photography to be far more lucrative, less stressful, and less time consuming than education, and I value time with my family, which is why I have left to become a full time photographer. That being said, I still love to teach - hence my soon to be offered courses.

      For the courses, each one will be between 4-8 weeks of online training, including group work with classmates, and 2 days where you will come to my shop for training with equipment. The cost of each class will be $400/course, or $2,000 if you sign up for everything (a savings of $400). The most important part of these courses will be learning the business side of photography - which is actually really quite fun, and will help to improve what you do with the camera. Other costs for the classes will be required books to read, software, and hardware, which you may already own or have access to. Here is a list:

      Books: $0-$50 / course
      Software: Adobe Lightroom, Adobe Photoshop, and for later courses - Pro-Select
      Hardware: Camera(s), Lens(s), Computer

      Last night I sold a wall collage to a client and made just over $2,400 from that one sale. She left super happy, and is certainly going to be a repeat customer. If you complete all of the courses, you will have the tools you need to make sales like that on a weekly, and hopefully daily basis.

      Please feel free to send me an e-mail, give me a ring, or stop in the shop. I love to chat. No need to be anonymous, I won't bite!

      -Tim W

      tim@timwalckphotography.com
      (814) 260-0323
      200 North West St.
      Coudersport PA, 16915

      Delete
  2. MichelleNovember 3, 2014 at 9:46 AM

    When will the courses begin? I would also like to make a career change.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. UnknownNovember 3, 2014 at 9:58 AM

      Hi Michelle,

      I plan on having the courses begin the second week of January, which will somewhat mimic the timeframe of public education schedules, and allow students time to prepare.

      Feel free to call or e-mail with any questions!

      (814) 260-0323
      tim@timwalckphotography.com

      Thanks and have a great week!

      -Tim

      Delete
  3. AnonymousNovember 4, 2014 at 8:24 PM

    Can a 529 college fund be used to finance the class?

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. UnknownNovember 5, 2014 at 7:47 AM

      Excellent question - You will need to contact the holder of your 529. My shop is not a certified educational institution, and this is not a full-time workload for a student, so you may need to find out the specific requirements. I would be happy to talk with your account holder, or review the terms of your plan with you to see if the account will cover the courses. For a photographer who wants to launch a business, this is certainly a tax write off as a business expense.

      I know with my daughter's 529 once she turns 18 she may use the account for an education at a "qualified" institution, or if she chooses to not go to school it may be used as a business investment. With her plan if she only wants to liquidate the investment there is a 16% fee of the withdrawal, unless she joins the military, then she retains 100% of the account balance. With her account, materials for the education are also covered - such as equipment, (computers, software, cameras) & books.

      Please feel free to contact me, or stop in my shop and we can chat.

      Thanks and have a great week!

      (814) 260-0323
      tim@timwalckphotography.com

      200 North West St.
      Coudersport, PA 16915

      Delete
  4. AnonymousNovember 6, 2014 at 12:37 PM

    I'm on disability and very bored with my life. I am actually a fairly good photographer all ready, but would really enjoy learning more. Would it be possible to receive financing for these classes thru Career Link or other state funding?

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. UnknownNovember 6, 2014 at 12:46 PM

      Anonymous @ 12:37pm -

      Great question. I will contact Career Link and see what qualifications they need in order to provide any type of financing. I can also look into the state funding a little more deeply.

      Please send me a personal message so I know who to get back to on these questions:

      tim@timwalckphotography.com
      www.facebook.com/timwalckphotography
      (814) 260-0323



      Delete

Post a Comment

All comments will be reviewed before being posted. Please keep them clean! Thank you!

Popular posts from this blog

The Struggle with Senior Portraits Posing for Guys

By
If you search Pinterest for senior photos, overwhelmingly, girls show up.  Tons and tons of examples of beautiful senior girls in flowery fields, on the town, in a stream.  There are a few exceptions (and some really great ones) for guys, but it made me stop and think about the struggle with taking senior photos of boys.  Sure, many of them aren't really into it, but rather having photos done because mom said so.  Many aren't used to having such undivided and direct attention showered their way.  Also, the teenage years can be awkward for boys.  Where do you put your hands?  How do you look like you're not enjoying it too much?  What if you're not into sports?  The struggle is real... but fixable.   Here are our some of our best senior portraits and tips for making them feel comfortable : #1.  Talk to them and wait for just the right moment for the "natural smile".     #2.  Photograph them in places the...
Post a Comment
Read more

Valerie Gaberseck: Mom & Me Winner

By
In late April, Walck Portraits advertised that we were looking for nominations for exceptionally deserving mommas.  We wanted to celebrate a few moms that deserved a special portrait session and some gift prints because of how hard they work to take care of their families. With over 25 applicants, it was so hard to choose, but one of the most endearing nominations was for Valerie Gaberseck .  Normally, women aren't keen on their mother-in-laws, but Valerie was nominated by her daughter-in-law Angelee Kamats .  There were many, many great things that Angelee stated about Valerie, but there were a few things that stood out the most: Again...the fact that she was nominated by her daughter-in-law.   This doesn't happen often. She's a mom of four:  two adult boys and two teenage daughters.  Phew.  That's some work. She has faced many personal issues within her family, and yet she still perseveres.  Everyday. She stays true to her faith in God....
Post a Comment
Read more