Freelance Photographer's Handbook: Success in Professional Digital Photography

I was excited to receive this book and finally see some concrete advice on how to transition from a hobbyist to a professional photographer. What I got was a slim book with many beautiful pictures, but only vague general statements that anybody could figure out on their own. There is certainly some useful information in this book, but most of it is in the "Resources" section at the back, which directs you to other books to read. Much of "Freelance Photographer's Handbook" reads like an advertisement for the authors.If you know that you should back up your computer files, take care of your photographic equipment, and act in a professional manner, then this book probably isn't for you. If you are completely in the dark, then you may find it useful.

This book is very helpful. I got it because in college they dont really go over photojournalism, even as a photography major. This book gave me a better understanding of the profession.

This book had good bits of info, but the freelance world has changed a lot since it was written.

Remedial, disjointed, vague and outdated. Much info just repeating the tutorials on the ASMP website. The authors' writing is very simplistic and the concepts somewhat disorganized, which contradicts the professionalism and organization they advocate to readers. Some of the business forms they mention are not even exampled or explained - just that you should have them. The extent of their insights for forming a new business is to talk to an attorney or CPA, contact your local business office, or research online. It's understandable that those forms and procedures vary by city & state and cannot be itemized to accommodate everyone, but many readers probably purchased this book to help minimize their dealings with attorneys, CPAs, business offices and Google searches, whereas this book defers to them throughout. Further, the 2010 edition's digital and electronic terms are outdated. The photo techniques in the sample images are also outdated and/or amateurish (And look it. On-camera flash for every commercial shoot - really?). Technology and photo techniques have apparently outpaced the authors, as they seem a bit out of touch. So I wouldn't trust them with your new business. Overall, this book might serve young amateurs without any basic business experience, but I wouldn't recommend it to any adult shooter at or above advanced amateur levels that possess even basic business and computer knowledge. Readers might be better off reading the ASMP business resources at [...] ... and it's free.

A lot of information

I purchased this for one of my stepsons for christmas one year who seemed to have interest in photography as a career. he seemed to like the book.

Great book, great read and glad I bought it.

This is an excellent book for someone who is starting out or a great reminder for the seasoned veteran of the fundamentals of a successful photography business. So often times photography books and classes focus only on what goes on behind the camera, good angles and great lighting. As this book points out it is one thing to produce excellent photography and another to sell photography. Cliff and Nancy go through a very clear map of all the necessary requirements for a modern digital freelance photographer. They share their insights into a very competitive and complex field. One thing to point out is that Cliff and Nancy are successful freelance photographers, which gives them a lot of credibility in my humble opinion. As I am a professional photographer reading Cliff and Nancy's books always reminds me of the fundamentals of a photography business. Two of the most important areas that they reminded me of is spending time selling and spend time shooting. It's easy to get caught up in thinking you have to have this latest gear or coolest computer to compete. They remind us that is not true, shoot and sell with whatever equipment you have. Pragmatic is a great word to describe many of their ideas on investing in equipment and and gaining education. All in all it's an excellent book that covers all the areas that are necessary to succeed in this highly competitive business. It's mostly great book to get the beginner focused but it is also a excellent resource to refocus the working pro.

This book is a real idiots guide and clearly written to make a quick buck. The advice is simplistic and trite. Even the example photographs lack merit. I don't believe it provides a jot of worthwhile information. If you find this book useful, it is unlikely you have what it takes to cut it as a professional photographer.