Officially a "professional"

I'm now officially a "professional" with my first birthday party behind my belt, i didn't even get the shakes! -much to my surprise. I guess i got them out at my volunteer events ages ago.

I also had a bonus while there, i was booked with a deposit for another party in November! I am stoked.

I now have 2 other parties on my calendar Woohoo for Gumtree!

The only drawback to the day was that i wasn't able to get any photos....ah well memories go a long way

Yay for you.... I never get any photos always seems -inapropriate somehow. only managed to get one of my kit last time. and it seems one party leads to another so on and so fourth.
Congratulations

Whahey - well done. Like you I have done lots of free parties and charity evnets and now going pro - just need to get that first gig! I know what you mean about photo's - I did our local village fair and did some fab faces but no chance to take pictures. Thinking of taking a tripod along next time and setting it up so just need press button - might be worth a try anyway.

Tripod! Sounds like a great idea, as long as you can keep kids away from tipping it over or messing with your camera.... hmmmm, thinking....

I know its hard to take pic while facepainting u have to stop not good when you have a line waiting.Ive been doing alot of freebies lately.But I will set up at our towns Christmas parade again this year last year I made $200.Lot of hard work though but I love it!

Congrats! Now nothing can stop you!

I had a similiar encounter and my childs fall festival. I was nervous, it was my first time painting, I had a line out the door. I was calm the whole time and nothing but compliments from the parents and the president of the PTO. They kept telling me that I was a pro. I even had the cop that was on duty over my shoulder watching me paint the whole time. It was awesome. Im glad you have done well and could share your experiance. Keep up the good work! Good Luck to you!

Thanks everyone it was nice to get my feet wet!

Awesome Jazz, cant beleiev you werent nervous.. I couldnt stop my hads shaking!!! The feeling you get after a successful event is amazing, wohoo for you!!

Jazz, How long have you been painting? I am just starting and I had a weekend gig at a pumpkin patch this month and I passed out a ton of cards and had a ton of compliments, but have yet to book another gig. I'm a little frustrated because everything I read on here says "It all snowballed from there" or "One party leads to another" but that's not really happening for me. Any suggestions?

Very Nice! I am in the same boat with you about the pictures. My husband is usually with me, but he is just not a picture taker, unless I make him do it, so I have had so many people walk away with some of my best stuff, and nothing to show for it in a gallery! I am thinking of setting up a photo booth myself. Have people take the photo of thier kid on my camera, set up on a tirpod, and they sign in with the name, email, etc. Then I will email them the pic. Gotta think about how to do that.

YAY! Congrats! Isn't a great feeling when you start feeling like you're a pro!? I just recently started feeling that way, I practiced the "fake it till ya make it" for a while....but it's really when you start feeling like a pro that it takes your confidence to the next level. I remember shaking like a leaf at my first gig, but after it was half way over I had finally warmed up to it and relaxed.

SaraM,
It will happen. I worked at my pumpkin patch for 6 days a week for OVER a month and gave out 400 cards and 200 flyers...I got lots of people saying they wanted to hire me for their kids party, but they didn't actually BOOK them yet. Don't get discouraged, some of those people will hang on to your card and you'll hear from them later. One thing I started doing towards the end (I wish I would have thought of it sooner) was to offer a slight discount on parties booked by the end of this year when people mentioned hiring me for their kids birthday "next year". It kind of gives them the urgency to book it NOW, so they can get in on the good price. Keep putting yourself out there, it'll happen!

Hi sara. i started in june or july its taken me this long to take the leap to charging people. i've done two volunteer events that came to nothing but experience which i needed. what got me my first booking was advertising on gumtree, until that point i had nothing but a few enquiries that led to nothing. my only suggestion market yourself... it won't happen over night, but it will happen :-)

Thanks everyone. Just got a gig painting at a kids night at a restaurant..no pay, just tips, but maybe other jobs will come of it. I'll keep trying!

Great job Jazz , it is hard to get pics at private parties sometime not all the parents are there . I have better luck getting them at festivals.