SO, YOU WANT TO BE A PROFESSIONAL PHOTOGRAPHER?
Persistence. Determination. Dedication. Business Sense. People Skills. Endurance
Amateurs and hobbyists alike have always had the dream of becoming a professional photographer. However, reality is often much different than what most people imagine- most photographers toil away countless hours in a dark room or in front of a computer printing photos for no one but themselves or someone who commissioned them.
Do you think that passion alone will make it as an accomplished pro? Letʼs find out if you know more about photography than just how to use your camera!
The dream occupation is to create brilliant photographs and get paid for it. So easy! Just take a photo, upload on Instagram or Flickr, sell them online by listing prints in your store front gallery. Yes - It's the dream job with endless possibilities of creative ways to make money from these amazing images you've created that will never go out-of-style as long as there are digital cameras around (and who knows how much longer after than).
Letʼs Have A Reality Check
Photographers who own and operate their own businesses have many responsibilities. You must advertise, schedule appointments, set and adjust equipment; purchase supplies; keep records (this sounds more like a business owner than an employee), bill customers, pay bills if you're not running the numbers in your head all day long and hire employees to take care of some of these tasks that may be overwhelming for one person as well as someone else's talent or skillset from time-to-time.
Photographers are usually great multitaskers with strong communication abilities but they also need help because all the required tasks can be overwhelming - so hiring extra hands at least once per month helps relieve stress by doubling productivity without having to sacrifice quality completely. But then it is important to note that having employees can itself be a lot of work.
The photographer's job is not all fun and games - it takes a lot of hard work, dedication, knowledge about the equipment you use, patience for clients with high expectations and attention to detail. To be successful in this industry requires both technical knowledge as well as creativity that can generate new ideas on how to capture images from different angles or incorporate current styles into your photos. It also means being able to make connections quickly so don't shy away from getting out there.
I hope you are still reading! I have a feeling some of you may have dropped off already. Where did you go?
How about living up to expectations, or not being the one who got left behind everyone else?
When it comes to the services we buy, expectations shape our perception. When you go out for dinner at a restaurant, you know there's going to be good food and service. Likewise when you head on vacation; reviews of local accommodations help set your expectation as well as tips from people who've been before can give some insight into customer satisfaction levels which is always key in making decisions about where to stay or what type of meal plan will suit one best during their trip away from home! Clearly though that isn't enough though because if somebody were looking at remodeling their kitchen they would have lengthy discussions with contractors who are trusted by them so they ensure all aspects match up what was wanted - together these examples show just how much those high expectations shaped purchasing choices.
Having a Plan B is always important. You can't control everything, so it's good to have some backup in case things go wrong.
Itʼs imperative that you live up to the expectations of your clients and deal with unexpected situations as they arise for best results. For example, if you take landscape photographs where does sunrise happen? Are you in the right or wrong place? Where are the sunsets at what time during rush hour? How do these affect urban photography when there might be more people around than usual because of traffic delays or accidents near major intersections? Streets may be closed due to construction zones blocking off one lane or commute times getting longer due not being able to find parking spaces all throughout downtown areas after office hours end. And then what about unannounced last minute changes from models canceling or a huge rain cloud over your wedding shoot?
If you're not a quick thinker and don't have a Plan B, then plan for disaster and unhappy clients.
Have you ever spoken to a professional photographer? Did they tell you about the ups and downs of their profession- or is that something only those people who are in photography know. Do you know what they go through?
Some photographers go months without making a single cent while others spend the early hours in subzero temps to capture the perfect image. Some have their car break down on the side of some random road and others arrive at an event only for it not happen. You never know what can happen when life doesn't go as planned.
Some professional photographers may be fortunate enough to work steadily throughout the year; meanwhile there are those who can't seem to catch a break no matter how hard or long they try (maybe you know someone like that.)
But ... here is the BUT - Being a professional photographer is a job that few can say they don't love. If you are passionate about photography and the images you capture, you will be one of those who say they absolutely love their job no matter how many obstacles you face.
If youʼve got the fortitude and are willing to tackle the responsibilities of running a photography, then thereʼs no better way to spend your professional days. You won't become rich or famous from being a photographer - what you will get out of being an avid photographer is satisfaction when capturing each the world's personality through your eyes.
With that said, if you have the fortitude and are willing to tackle the responsibilities and your life is based around photographing your genre, thereʼs no better job in the world. Seriously.
Will you become rich and famous? Probably not, but will you love every minute of your job? Absolutely. With regard to my “work life,” Iʼve been very lucky. Iʼve worked only for myself most of my adult life and I love every day - even the bad days. Might I also add if I got hired to work as an employee for someone else, Iʼd probably get fired within the first five minutes. True that.
I married my two passions—photography and travel—and since doing this, I feel like Iʼve never actually worked a day in my life. And, this is true even when I work twelve plus hours per day.
If youʼve ever dreamed of becoming a professional photographer, now is the time to start taking steps in that direction. Make your passion into something more than just an idea and turn it into reality.
If photography has always been your dream career then I hope these words have given you some food for thought on how best to get there from where you are today.
In order to become a professional photographer, you must know where your going to be truly well on your way. Have you written down what it is that will get you there? Your goals. Have you handwritten your goals? If not, then take some time with pen and paper and write your goals. Writing your goals makes them real. Writing your goals can help make anything reality. If you know your goals ahead of time, even if they change later, you will be well on your way to success.
If itʼs your dream to become a professional photographer, never give up. If youʼre willing to invest the time, effort and patience and deal with the rough times along with the great times - which there will be lots of both- then I encourage you to persevere. Visualize being successful then become successful one day when everything I shared today is accepted as part of your job: after all that you have learned from me about how much professionals do for their work in order not only get good shots but also look out for themselves as a professional.
If it's been your lifelong goal (or at least since childhood) to pursue photography professionally, don't let anything stop or discourage you either; just keep striving forward.