Many people starting out with photography dream of making the jump over to being a pro. Some people buy a camera and instantly think they're professional photographers. It's true, I've seen it firsthand! What could be better than making a living doing something you love? Before you make that leap from newbie to pro, here are some things worth considering beyond just your typical tips for beginners:
Dos and Donts of Being A Professional Photographer
Donʼt Think That ‘Lovingʼ Something Is Enough
If you love capturing images of subject you love, then doing it for a living can seem like a logical step. You need to remember, however, that becoming a professional photographer is entirely different than immersing yourself in something you love and adore. Itʼs one thing to have a girlfriend or boyfriend; itʼs wholly different to have a wife or husband. Same idea.
When youʼre an amateur, you can concentrate on photographing the things you love. You donʼt always have that luxury as a professional.
So think about how youʼll feel if youʼre going to be photographing things that donʼt particularly interest you, or how youʼll cope with a client who wants photographs that donʼt agree with your vision. In todayʼs market, you need to be flexible and itʼs a rare photographer who can afford to turn down work. Thatʼs not to say you shouldnʼt play to your strengths and specialize in a particular genre to a certain extent – just donʼt push yourself into a tiny corner of the market and refuse to come out of it.
Donʼt Give Up Your Day Job Just Yet
You may well be the next Mario Testino, but giving up your day job and plowing straight into the professional photography world isnʼt necessarily going to help you get there. If you have a day job, you presumably have bills to pay and a certain lifestyle to maintain.
Donʼt give that up until you are sure you can make enough from photography without it. That might mean shooting at weekends, or after work, and it can be a hard task. But if you do it this way, youʼre less likely to end up living in a cardboard box if you donʼt make the money you expect to. This is a harsh, but sadly a reality.
Do Value Your Work
If you offer shoots for free, then your clients arenʼt going to think youʼre worth anything. And you can guarantee that theyʼll try and get more for free rather than paying. If you are going to do work for free, make it work thatʼs worth your while. The odd trade for prints with model agencies or actresses will help to bulk up your portfolio, and doing some charity work will gain you exposure. The rest of the time, if you need images for your folio, use your family and friends for practice.
To be taken seriously as a photographer, you need to value your work in order for clients to do the same. Make “Iʼm all out of free” your mantra.
Do Remember Youʼre A Business
By which I mean that you might take the most wonderful photographs in the world, but if you donʼt know how to run a business and market your work, youʼll never run a successful business. Taking good photos is just the start of it. If you donʼt know a lot about marketing and running a business, find people who do and talk to them. Read up on the subject and then put aside a part of each day to work on these areas. There are millions of great images out there and probably equally as many great photographers, so you need to make your work stand out.
If you donʼt enjoy this side of things, donʼt become a professional, because itʼs going to take up a lot of your time.
Donʼt Rely On Photoshop
Yes, digital is wonderful and yes, you can make a lot of alterations in programs like Photoshop. But you really shouldnʼt rely on it. You need to learn how to use your camera inside out and how to use all sorts of different kinds of light. Know all about exposure, learn about studio and flash lights and donʼt forget to keep learning. Thereʼs always something out there thatʼs new and that you should know about.
And think of Photoshop as a digital darkroom – there to bring out the best in your image, rather than alter it irrevocably. Donʼt be a lazy photographer just because digital has made everything so instant. Instead, be a photographer who knows without a doubt how to take a
photograph.
Donʼt Buy Up Your Local Camera Store
If youʼre a keen amateur photographer already, chances are you have a perfectly decent DSLR already. Start with that. It might sounds obvious, but thereʼs no point in wasting money buying up the latest and greatest kit just because you want to work as a profressional. If you have money, then investing in lenses and lights is never a bad idea, but only when you have the money there to spend on them.
If you are as good a photographer as you think you are, youʼll be able to produce great images on whatever camera you currently own. The camera you use doesnʼt matter. And when you start making money from photography, you can put it back into the business and invest in new gear. This is why you need a good accountant so you know what you can and canʼt run against the business.
Donʼt Be An Island
Thereʼs this common myth in photography that, in order to be really successful, you shouldnʼt talk to other professionals. But being a photographer can be a lonely business and, in my experience, other photographers are a great source of help, encouragement and advice.
So go to industry events, join organizations, go on photo walks, and get in touch with other photographers in your area. Tell them youʼre just starting out and would really appreciate their advice. Who knows? A beautiful friendship could be just around the corner.
Seriously, my photographer friends are amazing and without their help and support, I doubt Iʼd still be in the business today.
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