Anyone a professional photographer?

[Miss Kelly]

I would love to be a professional photographer. I'm just wondering if anyone here is one? Thanks!

 

[ducklite]

I am, but I only work within a very limited scope of subject matter.

I believe Kelly Granell is as well, I think she does work with catalogues, but I could be wrong.

Anne

 

[Kelly Grannell]

I do mostly catalogues and headshots.

Weddings too, but then again who doesn't?

 

[ducklite]

I don't. No weddings, no kids, no lettuce, no landscapes.

This was last Thursday nights work:
Scott Stapp

This was Friday nights work:
Flyleaf

This was Saturday nights play
Hamell on Trial

Anne

 

[spectromagic]

hopefully i will be well on my way in three months. (graduating with commercial photography degree)

 

[pumba]

Thelionking I dont think is a professional but he should be........his photos are spectacular.......I love to see all of his ...

 

[goofysk8]

Anne...Scott Stapp is awesome! I like everything about him except his personal life. Sounds like he has lots of issue (drinking, violence, etc.) Nice pics!!

 

[Miss Kelly]

Wow! I didn't realize both of you were professional photographers. Can I ask you guys some questions? (Would you prefer to do it via PM?)

Just a few off the top of my head....

Do you work full time?
Did you teach yourself or did you attend a photography (or other) school?
How's the pay (honestly)?
Is it hard to 'break into' the business?
Is it a must to live in a large city to be a professional photographer (I live in a rather small city)?

Thank you!!!

**I love your shots by the way.

 

[MICKEY88]

I am, but I'm very selective of what I do and when I work..

and I also don't do weddings...

 

[kbnovak]

Miss Kelly,

I describe myself as a "part-time semi-pro." It's an obsession/passion that I occassionally make money doing.

I shoot assignments for our local paper, do sports/action/events, and I shoot for some cheer and dance companies for their brochures and catalogs.

You can visit my website listed in my profile.

The pay?

It depends on the assignment. The local paper pays a few bucks per assignment. But if it is a sports assignment, I post the photos on my website for sale to parents, so that helps pick up the slack.

Action photos and events help pay the bills and make me some fun money, but the days are long and the travel adds up.

Cheer and dance companies pay me very well, but the assignments are only occasional.

HTH

Kevin

 

[MICKEY88]

Miss Kelly,


But if it is a sports assignment, I post the photos on my website for sale to parents, so that helps pick up the slack.


Kevin

I'd be careful doing this, you could end up with serious problems if you sell any photos to anyone other than the parents of the pictured athlete, this becomes a problem if a picture contains more than one person...

 

[ducklite]

Do you work full time?

Yes, but not doing photography. I am a marketing director during the day, and crawl the clubs and arenas at night. I'm actually first and foremost a journalist, I got into the photography end by accident. I write reviews of concerts and CD's, it's great, I get to express my opinion LOL! I also interview bands and then write articles around the interviews.

Did you teach yourself or did you attend a photography (or other) school?

I was an art major before I switched to English (two utterly useless majors LOL!) but never took a photography class. I've been fortunate to be mentored by two well respected photgraphers whose work regualy appears in Rolling Stone, Spin, Modern Drummer, etc. In my line of work that is far better than any college class could give me.

How's the pay (honestly)?

LIke I said, I work a day gig. I don't make a lot, although I've sold a couple shots to labels, and am starting to build my clientele list, so I'm hoping to be self-sufficient at it in five years. I make a lot more off my words.

Is it hard to 'break into' the business?

In my end of it, almost impossible. I was fortunate that after spending over 15 years in the music industry I had a lot of contacts which gave me photopasses even before I was working professionally. Last Friday and Sunday I shot Sno-Core, not on an assignment, but because I could. I used some different settings to experiment. (I'm shooting them on assignment next Tuesday.) It's something that maybe 1% of concert photographers will every have the luxury of doing.

Is it a must to live in a large city to be a professional photographer (I live in a rather small city)?

If you want to do head shots and weddings, there should be work in your area.

Anne

 

[PhotobearSam]

I am a fallen Photographer...

Let me explain.

I took 3 years of Film studies at university and 2 year diploma at a college in Photographic technology.

I worked for 7 1/2 years as a Photolab Manager for a large grocery store chain and I did weddings on the side as well as CD cover shots for bands and model portfolio shoots. I needed the day job to pay the bills and weddings paid for the extras like appliances, new TV , new equipment, vacations... My home was my office.

Now, I own and run a motel and chalet business...I take the photos on my Web-site if that counts...lol

Now I only do photo shoots for friends and family...

I don't beleive you can be PROFESSIONAL if you don't go to a school to really learn about photography. A Girl who used to work for me bought a $2000 camera and now DOES WEDDINGS...Problem is, she has no idea how...Bride and groom against a white wall and no composition skills. She does not even know what depth if field is or even the rule of 3rds...

I would hate to be the Bride who gets her day ruined by an inept photographer.

I don't see how one could be confident enough to do weddings without real knowledge to back it up...

If you are really interested, take some night courses to see if you would like it and become a photographer's assistant...

As for needing to be from a big place...No way...Small towns are good because if there is no Photographer around, it could be good. If there is one, he or she may retire soon and give you an in...Follow your heart.

 

[ducklite]

I don't beleive you can be PROFESSIONAL if you don't go to a school to really learn about photography.

I TOTALLY disgree. I my field I can count on one hand those who have a fine arts degree behind them. I certainly understand depth of field and the rule of thirds. Maybe you can take a great photo of a sunset, but try and capture the moment when a singer takes a dive into the audience. It's NOT just about knowing how to set the camera to get the photo's you want. It's also having the intuitin to capture the perfect moment, and that's something that no school can teach.

I've got the respect of others in my field, I get paid for my work, I've gotten photo credit in print publications and soom on a couple of CD's produced by major label bands (Atlantic and Warner Bros). Sounds to me like I'm a professional photographer, regardless of if I've got a piece of paper on the wall saying so or not. Besides, I'd rather have the piece of paper in my wallet to take to the bank.

Anne

 

[PhotobearSam]

Sorry that you feel like I am unjust.

I am sure that there are exceptions as you seem to be. I know that your photography skills sound good and you are making money at it. You also seem like you have a good grasp at the basics because I am sure you worked hard at getting where you are.

But
You have to agree that most people would need training and that you are the execption not the rule.

I am sure you know people out there who have a good eye for it but don't really understand the principles of proper photography and pass themslves off as pros.

There is a difference between knowing your craft as I am sure you do and someone one day just deciding to BE a professional photographer.

Sorry if I insulted you. I should have said in most cases I do not beleive one can become a professional GENERAL photographer without courses...

Again, I meant no disrespect.

I am sure that you would not sign on to shoot a wedding tomorrow for a couple you have never met before and I would not sign onto covering the INXS tour...

Sorry again.

 

[ducklite]

There is a difference between knowing your craft as I am sure you do and someone one day just deciding to BE a professional photographer.

Sorry if I insulted you. I should have said in most cases I do not beleive one can become a professional GENERAL photographer without courses...

Again, I meant no disrespect.

I am sure that you would not sign on to shoot a wedding tomorrow for a couple you have never met before and I would not sign onto covering the INXS tour...

Sorry again.

Of course I wouldn't shoot a wedding. I don't have the proper knowledge of the use of flash for that type of work. In my line flash is almost always not allowed. I can count on one hand how many time I've used my speedlight, and then it's been in promo shot work or with an unsigned band in a small poorly lit club.

It's much more challenging to get the shot with no flash. All three of the photo's above were taken with existing light. I'd like to see the average wedding/general photographer do that...

Or survive being in the front of the stage with a mosh pit raging one person behind you, and no barricade... or stand in the rain at Van's Warped tour taking photo's with the camera wrapped in a plastic bag with just the tip of the lens sticking out until it was raining so hard that even with a lens hood you couldn't keep teh water off the lens... or dodge crowd surfers coming at your head while you are trying to time a jump that you know the bass player is just about to take... or dodge the chick puking over the barricade during the Lizardman's show. You get the drift.

Anne

 

[Miss Kelly]

Wow. Great insight. Thank you.

I will say that I do know a little about photography. I would like to know more though, alot more. I have a degree in Management and Health Systems Administration, but my heart is not in it (not to mention that I can't find a job around here in it).

For several years, I've wanted to attend a photography program in Montana, Summer Intensive - Rocky Mountain School of Photography, but no one has ever heard of it and I don't want to waste that much money if it is not reputable. Maybe I'll look into some photography classes at the local community college.

Thanks again!

 

[Anewman]

PhotobearSam and ducklite. You BOTH make great points.

But I am sure we can both agree that there are persons that go get that education and will never be good photographers, and there are persons that never read a photography book in their lifetime and take brilliant shots day after day.

Some either have it or they dont. Yes learning the fundamentals is very improtant, especially now that so many buy a dslr and want to start getting paid. But IMO learning the fundamentals is not always a School thing. Going to school is highly recommended, but my last two photo professors had never stepped foot in a school till offered teaching jobs.

 

[MICKEY88]

Wow. Great insight. Thank you.

I will say that I do know a little about photography. I would like to know more though, alot more. I have a degree in Management and Health Systems Administration, but my heart is not in it (not to mention that I can't find a job around here in it).

For several years, I've wanted to attend a photography program in Montana, Summer Intensive - Rocky Mountain School of Photography, but no one has ever heard of it and I don't want to waste that much money if it is not reputable. Maybe I'll look into some photography classes at the local community college.

Thanks again!

for those people who have a hard time attending school on a regular schedule, or want to learn photography at their own pace..

NYI.. New York Institute of Photography offers an excellent correspondence course in Professional Photography..

the course is taught by full time professional photographers from New York.

 

[Lachesis00]

I want to be! I need to get a portfolio together. I really have not done anything in a professional setting. I am more a nature photographer but want to go to portraits.