getting into photography professionally?

[wen-tom]

Hi guys, I'm not sure who of you are professional photographers

Some of you may already know that I am a compete novice but I am desperate to get to earn some money doing what i love rather than the worthless job i do at the moment..
I was wondering if any of you have worked your way into photography with little/no experience or formal training and if so, how did you manage it?

or are any of you professionals who can give me any advise on where to start?

I could always come over to the US to work for you


I have thought of writing to local companies to see if there are any vacancies for trainees but as i'm not a school leaver anymore (a lady never reveals her age but as i'm no lady i can tell you all that i'm almost 30 ) i doubt they would consider me.

I dont expect to be able to jump straight in and earn enough to leave my job but I am desperate for a way in

 

[KrazyPete]

It's a pretty broad question but I would suggest you first think about specializing. Do you want to shoot events? portraits? fine art? commercial? After you've answered that you need to start building your portfolio of work in that area. The first thing an employer or client is going to want to see is your work. They are probably going to consider that more than your education (not that an education isn't important).

Just this last year I've started shooting weddings. A local photographer allowed me to second shoot for her based on the quality of the other event type photos I had done (mostly sporting stuff for my kid's teams). Now she's contracting weddings out to me to shoot on my own.

 

[Anewman]

Well this usually turns into a heated debate(bashing) on some pro photography forums, but this is DISboards.

I would say practice, practice, practice and then practice some more. When you feel that the quality of your work is worth paying for, then do some research.

That being said, I have seen some pro work that stinks and some non-pro work that was great. About education/training, do not just focus on photography you will need to get some business education too.

What I am really saying is that dont start thinking PRO PHOTOGRAPHER just yet, it might take the fun out of the hobby for you. Just shoot as often as possible, hone your skill in an enjoyable manor and then decide if you want to make this a job.

 

[dr_zero]

I read this guys bio the other day and it sounds like something you might like to read. Im looking to take his workshop in November.

Zack Arias
http://www.onelightworkshop.com/OneLight/Bio.html
http://www.usedfilm.com/client.html?view_type=content&id=3928&

 

[allie5]

Hi there

Im also from the Uk and have considered doing some part time photography to earn some extra pennies. Unfortunately I was pretty disheartened when I joined a few photography forums and found that people MUCH MUCH more talented than I am have trouble doing more than the odd shoot.

Its a dream of many to become even semi-pro and the competition is fierce. You'll need to decide what genre you are interested in persuing - is it Weddings (you'll need expensive kit, a lot of experience and nerves of steel to undertake this!), portraits (a good starting point if you have enough space at home to create a small studio - just a backdrop and lights), stock (very easy - but doesnt pay well) or are you keen on doing local news (again, pay is poor and its hard to break into).

Photography is much more accessable than it was a few years ago, and even seasoned pros are up against "Uncle Bill who has a nice camera and is going to do our wedding"!! Many people buy a DSLR and are then seen as "expert photographers" by their friends and families - consequently they then dont pay for a pro to come in and shoot their kids or weddings (many often live to regret hiring "Uncle Bill" LOL ).

Having said that, there will always be a market for good photographers - if you are talented and are prepared to persevere, then there is no reason you cannot make a success of yourself.

Start off by maybe doing a class in whatever area interests you - there are many Wedding / Portrait courses available. Another good step is to get a part time job in a studio - you can learn loads doing this. Even one of the "formulaic" places like Pixiephoto or Venture, where creativity may not be found in abundance, you'll certainly learn something and they are often advertising for staff.

Starting a "photography business" from scratch when you have no previous experience and are still working on perfecting your craft is not going to be easy as Im sure you are well aware! The key is to start slowly - learn as much as you can, take as many pictures as you can and you should find out where your talents lie fairly early on.

Good luck - Id love to hear how you get on!

Allie

 

[wen-tom]

Hi guys, wow, thank you all for the super quick responses.

I hadn't realised that I was asking a question likely to strike up a heated debate

I am in no way expecting to start my own business and i am not yet experieced enough to be able to really decide which area of photography i prefare or which best suits me.

I was also thinking of approaching local wedding photographers and offering my services as a helper. I think I could learn a lot from that even if it wasn't the route I wanted to take myself.

I have been looking into local courses and have a few in mind to decide between although i tend to learn more from practice than in classroom, thats just how i learn i guess.

thanks for all your suggestions

 

[drcandon]

Well, I am going to put in my 2 cents and get totally bashed I am sure but what they heck..

All I can say is I was in and now am glad I am out....and I was in when amateurs like I was - to become a semi-pro had to shell out major amounts of money and time - film is and never was cheap and to do a wedding or an shoot correctly - lets say you are doing a wedding and they are okay with small format (ie 35mm = okay 8x10" 's)- burning through more then 10 rolls of film was an easy thing to do..and then getting contact prints from a pro lab or doing it yourself with a colour enlarger ( don't even get me going on colour darkroom) ..etc etc..but then you had a chance because with some talent behind the camera and a bit of talent in the darkroom you could work your way up to a decent business..finally after a few years and eating macaronii and cheese you made a go of it....

Now I am not whining, but then along came digital..and ( go ahead start bashing) the whole scene changed..now uncle bob and his camera, fancy couple of lenses, external flash (on hot shoe - camera flash to boot) and a couple of HUGE cards - now gets the business..he takes a couple thousand snap shots ( notice I didn not say photos) and is bound to get a couple right..lets face it for uncle bob they only have to feed him, lots of booze and maybe 50 bucks..and then uncle bob calls himself a paid semi pro ...same with portraits, baby and pet photos (that used to pay big money - no I am not kidding) - now uncle bob gets the business and a struggling photographer like you want to be gets the, well other end of the business..

All I can say is keep taking good photos, keep a day job, publish the good ones to some of the various photography boards were some of the pros hand out and ask for critiques - not criticism - there is a difference..that is one way to get noticed..

You could find a real wedding/baby/studio pro in a smaller community and ask for an apprentice position on the weekends - you probably will get paid nothing, but you will get noticed - and word of mouth in a small close knit town is like gold.

Please don't get into photographing the rich and famous..I refuse to comment on their photographic abilities or morals..

I know of a semi pro now who helped out on a local race circuit ( drag racing actually)..she worked hard and is now making some money doing what she loves, photographing fast moving objects..

Notice I said some money..my comments are purely my opinions on whether you can make a decent living these days within a resonable amount of invested time and hard work in this field and I really don't think so..and I am talking about working for yourself..sure photojournalism for mags and papers etc are a way of earning money with photography, but you are still working for "the man"

BUT that does not mean stop taking photos, and trying to sell them or your abilities..doing something you love scratching out a living is often better then making lots of money and drinking yourself into an early grave...and yes, I often wish I was still arguing with brides about taking photos near a moss covered fountain that reflects green into her dress no matter how much fill flash you use

 

[bob100]

Well, I am going to put in my 2 cents and get totally bashed I am sure but what they heck..

All I can say is I was in and now am glad I am out....and I was in when amateurs like I was - to become a semi-pro had to shell out major amounts of money and time - film is and never was cheap and to do a wedding or an shoot correctly - lets say you are doing a wedding and they are okay with small format (ie 35mm = okay 8x10" 's)- burning through more then 10 rolls of film was an easy thing to do..and then getting contact prints from a pro lab or doing it yourself with a colour enlarger ( don't even get me going on colour darkroom) ..etc etc..but then you had a chance because with some talent behind the camera and a bit of talent in the darkroom you could work your way up to a decent business..finally after a few years and eating macaronii and cheese you made a go of it....

Now I am not whining, but then along came digital..and ( go ahead start bashing) the whole scene changed..now uncle bob and his camera, fancy couple of lenses, external flash (on hot shoe - camera flash to boot) and a couple of HUGE cards - now gets the business..he takes a couple thousand snap shots ( notice I didn not say photos) and is bound to get a couple right..lets face it for uncle bob they only have to feed him, lots of booze and maybe 50 bucks..and then uncle bob calls himself a paid semi pro ...same with portraits, baby and pet photos (that used to pay big money - no I am not kidding) - now uncle bob gets the business and a struggling photographer like you want to be gets the, well other end of the business..

All I can say is keep taking good photos, keep a day job, publish the good ones to some of the various photography boards were some of the pros hand out and ask for critiques - not criticism - there is a difference..that is one way to get noticed..

You could find a real wedding/baby/studio pro in a smaller community and ask for an apprentice position on the weekends - you probably will get paid nothing, but you will get noticed - and word of mouth in a small close knit town is like gold.

Please don't get into photographing the rich and famous..I refuse to comment on their photographic abilities or morals..
I know of a semi pro now who helped out on a local race circuit ( drag racing actually)..she worked hard and is now making some money doing what she loves, photographing fast moving objects..
Notice I said some money..my comments are purely my opinions on whether you can make a decent living these days within a resonable amount of invested time and hard work in this field and I really don't think so..and I am talking about working for yourself..sure photojournalism for mags and papers etc are a way of earning money with photography, but you are still working for "the man"
BUT that does not mean stop taking photos, and trying to sell them or your abilities..doing something you love scratching out a living is often better then making lots of money and drinking yourself into an early grave...and yes, I often wish I was still arguing with brides about taking photos near a moss covered fountain that reflects green into her dress no matter how much fill flash you use

I'm not a professional photographer but occasionally I read the "pro" threads on forums such as dpreview or Canon and this is the recurring theme, cheap digital cameras used by amateurs have taken much of the paid business of photography. I think a talented person can still find employment but perhaps not strictly in photojournalism (remember newspapers?)
you have to think outside the box -commercials - celebrity paparazzi shots ... I dunno!

 

[Anewman]

I'm not a professional photographer but occasionally I read the "pro" threads on forums such as dpreview or Canon and this is the recurring theme, cheap digital cameras used by amateurs have taken much of the paid business of photography. I think a talented person can still find employment but perhaps not strictly in photojournalism (remember newspapers?)
you have to think outside the box -commercials - celebrity paparazzi shots ... I dunno!

Most of the time it is the better business person and not the better photographer that makes it.

 

[ukcatfan]

Most of the time it is the better business person and not the better photographer that makes it.

I agree with this and would elaborate that the good business person aspect especially includes good marketing and networking.



I did not read all the replies, so sorry if this has already been said. I think it is better to think of professional photography as a side job instead of your career. The digital camera practically killed the profession. There are still some doing it as their only job, but there are less and less every day. Also consider that professional photography services are basically a luxury item. During hard times (i.e. right now) many people either go bargain basement or do without.

 

[jann1033]

Ita with the "business savvy rather than talent or even skill = business"... recently i saw a photo set that a photographer used for marketing so you would figure he must have thought it was one of his better sets. basically it was a collection of photos of a baby cut up to look like it was close ups of her hands, feet etc with mom's hands cradling her head as the centerpiece..would have been cute if 1) you couldn't see little bits of the "unwanted pieces" in all the photos( ie a finger tip of left hand in "close up" of right hand ...uh ever hear of a clone tool since you are to lazy to actually take a separate shot of each feature) 2) the centerpiece didn't include a big black hole where the table the baby was on ended. the"pro" didn't bother to crop off the space behind the table...this guy has a big fancy studio...guessing he actually makes enough money to run it from these lousy photos
i also have some friends who pay a lot of $$ for kids photos ( over a number of yrs) but in every one something is cut of, ie part of a head, a knee, a finger, part of a foot, not artistic either, just bad technique...so go figure , they keep going back and paying for stinko photos cause the place is " expensive and must know what they are doing"
really in some cases the media has done it itself..locally our tv stations etc ask for amateurs to send in photos, videos of "news" constantly. doubt many of those are Pulitzer prize worthy,