How to Start a Career in Photography
Photography as a career can be a dream come true for those with a passion for capturing moments and creating art. However, turning that passion into a successful profession takes more than just a good eye and a digital camera.
Whether you're a hobbyist looking to take the leap or a recent graduate with a degree in photography, the road to a successful photography career can seem daunting.
The good news is that with the right approach, starting a career in photography can be both fulfilling and financially rewarding. If you're an aspiring travel photographer or are pursuing a different form of photography, this article is for you.
Understanding Photography as a Profession
Understanding the various aspects of photography as a profession is crucial for those who want to build a successful career in this field.
One of the first things to consider when pursuing this career is the different types of photography. Specializations can include:
portrait photography
commercial photography
wildlife photography
event photography
travel photography
fashion photography
sports photography
scientific photography
aerial photography
photojournalism
An example of photojournalism is shown below.
Here, photojournalist, Asa Sjostrom, captures kids in the Nyumanzi settlement in Uganda.
Each photography niche requires specific skills and knowledge. So, it's essential to choose a specialization that aligns with your interests and talents.
Marketing your work effectively is another crucial aspect of photography as a profession. Building a strong online presence, networking with other professionals, and creating a strong portfolio are all essential for attracting clients and building a successful photography business. These can be achieved using the right marketing tools. We'll talk more about this later.
Building a Strong Foundation and Technical Skills
Building a strong foundation and technical skills is essential for success in photography as a career. While some photographers may have a natural artistic ability, there is a wide range of photography skills that must be mastered to produce high-quality images consistently.
Technical skills in professional photography include understanding camera settings, lighting techniques, composition, and post-processing software. It's important to understand how to use various camera modes, such as aperture priority, shutter priority, and manual mode, to achieve the desired effect.
Lighting is another critical aspect of photography. Understanding how to use natural light and artificial lighting sources, such as flash and studio lighting, is critical. They're skills that can help you create the desired mood and atmosphere in an image.
An example of how lighting is used is shown in the image above by photographer, Brandon Woelfel.
Composition is also an essential skill to master in photography.
This includes understanding the rule of thirds, leading lines, and framing to create a visually appealing image.
The image above shows how the rule of thirds is utilized to create an appealing image.
Post-processing software, such as Adobe Photoshop, is essential for photographers to edit their images and bring out their unique style. You can also use Lightroom to edit raw photos.
You can build a strong foundation and acquire technical skills in photography in many ways. You can have formal education, attend workshops and seminars, and take online courses, for example. Practicing regularly helps, too. Aspiring photographers like you should experiment with various techniques to develop their skills. Invest in high-quality equipment and software as well.
Establishing a Professional Presence
Establishing a professional presence is crucial for success in photography as a career. In today's digital age, having a strong online presence is essential for promoting your work and attracting new clients.
A digital portfolio and physical photo books allow you to showcase your work and build your brand. They should be visually appealing and contain a clear description of your services and specializations.
Social media platforms such as Instagram, Twitter, and Facebook can also be powerful tools for photographers. Regularly sharing your work on social media can help you build a following and attract new clients.
Networking with other professionals in the industry is also essential for establishing a professional presence. Attend industry events and join photography groups to meet other photographers and potential clients. Make sure you hand out business cards and put your interpersonal skills to good use.
In addition, maintaining a professional attitude and demeanor is essential when dealing with clients. This includes clear communication, delivering work on time, and setting realistic expectations.
Finding Work as a Photographer
Finding work as a professional photographer can be challenging. This is especially true for those starting in the photography industry. However, with the right approach, you can build a successful career.
As mentioned earlier, attending industry events, joining photography groups, and building relationships with other professionals in the industry are essential. This can lead to referrals and new photography job opportunities.
Another effective way to find work as a photographer is to reach out to potential clients directly. Research companies and individuals who may need photography services and offer your services to them.
Social media platforms can also be a powerful tool for finding work. Utilize hashtags and geo-tagging to make your work visible to potential clients and follow relevant accounts to stay up-to-date with industry news and job opportunities.
In the image above, the nature photographer utilizes geo-tagging by including the location where her picture was taken (Minnehaha Falls). Clicking on this location will make you access other images taken in this location, as shown below:
Finally, you should consider offering your services for free or at a reduced rate to build your portfolio and gain experience. This can lead to paid opportunities down the line. Whether or not you charge for your services initially, you should document each job thoroughly, keeping track of invoices to help when tax filing time rolls around. You can even use the self-employed paystub generator from FormPros to make your documentation look professional and comprehensively detailed from the outset.
Conclusion
Starting photography as a career doesn't have to be that hard. You just need to be strategic about it.
Build a strong foundation, establish a professional presence, and find work through networking and direct outreach.
With the right skills, attitude, and determination, aspiring photographers can turn their passion for photography into a fulfilling career.
You can even use the self-employed paystub generator from FormPros or ThePayStubs to make your documentation look professional and comprehensively detailed from the outset.
Stacie Twomey
Stacie Twomey is the Brand Marketing Manager at CEWE UK & CEWE Ireland. Stacie is an experienced marketing professional with a history of working across several different commercial products and industries.
Stacie is highly skilled in brand comms, campaigns, stakeholder management, relationship building, and product management. She has worked at Cewe for more than four years and previously worked in marketing in roles at The Camping and Caravanning Club and Coventry City Football Club.