How To Become A Photographer

Professional photography is an interesting career choice and one that is suitable for people who are attracted to the idea of making a living by using their creative talents. The profession requires a blend of technical expertise and creativity, and it certainly helps to possess a healthy dose of imagination, creativity, patience, and self-discipline, as well as a good business brain. There are many types of photographer and many varieties of the profession; however, the field is a highly competitive one and before taking the plunge it is important to understand the nature of the industry and the steps required for success.

What does a photographer do?

More than half of all photographers are self-employed. Those that have the most success are also very good at running a business and are adaptable to rapidly emerging new technologies. Working conditions vary considerably. There are a relatively small number of photographers, typically those employed in government and advertising studios, who work a "normal" 5-day, 40-hour week. However, it is much more typical for photographers to either work long irregular hours or part-time with highly volatile and varying schedules. Most photographers spend only a small portion of their time actually taking photographs.

The bulk of their time is spent doing other things such as (for those who are self-employed) continually looking for new business or (for those who use a digital camera) editing images on a computer. Some of the more common types of photographer include:

• Photojournalists: Also known as news photographers, they are typically employed by newspapers, magazines, or television stations. Their job involves photographing newsworthy people at places such as sporting events, political gatherings, and community events.
• Commercial and industrial photographers: These photographers have their work appear in a variety of media, including books, reports, advertisements, publicity brochures, and catalogs. Subject matter of the pictures is quite varied, and can include buildings, models, merchandise, artifacts, landscapes, equipment, machinery, products, workers, and company officials. This type of photography is often done on location.
• Scientific photographers: These photographers capture images of a variety of subjects to illustrate or record scientific or medical information. As such, it is useful for this variety of photographer to have a good knowledge of science or scientific procedures.
• Portrait photographers: They usually work in their own studios but also may travel to take photographs at schools, offices, or private homes.
• Fine arts photographers: The high-quality photographs taken by these people are typically sold as fine artwork. This type of photographer needs not only technical proficiency, but also artistic talent and creativity.

Self-employed (freelance) photographers can specialize in one or more of the above fields. Freelancers, as their name implies, have a lot of freedom. They can choose the type of photography they want to do and to some extent are able to make their own schedules. However, income can be sporadic as well as uncertain. Also, freelancing carries with it a continuous, time-consuming search for new clients. Some self-employed photographers have contracts with advertising agencies or magazine publishers, whereas others operate portrait studios or photograph weddings or sporting events. Most salaried photographers work in portrait or commercial photography studios, newspapers, magazines, and advertising agencies.

Photography is a highly competitive field, due to the fact that there are more people interested in becoming one than there are jobs to support them. In general, demand for good photographers should increase. More portrait photographers will be needed to accommodate a growing population. Internet versions of magazines, journals, and newspapers will require more commercial photographers to provide digital images. On the flip side, however, job growth will be somewhat constrained by the widespread use of digital photography and the falling price of digital equipment. As time goes on, more individual consumers and businesses will produce, store, and access photographic images on their own. Also, a decline in the newspaper industry will reduce demand for photographers to provide still images for print. Salaried jobs in particular may be difficult to find as more companies contract with freelancers rather than hire their own photographers.

What steps should one follow to become a photographer?

1. Decide what type of photographer to be. This decision should be based on one's interests and talents. Nobody should try to photograph subject matter that they have no interest in or don't understand. Learn everything possible about the different types of photography in order to make the right decision.
2. (For photojournalists or scientific photographers) Obtain a college degree. A four-year degree is increasingly necessary to become a photojournalist or a photographic specialist in medicine or other sciences.
3. (For freelancers) Obtain technical proficiency. This can be gained through a variety of means: a degree program; vocational training; subscribing to photographic newsletters and magazines; joining photography clubs; studying how-to photography books; seeking part-time employment in photo studios; and/or seeking an internship working for a professional photographer.
4. (For those considering opening a studio) Take courses on small business management. There's a lot to learn up front which will be needed to know in order to avoid costly mistakes down the road.
5. Look, Listen, and Practice. Try to view as many famous photographs as possible. Look at magazines and photo websites constantly. Take a look at what is getting published and compare it to your own photos. It is vital to compare and learn from other’s work. Then take hundreds of photos and show them around, particularly to friends and mentors who are more accomplished. Listen to what others like and don't like; and learn from their criticism. The more critical the eye of the photographer, the better the quality of the photographs.
6. Develop an outstanding portfolio. For freelance photographers especially, a good portfolio is critical. Include the best of your personal work. Then start submitting photos to contests and magazines. Consider also submitting the portfolio unsolicited to magazines and/or art directors at advertising agencies. An excellent investment would be a photography marketing guide. Some of the best ones give complete contact information of magazine, greeting card, and book publishers.

How can a person become a GREAT photographer?

1. Develop and continually improve secondary skills. Photographers need good eyesight, artistic ability, and good hand-eye coordination. They should also be patient, accurate, and detail-oriented. Good photographers need to be able to work well with others and nowadays also need to know how to use the Internet (for marketing) and computer software for preparing and editing images. Portrait photographers need the ability to make people relax in front of the camera. Commercial and fine arts photographers need a lot of imagination and originality. News photographers need to understand the story behind an event so that their pictures accurately capture the story. Self-employed photographers need business skills and need to know how to prepare business plans, submit bids, write contracts, keep financial records, and market their work.
2. Attend workshops and seminars. It is important to remain up-to-date on technical advances in photography, especially in the ever-changing digital age.
3. Strive for originality. Don't be afraid to experiment. Photo editors appreciate professionals who can give an old subject a fresh look.

Success in the photography profession requires both a love for taking pictures and a love for the subject matter being photographed. Those who possess both of these traits can succeed if they are aware of the nature of the profession and are careful to follow the steps required for success. Knowing what type of photographer to become is a key first step. Once this decision is made, the future photographer needs to complete the follow-up actions needed to succeed in the specific branch of the profession being pursued. Most important is to nurture the secondary skills which will allow a good photographer to become a great one.

Resources for photographers

• Professional Photographers of America (PPA)
• National Press Photographers Association, Inc.
• American Society of Media Photographers
• The Center for Fine Art Photography
• History of Photography
• Lens Culture: an online magazine

Schools for Photographers (including online schools)

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