How do I become a professional photographer?

Mar 15, 2010

How do I become a professional photographer?

A professional photographer is a person who derives his income from within the field of photography. If a person works a full time position in another profession and works at being a photographer on the side then that doesn’t constitute a true professional photographer but they are a semi-professional. Someone who has a passion for photography but only for personal interest or as a hobby is an amateur. Although these labels are accurate, there are some amateur photographers whose work is as good as or better than some professionals. Beauty truly is in the eye of the beholder.

Many professional photographers are self-taught. They invest in a camera that seems perfect for what they want to shoot. After learning about the camera, many people take courses in photographer to understand how to compose a shot and how to create different effects and moods with lighting.

As with many other professions, becoming a professional photographer is helped by who you know. Begin to speak with other professionals in your field. Perhaps work as an intern or apprentice for someone that you admire who works near where you live. Normally, most will give advice freely and even warn you of the ups and downs in the business. If they don’t need anyone to help them then perhaps they’ll allow you to “shadow” or follow them around for a day or two as they work within this industry.

If you are serious about becoming a professional photographer, you can also take courses in an art school to earn a certificate of completion or a degree. If you have not purchased a camera and lens at this point, the instructors will direct you as to what to get that is the best for your area of interest. Although you will be taught in a classroom and hands-on situation, reading how-to books on photography as well as going to galleries and viewing photos is one way of gleaning from others what to look for in a photo.

Another invaluable way to move toward becoming a professional photographer is practice, practice, practice. Then after you have shot many photos, get others who will be honest with you to critique your work. Divide your photos into two piles: those that are good and those that need improvement. Evaluate the reasons for each and learn from it. After you take time and realize what you did right in the ones everyone liked, take another round of shots. Compare them to the first ones and continue doing this. Practice truly does make perfect.

Finally, begin to enter photo contests. Many famous photographers began exactly that way and soon they were winning. This built their name so when they applied for a position with a magazine or wherever, they had accolades for their work. Combine that with offering your services to others for a small fee at first and you’re now on your way to becoming a professional photographer and getting paid to do what you love.