How To Go Pro?

Tiziano

So I'm about to teach basic photography another set of high schoolers this fall and if the past is any indication I'll get a number of questions related to becoming a professional freelance photographer. IMO, it's a BIG question due to the number of specialization's that are possible (sports, portrait, wildlife, and on and on...).

Besides the obvious (know your equipment, taking lots of photos, read, look at lots of photos, etc...) what advice might I give these kids?

Wil Davis

Always carry a camera

Don't expect to make money to start out with.

It takes years to develop an eye, and get experience (something you can't get from books, although I agree with you about read, read, read!)

It's incredibly competitive

Always carry a camera


- Wil

emeraldrose

Wil Davis wrote:

Always carry a camera

Don't expect to make money to start out with.

It takes years to develop an eye, and get experience (something you can't get from books, although I agree with you about read, read, read!)

It's incredibly competitive

Always carry a camera


- Wil

depends on what type of photography, but joining the newspaper or yearbook is a good idea for half the kids that will ask. Volunteer to help with equipment holding and what not now for a professional. read books about other photographers and looks at as much work as they can get their hands on...


ETA: Stress the importance of taking some business classes. Make sure they understand that the business aspect will take up more of their time than the actual photography. Also they should do some design classes. In fact Drexel where I went for photography is now a dual degree photo/graphic design program (my year was the last to really get into film and darkroom for all 4 years) (drexel also does a highschool photo competition every year). But really stress the importance of learnign how to budget money (times will be tight) and getting business classes.

Tiziano

Thanks guys.
I teach the yearbook class as well and have many cross pollenating students.

So a college program is a viable option? For some reason I am surprised.

We've all mentioned 'reading.' I can think of some (Freeman's come to mind). Does anyone have others?

In the past I have also told a few to call up some of the portrait photographers the senior students use for their senior shots. Everyone needs a low paid grunt.

As for what type of photography, a couple of years ago one of the students asked about National Geographic and also travel type magazines. I was and am not sure how those photographers went about getting their foot in the door much less acquiring the skills to go for the job.

emeraldrose

Tiziano wrote:

Thanks guys.
I teach the yearbook class as well and have many cross pollenating students.

So a college program is a viable option? For some reason I am surprised.

We've all mentioned 'reading.' I can think of some (Freeman's come to mind). Does anyone have others?

In the past I have also told a few to call up some of the portrait photographers the senior students use for their senior shots. Everyone needs a low paid grunt.

As for what type of photography, a couple of years ago one of the students asked about National Geographic and also travel type magazines. I was and am not sure how those photographers went about getting their foot in the door much less acquiring the skills to go for the job.

i too wanted to got he natn'l geo route once, but most of them have a journalism degree if you go on their site and to got careers there's a link about becoming a photogrpher for them and then a link to one of the photog's sites where he talks more about how he got into the biz

Tiziano

Great source.
Thanks!

emeraldrose

Tiziano wrote:

Great source.
Thanks!

welcome and about the schooling I and many of my old classmates have gone on to become prof. photographers, though there are many that didn't as well. I would just let them know they will be tested emotionally and mentally and they may forget why they went in the first place (i did) and I would write it down someewhere so they can look at it when they get discouraged.

johng

OK, here's where I disagree with a number of individuals in academia. With regards to photojournalism, freelance and sports work - the job outlook is EXTREMELY, EXTREMELY poor right now. Newspapers are cutting staff left and right. That means not only are they not hiring, but experienced photographers are now out in the 'world' again and doing work as freelancers. This topic has been discussed a number of times over on sportsshooter - more in the case of college photojournalism majors having almost zero job prospects.

Studio, portrait, wedding, etc. is a different topic.

But becoming a professional photojournalist or sports photographer is extremely difficult.

I think this is where educators need to paint a realistic picture for students. Hard work, knowing your equipment etc won't come close to getting you a job in those areas today.

If I were teaching a class I would advise those who love that type of photography to make a decision:
If it's a love of photography, they should consider other types of photography where there is more of a market (and I don't have any marekte information for wedding, portrait, studio work so I wish in this post I could say what area to direct them)
or
I would advise them to pursue photography as a passion but pursue another field that will enable them to pay their bills.

Every football player in HS can want an NFL career, but most won't make it. I'm not saying photojournalism field is quite that bad, but maybe akin to playing Div I football.

emeraldrose

johng wrote:

OK, here's where I disagree with a number of individuals in academia. With regards to photojournalism, freelance and sports work - the job outlook is EXTREMELY, EXTREMELY poor right now. Newspapers are cutting staff left and right. That means not only are they not hiring, but experienced photographers are now out in the 'world' again and doing work as freelancers. This topic has been discussed a number of times over on sportsshooter - more in the case of college photojournalism majors having almost zero job prospects.

Studio, portrait, wedding, etc. is a different topic.

But becoming a professional photojournalist or sports photographer is extremely difficult.

I think this is where educators need to paint a realistic picture for students. Hard work, knowing your equipment etc won't come close to getting you a job in those areas today.

If I were teaching a class I would advise those who love that type of photography to make a decision:
If it's a love of photography, they should consider other types of photography where there is more of a market (and I don't have any marekte information for wedding, portrait, studio work so I wish in this post I could say what area to direct them)
or
I would advise them to pursue photography as a passion but pursue another field that will enable them to pay their bills.

Every football player in HS can want an NFL career, but most won't make it. I'm not saying photojournalism field is quite that bad, but maybe akin to playing Div I football.

true, i don't know anyone that's gone on to work for papers, but instead corporate (I have a friend who's excellent at interiors) or fashion, or weddings.

ChatKat

All over
With the popularity of digital photography in the masses, photography as a vocation is very difficult across the full spectrum; People are paying less for any kind of portraiture and weddings as well.

I am a business consultant/accountant and the cost of doing business is very high. You must be a business person first. You can actually be a fair/moderate photographer if you have business and people skills although you must deliver every time.

A big problem in the portrait/wedding market is that to turn a profit you have to understand the cost. A lot of new photographers are underpricing for profit for the thrill of shooting without realising it. Adding to that is there are a lot of people breaking into photography. The market is very oversaturated. And the people who are buying photography are spending less because of the economy and because of the law of supply and demand!

Tiziano

More good advice y'all. Thanks.

I guess, in the end, the only real motivation ought the be one of 'do it because you love it.' That way, when you're living in the ghetto you can always be happy.:D

emeraldrose

ChatKat wrote:

With the popularity of digital photography in the masses, photography as a vocation is very difficult across the full spectrum; People are paying less for any kind of portraiture and weddings as well.

I am a business consultant/accountant and the cost of doing business is very high. You must be a business person first. You can actually be a fair/moderate photographer if you have business and people skills although you must deliver every time.

A big problem in the portrait/wedding market is that to turn a profit you have to understand the cost. A lot of new photographers are underpricing for profit for the thrill of shooting without realising it. Adding to that is there are a lot of people breaking into photography. The market is very oversaturated. And the people who are buying photography are spending less because of the economy and because of the law of supply and demand!

amen

Tiziano

Thought I'd throw this in here for any drive bys.
Mitchell Kanashkevich has just posted about becoming a Travel Photographer on his blog here.

zoomer

First learn to take good pictures, and don't believe you do until someone who knows what they are talking about tells you that you are good.

It is very possible to learn it all on your own with no classes or formal instruction.

Now you have a skill to market. To many people now think their pictures are good when they are not and that can lead to huge frustration when, big surprise, nothing sells and doors do not open for you.