They say that a degree in fine arts is a degree in unemployment. Though the competition is relentless, it’s not all so dark. The truth is – everyone wants to become a photographer at one point in their lives, but only a handful of us succeed. The difference between amateurs and pros is huge, but the one thing it truly comes down to is commitment.
How to Become a Professional Photographer
These are the five tips for becoming recognized for your creativity behind the camera.
1. Shoot, Edit, Repeat
The first step is an obvious one, so we’ll keep it short. No career pursuit comes without any effort, and neither does one in photography. Your passion will need to take a more serious turn and grow from a hobby into a priority.
Make plans, establish a shooting schedule and start practicing on a regular basis. To discover the true artist in you, you’ll need to try yourself out in as many fields and styles as you possibly can. Editing is just another side of photography, which means that your training should include retouching lessons too.
2. Sharpen Your Focus
While we’re amateurs, the possibility of capturing a more beautiful or more truthful side of the world is enough to keep us creatively motivated. The theme, subject, and niche aren’t important them. But, once you start searching for a career in photography, your artistic focus becomes pretty significant.
Do you want to be an event photographer and photo editing services by SmartPhotoEditors or a portraitist? Are you better at shooting action or contemplations? You need to figure this out as soon as possible – identify what makes you happy, be honest with yourself about what your qualities and strengths are, and research what’s profitable and what’s not.
3. Build Your Online Portfolio
Today, being a photographer without an Instagram is the same as being a writer without paper. This and similar picture-oriented social networks might not be exclusive, like galleries, but they offer the same kind of publicity. Truth be told, we visit Instagram way more often than exhibits.
Having a social media account isn’t enough, though. If you want to be noticed, you’ll need to market your art across all channels. If you can build your own blog, do that too. Create some profiles and treat them as you would treat your portfolio: write a compelling description of your artistic view, leave your contact info and publish only your best work.
Also read: Photography website templates You can’t miss.
4. Make a Big Entry
A professional photographer does a couple of jobs at once. You’re already an artist, but now you need to become a businessman as well. Even though you won’t be building empires, you’ll still have to deal with clients, manage projects, and handle the budget. Most freelancers start by getting active on LinkedIn, and that’s surely a nice way to enter the business scene. Also, you can try to find some Photographer jobs on Jobble.
You’ll easily find your potential clientele here, but don’t expect them to approach you first. Grow an email list using contacts you’ve made and start pitching your artwork. The more emails you send, the bigger your chances are. Amateurs mostly have a hard time finding paid projects at first, so be persistent. In case an interesting pro-bono offer comes up, take an opportunity to earn some experience and recommendations.
Also read: 5 common mistakes made by photographers using Word Press
5. Stay Committed
Whether you’re dreaming of selling seascapes or want a steady job at a photo editing company, you’ll have to stay committed to your calling. It may seem like a cliché, but nothing really ever comes overnight. Be prepared to be disappointed, since that’s a mandatory part of almost every professional artistic journey.
Even then, remember where your heart lays. Every time you fail, start practicing twice as hard. Fortunately for you, stunning photography is in high demand in the digital age! The industry is crowded, but as long as you offer something fresh from your own artistic identity and keep innovating, your chances of becoming a professional are great.
Becoming a professional photographer is nothing harder than excelling in any other field. It’ll take a lot of practice and time, so don’t wait much longer. Keep your lenses open, and the opportunity will certainly rise.
| About the Guest Author:
Isabella Foreman has been blogging for 5 years. She has more than seven years of experience in photo editing services for weddings and commercials.
