Photography as a living?

Question

Is it a good and busy area to get into? Can anybody become a photographer or do you have to have a talent for photography?

Thinking about becoming a photographer... Any info to help me will be great!

Answer 1

Let's start of saying no, now anyone can become a photographer. It takes a very keen eye for composition, lighting and posing.

Anyone can learn posing and composition by reading a few books and attending a few courses. But lighting is the key. Without lighting, the best posing and the best composition is nothing.

As with any business, it's only good if the demographics of the area around you call for a photography business. If you are thinking of starting a business where there are already 10 photographers who have been around for years, you are going to have a nearly impossible task of setting a studio up. No matter how good you are, people are going to choose experience.

Before jumping into the business, I'd strongly suggest setting up an apprenticeship with a local photographer whose work you admirer. Offer to volunteer your time carrying his equipment, cleaning the studio or just going with him on photo shoots, even if you do nothing other than stand there and watch.

Also, be sure to check out local and national organizations such as Professional Photographers of America (www.ppa.com), Wedding & Portrait Photographers Association (www.wppaonline.com) and Triangle Photographers Association (www.trinaglephotographers.com). Not only do they offer an abundance of training and resources, some even have the ability to set you up as an apprencice to a local photographer.

You also have to have a good business sence if starting out. You have to find a photo lab, an album distributor, equipment company. You need to figure out pricing, how much you think your worth, how much to sell your products for. If you aren't part of PPA you have to have great insurance in case you lose photos and a bride wants to take legal actions. You need contracts, order forms, model release (email me [e-mail] and I'll send you them for free).

Then you need to decide whether to go film or digital. Starting out film is less exepencive (unless you go with a medium - large format camera with a digital back). However, digital provides faster turn around time and easier to take into any photo editing software.

Check out the books below and they'll provide you a great selection of resources for starting out

Answer 2

Photography is a good area to get into if you have an interest or talent.

Possible careers include:

* photojournalism;

* still photography for advertising;

* glamour photography;

* commercial photography taking photos of weddings and other special events.

There were 129,000 professional photographers in the US in 2004. Approximately half of those were self-employed.

Answer 3

I went to collage for business, but started my own photography studio a year and a half ago. I make really good money now and I just moved from doing it in my home to a 1200 square foot studio in town. I taught myself to use my camera (digital) and scoured the web for any info I could find. As long as you have an eye for details and are creative, you should go for it! Especially childrens photography and weddings. Thats where the money is. ;)

Answer 4

Try Trick Photography Special Effects - http://tinyurl.com/WIV9q4GeBT

Answer 5

that would depend on the type of photography you want to do... if your good you shouldn't have to much problem finding work.. but if your not good but still want to be a photographer it could take work.. being in the right place at the right time.. like newspaper photographers or paparazzi..