How do you become a Professional Photographer?

Question

How do you become a Professional Photographer? I have finished learning for now, got 1 Diaploma in Photography, and someday I want to be a Professional Wedding Photographer.
I haven't done a lot of work for money yet.
My guess is you need to do a name search, then register it, and then buy a copyright license. What am I missing?
Of course if you plan on making over $30,000 a year you need tax account, and charge the costumer aswell.
Please also state if you are a proffessional photographer or not. Thanks for answering, I really don't know who else too aks!!!

Answer 1

First of all, before you worry about the photography side of things, you need to believe you are a good photographer. If you don't, you wont get anywhere. Once you believe in yourself, then go for it. Here is what I did.

Firstly, I have never had any training in photography simply because I refuse to pay money to learn something I can learn myself. I learnt everything I know by reading every photography magazine I came across, reading every photography website and listening to the professionals and then putting everything I read into practice. Once I got to a stage where I know my camera inside out and I know how to do anything in any situation, I started advertising. It cost a lot of money to start with but I worked (and still am) another job to pay for the advertising. After a few months, people start to notice you and you will get phonecalls. Some will be enquiries and some will be paying customers. And again, believe in yourself. When you say to a customer that a certain job they want will cost this much, believe that you are worth what you charge. Dont charge too much but dont charge too little.

visit my website and email me for any more info.

http://www.straightshots.co.nz

Answer 2

This is the best photography course online:

http://photography-course.info

You can be like the masses of humanity and buy a camera you can afford that has auto this and that for worry free picture taking. And learn through trial and error how to use something like aperture or shutter priority auto modes or even attempt to use the thing on full manual mode.
You seem to know already there is some thinking to using a camera and to take pictures. A good place to start is by reading the owners manual that comes with a camera. Read the information and look at the illustrations with part names and look at the real camera. Handle the camera and take pictures. Let me rephrase that. Take pictures to learn how to use the camera and maybe even to keep some. Don't start with important stuff you cannot photograph over again such as birthdays, a toddlers first steps. That puts picture taking out of the learning phase and puts the pressure and emphasis to taking pictures for real and to keep.
These first pictures are for you to learn how to use your camera. And you have learned how to use your camera when you can take pictures with it and can teach others how to use it. Honest. You can also go to a college in your area and take a beginning photography course. There you will be taught the basics even a pro must learn and do in their work. Camera handling and use, taking exposures with film and/or digital cameras, and maybe even some photo assignments to get some real time learning. In this learning do not take serious pictures you must keep as that detracts from the learning aspect of the class. Do so only if you have mastered the use of your camera before class is over.
It's like growing up in a way. And I am happy you know there is a way to learn how to use a camera and take pictures. It's like learning how to drive I suppose. Someone can teach you or you can get taught at a driving school. Both will get you a drivers liscense. One though will really teach you the fundamentals you can use for the rest of your driving career.

Answer 3

In most countries there is no specific qualification for a freelance photographer, though in Britain at least, for a governmert job, qualifacations probably at degree level are required. But a photojournalist or 'high street' studio and wedding photographer can usually consider themselves 'professional' if they are making a living at it. Quality of work is a different matter, but poor workers generally don't last long as a paying proposition. Some countries do require qualifications for anyone to set themselves up as a money-earning photographer.

Answer 4

DSLR photography doesn't need to be over-complicated. This online photography course has been developed for beginners - intermediate levels and will teach you how to make the best use of your DSLR camera. https://tr.im/LtY2W

Learning how to confidently use your DSLR will help you get full value out of this awesome camera you have already paid for!

This course has been developed after seeing many potential photographers give up far too soon, wasting good money they have spent on the purchase of their DSLR camera.

Answer 5

I am not a professional photographer, but I would check out photo printing places that also do portraits in studio & out.

Answer 6

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Answer 7

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Answer 8

Sell a picture... You are professional. Untill then, regardless of how good your work is...you remain a photographer, an amateur.
It's like writing...Untill you sell your work you may be a writer but selling your work makes you a pro.

Answer 9

Being a professional anything just means that you have found someone willing to pay you for doing something for them. It does not mean that you are any good at it. You might try doing it for just your cost or even free just to see if you are any good and that people like your work. Good luck

Answer 10

Print business cards. There. Now you are a professional photographer.