To be a professional photographer do you need any qualifications?

Answer 1

You won't need a degree in photography unless you plan on teaching photography in high school or college or for employment at some large corporations. The biggest deficiency of most beginning photographers is that they don't understand lighting. The meaning of the word, photography, is "painting with light." If you take any course in photography, choose a course in lighting. What will determine your degree of professionalism is the quality of your images, the design of your web site portfolio, and your knowledge of client relations and business practices.

I've been a photographer for decades and I'll give you an invaluable piece of advice that I know you do not want to hear because I resisted the wisdom of it for years. Any person who wishes to have a successful business based on an artistic interest will need to devote 75% of their time to the business side and only 25% to the artistic side of their endeavor.

This holds true for any media in art. Starving artists never have money because they only want to create. I've been there and that's a valid choice if you can afford to keep creating and survive with little money. If, however, you want to prosper financially you will have to understand billing, purchase orders, contracts, and what is deductible or depreciable for taxes.

The other big concern is copyright protection and the sale of your images for certain market areas, whether it be one-time usage, North American rights, worldwide rights, or some other more limited usage. Almost NEVER should you sign away all rights to any image. You could then see your photo on billboards, in print ads, and on TV and not get one penny more for that usage!!

The upside of this is that you'll be able to hire people to handle the business end of things once you achieve the monetary success to be able to pay them. In the begining, most photographers have to wear many hats and do all of it themselves. This is not such a dismal prospect, though. You will emerge much smarter about all aspects of your business and not have to trust any of your future employess blindly. You will have been there and will know if they're doing a good job for what you're paying them.

All of the business end of things aside and remember, that is truly 75% of your success, the creative side is probably where your heart is. Look critically at your work and listen to the input of others. What do people say about your work? If a few adjectives keeping popping up, then those are your primary strengths and weaknesses. Dreamy and romantic is good but simply blurry or out of focus is not good. Cutting edge and abstract is good but confusing and cluttered is not good.

Work on your weaknesses but concentrate on your strengths. Every artist has their own unique voice that sets them apart from the crowd. When people call you for a photo shoot, they will have been attracted to your unique style so you, more than anyone, need to know what that is. Good luck!!

Answer 2

You don't really need any qualifications to be a photographer. It's not a job of responsibility like that of say a doctor or a pilot or a barrister. The problem is that the photographic industry is a lot more competitive these days. It's easier to become a photographer, which makes it harder to become successful. There are a lot of people going for few photography jobs, and often it's easier to simply create your own. For that you need to be a shrewd businessperson, and have plenty of capital to weather the first year or two before you start turning a profit. Realistically you need to be versatile and a quick learner, there are all sorts of things that aren't related to learn. Accountants, and lawyers are expensive, having your own knowledge helps there. Business and marketing is essential to know for yourself. It even helps to understand politics and history, as it forms a conversation topic with clients, or models and it helps to give direction to your work. Biology, anatomy and anthropology is important if you want anything to do with wildlife, or people, and geography, geology and physics are useful for outdoors photography. And art history is always useful knowledge to have. You see there is no SINGLE subject that you need to know. The most important thing is learning to learn, something that only the top universities seem to do. At Oxbridge, Imperial, UCL, or LSE what you get is told go learn this, you don't get spoon fed, it's down to you and your colleagues to help yourselves, you soon develop habits of just picking up knowledge. It's important you go to a good uni. A good uni also gets you into a good career which in 10 years time you'll have enough capital to invest into a photography business.

Answer 3

no, but like anything else, it takes lots of practice. Schooling is a must to get the basic techniques down, but at some point you have to go out on you own. If you study other photographers techniques for too long you will be copying them instead of finding your own way.
A degree may help you open a few more doors, but practice is a must. You can get lots of practice by volunteering for organizations and offer to be the official photographer.

Answer 4

Probably not. You only need a very good eye for a good photo, and the ability to use the equipment without help from anyone.

Qualifications would help in getting your first job and your foot in the door. It wouldn't really teach you anything. The best way to learn how to be a good photographer is to get out there and take photos .... millions of them.

Answer 5

You just need lots of good photos and the ability to interact with your subjects so they will feel comfortable.

No degree is necessary but it will get you there faster becasue you'll be taught things you'd otherwise have to figure out on your own. But I've never seen a bride ask for educational qualifications. They just want to see your work.

Answer 6

Y E S , Be a good photographer.

Answer 7

To be a professional ANYTHING you need qualification, except maybe to be a professional redundant person.

Answer 8

No you can always just take pictures-- but more opportunities and business will come your way if you get a degree in art photography or photojournalism first-- You would also meet people who can send business your way, and get experience to make you better.

Answer 9

nothing matter,i support ur hard work
the thing u need is to follow theory of photography in full length
as well as a good experience with ur cam

all the best

Answer 10

Talent helps and someone needs to pay for your photos....certainly, as in any field, credentials can't hurt, but at the end of the day, it really is about knowledge and ability (i.e. ability to get THE shot).