Photography is a passion that drives many people. However, it is not just about taking pictures anymore. Many people live by photographing and have made their hobbies a full-time job. Living off your passion and becoming a professional photographer is not as easy as it seems. Aside from buying a professional camera and learning photography courses, there is a huge journey awaiting. And even though the sales of digital cameras have been decreased by 87% due to smartphones in the past decade, many people still work with professional cameras and become successful photographers, doing the thing they love. Being a very competitive industry, not only will you need the talent and the skills, but you should also be ready to spend hours of practice, failure, competition, etc. So what should you do first to start your journey in the photography industry and become a high-demanded professional?
Get your camera and equipment
Do not buy overpriced photo equipment right away. What matters first is learning, and you don’t need a pro SLR and expensive lenses. An entry-level camera is perfect to start with. What will make a difference in the quality of your photos, in the beginning, is your knowledge of how your camera and equipment work. According to a survey done among professional photographers, 74% started working with a simple digital camera and walked their way to more expensive cameras as they become more specialized in the industry and got to know the requirements of their day-to-day job better.
Practice shooting, and don’t be afraid to experiment
With our busy daily lives, it is often difficult to free up time just to take pictures. The solution is to take your device almost everywhere. To see your progress, you have to shoot all the time. You don’t become a top athlete without training. Any occasion is good: weekend trips, picnic with your family, portraits at a night out with friends. And to keep the motivation to always create something amazing. It is advisable not to do the same thing all the time. Always using the same settings and the same shooting angle will be boring and uninteresting. Try shooting from different angles, from above, from a low angle, try long exposure, flash photography, center your subjects, just have fun with your job. Always check for inspiration from your favorite photographers. It will take you to new horizons, discovering new ways of creating photos. The 45% of photographers who have recently participated in a survey done by a local organization in Sweden have claimed, that at first, it was difficult to get inspiration when taking pictures. But once they started to improvise and always try new things, they noticed an improvement in their skills.
Be patient with yourself
Having great results from the very beginning is not something everyone achieves. The same local survey has stated that 72% of photographers have seen improvement in their skills and overall working style 2-3 years after they started photographing. So, being too hard on yourself won’t help you get better results fast. Getting better takes time, and it is a long journey. The more you enjoy the process and take your time to learn new techniques and ways to improve, the faster you will see how things change to a better perspective.
Create your portfolio
Having a portfolio of the best shots you have taken so far would be the best business card for you. A portfolio should not necessarily be exhausting. Too many photos can be overwhelming and unimpressive. Try to gather the best shots in one place. Keep it simple and professional. With this, you show what you can do. You will highlight the quality of your work, your style, and your viewpoint in a specific area. Sorting is also important. If you have photos for different occasions, have a few portfolios. Because, even if you have made beautiful photos of a friend’s wedding recently if you are not going to show it to someone who wants you to shoot a wedding, those photos will not be interesting for them. Of course, your portfolio will continue to fill up throughout your career as a photographer. Therefore updating it every once in a while can also be a great choice to show your improvement and professionalism. According to another research, 82% of professional photographers got their first job when they provided a portfolio with their best shots. And 58% of them pointed out that they regularly update their portfolio selection with their newest projects.
In conclusion, the best advice that can be given to someone who wants to start professional photography is to keep the passion alive. Your efforts will definitely help you stand out and become an excellent professional when you show dedication and continuous work. The uniqueness of your shots will only lie in your creativity and passion.