How to become a photographer 1
Indeed, many professionals in the photography business have a degree in photography from one of the various photography schools, art schools specializing in photography, or press photographer training at journalism schools, etc. Programs such as Professional Photography, Digital Photography, Mass Communication, and Graphic Design are among the offerings at colleges and universities leading to a professional photography degree.
But what I focus on is the opportunity for people with photography skills without major training and with another full-time job who want to live out their dream of being a photographer. The individual stories of established photographers show a variety of paths to their careers as photographers, but here I will first highlight the potential of starting a photography career as a part-time stock photographer.
If the dream is to become a photographer, and accordingly the question is how to become a photographer, this can be a risk-free opportunity for the committed amateur photographer who wants to change his life situation. Since the stock photography business is a very dynamic field, it can be difficult to give advice with any consistency, but let me try anyway.
How to become a photographer by working in stock photo agencies
Income for stock photography photographers has been under attack for years, but the types of photography that retain income and position the best are related to up-to-date model photography with a lifestyle focus and a strong conceptual feel.
Since this is also the area where it is most difficult for the average amateur photographer to provide professional quality, I highly recommend this field as a focal point for the potential full-time professional photographer. Submitting photos to one or more professional photo agencies for this type of stock photography will be able to guide the person who wants to become a full-time professional photographer.
This will be done by constantly refining his or her shooting style, as stock photography is a fast-paced market with a fairly quick response to trends and buyer requests. At the same time, these photos can generate enough income to support further training to become a full-time photographer.
Let me emphasize that I cannot recommend a potential photographer to deal with micro stock agencies. They pay too little and you’ll have too many photos floating around cyberspace without enough control over their use.
Maybe my advice about lifestyle photography doesn’t make you happy because your dream was to become a wildlife photographer or a similar specialty as a photographer. No matter, include this kind of stock photography among your stock photo agency submissions and let the sales reports tell you what to focus on. But remember the lifestyle photos.
Commission photography as an alternative to stock photography to become a photographer
An alternative to the aforementioned approach to becoming a stock photographer is to focus on the needs of individual clients and build a reputation as one of the freelance photographers available for special photography needs such as:
– Filming of special events in a company
– Private weddings for couples who cannot afford to hire a fully professional wedding photographer
– Photography for small business websites, including product photography.
– Pet photography, as many people have their pet as their most valuable partner in life. Pet photographers who specialize in taking photos of dogs, cats, hamsters, birds, etc. can do very well.
– Photography of horses. Like pet photographers, equine photographers can earn a decent part-time income as a way to become a full-time photographer. Often, horse photography sessions can be scheduled on the weekends, making it easier to combine them with a full-time job.
The beauty of this answer to the question of how to become a photographer is that some of these types of photography can be combined with submitting selected photos of commissioned work for stock agencies; just keep in mind to get all kinds of versions you need.
Well-established areas populated by many party photographers, school photographers, tour group photographers, etc. can be difficult to dig unless you have the nerve and want to do it. Running a portrait studio can also be a difficult part-time field, but offering portraits etc. in people’s homes can also be an option.
Conclusion: Becoming a photographer by engaging in stock photography may be your best bet.
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