I’ve spent a long time trying not to falter when it comes to declaring myself a professional photographer. I’m not sure why that is.
It could be due to a profound, peerless humility or a constant desire to strive to be better and develop my ability to create images to match and transcend zeitgeist. Perhaps it is the fact that my storage system leaves much to be desired and that I am completely useless when it comes to keeping up with the latest trends and technologies in digital photography. I’m afraid the following will be a little more true when I re-read this.
However, I make a living photography, more specifically food and lifestyle photography, and like many of us, it’s been a long, hard road to where I am today. I’d say I sit comfortably in the middle of the table talking about my success in the industry: a picture will be printed here, an overseas reservation there, rent and bills paid. , and lots of things in between. Over the years, I’ve come to realize that my “professionalism” isn’t one of particularly high-level technical abilities or a network genius. Basically, it’s down to a trait I can relate to all my adult life: reliability. I am not one of those delays. Offer me a beer and I’ll be at the pub 10 minutes before the agreed time, which means I usually have to win the first inning. Email me with shooting suggestions and you’ll have my thoughts, rankings, and availability usually before the end of that business day. Claim 72 hour sales on deliverables and, guess what.
This trait has served me extremely well during my years as a freelancer, and I think it goes hand-in-hand with anything anyone would love. There’s a certain amount of energy involved in doing something you love, as opposed to knowing that you should “probably go for a jog” or “put the trash out”. Whether it’s a hobby or a career (in the case of photographers, often both), people tend to be eager to start their day, make progress in their portfolio, or go home as soon as possible. better to start editing. If you can be trusted in whatever you do, then I think you’ve won half the battle. Customers will always come back to business with photographers they know and trust and who can deliver consistently.
There is no marching out to be professional. You did not receive the Blue Peter Badge or certificate in the post. It’s not imprinted on your forehead, nor is it particularly relevant as you grow, learn, make mistakes, and rise and fall in your career. I guess it’s just kind of happening. There will be days when you realize it and you take great pride in your work, the people you meet, and the influence you can get from the people in your business. On other days, work is scarce and you need to give your best, get exposed, explore new avenues and spend a lot of time wondering if you are at the stage where you really think. This isn’t a bad thing, it’s just part of the game! It is true that there is no secret door to professional land, nor is there a way to complete it. You will need to move with changing art and technology trends or simply find other ways to promote your work and experience to people who are willing to pay for it!
At the risk of making this post sound like clickbait, I’ve dug deep to come up with 5 pretty simple ways that anyone trying to take those next steps can participate and even be safe. iron. No tech advice, no hacking software needed. Just good, honest processes that anyone can get into. If even a handful of these tell you, then I think you’re on the right track to stepping out into pro land.
1. Know what level you are operating at
Don’t compare yourself to the 1% running huge campaigns around the world if that’s not your position. Sure, it might be a goal, but let’s not run before we can walk. There’s a lot of scope for monetizing photography, and you just need to find your own little space in that world to get started. Don’t be afraid of discounted rates, tracking sessions, or completely freeware if you’re just starting out. The real work will grow as your portfolio grows, so creating images that you are proud of is the main focus. Enjoy what you’re doing and remember, be trustworthy!
2. Embrace the hustle on the sidelines
If you are where I am, then this is extremely important. There will be quiet times. It’s important to have a backup plan when this happens. Being a self-employed photographer can be a tough game. Usually, you’ll form relationships and partnerships to create regular work, and it’s fun. However, there isn’t really anything to protect you if companies go bankrupt, customers change their creative minds or move locations, or if your time with them is simply running out. Lots of irons in the fire really help here. As one person cools, there can always be four or five others burning brightly. Stock photography, tutoring, mentoring, or content writing can all be really great side hustles from everyday photography.
3. Enjoy Bread and Butter
your daily. Things you love to do, things you smash all the time at the park and that get you super inspired. Revel in it, bathe in it! It will show in your attitude to the customer, it will appear in your last edit. If you’re a wedding photographer, you’ll have a long day shooting with people you’ve never met. It’s your chance to impress a lot of people you’ve never met! Not many people will ask what aperture you are using or the continuous shooting speed on your D850 body (I know there is always one). But really, someone will notice your personality, your charm, your wit, or whether you’re moody. You know what you’re doing with that camera, so enjoy it and it will affect the people around you, thereby laying a stronger foundation for future work requirements.
4. Let your preferences guide you
I am a food and lifestyle photographer because I love food, cooking and culinary culture. I love fine dining, sourdough baking, fresh pasta rolls, sourdough, stinky cheese, Italian food, slicing onions with a sharp knife, medium rare steaks, Italian food and wine! Oh, how I love wine. Especially Italian wines.
My love for food and drink drives my photography, but not necessarily the other way around. Having this distinct passion is important because, as we all know, when your hobby becomes your job, it’s not always peach and creamy with butterfly kisses. On days when the camera is in my pocket, I can still go into the kitchen and cook for no one but myself for the sheer joy of it. The beauty of this is that the camera is sure to come back later so I can capture it all. It can be geared towards portfolio work or uploaded to stock websites. It may never see the light of day. Either way, it’s something I can control and shouldn’t have any effect on my professional life. It keeps photography fun and inspiring on a personal level.
5. Be curious!
If you’ve seen images from a new ad campaign or in a YouTube video that impressed you, check them out! Try different lighting techniques or ways of distorting the camera’s perspective. Go out and shoot the street for an afternoon! Try not to get too bogged down in analysis. Yes, consistency and creating your own style are important in the professional world, but that doesn’t mean you can’t simply enjoy using your camera and keep things cool. new.
Time takes its toll on each of us. It will age us, change us, and force us to change our lives as the world around us (and perhaps more importantly in this piece, the world of culture) changes. You’ll have to roll with those punches to make a living with lens-based media, but remember don’t idealize a distant future where Mount Pro’s golden peak is inevitable and everything else is. downhill. It doesn’t work like that, speaking like a pro.
