Question for [professional] photographers

[imported_Stew]

What advice would you give to someone who is currently thinking of pursuing photography as a career?

Do you think it's possible to get a good job, etc.

Thanks,
Stew

 

[DurocShark]

Learn how to do weddings.

 

[TimMyMac]

Originally posted by: DurocShark
Learn how to do weddings.

I'm not pro but that's the first thing that came to my mind


wedding pics get expensive!

 

[mugs]

Be good at it.

A lot of people like a photojournalistic style for wedding photographs, but some photographers are set in their ways and do mostly posed pictures and not a lot of candids.

Originally posted by: TimMyMac

Originally posted by: DurocShark
Learn how to do weddings.

I'm not pro but that's the first thing that came to my mind


wedding pics get expensive!

Hell yeah, we paid $3000 just to have the guy show up, take pictures and give us a box of un-retouched proofs. But the guy was really good.

 

[40Hands]

Have a lot of money to start out with and hope you get lucky.

 

[DurocShark]

Weddings are the bread and butter of most photographers. Unless you have seriously amazing talent that is proven in your work, National Geographic isn't going to be calling you. But if you're making some $$ on the weddings, then you can devote more time and resources to doing whatever kind of photography you enjoy.

 

[nakedfrog]

Yeah, both of the aspiring pros I know do weddings.

 

[foghorn67]

Weddings are very lucrative. But really hard in so many ways.
First, you have to be a good event shooter, for the ceremony, reception, etc.
Second, you have to be good at portraits. They are going to want formal portraits done.
You have to be as handy in off camera studio flashes as you are with on camera flashes.
A lot of the higher end weddings have the bride dress up in the wedding gown in a studio enviroment.

You need to be a savvy business man(women). You need to sell your product, justify the cost.
You also need to know about liability and contracts, billing and invoicing people.
You also have to know the digital workflow, and how much time it takes in front the computer
You can probably get good enough to do 1500 dollars a wedding if you study it for a while and get some practice. And that can be a good supplemental income. Something simple, like one album, and the rest on a DVD.

There are other ways, portraits, fashion photography. Work for an agency as a PJ, or sports photographer. A killer portfolio and/or degree would be needed.
Stock photography might be okay.
Got an eye for art? Make some high quality images and frames, apply for art shows in town. Sell for profit.
my one cent.

 

[fuzzybabybunny]

Be good at people photography. Landscape, nature, and animal photography go nowhere unless you're a great businessman and know how to market yourself, or you are simply god at your craft.

 

[imported_Stew]

Thanks for your comments so far guys. If I do pursue this career, I will be going to college to study it so I will get plenty of practice before I get into the 'biz.

 

[imported_Stew]

bump