How to become a famous photographer in your city. Three common misconceptions and six life tips. Is it possible to build a business in this area

Photos help to keep in memory the most wonderful moments in a person's life - a wedding, the appearance of a new family member, first grade, graduation and just happy events. Today's advanced technologies allow you to take colorful and high-quality pictures that freeze the moment exactly when it was beautiful. All people want to have in the archive nice photos illuminating their lives. That is why the profession of a photographer is currently so popular and in demand. We will discuss how to become a photographer from scratch, without any initial knowledge or experience.

Pros and cons of being a photographer

The work of a photographer, like any other, has its advantages and disadvantages. The pluses include the following points:

Independent choice of graphic - a photographer can work both as a freelance artist, that is, his own master, and as a staff member of any organization. As a rule, to get formal employment in good company, you need to gain experience and build a reputation for yourself.
The ability to be creative - photography allows you to embody a huge number of interesting ideas, which means that a person who loves art, such work will bring joy and help to be realized.
High income - popular instant artists "with a name" have a fairly high income, since the demand for their services is constantly growing today.
Variety of fields of activity - you can work in completely different directions: fashion, journalism, food photography, advertising, the wedding industry, photo shoots of ordinary people, etc.

Important: Usually, the main advantages of working as a photographer are considered to be a free schedule and the prospect of transferring a pleasant hobby into a permanent and official activity, which is not only pleasant, but also highly paid.

Some believe that in the life of a successful photographer there are only continuous joys - shooting interesting events, embodying creative ideas, self-realization, etc., but not everything is as cloudless as it seems at first glance, because any medal has a downside. Cons of the profession:

A large amount of routine - the monotonous work of processing often the same type of photographs takes up the lion's share of the time in the work of a photographer.
High cost of equipment - high-quality images cannot be taken without the appropriate equipment, the price of which is amazing. It is also worth considering that one camera is not enough - you need lenses different characteristics, flashes, lights, etc.
Competition - today almost every man in the street wants to become the owner high-quality photos, which leads to the emergence of a huge number of photographers for every taste and budget. Of course, the struggle for customers is not a joke, and you need to be prepared for the fact that it becomes more and more difficult to stand out from the crowd and surprise the consumer of services.
Absence social guarantees- if a person works for himself, then in case of illness, no one will pay him a sick leave or vacation. That is, you will have to take into account such moments and save money "for a rainy day."
Employment on holidays and weekends - usually the main peak of orders falls on the red days of the calendar, that is, the rhythm of a photographer's life is significantly different from the standard and generally accepted one, when people go to work on weekdays and rest on weekends. Difficulties arise here - how to spend time with your family and loved ones?

Often the work of a photographer is perceived as a kind of holiday - people capture the beautiful and give their customers wonderful and vivid pictures, but the laborious process of obtaining them remains behind the scenes. If you are not ready to run for hours after models, wanting to catch the best angle, but you have a fantasy, then you can try to become a successful blogger - you will be able to express yourself creatively, and there is much less routine.

Qualities of a professional photographer

In any work, vocation and individual characteristics are important, helping to get used to and develop in the chosen profession. A photographer constantly interacts with people, therefore, in addition to professional skills, he must also have a number of personal qualities:

Fantasy - A photographer is an artist of sorts, which means he needs a creative streak and a rich imagination to generate unique and exciting ideas embodied in pictures, which will help to stand out in a competitive environment and attract customers.
Responsibility - notoriety runs ahead of a person: if a moment-maker has failed his customers a couple of times, then there will be a fat stain on his reputation. When inviting to shoot, clients want to see a punctual and serious professional who can be trusted, since no one wants to suddenly stay at a long-awaited wedding without a photographer, because he, for example, drank the day before too much and overslept corny.
Knowledge of psychology - when working with models, it is important to be able to find an approach to people, to win them over, to show the facets of their personality with the help of photography.
Sociability - you will have to communicate a lot with customers, so the photographer will also benefit from goodwill, tact and diplomatic skills.
Quick reaction - smiles are fleeting and every moment is unique, therefore, you need to be aware of this and be ready to catch the elusive and quickly capture the instant. Photographers see beauty in everyday things and can show it to others through pictures.

Of course, all of the above is important, but the main thing that makes a real photographer out of a camera owner is inner fire, the ability to find exciting miracles in everyday life. French momentist Bruno Barbet said that "photography is the only language that can be understood anywhere in the world." Of course, it's intuitively clear - good pictures do not need comments and explanations, like good jokes, for example. Therefore, the photographer should have a desire to tell the world something, to show a different point of view, a different reality.

How to become a photographer from scratch?

Creative people striving to change their field of activity often wonder - is it possible to become a professional photographer from scratch without having a special education? You can, and it doesn't matter - how old you are, where you studied and worked before. However, you will have to make an effort - to acquire theoretical and practical knowledge, as well as gain experience. First, you need to decide which direction in photography is closest to you. The following types can be distinguished:

Family photo sessions;
Portraits;
Weddings;
Love story;
Children's photography;
Corporate parties, various events;
Commercial photography (advertising, catalogs, magazines, food photography, etc.)

Analyze - what is popular in your city or region now? What photographers are missing, although there is a demand for them? Depending on the area chosen, you will need different knowledge and different techniques. Let's take a closer look at what steps are ahead of you on the way to mastering the profession of a photographer.

Learn the basics of theory

The fundamentals of the theory will have to be studied regardless of the direction of activity. There are three main parameters that a photographer can control that affect the final result:

Exposure - the time during which the light hits the camera matrix.
Aperture - allows you to control the diameter of the light rays passing through the lens aperture.
ISO - determines the sensitivity of the matrix.

To form a general idea, these three concepts can be compared to a glass and a bottle of wine. So, ISO determines the size of the glass: the higher it is, the smaller the volume of the glass. Excerpt is the time during which the glass is filled with wine. Diaphragm - the diameter of the bottle neck, wine is poured through it. The goal of the photographer is to select the parameters in such a way that the glass is exactly full, and not overflowed or refilled.

In order to get a good understanding of the main points, you need to familiarize yourself with special literature or enroll in courses. You can also watch tutorial videos on YouTube.

Important: sometimes it seems easy to dispense with theory if practice replaces it. Of course, experience is very important, but basic knowledge is necessary, otherwise it will take you too long to learn how to understand why some shots are blurry and others are clear and detailed. Without knowing the basics of composition, it is difficult to position the model correctly or arrange objects harmoniously in the frame. Without knowing what light is and how to work with it, you simply cannot correctly position an object in relation to the light source.

Learn to process photos

Photo processing is usually time consuming. Some people think that it is enough to buy an expensive and high-quality camera, corresponding lenses, and then there will be no need for processing. After all, the shot must be alive and real! However, this is not quite true. Editing an image doesn't kill the life in it, it adds it and enhances the beauty. Even the most beautiful photos, ideal at first glance, need processing: for example, you made a portrait, which means that you need to retouch the skin - remove defects, draw outlines, even out the tone, etc.

Important: what tools do modern photographers use? Most people prefer Photoshop. Initial processing such as adjusting color, exposure, contrast, light temperature, and more is usually done in Lightroom. In fact, there are a lot of programs, the above ones are paid, but you can use the free trial version, calculated for 30 days. This will help you assess whether the software for you.

Gain hands-on experience

Everyone understands that experience comes with time, but you should take pictures constantly. To get practical skills, you can go in several ways:

Take pictures of everything you see - for example, acquaintances, friends, relatives, animals, nature, architecture. Plots for photos are easy to find at every corner, you just have to look closely and connect your imagination. Product shots are easy to prepare at home - experiment with food, books, vases, etc.
Take training at a photography school - as a rule, there are organized practical lessons, on which newbies take pictures of incoming models in any locations.
Follow the cultural life of your city and region - often professional photographers arrange thematic master classes or workshops for those who wish. The plus is that your actions are coordinated by a specialist. Also, convenience lies in the absence of the need to think over an idea, select models, a place for shooting and its style - this will be done by the organizer.
Offer your services to an aspiring photographer, for example in in social networks- at this stage it is better to use the TFP agreement: you shoot the model for free, and she signs the "model release", thereby transferring the rights to use the taken frames to you.
Take pictures of social events - nowadays, any event is covered on the Internet: usually special meetings are created on social networks, where photos are then published. So you can get not only practical experience, but along the way, you will start to create a name for yourself - people will see your photos and, perhaps, they will like them.

How can a photographer earn money?

If a person dreams of becoming a photographer and starting to make money, then it is worth thinking about how to draw up a business plan to organize his activities. Photography today is in demand in many areas, so it is important to decide on a specialization. Let's discuss the different options that allow the instant list to get income.

Private photo sessions

Many modern photographers make money on private photo sessions. What it is? These are shooting, as a rule, of absolutely ordinary people. Now it is fashionable to have photographs from all significant events - be it a wedding or a child's birthday. Most of the web users like to change the main photos on their pages exactly in accordance with the season: in the summer you want to be somewhere in the fields or at sea, showing the public that unity with nature took place, and in winter ... who does not seek to get colorful photos on background of an elegant Christmas tree and a burning garland? Therefore, private photo sessions are currently gaining immense popularity. Consider in what places you can conduct them:

On the street - in the forest, on the embankment, in the square, etc. There are a lot of options, as in every city there are beautiful and picturesque locations. You can choose a subject for shooting, prepare decorations and pick up accessories. For example, a photo session in the style of "Aviator" or "Russian winter". For the latter, it is quite easy to find everything you need - old sledges, felt boots, Pavloposad shawls, earflaps, samovars with dryers, etc.
In a photo studio - a great option for newbies, as it is easier to shoot in the studio than on the street. Why? There are interiors or backgrounds that you can learn to work with in advance. However, it should be borne in mind that studio lighting requires special knowledge.
At home, in a cafe, in a hotel, etc. - a home environment or a nice cozy cafe is quite suitable for a photo shoot. But there is one caveat here - small premises limit even a good photographer - you will have to get a lens that allows you to shoot at a small focal length. It will also be necessary to resolve the issue with the light - either use a flash, or carry special lamps with you.

Earnings on photobanks

Photobanks are specialized resources on the Internet where photographers can try to sell their photographs. Who buys them and why? Everyone understands that the photographs belong to the author and you can't just take someone else's work and, for example, put it in a magazine as an illustration for an article. Or a photo is needed for advertising, filling the site and similar purposes. Where to get a good and appropriate shot? Of course, you can take a picture, but sometimes it is easier and cheaper to buy a ready-made picture. This is what photobanks are for.

Important: to really make money on the sale of your works through photobanks, at first you will have to devote quite a lot of time to this. You will need an individual and colorful portfolio.

One photo can be sold several times, so it is important to catch fashion trends well and understand what is popular. The most popular topics now include the following:

People;
Cars;
Business area;
The medicine;
Various items;
Tourist attractions;
Sport;
Nature.

Just think about what kind of photos you often see in the media - they write about retirees, which means you need their pictures. Many sites and magazines, target audience which are mothers with children, we need pictures of babies. For business, personnel with documents, portfolios, graphs, etc. are suitable. And the list is endless ... you just have to pay attention to what you observe every day.

It should be borne in mind that usually photographs are taken for photobanks on purpose, since they must have a number of characteristics: high quality, the absence of logos and brands in the frame, conciseness and clarity of thought.

There are a lot of photo stocks and the Network, but if you want to quickly start making profits, it is best to register on the most popular ones:

Shutterstock;
Istockphoto;
Fotolia.

Important: When uploading photos, it is very important to think carefully about key phrases and words, since they are used to search for images by buyers.

Work for various institutions

A photographer can also work as a full-time employee of any organization. If you are attracted to stability, then you should consider what suitable institutions are in your city. Visit them with a pre-prepared, versatile portfolio. You can pay attention to:

Advertising agencies;
Editorial offices of newspapers and magazines;
Entertaining establishments.

Many photographers collaborate with the Geometry project, filming, for example, events and various concerts. Schools, kindergartens, universities also usually need the services of a photographer, but the work is most often carried out under a contract. Restaurants, hotels, recreation centers, as a rule, update both the interior and the menu, therefore, they will need photo sessions that will favorably highlight the innovations. It is important for online stores to photograph beautifully the goods being sold, therefore, for this purpose, a photographer is also often specially invited. Thus, the scope for activity is quite large, if you do not sit back and gain both experience and a client base, as well as a reputation.

Questions from newbies

Eager to master new profession, any person is faced with a number of questions. We will answer the most common ones.

How much do photographers earn?

There is no definite answer to this question, since earnings depend on many factors - the region of residence, the level of competition, the experience of the photographer and the direction of his activity. Beginner instant writers, as a rule, work for a set at first. customer base and replenishment of the portfolio, not pursuing the goal of earning as much as possible more money... Usually, by region, the lower price limit for the services of a beginner photographer is 1000 rubles per hour of work (studio rental, if necessary, is paid separately). Most often, when pricing, novice photographers are guided by a dumping policy, as this allows them to join the competitive environment. It is important to be able to find a common language with customers and to feel what people want to get from the shooting. Then you will be advised to friends and acquaintances. Photographers with a name and experience often organize various thematic photography projects, where clients are offered decorations and sometimes even outfits. Such photo shoots cost from 4000 rubles per hour of shooting. As a result, the customer receives about 15-20 processed images. The photographer bears additional costs for studio rent, set creation, etc. It turns out that the average photographer's income depends on his professional skills, as well as on the number of clients who turn to him for services.

Where to get training in photography?

It's never too late to learn, and in the case of photography, it's a must. If you want to get trained, you can consider the following options:

Self-education - reading books and articles, watching educational videos on YouTube. Most famous photographers have master classes on various topics, and there are both paid lessons and free ones. Some professionals provide consulting services using Skype.
Photo school - involves paid classes of both theoretical and practical nature. Usually a course in a photography school is designed for 1-3 months and costs an average of 15,000 rubles. If you are going to take courses, then first you should find out the reviews about them: do the people who teach the classes have professional experience, what are the results of the graduates, to whom the course materials are focused (on wedding photographers, children's, etc.).
Higher education- teaching photography at the university. The most difficult and time-consuming path, but it will allow you to learn all the subtleties and get a variety of skills. The cons are a long period study and its high price.
An internship is a device as an assistant to any professional photographer. An excellent option for those who want to acquire practical knowledge. Experience is the main teacher, so if you come across a competent mentor, you will quickly get used to the profession.

What equipment does a photographer need?

Of course, a professional photographer cannot do with one camera - the amount of equipment required is amazing. However, you can start small:

Camera. Here options are possible - mirror or mirrorless. It is cheaper to buy a high-quality DSLR, as professional mirrorless cameras are very expensive (about 100 thousand rubles), and lenses for them often exceed the cost of a carcass. Also, when choosing a camera, it is important to decide which one you want - full frame or not (crop). The price of a full frame is higher, as are the lenses for it. Its advantage is better image quality in low light conditions, which is achieved due to less matrix noise and higher sensitivity.
Lenses. As a rule, one is not enough. Lenses are usually selected depending on the working conditions. For example, if you plan to engage in reportage photography (weddings, corporate parties), then it is better to pay attention to zoom lenses, which are characterized by the fact that they allow you to change focal length... If you are the owner full frame camera, then it makes sense to choose a lens with a focal length of 70-200 mm, 24-70 mm will suit the crop. Studio photography or portraits will work better with a prime lens. For a portrait photo shoot on full frame you need 85 or 135 mm lenses for crop a good choice- 50-85 mm.
External flash.
Tripod.

This is the basic minimum, but in the process of work, many photographers tend to expand the composition of their equipment - they want to have their own light, several flashes, reflectors, umbrellas, backgrounds, lighting stands, etc.

Is it possible to become a photographer from scratch on your own?

For a creative person, nothing is impossible, which means that you need to move towards your goal. Above, the stages that need to be passed were discussed in detail. Sure, necessary equipment is quite expensive, which means that it will take significant financial investments to become a photographer. If you do not have the funds, then you can think about how to get money for the business? Consider different options - borrow from friends, register as an entrepreneur and get a loan for an individual entrepreneur without collateral and guarantors. In the case of official registration of activities, one must remember about the obligations - it is quite easy to find out the tax debt using the Internet.

The profession of a photographer is usually classified as a creative one. There are people who were born with the gift of taking good pictures. But still, in order to professionally engage in photography, you need to improve your skills and practice. And stubborn statistics claim that only 10% of people who learn this craft become true masters of their craft. The disadvantages of the profession include the need to work with human emotions, which is psychologically difficult. And the advantages of being able to take good pictures are relative freedom of action and the ability to make good money. The good income of many successful photographers raises the question: "How to become a photographer and start making money?" To begin with, you need to understand that a professional, as a rule, takes pictures of artistic value, for which he receives a solid reward.

Features of the activity and the demand for the profession

The photographer's job is not only about pressing the corresponding button on the camera. In order to conduct a photo session, you need to think over the plot, choose a venue, take care of the props, coordinate all this with the customer, invite a make-up artist and costume designer. During the shooting, the photographer guides the model, gives instructions on which pose to take and which emotion to show. After the shooting, it is necessary to process the images. This is a creative process. How to Become a Successful Photographer? - you need to have a delicate taste and a sense of proportion, so that the output is beautiful, but real images.

Professional photographers should be good organizers, psychologists, professionals in working with programs for processing images. How to become a famous photographer? - entrust the advertising of your services and the search for clients to specialists.

Today, no event is complete without an imaging professional. Therefore, by looking for an answer to the question: "How to become a photographer from scratch?" a lot of people are involved. Weddings, anniversaries, graduations, corporate events - must be captured on high-quality photographs. Since such events are held regularly, the demand for the profession is beyond doubt. In addition, studio photo sessions, both for one person and family, have gained unprecedented popularity. Special mention should be made of the photography masters who specialize in photographing young children, pregnant women and pets. There are also specialists who perfectly convey the beauty of nature or features different countries and cities through pictures. There are a lot of trends in the art of photography. If you want to become a professional photographer, you should try yourself in several directions, and only then choose the one in which the pictures are unsurpassed.

What kind of education is needed?

When thinking about how to become a photographer and where to start, you first need to pay attention to specialized education. Higher education in the specialty can be obtained at the Institute of Film and Television or at universities that have journalism departments.

Today there is an opportunity to attend photography courses and get basic theoretical and practical knowledge.

Of course, education is what it takes to become a professional photographer. But, firstly, this is by no means a free pleasure, and secondly, it is necessary to spend a lot of time attending classes, which is not very convenient.

How to become a photographer yourself from scratch? - you can skip getting a special education and take pictures, hone your skills and create a portfolio. This path is more difficult, but more interesting. As short instructions how to become a photographer yourself from scratch, you can give the following tips:

Study books, audio and video tutorials on your own;
Take a lot of pictures and practice processing them;
Find an experienced mentor to point out mistakes and fill knowledge gaps.

What qualities and skills should a professional photographer have?

As with any other profession, photographers must have a set of certain qualities and skills. Before talking about how to become a good photographer, you should understand whether you have creative fantasy, the ability to find good angles, are you patient enough to go through all the stages of creating good shots over and over again.

The theoretical foundations of the shooting process, the peculiarities of the work of modern photographic equipment, software for image processing, human psychology - this is what you need to know to become a photographer.

If you take great pictures, but you can't get along with clients, it will be very difficult for you. The people you are filming must feel comfortable in your presence, otherwise they will look tense in the pictures. In addition, if you want to become a professional photographer and are wondering where to start preparing, it is to cultivate punctuality and responsibility in yourself.

Where can you work?

Working in the staff of photo studios, advertising or modeling agencies, media, galleries, museums, publishing houses is what a photographer can earn on. Of course, such employees have to adhere to the work schedule, the size of their salary is fixed, and they shoot only what they say. But such work for some time will solve the question: "How to start making money for a beginner photographer?"

After you get some experience, create good portfolio, it will be possible to go to free bread. If during your internship it becomes clear that you are the best at taking pictures of people, start capturing them at various events. You should also think about how to become a famous photographer in your city, that is, about advertising your services.

If you have a talent for capturing the beauties of nature or you just don't want to shoot endless holidays, start figuring out how to make money on photo banks. Selling your images online requires investment in quality photographic equipment and a lot of effort to create competitive products. However, one picture can be sold an unlimited number of times. True, the sale takes place on Western resources, which implies minimal knowledge of English language... The most popular categories of images on photo banks are: people, business, health and sports, as well as subject photography.

How much can you earn from a photo bank? The answer to this question depends on how much you are willing to work on images for sale. According to statistics, each position from the portfolio brings in from 0.2 to 1 dollar per month. If the portfolio contains about 1000 images, then the estimated monthly income will be from 300 to 1000 dollars.

How much can you earn?

Along with the question of the demand for the profession of a photo artist, the question: "How much does a photographer earn in Russia?" The salary of a full-time master of photography starts at 25,000 rubles. per month, and there is no upper limit. For example, some people manage to get 100,000 rubles over the weekend. It is about skill, reputation and promotion.

If you figure out how much photographers earn by the hour, then the price can vary greatly depending on the region of the country. For example, a day of shooting in small cities far from Moscow can cost 4000 rubles, but about hourly pay don't even speak. While in the capital, an hour of shooting costs about 5,000 rubles. How much does a photographer in Moscow earn for one day of wedding photography? - 40,000 rubles, while in remote corners of the country the price does not exceed 10,000 rubles.

How much does a photographer earn per month, for example, in the USA? - from $ 5,000. Such a large gap in incomes of people of the same profession is due to a completely different standard of living in the States. If you decide to go to work in other countries, be careful. The legislation of some countries is not very favorable to amateur photographers, calling their activities "tax-free and expensive" can run into a serious fine and be subject to deportation.

How to make money for a novice photographer? - realistically assess the level of your skills and actively offer your services to build a customer base. Although, it is not necessary to work very cheaply. If you are unsure of yourself, it is better not to take pictures of important events, such as weddings. If you fail, you will ruin not only the wedding, but also your own reputation.

Advantages and disadvantages of the profession

The obvious advantages of the profession of a photographic artist include:

Possibility to choose a field of activity (portrait, wedding, product photography, etc.);
Flexible working hours;
The opportunity to realize yourself in a creative approach to work;
The opportunity to make good money.

The profession is not devoid of disadvantages, among them:

Routine work (shooting planning, image processing);
The need to constantly look for an approach to people;
Stress;
Work in adverse weather conditions;
High cost of equipment;
Tough competition.

Given the specifics of the profession, the answer to the question: "Is it possible to become a photographer with poor eyesight, problems with the musculoskeletal system or low stress resistance?" will be "no". Of course, any of us can be an amateur photographer, but not everyone will be able to professionally engage in this craft.

Is it possible to build a business in this area?

Sooner or later, every photographer thinks about starting his own business. For example, photography studios.

How can a photographer make money by starting a business? - Determine the direction of work, register entrepreneurial activity, rent a room and take care of advertising.

The studio can specialize in portrait photography, as well as in the creation of images of goods or on-site filming of various events.

The cost of creating a photo studio will amount to 300,000-400,000 rubles. Monthly profit can vary from RUB 50,000 to RUB 250,000. depending on the range and volume of services provided. Thus, opening your own business is the answer to the question: "How can a photographer make money by providing a variety of services?" But good masters will receive a high income even if they work without opening their own photo studio.

What separates a professional photographer from an amateur? The answer is very simple - getting a guaranteed result under any conditions.

How to become a professional photographer

How to become a photographer from scratch, on your own - the first steps begin with passion. Then comes the understanding that you are not satisfied with the quality, you feel that there is not enough knowledge and education, you are not satisfied with the received photos. You start looking for sources for education, inspiration, experience.

If you are told that it all depends on the disposition, this is not entirely true. To become a professional photographer you have to go through a difficult path of development. You will not see the fruits of your efforts right away either.

Where to begin

First, you must learn to analyze your own mistakes. View your photos with different moods, attitudes, try to learn to be impartial to your creations. If it becomes possible to repeat the picture, do it with maximum perfection.

Competitions and photo exhibitions.

I strongly discourage amateur photographers from participating in them for one simple reason - they manipulate you. You need to understand that the existing practice of holding such events is of commercial interest. Receive a fee from you for participating in the competition. Of course, the feeling of competition has a positive effect, but not in this case.

Practice in photography

Take pictures as much as possible. Without photography experience, you will not learn anything. Even if you get bad photos, it is good reason in order to draw the right conclusions and work out statistics on your mistakes and miscalculations. If you are interested in portrait photography, shoot people in any lighting conditions; on the street, in any interior, different types and images.

Use the opportunities and tools that are at your fingertips at the moment you press the shutter button. If the flash is in your bag, experiment with a pulsed light source, if the light is only from the window, this is a great opportunity to learn how to work with natural light. If you don't know where to get a model for a photo shoot, take pictures of friends and acquaintances. This way you will have your first portfolio.

How to declare yourself?

Once you've become a seasoned amateur photographer, it's time to make a name for yourself. What is the best way to do this? If done correctly, you need to create your own website. Facebook, classmates, vkontakte, instagram is not a site. You should have themed photo galleries. The viewer must understand in which area of photography you are positioning yourself; , architecture, landscapes or photography of products and things, for online stores.

What technique should you use?

You must understand that having an expensive camera will not make you a professional. Do not rush to spend your savings on top-end equipment. Assemble a simple but correct set of photographic equipment that will provide you with the most of your tasks.

A camera of the middle price segment
Flash is a must
Versatile zoom lens
Fast, inexpensive lens such as 50mm F-1.4

How to start earning

When you start getting the first royalties for your photos, treat yourself like a businessman, you should have a clear idea of the pricing principle of your services. Understanding the business approach is the key to successful commercial photography. Be sure to work under contracts. If you do not have your own, find a standard contract and remake it for your tasks, be sure to indicate in it the professional must have his own price list.

Prepare for failure.

You have to contact different customers. Some of them will be poorly versed in photography, you must be prepared for this. A situation is possible when the customer is dissatisfied with the result, what should be done in such a situation? First of all, you need to be objective.

Find out the reason for the dissatisfaction and eliminate the reason for the disagreement, find a compromise. It is possible that they just want to get a discount from you or lower the price. But there is also the opposite, positive side the situation. If you manage to come to an agreement with the customer, experience shows that he will become your regular customer.

What to do when there are no orders?

Many photographers are wasting their time. Walking and hanging out with friends is not conducive to professional growth. If there free time, it is better to spend it on self-development; visit museums, watch the best films, read books on fine arts... Many museums hold free seminars by artists, sculptors, art critics. Do, this is a great opportunity to improve your perception.

Free photography lessons for beginner amateur photographers from Mikhail Ushakov.

Many people who are interested in photography often have questions such as: "What camera to buy to do photography professionally?", "What courses to sign up for to become a pro?" etc.

However, none of these questions are fundamentally wrong!

With this article, we open a series in which we will talk about the realities that everyone who wants to become a professional photographer should be ready to face.

After reading all the articles in this series, you should be able to find several practical advice on how to become a professional photographer, taken not from books and seminars, but from real life... So, subscribe to our website updates and stay informed.

Ready? Then let's get started.

Do you want to shoot anything you want with a professional camera, anywhere and anytime? Do you enjoy traveling the world and would you like to do whenever you feel like it and feel comfortable?

If so, then the only way to do it is to work in the profession where you work now and take photos in your spare time.

If you want to do professional photography, then be prepared for the fact that:

you will make less money (at least until you get regular customers or don't make a name for yourself);
that you have to shoot boring things in crappy places - because you were hired for this particular shoot;
that you have to shoot the way the client wants, even if, in your opinion, this is absolute nonsense, etc.

Making good money in photography is not easy. And it is certainly more difficult than many imagine, in the understanding of which, you just have to buy reflex camera, offer your services as a photographer - and money will flow into your pocket. In addition, most often the work for which the photographer is paid the most money is the most boring and tedious. Do you think you can easily find an employer willing to hire you as a travel photographer? Think again.

Professional photography is very similar to golf, tennis or surfing. Golf is great, exciting and prestigious, but finding people willing to pay you to do it is almost impossible. Only one in hundreds of thousands makes the real big bucks surfing, tennis, photography or golf. Much more people make very good money on everything that is connected with this, selling not only material things, but also dreams. Take a look on the Internet and see how many different courses, techniques and textbooks on photography exist that promise to teach you how to make big bucks. This is the very same dream sale (in this case, dreams of good income for doing what they love), where people earn much more than in the photo itself.

An amateur is a person who has to work somewhere in order to be able to paint pictures. A professional is a person who has the ability to paint because he has a working wife. (Ben Shan)

One more example. We all know that there are very few actors receiving multimillion-dollar royalties. While there are thousands of actors making much less money in a year than a grossing movie actor in a single film. For example, the Screen Actors Guild's website even has advice on how an actor can make more money: "To increase your income, master another profession." Ask, what does photography have to do with it? And despite the fact that photographers earn even less than film actors.

A person who has spent time studying stage lighting, and then came to work in a cinema or theater, very quickly realizes that the work of a lighting technician is not so creative and interesting. And more money is earned not by the one who works with lighting equipment, but by the one who sells it.

And finally, answer this question: who earns more - an actor or an agent, who receives 10% of the royalties of each of the actors he represents? The answer is obvious.

So if you want to make big money in photography, then you probably shouldn't be thinking about photography.

Of course, you can succeed and become a super popular photographer, but that will largely depend on your self-promotion and luck.

So, when wondering how to become a professional photographer, you shouldn't ask yourself one more question: "How can I make enough money from this?"

Professional cameras and professional photography

Many people think that taking up professional photography will give them the green light to purchase a new "fancy" camera.

If you decide to take up photography just for the sake of making money on equipment that is absolutely unnecessary for your business, then this is a very bad idea.

More expensive and high-end cameras only make it easier for you to get results. They will not be able to magically make your photos significantly different from those that you took with the camera you already have.

Work in the field of photography

There are very few full-time jobs in photography. A full-time job can only be classified as working in a darkroom or as a photographer in the documentation department.

Also, there may be one photo editor slot in your local newspaper. All other photojournalists are likely to be freelancers. Large newspapers may have several photographers on their staff. Great - five jobs in a city of one million inhabitants! Most newspapers receive photos for their articles from people to whom they pay no more than a few thousand rubles for each photo. Newspaper jobs can be fun, but they can't be called high-paying jobs.

Why photography jobs are not well paid

Photography is not a profession. Anyone can call himself a professional photographer, because photography does not require any special license or even higher education!

Many people take pictures for fun, not money. Precisely because so many people take pictures for pleasure, ordinary people, looking at the work of photographers, think that you can always find someone who will make it cheaper.

Payment for work directly depends on the demand for a particular specialty and the availability of qualified specialists, in addition, if your work brings money to the employer, he will be more willing to pay you more.

There are tens of millions of photographers in the world. And photographs tend not to bring business big income... Therefore, in the world of photography, there is not much money that employers are willing to spend on paying for your work. In addition, when there are many photographers willing to work for little money, employers are tempted to lower their pay - there will always be someone who will agree to the terms they offer.

The photographer's main tool is his eyes. (Manuel Alvarez Bravo)

How to Become a Professional Photographer: Education

Photography is one of the areas where a self-taught person can feel like a fish in water. Any education for photography is a pure formality. Sure, it's nice to have some degree from a renowned photography school, but it's honestly not worth the time and money for your career.

If you have what you need for photography, you can master a particular skill much faster on your own. On the net you can find many, and, which will help you master the art of photography.

In other words, if you don’t have eyes, or you don’t know how to use them, no training course will teach you this.

What you really need to learn if you decide to pursue photography professionally is anything that will help you get started. own business in a very competitive market segment.

So, when thinking of embarking on the path of a professional photographer, think a few times before trusting the barkers of various photography schools (who are just trying to sell their product). Photography schools may have an extraordinary history, but they are primarily just the way their creator makes his living, and they do little to help your career.

Where should a woman photographer start to achieve her first successes?

The main thing is to take pictures. This should be done as often as possible. Reading books, articles and other self-education, of course, are important aspects, but without practice, theory will not make you a professional.

Don't rush to erase the failed frames. After all, what on the display of the camera does not look impressive enough can look amazing on print. After all, contrary to the opinions of ordinary people, the main thing in photography is the idea, and not the degree of image processing in the photo editor. Retouching is an art equal in importance to the ability to capture a moment in a photograph. And retouching cannot save a blank shot in the same way that a perfect shot is rarely complete without at least minimal processing.

It is necessary to become a photographer gradually. Examine the camera immediately. Then familiarize yourself with the basic concepts of the craft, such as retouching, shutter speed, ISO, focal length, and so on. And only then go “into the field”.

You can start photographing at home. Try still life photography. This is good practice to train a sense of composition. After all, photography is akin to painting canvases and requires the master to understand the compositional features and the ability to correctly distribute objects in the picture.

Having learned how to "write" still lifes, you can proceed to photographing people. Invite your girlfriends or friends to pose for you. But remember that the background is chosen by the photographer, not the model. Draw in your mind the subject you want to convey in the photograph, formulate your wishes for the model and start shooting. If the model's photos are pleasant, then this is a sure sign that you can succeed in your career as a photographer.

What a beginner can afford, but a professional photographer will never do

The following points should be learned by heart, because becoming a professional photographer means honoring the unspoken commandments of the profession.

The beginner photographs everything he sees, and the professional sees what he photographs.

Before pressing the button, make sure that you are taking a standing photo, and not something that you will erase from the camera's memory card in a minute.

A professional will never take a professional camera to a friendly party or to a club, unless, of course, he works as a photographer in a nightclub. - A career as a photographer is his life. A professional does not always take pictures for money, but often photographs taken for the soul professional photographers sold for a lot of money. - A professional knows that an expensive lens and photographic equipment are not important if there is talent and a sense of the frame.