Photographers take pictures. End of story? No way!
To be a professional photographer, you need to know a lot more than just
how to point and click. Knowing how to alter images in computer programs like
Photoshop can be an advantage. That way photographers can crop photos, create
special effects, change colors and more.
Many professional photographers also need business savvy. Some photographers
work for themselves, so they need to know how to manage their own small businesses.
Many work out of a studio, while others work on location, (for example, at
weddings). Others work in-house at companies.
A lot of people want to be photographers. It's a competitive field. And
these days, it's common for the average person to own a camera capable of
taking great photos. So, how does a professional photographer create a demand
for his or her services?
That's where business savvy comes in. Professional photographers must market
themselves in a professional manner that appeals to their audience. They should
keep on top of current trends and fashions. First and foremost, however, a
photographer's success comes down to the quality of their photos.
"Professional photographers have a unique job responsibility: capturing
a moment in time," says Cinnamon Draper. Draper is manager of member experience
at Professional Photographers of America, an international nonprofit association
for professional photographers.
"While everyone can create the memory and can share it with others as it's
happening, a professional photographer preserves it forever," she says. "And
as a professional photographer, you are paid to get it 'right' every time."
Digital photography has encouraged more people to jump into the field of
professional photography, says Maria Matthews. She is the copyright and government
affairs manager at Professional Photographers of America.
"Plus, the price points for many good cameras have made them very accessible,"
she says. "It's easy to get into the field. But too many think that it's just
a matter of having a 'nice' camera and don't realize all of the hard work
involved in the day-to-day operations of a studio."
Matthews has seen an increase in independently owned photography studios
during her time at Professional Photographers of America.
"In some markets, this has resulted in studios popping up overnight only
to close their doors just months after opening," she says. "So, keep in mind
that competition is fierce out there, and you'll need to be able to prove
why a customer should come to you rather than the other guy down the street...
and you don't want to compete on price. You want to create the desire in your
customers to want your pro photography."
There is a range of different specialties in photography. One of the most
common specialties is wedding photography.
Wedding photographers can also be general portrait photographers. They
may handle other special occasions as well, such as graduations or anniversaries.
Commercial photographers take on a wide variety of jobs in the commercial
realm -- most notably, in advertising. Their pictures appear on billboards,
in newspapers, in magazines, in corporate brochures, and anywhere else a picture
could pop up (like, for example, pop-up web ads)!
Photojournalism is another exciting way to work as a photographer. Photojournalists
take pictures at newsworthy events. They may cover political scandals, accidents,
community events or celebrity events. It's definitely a faster pace than being
a portrait photographer!
Some photographers specialize in place. For instance, aerial photographers
take pictures in the air. Underwater photographers take pictures under water.
Others specialize in a subject, such as sports photography.
The average work day for photographers depends on their specialty. Portrait
photographers, for instance, can work a fairly standard 40-hour work week
in a nice, quiet studio. Photojournalists, on the other hand, may have to
immerse themselves in the job 24/7 in unfamiliar terrain. Sometimes they find
themselves in dangerous situations, such as wartime areas or disaster zones.
Photographers should be prepared to do some lifting. Photojournalists,
in particular, need to carry cameras and equipment.