Featured:
Allergies
Grilling Guide
eHow Now Blog

How to Be a Beginning Photographer

Professional photographers provide expert-quality photos to clients based on precise specifications. Such photographers have the technical expertise -- natural or learned -- to produce photographs in various locations. Some photographers specialize in niche markets -- such as wedding, news or commercial photography -- and other are generalists who produce photographs representing a broad spectrum of subject matter. With rare exceptions, most photographers work on a freelance basis and must establish client lists to earn income.

Things You'll Need

  • Digital cameras
  • Lens
  • Tripod
  • Portfolio book
Show More

Instructions

    • 1

      Enroll in a college-level photography class to sharpen your technical skills. You can find such classes at two-year and four-year colleges. Photography classes offer instruction in basic and advance lighting, composition and image manipulation. You also learn how to use lenses and filters to achieve photo effects. Taking photography classes exposes you to new and innovative equipment that you may not know about as an aspiring photographer. If you find such courses useful, you can complete an associate, bachelor's or master's degree, depending on your level of interest and finances.

    • 2

      Create a photography portfolio. Online portfolios allow you to upload your best photographs and send links to prospective clients. Because most photography is generated in a digital format, you can download images onto your computer, add touches using photography retouching software and upload images to the portfolio. You should also have your best photos printed by a photo-imaging company to include in a photography portfolio book, which you can take on in-person presentations.

    • 3

      Create a website using a free blogging platform. Add images, your biography and contact information on the website. To attract interest, fill the blog with photography articles in your area of interest or expertise, which you can write yourself or purchase from a freelance writer. Purchasing a domain name makes your web presence appear more professional, and you can purchase one from the blogging platform for less than $30 per year at the time of publication.

    • 4

      Apply for a tax identification number on the Internal Revenue Service website. A tax ID allows you to open separate banking and credit accounts for your photography business, which could help you with organization when preparing your tax return. You should also contact your local government to find out if you need any other licenses to operate your business locally in your community.

    • 5

      Open an account on a stock photography website. Stock photography websites allow photographers to upload images for sale. Companies that purchase stock photography include media outlets, bloggers, advertising agencies and retailers. Some stock photography websites allow photographers to open accounts and upload images regardless of skill level, and others require a portfolio review before granting website privileges.

    • 6

      Market your business locally and online. Design business cards and brochures using desktop publishing software and have your marketing collateral printed at a print shop. Join your local chamber of commerce, an opportunity that allows you to exchange business cards and brochures at business networking functions and in their places of business. You also should open social networking accounts to connect with your local business contacts, and your network will expand exponentially in an online environment. Volunteer your photography services to nonprofit organizations to make your service known among local community leaders. You also should plan to attend trade shows in your area of expertise, such as wedding expos, if wedding photography is your specialty.

Tips & Warnings

  • Join photographer professional associations to network with other freelance photographers to access the latest photography news and continuing-education opportunities and to list your service in their databases.

Suggest item

Related Searches:

References

Comments

Related Ads

thumbnail
Featured