How to Turn Hobby Photography Into a Career

If you spend a lot of time taking pictures, you might consider making a career of it. What can be better than doing something you love and getting paid for it? Follow these suggestions to turn that hobby into a job where you get to be the boss!

Instructions

Difficulty: Challenging

1. Start a portfolio. Gather your most impressive prints (or copies of them) and put them in a professional-looking binder. If you don't have prints to put in your portfolio yet, you soon will. You're on your way to turning that photography hobby into a great career.
2. Buy fabrics at your local fabric shop or department store. Choose a variety of styles so that your subjects can have a range of options for backgrounds.
3. Look on online auction sites or at local thrift stores for used, working camera equipment. You'll need a stand to hang your background fabrics. You'll need a tripod and a professional-quality camera with flash. Digital cameras will work best. Also, don't forget a lamp that allows you to project the light in the direction of your choice.
4. Take advantage of local settings. If you live near the beach, you can take wonderful family photos there. A nearby gazebo may serve for the perfect wedding shot or graduation photo. It's time to take your photography hobby to the next level.
5. Snap pictures! Take pictures of your family and friends, your kids, your neighbor's kids, your dogs. Develop them as 5x7's or 8x10's to add to your portfolio--only one photo per page. Your photography career is dependent upon getting customers, so make sure your best work is displayed.
6. Send out flyers, to your neighbors, co-workers, and others asking for volunteer subjects. Offer a free 8x10 for sitting for you. You may even offer other photos at a discount to these first official customers of yours. This is your way to gain a client list and get the word out about your services. This isn't just your hobby anymore. You're getting serious!
7. Offer discounts for customer referrals--another great way to gain more customers as you turn your photography hobby into a career.
8. Find a printing shop you want to use as your photo developer. Get prices.
9. Create your own pricelist, based on your costs, so that you make a profit.
10. Advertise. Send out flyers to your neighbors, post flyers in the post office, take out an ad in the newspaper, and make a website. Be creative. Use whatever means necessary to get the word out. Pretty soon you'll be booked months in advance in your new career as a photographer!
11. Get a business license if customers will ever be coming to your home (or if you rent an office space) for photos. If you only venture out for assignments, you won't need a license.