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!
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Instructions
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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.
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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.
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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.
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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.
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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.
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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!
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Offer discounts for customer referrals--another great way to gain more customers as you turn your photography hobby into a career.
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Find a printing shop you want to use as your photo developer. Get prices.
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Create your own pricelist, based on your costs, so that you make a profit.
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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!
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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.
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