How to Become a Freelance Photographer

Anybody with a love of photography can tap into the market thanks to today's better and cheaper cameras. Since freelancing can be started as a side job, this may be the perfect choice for somebody who wants to earn additional income without quitting his job.

Things You'll Need

• Portfolio
• State-of-the-art camera
• Business cards

Instructions

Set Up a Photography Business

1. Learn the craft well. Take photography classes through community colleges, adult-education centers or long-distance schools. While traditional photography is still widely used, a new freelance photographer may do better using a digital camera, since this allows for experimentation without having to spend a lot of money developing photos.

2. Buy the best camera you can afford. Digital cameras are better for a beginner, as they allow you to practice and experiment with effects. The newer digital cameras offer the same definition as traditional cameras do. They also allow for digital manipulation through programs like PhotoShop and Paint.

3. Start by offering your services to family and friends, so you can gain experience. This is especially important if you want to focus on freelance event photography and practice shooting in different settings, from weddings to birthday parties. Even shooting for free can prove useful in the beginning, when you don't have a portfolio to help you land paying clients.

4. Build a portfolio to help you land better-paying assignments. This is essential if you want to become a photographer for magazines or agencies. In most cases, being able to showcase examples of past work can become an essential tool for landing new assignments.

5. Price your services accordingly. Search around to see what others are charging in your area and what services they offer. A freelance photographer, in a large city, should be able to charge more, but may also have more competition. Consider pricing not only for photography, but also for additional services, such as digital retouching, still portraits and special effects.

Tips & Warnings

• Advertise in school papers, on bulletin boards and with business cards to start expanding your business beyond friends and family.

• If you feel that you need help beginning your career as a freelancer, think about finding a mentor. A successful freelance photographer may be able to offer you invaluable guidance, helping you to make the right moves and avoid common freelancing pitfalls.