How to Become a Video Photographer
A career as a videographer is both exciting and rewarding. The challenge is deciding what type of photography most interests you and is best suited to your personality and skills. After you've settled on that, you need to find ways to stand out in this competitive environment.
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Things You'll Need
- Vocational training or internship
- Access to a video camera
- Demo reel, resume tape or online resume featuring work
Instructions
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Obtain training on the ABC's of shooting. There are many avenues to learn how to shoot well and in an artistic manner that will help you stand out from the crowd. If you aren't lucky enough to know someone who can teach you the technology and technique, enroll in video photography classes. There are many avenues to pursue, from a four-year degree program to shorter, two-year programs and workshops.
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Hone your craft with an internship. No matter where you went to school (or how much you spent on that degree!) what really matters is that you grasp the everyday professional demands of videography. To do that, you must obtain an internship or apprenticeship. An internship at a local news station, for example, will teach you how to think out of the box and on your feet, by shooting both quickly and in high pressure situations.
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Identify what type of shooting you are most interested in and what best matches your lifestyle, personality and skills. If you are not well-suited for the demands of the television news industry, explore wedding photography or corporate photography for hospitals or other marketing departments. To do so, you'll need to develop a demo reel.
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Create a demo reel or resume tape. Collect your body of work and keep it in a safe place. Think of your previous work as your meal ticket. This collection of work is the foremost way you will be able to land a job in the future. Your GPA or alma mater pales in comparison to the body of work you provide on your tape. Only place your strongest work on this tape, and use an objective source to determine what are your strongest pieces.
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Post your work online. Create your own personal Web site. Add your most novel and solid stories, raw video and audio. Also, create a separate section listing your credentials, references and a short bio. Personality counts, but don't try anything too gimmicky or it will turn off a potential employer.
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