Professional Photography Blog

female photographer holding camera on blue backdrop

A love of photography can lead you many places, including a professional photography career or photography business. It happens all the time; but is this trajectory right for you, and if so, how can you maximize your chances for success?

The Evolution of the Photographer

Of course, it all starts with a genuine love of photography. As your love of the medium grows, you start carrying your camera everywhere you go, always ready to catch that one-in-a-million shot. You do all you can with your basic equipment, and then you start to buy more gear to help you achieve better results. Soon you’re going everywhere with your camera bag slung over your shoulder. Then, one day, you start asking yourself, “Maybe I should turn pro?”

If this sounds like you, you’re not alone. This is how many photographers make the transition from amateur to pro. For some, the love of photography begins when they were just a small child; they follow their dream through high school, college and beyond. However, an interest in photography can start at any age, and if all the planets are aligned in your favor, it could lead you to a successful photography business or professional photography career.

How Do I Know if it’s Time to Turn Pro?

Many photographers will tell you that it takes more than just talent and passion to be a successful photographer. These days, your competition is every person with a smartphone (that is, nearly everyone.) Barriers to entry and success in the field are higher now. People have become more technologically savvy with cameras and digital imaging than ever before. Stock photographs are inexpensive and readily available online. Everyone has the capability to take photos and use their computer to make them look pretty good. As a professional, being technologically proficient and having a good eye are only part of the winning formula.

The sad truth is that being in professional photography can take some (or a lot) of the fun out of it. Here are some of the realities of having a photography business:

You’ll likely have to do assignments that aren’t very interesting (or creatively challenging) to pay the bills
Actually shooting photos is usually no more than 20% of what you do (unless you can outsource other tasks)
Sales and marketing: there’s constant pressure to market yourself and find and maintain clients
Maintaining a website and social media accounts
Working with demanding, unreasonable or miserly clients
Costs of upgrading cameras, software and computers
Studio rental costs
Accounting, taxes, business license and insurance
Long hours at the computer
People won’t always like your work

If this list makes you squirm, it might be a sign you’re not ready to turn pro. If you find photography relaxing and it is your favorite creative outlet, perhaps it’s best NOT to turn pro. When you make photography a job, there’s always the risk it won’t be as enjoyable as it once was.

However, if you’re undaunted by these warnings, professional photography just might be in your ideal future. Moving from amateur to pro today is a bigger step than ever, but here are some specific steps you can take to help you increase your odds of doing well:

1. Plan for Success

Have a clear vision for your business and your photography .

2. Set Yourself Apart

What do you want to contribute to the photography world? Be unique and memorable. Actively build your brand and strive to stand out.

3. Have Good Business Sense

Learn from others or take a class if you have to. Also, have other income to live on while you build your photography business.

4. Practice!

Shoot every day, whether you have clients or not, and shoot a lot. Be accurate and efficient; hone your craft in each shot. While digital photography allows for a lot of flexibility, try and make every shot count.

5. Educate Yourself

Continually learn and improve what you do. Take classes or find an apprenticeship.

6. Network

Build relationships (both online and off) to draw in new clients and maintain existing ones. Encourage referrals and always place a premium on excellent customer service.

7. Be Tech-Savvy

Keep up with the latest trends and equipment in photography, and become savvy enough to use the internet and social media to your advantage. (Barring that, hire someone to take care of it for you.)

8. Specialize, but Go With the Flow

While you’ll want to pick a specialty or area of expertise, be flexible and open to other types of jobs that might come in. Photography has dozens of areas, including portraits, weddings, commercial photography, head shots, modeling portfolios, fine art, travel and more.

Follow your heart, your intuition and these tips, and you just might have a promising future as a professional photographer!