Taking Photography from a Hobby to a Profession

Taking Photography from a Hobby to a Profession

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Thanks to developments in technology and the more widespread availability of smartphones as a standard consumer product, the majority of us carry some sort of camera around with us on a day to day basis. If we want to capture a memory with our loved ones, take a picture of a particularly beautiful landscape, or even simply document what we’ve had for lunch, all we need to do is pull our phone out of our pocket and take a snap. Increasing numbers of us are sharing the images we capture too. Apps such as Instagram mean that many of us are becoming more invested in the quality and content of the images that we capture. So, it’s not all too surprising that more and more of us are actively enjoying engaging with photography on some level or another. However, if photography has engaged your attention and imagination enough, you might be considering turning your hobby into a career. Here are a few steps that you can take to move yourself from amateur to pro over time!

Settle On a Personal Style

The first step that you need to take when getting involved in photography as a professional is to settle on your signature style. This is what will help you to stand out from the crowd. If you’re taking images in a way that others aren’t, people are more willing to invest in your work. Take a look at other professionals who are flourishing in the field, such as Michael Grecco. See how their images maintain a constant style that can link them back to the artist behind the lens at the same time as portraying vastly different content to fit client briefs.

Take a Course

There are plenty of different photography courses out there, so browse the options that are available to you in your local area. Beginners courses should familiarise you with the basics of different cameras, how they work, and how to manage their controls. There really is a whole lot more to being a professional photographer than simply standing behind a camera and pressing the shutter button. You will need to learn about and understand digital and film formatting, shutter speeds, aperture, aspect ratio, depth of field, and various other things before you will be able to take the perfect image every time.

Invest In Good Quality Equipment

If you’re certain that this is the career path that you wish to take and you believe you have the skill and determination to succeed, you should invest in some high quality equipment. This could include a camera, different lenses, different types of film (if you’re intending to be a film photographer), lighting, flashes, and much more. You will learn what works best for you as you go along and as your images start to sell, you can reinvest profits to purchase even better equipment!

These are just a few steps that you can take to move your photography along from a casual hobby into a full time profession!

DISCLAIMER: This post is a collaborative post and may contain affiliate links.