3/17/2011

Requirements Of Becoming A Professional Photographer

By Charles Murray


Becoming a professional wedding photographer requires equipment, research and planning, experience, and the willingness to learn and have fun in the process. Whether the aspiring photographer is a child or an adult, following several guidelines can help attain that goal.

Finding equipment that will produce quality pictures is important, but the new photographer must also learn as much as possible about the capabilities and settings of the camera. While the camera is obviously needed, amateurs should not forget about the importance of quality lenses. Lenses will generally outlive the life of a camera, thus making an investment in lenses an important purchase. New photographers should research and read articles and product reviews before purchasing lenses and cameras. They should also try to determine exactly what type of wedding photography is their interest before making purchases. Investing this time and making these efforts will pay off in the long run. After purchasing the photography equipment, it is valuable to spend a lot of time practicing with the camera and fully discovering the capabilities and limitations of the pieces. Photographers need to be able to adjust their equipment to be effective as conditions change, such as lighting or weather for outdoor photography.

As in many other professions, wedding photographers need to have a solid foundation on which to build their portfolios. This foundation can begin with research and planning. For students there are often high school courses on photography which can be taken. This might seem far from wedding photography, but it is important in the beginning to learn as much about photography in general as possible. Many communities and local art centers offer workshops, courses, and opportunities to speak with local photographers. Some even host amateur photography exhibits which can connect hobbyists to professionals in their areas. The library and book stores are also great places to learn more about becoming a professional photographer. Topics such as exposure, composition, lighting, and the specifics about camera settings can all be studied even before purchasing a camera. Budding photographers should not look to rely on the computer software to transform their pictures, but should instead learn to take amazing pictures that can be highlighted through technology.

After research has been done and the equipment has been purchased, it is time to search for experiences that will benefit the amateur. Students can volunteer to take pictures for their school newspaper or act as a club photographer. Others can look for opportunities to work as free-lance photographers for local newspapers or non-profit groups. These will usually not be paying jobs, but the experiences are priceless when building the foundation. Sometimes established wedding photographers are even willing to work as mentors to amateurs.

As the new wedding photographer works through this process of building a solid foundation, it is important to be able to learn from mistakes and find ways to improve future pictures. Discovering what type of wedding photographer he or she would like to be for an amateur photographer, perhaps either classic or contemporary, as well as developing a personal and signature style. Professional wedding photographers need to have built solid foundations on which their passion for the work can flourish and grow.




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