6/05/2011

How To Become A Photographer - 6 Steps To Get There

By Vickie Tilliam


Earning the jazzy title ?photographer? starts with something as small as a genuine interest in taking pictures. You don?t have to be a genius. With the exception of photojournalism, you can definitely learn the craft as you go.

Choose a good camera to start with. Don?t pressure yourself with getting high-end units; a 3 or 5 mega-pixel digital camera works well for starters. However, consider investing in a few accessories such as a camera case and a tripod to make the shooting and the safekeeping easier for you. As you gain more experience, you?ll soon want to purchase a costlier and higher-end camera. Again, you don?t require anything fancy to start. Immerse yourself first in the art before deciding to spend your savings on an expensive camera.

Take photographs. Don't limit yourself with rigid rules on who or what makes an appropriate photo subject. You need these shots to help strengthen your portfolio. A varied portfolio is crucial. Don't be afraid to showcase your experimentation with the backgrounds, angles, subjects and lighting. Documenting gatherings and special occasions with your family members and friends can help you come up with that perfect portfolio. Just be sure to ask for the permission of your subjects if you want their photos included in your portfolio. A thematic presentation of the photographs you took can help you establish your specialty. More importantly, such kind of presentation can tremendously strengthen your portfolio.

Find your specialty. A number of people cater to advertising pictorials while others specialize in news. Allot to the matter some serious thought. Portraits, events and weddings are some of your options.

Think of freelancing. Considering your moonlighting opportunities in photography, you may want to raise your expectations beyond receiving a straight monthly salary from just a single employer. Expect to bounce from one job to another, learn to market your skills if you want to be gainfully employed. Several techniques in marketing can help you draw in your clientele base. A good way to sell yourself is to direct people to your own website that showcases some of your best photographic works. More security measures are now in place to protect your photographs from being stolen or re-used online without your consent, so rest easy.

Assist a professional photographer. Although photography jobs abound, the usual route is to start out as an assistant photographer. Make the most of the experience to learn how to take fantastic photos. Who knows you?d turn out so good that you can even have your own assistant someday.

Educate yourself. Your sources of information are myriad: books, websites, library materials and seminars. Always aim to improve yourself and your output with updated techniques.

When you think of it, it's really your passion for the art that cuts you out for photography. There's no boring moment with photography, because the art is colored with constant change.




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