How to become a photographer 1

In truth, many professionals in the photography business have a degree in photography from one of the different photography schools, art schools specializing in photography, or press photographers training at journalism schools, etc. Programs such as professional photography, digital photography, mass communication, and graphic design are among the offerings at colleges and universities to obtain a professional photographer degree.

But what I’m focusing on is the possibility of photography experts without basic training and with another full-time job who want to make their dream of being a photographer come true. The individual history of now well-established photographers shows a diversity of paths to their career as photographers, but here I will first emphasize the potential of starting a photographic career as a part-time stock photographer.

If the dream is to become a photographer and consequently the question is how to become a photographer, this could be a risk-free opportunity for the committed amateur photographer who wants to change his life situation. Since the stock photography business is a very dynamic field, it might be difficult to give persistent advice, but anyway, let me give it a try.

How to become a photographer working for stock photography agencies

Stock photography photographers’ income has been under attack for years, but the type of photography that best sustains income and position is related to up-to-date model photography with a focus on lifestyle and strong conceptual mood.

As that is also an area that is more difficult for the general amateur photographer to deliver professional quality, I highly recommend this field as the focus point for the would-be full-income professional photographer. Sending photographs to one or more of the professional stock photography agencies may guide the person who wants to become a full-time professional photographer.

This will come through continually improving your photography style, as stock photography is a tuff market with a fairly quick response to buyer trends and requests. At the same time, these photos can generate enough income to support additional training to become a full-time photographer.

Let me stress that I cannot recommend the potential photographer to participate in micro stock agencies. They pay very little and you will have too many images circulating in cyberspace without having enough control over their use.

My lifestyle advice may not be making you happy, as your dream was to become a wildlife photographer or a photographer-like specialty type. Never mind, include those types of stock photos in your submissions to your chosen stock photo agency and let the sales reports tell you what to focus on. But remember the lifestyle photos.

Commissioned photography as an alternative to stock photography to become a photographer

An alternative to the aforementioned approach to becoming a stock photographer is to focus on the needs of individual clients and develop a reputation as one of the only freelance photographers available for special photographic needs such as:

– Filming of special events in a company.

– Private weddings for couples who cannot afford to hire a fully professional wedding photographer.

– Photography for small business websites, including product photography.

– Pet photography, since many people have their pet as their most precious partner in life. Pet photographers specialized in taking pictures of dogs, cats, hamsters, birds, etc. could do very well.

– Equine photography. Like pet photographers, equine photographers could earn a decent part-time income as a path to becoming a full-time photographer. Equine photography sessions can often be scheduled for weekends, making it easy to combine with a full-time job.

The beauty of this answer to the question of how to become a photographer is that some of these types of photography can be combined with the submission of selected photographs of commissioned work for stock agencies; just keep in mind that you have to get all the types of releases needed.

Well established areas populated with many party photographers, school photographers, travel group photographers, etc. It can be difficult to dig deep, unless you have the courage to do it and want to do it. Running a portrait studio can also be an area of ​​difficulty part-time, but offering portraits, etc. in people’s homes it could also be an option.

Bottom Line: Becoming a photographer by engaging in stock photography might be your best option.