A career in photography?

DJMorgan

DJMorgan

Messages
1,105
Name
Daniel
Edit My Images
No
I`m struggling where to start, Iv been thinking about it for a while now and I want to make a go at it, Is there any hints or tips you could give me towards starting a career in photography?

Thanks :thumbs:
 
What field of photography do you want to pursue ????

Weddings/sport/portraits etc....
 
markw08 said:
What field of photography do you want to pursue ????

Weddings/sport/portraits etc....
Click to expand...

To be honest, I want to persue all of them, But I think Id like to do portaits and weddings mostly, mainly because its something for them to remember forever.
 
I am working on a similiar thing...

Subscribed to this phototraining4u.com

Getting to watch a Pro at work helps a lot and gives plenty of ideas....

I would recommend going on a practical course either wedding or portraits, they do cost a bit but i learnt so much...

Mark

:thumbs:
 
DJMorgan said:
I`m struggling where to start, Iv been thinking about it for a while now and I want to make a go at it, Is there any hints or tips you could give me towards starting a career in photography?

Thanks :thumbs:
Click to expand...

Unfortunately, there's no magic formula... the ultimate tip; work hard!

Have a gander at your portfolio and be honest with yourself; which ones give you the most pleasure, and which ones don't.... then decide which genre/genres you'd be happy with making a living from...

It's like wanting to be a driver; do you want to drive a cab, a bus, rally, formula one, speedboat... sooner or later you'll discover your skill set.. once established, go to town on it, make contacts, explore the genre, get out in the field, evaluate advice, make sacrifices, have a clear goal but be open-minded to possibilities, be positive, and be prepared to put the hours in, and aim to create the best portfolio you possibly can...

Best of luck; with the right attitude, you'll go a long way whether you make a buck or not :)
 
Michael Bosanko said:
Unfortunately, there's no magic formula... the ultimate tip; work hard!

Have a gander at your portfolio and be honest with yourself; which ones give you the most pleasure, and which ones don't.... then decide which genre/genres you'd be happy with making a living from...

It's like wanting to be a driver; do you want to drive a cab, a bus, rally, formula one, speedboat... sooner or later you'll discover your skill set.. once established, go to town on it, make contacts, explore the genre, get out in the field, evaluate advice, make sacrifices, have a clear goal but be open-minded to possibilities, be positive, and be prepared to put the hours in, and aim to create the best portfolio you possibly can...

Best of luck; with the right attitude, you'll go a long way whether you make a buck or not :)
Click to expand...

Thank you very much for the advice, I can understand what you mean, I`m just trying to sort something out now whilst Im 21, I want to do it now before its to late if ya get me
 
DJMorgan said:
Thank you very much for the advice, I can understand what you mean, I`m just trying to sort something out now whilst Im 21, I want to do it now before its to late if ya get me
Click to expand...

Aged 21? Sorry mate you've missed the boat. Far too late to start a new career.;)

Seriously, go for it with everything you've got. If you've got the determination you WILL succeed. I have had two major career changes in my time. The last one when I was 40. I know of a guy who started his photography career in his late fifties and has done pretty well.
 
I have got the determination, its just making the right the right moves. I just need to find the right course, I dont wanna end up in loads of debt haha,
 
This might not be a good idea. You obviously like photography as a hobby, but going into it as a job might just ruin that. I used to love computers, so I got a job in computing. Now I hate the sodding things, and the people that sit behind them! :lol:

I still collect old ones mind you, so I'm not completely torn away from it, but trust me, going into a line of work that involves your hobby will make you lose interest fast.
 
trencheel303 said:
This might not be a good idea. You obviously like photography as a hobby, but going into it as a job might just ruin that. I used to love computers, so I got a job in computing. Now I hate the sodding things, and the people that sit behind them! :lol:

I still collect old ones mind you, so I'm not completely torn away from it, but trust me, going into a line of work that involves your hobby will make you lose interest fast.
Click to expand...

Couldn't agree more, I'm in the same boat, IT/computer hardware started off as a hobby, then it became my profession, I sill have an intrest in computers/hardware but it has died down somewhat :|
 
The thing that really killed it for me is people. What really annoys me is when you ask them to run something on the phone, and then they go 'I'm getting a message on screen saying Run or Don't run - which do I click'? GRRR!!!! Maybe photography isn't so bad, but anything involving people I'm not so sure....
 
This is a tricky one and a question I keep coming back to. I teach full time, and am fortunate enough to teach subjects I love - photography being one of them. My students ask me all the time, 'Sir, how did you get to be a photographer?' and my tounge in cheek answer is 'I fell into it'.

Truth is I always fancied doing it and have always enjoyed taking photos. It took me some time to find my niche - stage / theatre - and then there are those I developed on the way - portraits (actors), weddings (friends) - all of whom knew and liked what I did for production photos and then it started to snowball. I am now looking at a possible career change or at least a 50/50 split between the two.

In answer to your question, there is no single or easy route through. Most of my students say they dont want to shoot weddings and merrily go off to art school or university with aspirations of being an artist. Only one ever said he wanted to shoot adverts and that is what he does - it did take him 8 years, several jobs and a business and finance degree to get there!

I guess you need to find what you enjoy doing, work at that and start to get your name known - then start moving into other fields.

Not sure this helps but it has been good to reflect.

All the best for your journey - hope it's a good one

Spooks
 
O/T - I think we all loved computers at some point ! :D . well those who are aged 20-30 now.

no offence guys but I think it's more of a - what sort of position are you in. I bet Google workers all love their job. the problem I think was that there were too many people wanting to work in IT etc, and there are not a lot of places in the top.
 
trencheel303 said:
The thing that really killed it for me is people. What really annoys me is when you ask them to run something on the phone, and then they go 'I'm getting a message on screen saying Run or Don't run - which do I click'? GRRR!!!! Maybe photography isn't so bad, but anything involving people I'm not so sure....
Click to expand...

This maybe the case for some people but there are many proffessional photographers on this forum who take their own time to post so they must still enjoy it as a hobby aswell as a job.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top