How do I become a professional Photographer?
I frequently have people reach out to me with questions about becoming a professional Photographer. One of the first questions I always ask them is, "do you want to be a Photographer with the thinking that you just take photos of cute babies or beautiful brides?
Or, do you want to be a professional photographer with a sustainable business? If you want to be a professional photographer as a career choice, you actually want to own and operate a successful business.
This seems to confuse them so let me explain!
Owning and operating a business is hard work if you want it to be your full time job and actually make a livable wage. A lot of people think that being a Photographer sounds fun and easy. They just have to take photos! This is when we clarify, do you want to just have fun taking photos, or do you want this to actually be your career? I still do have fun; I LOVE my job, but there is a whole other side to running a business if you want to make money. If you want photography to be your hobby, that is OK! I'm giving you the out now, because running a successful photography business can be exhausting! It can be mentally and physically taxing. A LOT of hard work with long hours that has the possibility of consuming your life beyond a Monday through Friday 9 to 5 if you don't have good systems in place with a defined workflow and studio policies to help you navigate client interactions.
I believe in education and am always learning ways to make my business better and more efficient. I went to college for Photography but seek out for you the best way you learn. If that's through formal university education, workshops, mentors, books, online training. What makes this a successful career for me is the business training I've had to seek out to successfully market my product (photography). You need both: the photography training AND business knowhow. I've seen the most talented photographers close their doors because they did not know how to run a successful business.
This is where we have the conversation if a college degree is a goal, if possibly majoring in entrepreneurship or small business is the most beneficial along with photography training through workshops, classes and mentorships. Having an exceptional business mind is a tremendous asset. If you want photography to be your career, you need the skills to sell your product. You also need the education and experience to create a product people will buy. See what I'm saying?
Having the mindset that you are a business person who sells photography services is much different than saying you are a Photographer. Are you ready for that?
I've put together the answers to the many questions that I get about how to successfully start and run a photography business. This is years of knowledge for you! Good luck and get ready to WORK!
Hugs,
Jenée