Question:
How To Get Into Photography As A Career?
Mama Umbridge ☆★☆
2010-11-11 14:26:44 UTC
Hi, I'm 15 years old and in my last year of high school. In September I go to college, so I've really got to start thinking about my future now. Everyone (teachers, friends, family, etc) expects me to go to college and university, and get a really high-end job like a psychiatrist or something (I'm clever). But that's my second choice. My first choice is to go into photography.

I want to know how to get into photography as a career. I'm going to study it as one of my choices in college, if that helps anything. I also want to know about the different types of photography careers, and how to get into individual types. Wedding photographer? Freelance photographer? Agency (modelling and such) photographer?

If anyone can help me it would be much appreciated. I'm stressed enough this year with exams and stuff without having to worry about my future career.
Four answers:
Kevin K
2010-11-11 16:11:33 UTC
Take some business classes, and photography classes at a community college. The business classes are important, as most photographers are running a business, not working at a job.



Find the one area that interests you most, and where you produce the best images. Landscape and animal pictures don't count, those fields don't really pay well. Wedding and portrait photography have good potential, you're working for people, not companies. It's somewhat easier to get hired. you're competing with 5 people for the job, not 500. Advertising, fashion and commercial fields can pay well, if you have incredible work, and a little bit of luck. Freelance photography can mean anything, sports, news, fashion, etc.



Also, plan on a backup career. There's lots of people asking about becoming photographers on YA, and only a few positions, so the odds are against you. The other problem with that is that supply and demand keep a photographers wages lower. Companies can usually find someone that will do it cheaper.
Lois
2016-02-27 00:37:11 UTC
You need to plan for the long term. Photography has very few job opportunities, with even fewer in nature and landscape photography, you will need to consider being self employed/freelance, and that will take a large amount of investment for you to establish yourself. With your specialist interest, it's useful to have a sound academic background in the relevant fields, studying anthropology, archaeology, biology, ecology, environmental sciences, geology, palentolgy, vetinary sciences, or zoology to a undergraduate standard would be the minimum expected, and having a masters, PhD and postdoc qualifications will all be bonuses. While at university you should make use of student privileges and make connections with the various conservationist, geological, geographical, ecological, palentological, and zoological societies, as these may provide you with a surprising number of opportunities to embark on projects which could form a stepping stone for you. You should aim for a well paying graduate job, and save every penny you have, as when you do enter the world of freelance photography you won't have a steady income, but you still need to pay the bills. Therefore having £50,000 saved up in the bank to cover costs, and spend on equipment and travel expenses is very useful. I estimate that £50,000 would probably keep you going for 12-24 months before you need to get a steady income. As you can see photography skills haven't been mentioned, mainly because the skills needed, particularly for nature and landscape photography are very simple indeed. You don't need more than a suitable camera and a good book (the book doesn't even need to be from this century!) to pick up the skills you need. The real difficult part is making a mark, so having the additional skills will help you stand out. Finally, in the current time, you should aim for science subjects, with a lean towards, the life sciences, and earth sciences, aiming to go to a Russell Group University. You will also gain a lot from joining your local Cadet or Scout movement, not only is it a good thing to have on your CV, the Cadets and Scouts will teach you important fieldcraft skills, and maybe even tracking skills which will come in useful for your future career.
McGahan
2017-03-03 05:20:46 UTC
1
dont call me betty
2010-11-11 14:32:14 UTC
produce a portfolio in a niche that people hire fotographers for,



example: say you want to be a advertising fotog, make a portfolio of advertising images and show them to advertising agencies,





how you get to the level where you can produce a pro portfolio is up to you, study is the best way i have found


This content was originally posted on Y! Answers, a Q&A website that shut down in 2021.
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