Are you dreaming about becoming a Professional Photographer? I am a Professional European model and ex-modeling agency owner.
I have been in the film and modeling industry since I was 14. When I moved to Australia, I became a Certified MUA and a Photographer.
It’s been about 7 years since I picked up my first Canon and started shooting. It was a turbo career for me.
Everyone around me was amazed at how fast I picked up the skill and started making money.
Let’s look at some advice I can share with you today that can kick-start your career and make a living doing what you love!
1. Get Yourself a Camera !!!
You can still buy the newest camera on the market for thousands of $$$. You can get yourself a second-hand camera in good condition. Prime lenses will be enough for you for now!
My first Canon was a second-hand Canon 1200D with a cheap prime lens and a small camera bag. I spent $500 on the whole lot. This is one of the first pictures I took with this Camera.
2. Learn How To Use Your Camera
I spent two weeks going to the gardens, shooting flowers and exploring different camera settings – playing with F-Stop, Shutter Speed, and ISO. I especially loved shooting wide open, which set my style until today.
You can experiment and take your camera anywhere. Creativity has no limits. In the early stages, you are developing a style and figuring out what you like. Could you make sure you explore all possible settings?
Here is how to do it:
3. Do Free Work!
In the second half of the same month, I advertised myself in public as a starting photographer and offered two weeks’ worth of free photography work. My diary got booked out !!! I have been mainly shooting family photography and kids. From the beginning, I picked up portrait photography very well and delivered photos to all my first happy clients. You can do this with family or pets, too. However, for confidence building, you should add some public clients. I also went to do practice shoots with my friend & photographer Colin Mellon.
At the end of the month, I had a solid portfolio to work with, and I could advertise for paid portrait work. The most important is to believe in yourself!
One of my first photography projects:
4. Learn Photoshop
To be able to sell your photography, you need to know how to edit your art. Today, we are fortunate to have YouTube and all the skilled creators who educate others.
I went across many channels, but this one was the easiest to follow…
https://www.youtube.com/@PiXimperfect
5. Book first paid clients
This step is always the hardest! You can pick up your confidence and make paid bookings. Do not put too much pressure on yourself. Start with a few bookings for half the price your local photographers are asking. Just tell them you are new so that you can give a significant discount. Deliver your edited pictures and ask for references on social media and Google. Repeat with every coming client. Practice Photoshop skills, and with every shot, learn new tutorials.
You can figure out your unique style and find other creators who inspire you and teach you. I learned a lot from Irene Rudnyk! She loves natural light and shooting wide open with romantic, feminine themes like mine. She was a huge influence and inspiration for me.
https://www.youtube.com/@IreneRudnyk
6. Upgrade your gear !!!
If you save all your photography income, soon you will have plenty of money to buy a new camera. I have chosen the Canon 5D Markle. My love for this camera came from all of Irene’s tutorials. I also got a Canon 85mm 1.2 lens.
This was a game changer as I could do the style of photography I always wanted! I started doing behind-the-scenes projects of my photography work to help others, the same as Irene Helped me. Later on, I also started my YouTube Channel. I remember crying happily after editing my first picture from the tutorial below !!! It blew my mind !!!
You can notice how my pictures got new energy and quality! It was my obsession!
My first photoshoot with the new Gear is here:
7. Get your finances right!
When you reach great confidence, it’s time to set your income. Now, your camera is worth thousands of $$$. It would be best if you charged the total price. The price will differentiate depending on your location and market.
Don’t sell yourself short! Look at other photographers’ prices for services, but mainly look at your investment:
How many hours do you spend with clients photo shooting?
How much time it takes you to edit your pictures?
What are your additional expenses for delivering your photos to a client?
You set your self-worth! You need to be confident! A lot of people will try to make you work for less! Don’t let them!!!
8. Experiment
You can get into any high-pressure photography environment at this stage and should be coping quickly. You know you have reached your level when you walk into a room, and you already know what settings you will use on your camera, and most of the time, you pick it right. Accommodate any Portrait photography. You can also learn studio photography and the use of lights and shades in the studio.
We have, in total, six different types of Portrait Photography:
Fine Art Portraits
Traditional Portraits
Lifestyle Portraits
Group Portraits
Street Portraits
Glamour Photography
You should also be able to accommodate the following:
Wedding Photography
Event Photography
Behind The Scenes Photography
Sports Photography
Fashion Photography
Commercial photography
There are no limits to what you can do. Suppose you need to figure out how you can find a tutorial. Everything will be accessible in 2023.
9. Get into wedding photography
Wedding Photography is one of the most challenging but most profitable Photography styles. I learned Wedding Photography from Tailor Jackson!
Check out this video to have a look; if this would be for you:
10. Teach and share your experiences
Once you master your craft, You can share your expertise with others. Giving back to the community is very satisfying and fulfilling work.
There are many ways to do this:
Start a Blog
Start a YouTube Channel
Do Public Masterclasses
Make a Course
Start a Podcast
Do one on 1 Courses
As a gift, I have my newest Photography Behind The Scenes from a Luxury Hotel in the Czech Republic With a Professional Model, EightreadingStepsChildBusiness Owner.reading Deniska Silerova
Have fun and Subscribe for more inspiring videos:
Thank you so much for your time!
Here are other Blogs you might be interested in:
8 Simple Steps to Become a Professional Makeup Artist Worldwide
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