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How difficult is it to become a professional photographer?

HOw to become a professional photographer in the INDUSTRY??

  • I don't just want to work for myself. I belive i am a good photographer, just dont have the money for school nor the time with my job that pays all my bills, i dont even have a good camera anymore. But i take amazing shots with just about any camera... Well i want to work for a big company. I like rules, and regulations...they keep me sane. I like working with tons of different people. HOw do i get into a big modeling company preferrably, or any company that uses alot of photos????? I WANT ALL THE STEPS! Give me everything you know! Even tell me how you started out. THANKS MUCH!

  • Answer:

    Well this answer might not be up your alley but from what I read you fall right into this area. Join the military and try and get a position as a PJ (Photo Journalist), also known as Combat Camera. You will get the schooling you need and all your camera equipment supplied to you (not to keep). As you mentioned you like having rules and regulations well that is the military. These positions are with the Army, Navy, Marines, and Air force. You will do more things in this career field in one year than most photographers will do in a life time. Now this can depend on where you are stationed in the world will determine what types of work you will be doing. Washington DC area you will maybe deal with the President and anything that has to do with him. You could also be in a Combat zone in Iraq. You could also work for the "Air force" Magazine or be shooting pictures in Hawaii. Maybe you get to shoot all the newer military aircraft going vertical and you are shooting from another F-16 fighter in the backseat. But after your 4 years (or more) you can get just about any photo job in the world. Just want to let you know this option is there and no, I am not a military recruiter but I do know this subject. Kevin

Mandi R at Yahoo! Answers Visit the source

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Mandi, Sounds like you are looking for a staff job. Shanna is right, a newspaper job would be an answer to that. If you want to work for a major paper then you probably need a photoo journalism degree or know some people in high places. Small time papers give you lots of experience but pay very little. Staff jobs don't exist like they used to. When companies realized how much cheaper it would be to hire a freelancer than to employ a full time staff... well you can figure that one out. If you are in need of being around lots of people and structure you may want to try a different line of work because getting photo jobs these days usually relies on your hard sweat and determination. Did I mention that there is a lot of alone time? It costs money to employ a staff to help you with your workflow. In order to obtain the client base to pay for a staff you will have to spend many a nights, months, and years behind your camera, computer, and telephone.... alone. Another idea for being around lots of people and structure: weddings. But that is a whole other story. : ) Good luck!

charles B

You are describing a newspaper. Working for a newspaper will expose you to the world of professional photography. The rest is up to you.

Shanna S

You know brynalan.com allow you to work over the summer then you could see if you really like it check their website out and contact them.Photography is a great idea but I am more into nursing...but yes check their website out www.brynalan.com smile hope I helped

Ablebaby

Unfortunately you have to start at the bottom, no matter how good your photos are. You have to put out the money for a good camera, and you have to kiss dirt at a professionals feet for quite a while. You have to love it enough to be willing to stick with it through all the crap. THEN someday when you have served your grunt time you might be able to move up. At a modeling agency you start out carrying camera bags and serving sandwiches until someone decides to let you take "A" picture. Sometimes you get lucky and it is soon, usually, it is after everyone knows you and has seen your work on the side and so you get a reference. Keep up hope, and good luck .

Danndie

http://www.fanartreview.com/index.jsp?rec=72606 Make a page on that sight. If you are really good, you'll be discovered quickly. You can make a profile for free, if you want to upgrade your membership, you need to pay 7 dollars a month.. PRETTY DAMN CHEAP! I'd say.. If you do make a page on there.. look me up.. Screen name= Bahb

Bahb

Understanding that you don't have the time nor financial resources go to school, nor do you have the desire to work on your own, one way to break into the commercial photography industry an industry that encompasses anything from product to fashion photography is to enter as a digital photo technician as it is a position that can provide for horizontal movement within the studio. I am sure you realize that you just can't enter a studio without a degree or at least some experience working as a photographer in a major studio. Anyhow, becoming a digital photo technician is a skill set that you can learn on your own, and a position that does not always require a degree, though it does help. What does this position entail? Basically it includes anything from touch-up to color correction. Most of this work is accomplished in photoshop. Regarding where to start I would suggest getting a copy of the latest version of Photoshop. Next I would look at all the major digital photo technician forums to see what is being talked about http://www.digitalphototechnician.com/ From here you can research as to what reading materials and skill sets you need to attain. When you are ready to apply for a position I would suggest you go to http://www.photoassistant.net/

wackywallwalker

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