Getting your first paid job in photography

Getting your first paid job in photography is not as hard as you think. The secrets to cracking open the door to professional photography require attention to the following rules:

• Develop consistency. Being a professional photographer requires the ability to deliver quality results on a consistent basis. Learn your equipment, inside and out. Live with your camera, take it everywhere you go. Photograph a variety of subject matter under a wide range of conditions. The technical aspects of using your photography should come second nature, with your main focus on composition and creativity.
• Network, network, network. Always keep your eyes and ears open for potential opportunities. Talk openly about your desire to work as a professional photographer. Show your photographs to as many people as you possibly can. Ask for work. When first starting out, no job is too small. All jobs have the potential to land you the next job. No opportunity? Make your own. Produce your own show or exhibit. Volunteer to be an event photographer. Create a website. Communicate with other professional photographers in your area. Professional photographers can be a great source for referrals, in the event they are over booked or have a job they are not interested in taking.
• Being lucky. Make no mistake, luck plays a large part in how quickly your photography business takes hold. However, you must be visible and ready for people to notice your work. To quote Seneca, (Roman philosopher) …”Luck is what happens when preparation meets opportunity.”
• Be professional. To be a professional photographer you have to act professional in all your business details. Return calls promptly, invoice accurately, and deliver final product within the specified time period. Sound simple, but this is the primary reason for photography business failures. Word of mouth is the greatest marketing tool you can have.

The world of professional photography can be a rewarding and prosperous career path. The biggest hurdle to overcome is self-doubt. Talk with professional photographers and learn from their mistakes. Going it alone can be a tough road to travel. Every job has a learning curve and photography is no different. Having a circle of peers in the business can be a tremendous resource for knowledge, encouragement and assistance.

Listed below are a few links to additional articles related to landing your first paid photography job:

• How did you get your first paid photographer job?
• How to keep your job and be a part time photographer
• Making money with photography
• A sports career from getting into local high school games

Tags: becoming a professional photographer, first paid photography job, professional photography, sell your photos online, selling your photos online