Becoming a professional photographer cannot be defined by a formula, each story is different, but many stories share similar basic principles, they can be applied not only in the field of photography and film, but also in other companies.
For many amateurs being a professional photographer means being good in many areas, but being good at everything is not enough, as already mentioned in previous articles, becoming a successful photographer takes time and our life is not enough to be good at everything and that’s why it’s extremely important to focus on certain areas.
The start of the process
The first steps to becoming a commercial photographer are to acquire technical knowledge and skills to work with the camera and light. Whatever field you are currently working in, the lighting knowledge you have acquired will certainly be used, try to understand the dynamics of the work, and then improve the images to be marketed professionally. In addition, build your base and make your customers, you need references in this field in addition to knowledge.
Many photographers start small advertising jobs before joining a medium/large company. Although for more experienced photographers this is a simple rule, for many beginners and amateurs this can be of great help, because simply having a camera does not make an individual a professional commercial photographer or does not create professional photographs.
Study the field you want to improve, the profile of the professional they hire and the work they do, look for inspiration in what is already reliable to be able to have references, directions and job comparisons, in addition it is only possible to create something different if the commercial photographer knows what is considered a standard and in this case, experience and study can help.
Create your photo studio
In addition to knowledge and experience, it is also important that the professional professional photographer has a place to produce the works, many companies buy your idea and do not provide the necessary photographic equipment and require you to deliver it within a certain time frame. Addressing your computer at the last minute or only after contract closing can make it difficult to create, delay, and it can also take longer to find certain computers than in the search itself.
It is recommended to have the main components of the photographic studio such as background and infinite accessories, adequate lighting, either an LED illuminator for video, if any, or Speedlites torches and flashes for compensation and adequate lighting at the time of shooting, in addition to the studio softbox. for professional images. In addition to these advantages, having a studio of your own, even if it is a simple one, takes more seriousness when concluded a contract.
Working with real companies
In addition to profit, it is much more valuable for the professional photographer to work with real companies when producing commercial work. It will always be possible to work on events, photograph friends, make professional portraits, but these works will not. Always have professional value, only for the contractor of the service, while the commercial photographer, in addition to greater profitability, achieves greater representation in his portfolio.
Simply put, working with real companies, for commercial purposes, even small, enhances your professional profile, contributes to the experience and qualification of a professional.
The first real companies you can work with are those of people you know, you’ll feel more comfortable negotiating prices and taking fewer risks when it comes to performing the task, if you want to be good at what you do, always do the job as if you were working with the customer of your dreams, whether it’s a friend of yours or a paying customer. When the customer of your dreams arrives, this will not be your first job.
Build links
If I want to expose myself in a certain area, I can ask my current customer or a customer from the past, if I can do an additional job for them for a small fee or as a free service. They usually agree. In this way, it is like asking them to run a marketing campaign, pay with my services or with my work at a discounted price, which generates an easier relationship when it comes to having references and data, as well as being a customer capable of asking for their work as a professional commercial photographer.