Professional Photography
On becoming a Pro. How to become a professional photographer? First and foremost.
- Do your homework
- Study your subject matter
- Do not go into any shooting situation blind
The more you know ahead of time, the less time you will waste trying to come up with relevant, intelligent art. Let’s take the simplest of situations shooting a sunset.
Be helpful to other photographers, especially other pros. Free-lance photography is a very difficult way to make a living so help out. Share info and equipment if you can. Be tolerant and friendly to amateur photographers who ask your help. They show their love and respect for something you believe in.
You must never be a part of the situation you are shooting be it a wedding or a news event or a family gathering. You must learn to be an unattached observer or you alter the purity and honest of the events before you. You must not photograph people when you are in a private place unless you have their permission. That is invasion of privacy and against the law.
If you get their permission you are well advised to tell those folks what you intend to do with the photo.
In fact, you may not sell that photograph for commercial purposes, even though you received permission to photograph the person, unless you have a “Photo Release” from that person giving you the right to use the picture for commercial use.
If you are on public property and manage to photograph something that transpires on private property you may use that photograph for you personal use, and have it published in a legitimate media - like a newspaper or Internet website - however, you may not sell, or use, that photograph for the purposes of making money off of it.
Being a photographer carries with the responsibility of never altering a photograph. (You can lighten, darken, sharpen, or crop the image and be safe. To alter is to “Make or become different in some particular way, without permanently losing one’s or its former characteristics or essence - either through darkroom techniques or digital “enhancement” - you are compromising the purity and integrity of the art.) Photography has an inherent quality of honest and you must have the courage to stand by the image.
Am a phography enthusiast from Mauritius and it is so often easy to find people boasting being PROFESSIONALS on photographs they selects from hundreds and claim talent. None will come and teach you how to achieve a good phography on on the instant and do it in front of to prove what want others to believe. I admire those amateur who understand the basics and try to get something great. On your site I felt like an elder brother teaching me how to use my camera, properly! Thanks dude, it helped me lot. I had had enough of people telling me, cm’ on man set ur cam to auto, use flash and thats it! I will advise those who ask me to visit ur site.
Thank you Kishan, glad you found the information useful. Photography is a wonderful profession. To be able to capture the beauty around and share it with others.
i am 16 years old i like photography i wish to be a professional photographer ,,,, i have a fujifilm s9600 ….. need ur mail to ask u alot of questions plz … and thanks alot for this informative coarse
You’re welcome for the course. The best way to contact is through the sites contact form. Looking forward to your questions.
Thanks for sharing all the wonderful tips with us. Being an amateur or rather an enthusiast I have found myself more questions than answers. And unfortunately most sites briefly indulge into explanations. Your explanations are more detailed and focused. Great help to me. I’ve recently acquired a Canon EOS 40d 28-135mm kit….and I have so many questions! Would you have the time to share your insights and experience with me. I can also post photographs for you to evaluate. Thanks again. Take Care.
I really love the information available on your site. Several people I have met who make their living on photography have been very peeved of offering assistance. One friend has taught me alot and is there for most questions though. Any advise on usuing dslr canon? Is there lessons for the compositions rule?
Thanks Regina, glad you like the photography lessons. Here’s a link to our lesson on Composition. As for the Canon dSLRs what specific things are you looking to learn more about?