how do i go about becoming a professional photographer

[parker_levinson]

Hi I am 18 and am currintly in photo 1 and community college, I

really love it a lot and I was just wondering if I should go to an

school for photography, or how I would go about making a living out

of what I love to do

any help would be great, thanks a lot

parker

[valleye]

Get a business and marketing degree. Then a business license.

[kelly_flanigan1]

In 10 grade I took a photo of a girl in class; and gave it to her the next day. One week later she called up and wanted me to photograph "Miss XXX High" for the local beauty contest; and for a column photo for the newspaper. ALL the local photographers could not shoot and do a photo on quick notice (same day shoot and print deliver); so my friend called me. I met the beauty and my friend at the local marina; and shot one roll of film; and selected the one for the newspaper. I told her 5 dollars; but when done I told her mom 10 dollars; because it was alot more work than I had thought. I underexposed alot of the roll by one stop; and had to used harder paper to get a decent print. The 10th grade mind was awash in bombshell fanatasies; with hormones more than brains; and goofed by a stop; yuk underexposure!! The giant 5x7 enlarger had different condensors for roll film; they were not clean! I got streaks from the smaller condensers; with the point light source enlarger. The streaks showed up in the prints; and I didnt know what they were from! After several/too many tries; I found what the problem was. I removed the streakes by dodging them out while printing for the mums and newspapers photo. That night I found the streaks on the condensors; after a almost missed deadline. Minimum wage was 75 cents/hour; I felt the 10 bucks was OK to photograph the bombshell of the school on a moments notice.<BR><BR>The reality of a tight deadline is a interesting teacher.

[Jerry_]

First off, do you 'take' images than can sell? Do you have potential 'clients' lined up? Do you have a couple of extra bodies and lenses (for the sake of backup?)

 

Do you have a portfolio of your work to show a new customer?

 

If yes to all of the above, you are ready for the quarterly federal income tax hit parade, a sales tax license, and a bit of record keeping from 1 Jauanary to 31 December.

 

Good luck!

[j._scott_schrader]

Emerson's advise should be heeded. You will need business

skills more than photography skills. There are many talented

photographers who fall flat on their face when it comes to

running a business. The photography skills can be developed

over time, the business skills are not nearly as easy to

develop...get yourself a degree in Marketing or Entrepenuereal

Studies ... this education will be a much bigger help to you than a

photography degree.