Thinking About Turning Your Photography Hobby Into A Career? Steps To Getting Started

If you enjoy taking pictures you may be thinking about turning your photography hobby into a part-time or full-time career but may wonder where to start. Starting any business can feel overwhelming and with all the photographers already out there you may not be sure where you would fit in. Following a few tips will help you get started with transitioning from hobby photographer to professional photographer.

Do your research

Social media pages are a good place to start researching other local photographers. This can give you a good idea of the competition you are up against. It is also helpful to see what services other photographers offer and read reviews from their customers.

One of the keys to getting your services noticed is to be different from other photographers in your area. By viewing the services of other photographers, you can come up with ways to make your services attractive. For instance, you may offer the first photo session for free to draw in potential clients who will return later for another photo shoot.

Shadow other photographers

Professional photographers often like to have a second photographer with them when shooting important events like a wedding. Shadowing another photographer can help you gain experience, get an up-close look at what takes place behind the scenes during photo shoots, and get your name out there. Participating in a real-life event can help you decide if taking your photography hobby to the next level is the right choice for you.

Brush up on your techniques

Is there a specific technique you want to specialize in and need to improve your skill in? Maybe you want to brush up on your landscape photography or learn more about capturing great headshots. Taking a course to brush up on some specialized techniques can help make your business more marketable.

Build your portfolio

Your portfolio is your biggest marketing tool and should showcase only your best work. If you plan to specialize in a specific type of photography, you should focus on that topic when designing your portfolio. Having both a hardcopy portfolio and an online portfolio is best when marketing your new business.

Being able to do what you love for a living is a dream come true for many professional photographers. One of the benefits of being a photographer is you get to participate in the happiest moments in the lives of people as you do photo shoots for weddings, births, and family portraits. Starting your own photography business may be one of the best decisions you make and allows you to continue the hobby you love while making a living.