Knowing when it is time to become a professional photographer, or to start marketing your photography on the side, depends on many things but I think there is a straightforward answer that is true for most people.
The answer to this question depends DRASTICALLY on your individual situation and what type of photography business you want to run. Â If you have a good job and are considering opening up a studio, buying a lot of equipment, and make major investments in traditional advertising, then your decision to go pro may be a very scary one since you stand to lose a lot of money. Â On the other end of the spectrum, a stay-at-home mom who has basic flash photography gear and wants to open an on-location baby photography business has few obstacles to launching the new venture.
No matter what your current situation, I think there are three rules that you need to consider before you hang up your shingle.
Rule #1: Never open up shop until multiple non-family and non-friends ask to buy your photos or pay you to photograph them.
I worded this rule carefully, because I received many MANY emails from photographers saying their family members or friends love their work and they keep getting compliments, so they send me their portfolio for a little review. Â While I always try to be positive in my response, I usually find that only 5% or less of those people actually have photos that rise to the professional level. Â Very very good, but not quite professional.
So, my recommendation is always to wait until multiple non-friends and non-family members ask to buy your photos or ask to pay you to photograph them. Â I don't mean to discourage ANYONE with this rule, but it is important to have a certain level of skill before you start working as a pro photographer because you are going to be asking others to pay for your work. Â When others like your work enough to offer you money, you know you're on the right track.
Rule #2: Don't Hang Up Your Shingle When You're Desperate
Again, your current financial situation and your investment in gear will largely determine the answer to this question. Â When I started earning money with my photography, I had a family to support, no savings, and zero money to invest into the business. Â It was a great blessing to me and my family that we were able to make photography work out for us, but I always warn photographers about going pro when they are already financially strapped.
While some are able to succeed more quickly, I think it is realistic to say that it would take most photographers a year of hard work and dedication before photography could be a sustainable full-time job
Rule #3: Don't go pro unless you have the business and marketing skills that are necessary
I have recently heard from quite a few advanced amateur photographers who are considering getting a college degree in photography in order to become a professional photographer. Â My response: “HUH!?!?!?” Â Honestly, all you need to know about photography can be learned by diligently studying online and spending a lot of time practicing with your camera.
There are many terrific photographers who I would never recommend to go pro. Â The reason is that they simply don't have the business background and marketing skills. Â If you don't know how to create an LLC, optimize a website for SEO, market yourself with social media, handle contracts, etc….. you'll be at a serious disadvantage in creating your business. Â Clearly, all these things are learnable, but you need to ask yourself seriously if you have what it takes.
I can honestly say that I did not know enough about business or marketing when I started getting paid for my photography, but I had the drive to learn the skills, and that has made a huge difference for me.
My experience as a pro photographer
At first, I was the $50 photographer on Craigslist. Â I admit it, but I'm not ashamed of it because I was just doing the best I could to take care of my family during college. Â I was SO EXCITED when the first person paid me to shoot their event. Â I produced very nice pictures, but looking back, I can certainly say that it was not professional-quality work. Â I sold cheap because I was a starving college student and I wanted to provide more for my family.
Then, I decided to get serious about my photography, so I stopped doing paid work for a while and just focused on what I love: landscape photography. Â I shot almost every weekend and once or twice during the week. Â As soon as my family went to sleep at night, I'd head out and do some night photography so I could learn more without missing out on family time. Â I learned a TON and finally started to get a few requests to purchase my photos (one of the first pictures I ever sold is below).
It was at this time that I also invested in some basic lighting gear and began spending a lot of time reading everything I could about lighting. Â Once I applied proper lighting techniques to my portraits, I finally started to see professional results. Â It wasn't the camera, or the lens, or the pose, or anything else. Â What was missing in my photos was the light!
It was only at this point that I started earning real money from my photography. Â Instead of charging $50 for a 2-hour shoot, I was often earned over $1,000 for a 2-hour shoot. Â I hope it doesn't sound presumptious to talk about money here, because I believe that the only reason this worked out for me is because I had prayed for so long to find a way to provide better for my family.
Anyway, I started setting up quite a few shoots and booking clients more and more often. Â Soon I had a thriving business with more clients than I could shoot. Â I am grateful that I can now very comfortably provide for my family through my photography. Â Click here to read my full story.
Thank you all for being loyal readers of ImprovePhotography. Â I hope your venture as a professional photographer or a passionate amateur is as enjoyable as mine is.
I love reading your posts, I am learning a lot! What great insight you have, thank you for sharing. I just posted up my site ilonago.com. I am currently buying my portfolio and gaining experience and knowledge. I hope to go pro sometime in the near future. It would be great to have professional feedback.
i want to go to school for photography but part time need help
Great story! This is very inspiring, I love that you have so much information to share, this is very encouraging and definitely a blessing to people who get to read it. Thanks for sharing!