From hobby to job?

Fujiguy

Hi there, i just recently have been so into learning more about photography, that i released i have spent a huge amount of money on magazines, books, DVDs, manuals, eBooks and so on, now i am starting an evening course ( or hoping to )

Now i feel that this "hobby" might be something i really really want to actually work at for a living. Where do i start?

Can anyone tell me from experience if people hire you for any kind of photography based work, on a portfolio, or on academic rewards like a HND or other certs?

I am more than willing to go back to full time education if that's what is needed, but should i try to get work experience by following a photographer or something similar also?

Thanks.

BUBBLE WRAP

I know nothing about that subject mate, but I do wish you the best of luck!

PCPhoto

Fujiguy wrote: »

Hi there, i just recently have been so into learning more about photography, that i released i have spent a huge amount of money on magazines, books, DVDs, manuals, eBooks and so on, now i am starting an evening course ( or hoping to )

Now i feel that this "hobby" might be something i really really want to actually work at for a living. Where do i start?

Can anyone tell me from experience if people hire you for any kind of photography based work, on a portfolio, or on academic rewards like a HND or other certs?

I am more than willing to go back to full time education if that's what is needed, but should i try to get work experience by following a photographer or something similar also?

Thanks.

It all depends on which area of photography you wish to get into ..... weddings, studio, photojournalism, commercial, PR ...landscape...etc etc

if you wish to get into wedding/studio work, I would suggest you offer your services as a second shooter for weddings .... gain at least 50 weddings (or until you feel you are capable of doing the job - including post processing - yourself) .... check out various websites such as secondshooter.ie or .com or just google second shooter.

if you want to get into studio work ... get experience by renting time and a model in a studio and practice, practice....practice..... save loads of money or ask around and see if any studio's are hiring photographers (its unlikely but possible) .... if you have time and ability ...and money .... find a suitable location with plenty of footfall - learn how to advertise effectively and purchase/lease a place...fit it out ...advertise....and hope that it takes off.

as for photojournalism ... you can work as a freelancer and try your best at sending pics to the papers, news events in your area, celebrities near you or organised events .... the papers (local or national) ...may want pics, give them a call ask if they are interested if so...let them know you'll be sending pics, if not...move on.... keep up to date listings of whats going on in your area - it might prove important with regards to travel

(ie. last week I knew the F1 thing was on and various streets were closed off but needed to get up to Fitzwilliam square for the start of mini marathon - so ended out avoiding all road blocks and parking 5mins walk from finish line of mini marathon)


if you want to get into landscape photography ...read, learn, practice what you've learned... understanding the weather patterns and how light reacts at different times of the year (ie. its normal to get a very colourful sunset after heavy rainfall ...in spring, not as much in summer and yet again in autumn, winter sunsets are usually faster) - learn about filters and use them to good effect.

commercial work comes from gaining connections in business, links to various magazines, journals and actual business directors.

PR work in Ireland at least ... this involves being close/friendly with PR companies - and their staff .... sometimes it involves being their bessy mate (while in their company - all very faux friendly and pretentious)... this involves a lot of learning poses, knowing how to give direction and seeing a picture before you take it, creating an image.

as with all of the above..... you will not be hired unless people know you exist, create and have a portfolio of images which display your best work, I dont think having a website is extremely beneficial as a press photographer but it cant hurt if you know and understand the creating a website world !!

Just to also add .... you are not the only person who thinks this way ...there have been hundreds of people in the last few years who think they will give photography a go, it seems like an easy way to make money (a lot of people think a wedding photographer gets 2-3K for only a days work ... but no-one see's the meeting up with the couple 2-3times before the wedding, the photographer visiting the venue themselves a couple of times and the countless hours in front of a computer screen post processing images .... so it could be 2-3K ...but its at least a week sometimes 10days of work .... and not 9-5)

I have been working as a photojournalist for over 10yrs - I've seen people set up and throw money away allowing a business to fail, I personally have refused to do any work outside of working for the newspapers but times are getting harder and the money is not there anymore, there are too many restrictions with the images...its tough, of course there are always the "new" people on the block with the attitude that if I give my images for cheaper or free that it'll get my name out there ... it doesn't, it just means you dont earn any money..... the business side of photography is just as important as the photographs side...learn about running a business first before trying to become a photographer.


EDIT: Can I ask ...what do you consider as spending a HUGE amount of money on ebooks, evening course, magazines DVDs etc etc ?
An evening course will only tell you the same as the DVD's/Magazines or online...best thing you can do is get out there and take photos, learn about your camera - how it reacts to different settings etc....the only difference between the internet and a course is that the course tells you in a structured way (usually most courses are out of date by the time they are popular) .... I'm really against paying money for something when all the information is available to you .... stay here on boards, post up some pics, ask advice, give your opinion on images posted and goto the various meets ....join a camera club near you !!

Fujiguy

@PCPhoto

When i say i spent huge amounts of money on that stuff, what i really mean is i was always trying to learn more and more, A lot on books this month alone to try and get as wide an understanding of all the aspects of photography, but recently mostly on landscape and macro photography.

I think your advice on getting out there taking pictures, and seeing how the camera works in different settings is what i should have, and should be, doing right now, and why did it never dawn on me to join a club?!

I think i have a LOT to learn regarding running a business side of photography, so that's even something i could possibly look into.

Thanks a million for taking the time to reply to my post, you are right, i think i will take your advice and just get out there and join a club, and start taking lots of pictures, maybe start to get more advice and critique on them too.