There are several paths you might take if you’re considering a photography career.
Being a professional photographer necessitates a solid commitment to your work due to the proficiency needed for success. Additionally, photography is outstanding if you are willing to work hard to make it happen.
Is Photography a Good Career?
Photography is a great career choice for those who want to work with their hands, have a passion for life stories, and have a keen eye for detail. In addition, it can offer high-income potential and excellent job satisfaction. You can have a formal photography education to start this career path. However, plenty of programs can help you develop your skill set!
The future is bright for photographers. So tune in with our guidelines!
1. Image and Art
Photography is a term used to describe capturing a subject, an image made possible by the interaction of light and photosensitive surfaces.
Additionally, the ability for photographers to modify their photographs to match their artistic expression as a form of art is an outcome of technological improvements.
Even though there are more than 50 different varieties of photography altogether, some are still the most well-known.
- Portrait Photography
- Wedding Photography
- Travel Photography
- Sports Photography
- Photojournalism
- Food Photography
- Aerial Photography
Photography enables people to convey their feelings and perspective. Photos frequently have such significance that they can impact society’s points of view.
2. Great Career Choice
A photography career can be highly lucrative and fulfilling, especially if you’re pursuing a profession in commercial work.
Most photographers prefer dealing as independent contractors to working for companies because they love their freedom and flexibility.
In most cases, photographers can experience professional satisfaction when they combine doing what they enjoy with producing high-quality images.
However, you must be willing to spend on costly equipment to provide your clients with the best and maintain their loyalty.
Generally, photography is a freelance profession. Therefore there is no certainty of a steady income. However, you’ll earn more than you believe if the workflow is effective.
3. Good Potential Income
According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, the average photographer earns $48,210 a year, or $23.18 an hour, with top earners making over $77,000 yearly.
Anyone working as a photographer in an employment setting might expect to receive the same perks that other employees have. This could include the following:
- Paid Leave
- Sick Leave
- Medical Insurance
- Maternity Pay
- Retirement Package
On the other hand, you are accountable for paying those perks out of pocket when you freelance. The good news is that you can choose your hours, projects, and hourly fees.
Learn more: Is photography hard?
4. Passion for Stories
Photographers are devoted and passionate individuals who sometimes risk their lives to show us what demands to be seen and understood.
For them, a photograph is a striking example of a memory that endures forever and reminds people of simpler days that fly by.
Regardless of their passions or educational levels, a photograph encourages them to use their imagination and make their ideas, emotions, and moods real.
5. Formal Education Options
Formal education is optional to pursue a career as a photographer. However, sometimes, companies may demand a certification or bachelor’s diploma.
An online degree in photography will assist you in your career and, therefore, will open up additional opportunities for you after you graduate. These programs usually provide education across cinema and videography, including:
- Bachelor of Arts in Art (BA in Art) degree
- Bachelor of Fine Arts (BFA) degree
- Master’s Degree Level
Many individuals who pursue certificate programs in photography realize that it improves their credibility while searching for clients. Some certifications are below:
- Digital Photography Certificate
- Certificate in Photography
- Basic Photography Certificate
- Digital Photography Technology
6. Keen Eye for Detail
A professional photographer must have a solid eye for detail to ensure that every element of the photograph’s illumination, arrangement, subject, and everything in between expresses the intended message or idea.
Some essential components of a photograph are:
- Storytelling
- Lighting
- Emotion
- Composition
Additionally, working with people, whether a client, models, or even other photographers, is essential to being a good photographer. Being an outstanding photographer, therefore, requires practical communication skills.
As you can see, technical skill improvement is only the start. Although they all take a while to develop, they will soon come intuitively to everyone.
7. Establish Connections
In pursuing a career in photography, building a portfolio of one’s work is necessary for showcasing one’s talent and creative personality.
In some cases, people can gain it through:
- Volunteer Work
- Internship Experience
- Participating In School Projects
- Regional Contests
- Final-Year Degree Presentations
It is necessary to use these experiences to establish a network of connections that will be beneficial for locating employment. Attending industry conventions can open the doors to relationships.
Some join photographic societies, agencies, and associations since it gives them access to a worldwide network of photographers, students, and assistants.
While others pursue paid part-time work in photographic processing, print services, framing, and archiving.
8. Growing Industry
According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, the outlook for photographers will rise by 9% annually this decade, with 12,700 additional yearly jobs for photographers.
Depending on your specific specialization, you can practice as a photographer in various settings.
- Photojournalist
- Photo Editor
- Advertising Art Director
- Film/Video Editor
- Graphic Designer
You can also continue working full-time and monetize some of your photographs in this industry.
- Sell or license your photos on photography sites
- Enter photo competitions
- Create a youtube channel or a blog for photography.
- Promote your prints
- Retouch & edit photos
- Launch a niche photography business
- Teach workshops for photography
Generally, photography is a growing industry. As a result, customers pay hefty prices for their services due to their great demand.
9. Travel Opportunities
Photographers can function both indoors and outdoors. For example, portrait photographers may shoot in studios. They can travel to clients’ sites, like a residence or a school, to take footage.
Traveling domestically or abroad, news photographers must be capable of working in uncomfortable or even hazardous conditions.
Some are content to work in various settings and be employed across the country. That involves pictures of everything, from major cities to remote locations worldwide.
However, photographers still go through a lot of stress, mainly when shooting. Either they don’t know how to capture the shot, or the photographs don’t meet the client’s standards.
10. Work and Life are Intertwined
If there were ever a profession where the border between work and life was constantly blurred, it would be photography: weekend shoots, home studios, and long hours.
For example, balancing a full-time photography company with homeschooling three young kids will always be challenging. So these professionals are striving to balance their job as photographers and parenting obligations.
At the same time, the life of a freelance photographer is also a challenge. You are your own empire’s front-of-house, spokesperson, and headliner.
At the end of the day, photographers must create innovative ways to take time for themselves, remain focused, and maintain their passion for their profession.
11. Aiming for Perfection is Difficult
According to studies, photojournalism was among the top 10 most stressful jobs.
On the other hand, a wedding photographer is another. Who can blame brides for wanting everything to be perfect?
In this case, photographers must continually perfect their videography skills when filming engagements, events, and weddings.
Making a living in this field can be challenging initially. However, if you’re ready to work hard and use your originality, you can build a career out of photography.
You can either work independently, establish your studio, or perform freelancing.
To learn more, you can also see our posts on Video Editing, Web Design, and Digital Marketing.
Conclusion
Ultimately, if you love photography and are willing to work hard, pursuing a career in photography can be a success.
Of course, there is yet to be an exact recipe for achieving this, but remember to choose your subjects wisely, stay focused on learning and improve your technique.
Lastly, don’t burn bridges with people in the industry. Instead, build connections and relationships.