You’re considering a photography career change. What are the first steps you should take?

- Plan - Adjust - Enjoy This prompt made me reflect on my entry into fine art abstract macro photography. It was a carefully planned entrance, not a dive. I have invested time learning the industry from the inside. How to capture the smallest of images, refine my story, create a brand experience, use a commercial printer in my shop, frame prints and use the different marketing channels. Take time to plan your transition. It is an investment in your future and success. As you specialize keep the three pillars above close: Plan, Adjust and Enjoy. Each one will help guide you through that transition. "Do not Fear Mistakes - There are None" Miles Davis. Continue to learn and have a great ride. How can I help you in your journey?

Surround yourself with artists who inspire you, and don't be afraid to reach out to and ask if they would be willing to provide coaching or mentoring. The more you learn, the braver you will get to really go for it!

Before i dive into the photography industry, I need to have a clear idea of what kind of photographer i want to be and what kind of work you want to do. Do you want to specialize in a specific genre, such as portrait, wedding, landscape, or wildlife photography? Do i want to work as a freelancer, an employee, or a business owner? Do I want to pursue photography full-time or part-time? These are some of the questions you need to ask myself to define your goals and expectations as a photographer.

* Learn the basics, thoroughly * Be extremely patient with getting established and making it commercially as an artist * Enjoy the art and the process- you will never make fun nor iconic pictures if you don't enjoy the process

Travaillant avant tout pour moi-même, je ne prends pas en compte les avis des autres. Ce n'est pas du travail de commande, il m'est arrivé d'exposer, parfois sur un thème donné : c'est l'imaginaire qui est au pouvoir Par ailleurs je suis également bénévole pour des associations pour lesquelles je ne me fais pas payer

- Define - Refine - Curate Our portfolio is an expression of our passion, work, and attention to detail. It is the end product that people see and will assess. Regardless of the genre you are working in, our portfolio is an expression of our brand. It is the first experience customers will have and will have a lasting impression. Select works that best reflect you and your work. Photographs that will serve you well. It is important to consider different media platforms and how you will represent yourself. Each platform has different requirements and purposes. They will display your work, but in different ways and to different audiences. How can I help you define, refine and curate your work?

Identify your niche to build your portfolio. There are different niches in photography; Street photography Documentary photography Event photography Architecture photography Headshot Children photography etc

It's increasingly rare these days to get a full-time position as a photographer at a company or organization. And even if you do, you'll likely be expected to wear several other hats: shoot video, write, manage social media, etc. It's more likely that your career as a photographer will include running your own business and working as a freelancer. Many of the freelance photographers I work with spend just as much time running their business (finances, client relationships, promotion, etc.) as they do shooting and editing. Succesful photographers are equal parts creatives and entrepreneurs.

I agree , as a freelancer you have to wear many hats, running a successful entrepreneur business demands that you are flexible and reliable to your self so that you can be productive for your client. Knowledge of how to manage your business is as important as doing what you love as a creative.

- Checklists - Maps - Safety nets All endeavors can vary in the degree of risk. Proper planning increases our likelihood of success. I am curious to learn how people create their checklists and maps to ensure safe transitions. Today’s technology is transforming this industry. Generic photography is common and ultra competitive while AI mimics traditional photography. Planning your brand differentiation is but one very important consideration to help you succeed. A checklist helps us create a short/long term map which in turn prompts us to create safety nets. That series of ‘what if’ and ‘if then’ exercises help you to understand a viable approach to entry and sustained success. How can I help your journey be successful?

Know your cost and desired margins. Assess how much money you need to have the standard of living you want. Separate private from business. Know that there's going to be a lot of things you dont enjoy doing, yet they might take a huge chunk of time. Learn how to deal with that, in-house or outsource? Shadow a photographer who's been around for a while and learn from them, that would be the most effective way of learning, but don't assume you cannot do things your own way in the future. You can reach out to me for help if you want to!

Es indispensable que si una persona desea pasar de ser aficionada a ser profesional en fotografía, lo primero que tiene que hacer es buscar un nicho de mercado en el que se pueda desarrollar. Hay muchos géneros y estilos fotográficos, por lo que luego de hacer un estudio acerca de las posibilidades que están disponibles para explorar de manera comercial, la persona debe seleccionar el estilo que más se relaciona con sus gustos y afinidades, así como el equipo que sea apto para este estilo.

a. Buy a proper equipment to take up assignments. b. Save sufficient amount to sustain yourself even if there is no consignment for at least 3 months. (If your talent is high, u will definitely get a consignment in 3 months or so). c. Stay active on social media and create a good user base. Post frequently and get the following you think is right for your business. Remember these : Photography is not just clicking the shutter button. Every other guy now wants to be a photographer, competition is huge. Charge reasonably until you make it huge.

- Curate - Refine - Share Fear often restrains us from pursuing new adventures and experiences. Know your story, what you want to accomplish and your destiny in order to understand resource requirements and timelines. Credibility and trust require refined skills, a narrative and a portfolio. Demonstrate your brand in every photograph that you produce and share. That is much more than watermarking the image. Curate and display your best content for people to learn about you, your process and your skills. Share authentic stories. Where and how to display your artwork on the myriad image sharing platforms is a topic for an entirely different set of questions. Enjoy your adventure. How can I help you in your journey?

One of the ways to gain that confidence is to volunteer your skills to friends, family, NGO etc. I remembered starting out as a new bee, I volunteered my skill to different NGOs. I was not only able to gain my confidence but I also learnt from other creatives I met on the field.

I totally agree with this statement. Find your favourite photographers, see if they run workshops if they do attend them. Contact your local professionals to see if you could assist them on a wedding or a shoot. You’ll be surprised how much you’ll learn just by watching a professional work

- Narrative - Awareness - Connection Your customers will begin to have awareness, seek, find and connect with you when your expertise is crisp and clear. Trying to capture any gig, rather than refining and sharpening skills, can often result in fatigue and loss of focus on what is important. I previously quoted Steve Martin: ‘Be so good that they cannot ignore you’. That starting point empowers you to promote your services through conventional marketing channels. The narrative creates a natural conversation and authentic connection. The value to the customer is readily apparent. It is a deliberate and slower path, but more sustainable and rewarding. You cannot be ignored and are following your passion. That bears fruit over time.

Clients are what keep business, even if your first clients are family or friends, they will show your work and word will travel.

Everyone can't be your client, this is due to many reasons such as your style of shooting, your niche, what value you have to offer, people's paying capacity.

With new advancements in technology and artificial intelligence, it's more important than ever for photographers (and really any content creators) to stay up to date on new trends, tools, and platforms. If you can steer around the pitfalls of AI (i.e. don't offer a service AI can do for free) and leverage AI tools to speed up parts of your business, you'll stay ahead of the curve and competition. Constantly ask yourself, how can I use or embrace the new to create MORE value for my customers? If you consistently ask and implement the answer, you'll stay in the game.

Have someone jump over a case. Photograph at different speeds to see the effect. 1/10/, 1/25, 1/50. 1/100, 1/250 Use a light meter to determine the exposure. There may be one in your camera. Shoot landscape pictures at 3 PM. Shoot three photos, one underexposed, one as determined, and one overexposed. Shoot landscape photos at 9 AM, 12 PM, and 3 PM to see the effect of shadows on your photos. Take portraits from 3, 5 and 12 feet notice the difference in foreshortening. Take photos with wide-angle, normal, and 90mm telephoto. Compare foreshortening. You will find that 80 - 90 mm is best for a “natural” look.. Take portraits from above, and below the face to see the effects of distortion.

We can learn from every: - image - trend - person A stream of abundant information can be a blessing and a powerful distraction. Every photograph is good, bad or middling and is rich in lessons. Light follows a rule set. Review every capture to learn what worked, what didn’t, what was unexpected. Someone I know bought a camera and asked how to take good photographs. My advice: keep taking pictures. Review, critique and learn from every single one. Ask for feedback from people. Another colleague asked which camera and lens are best. My response: simply start taking pictures. The moment you find your passion will define the camera and lens(es) that will support your adventure. How can I help you find your path?

1. Workshops and Courses: Attend workshops, seminars, and photography courses to learn new techniques, hone your skills, and gain insights from industry experts. Look for both online and offline options that cater to your specific interests and goals. 2. Certifications: Consider pursuing photography certifications or accreditations from reputable organizations to demonstrate your expertise and commitment to professional development. Certifications can also enhance your credibility and marketability in the industry. 3. Books and Magazines: Read photography books, magazines, and journals to stay informed about the latest trends, techniques, and innovations in the field.

Never stop learning even if you think you’re the best you can be - learning and evolving your skill set is a constant. My education came from finding a mentor whose work I loved and then I did multiple workshops all around the work this rapidly enhanced my skill set. Also photograph everything keep practising keep learning posing, lighting you’ll be surprised how many “wedding photographers” that don’t know how to pose people normally they call themselves photo journalistic.

I heard a rough figure in the UK of ten photography students to every photography job. Which explains why there are so many part time photographers in the business and would be photographers working in camera shops. If you are serious about a career in photography, go and work as an assistant with an established professional, students that come my way learn more in a few weeks with me than a few years an college, and yet most try to jump straight in without taking this intermediate step. Most don’t succeed.

When considering a photography career change, you should also network actively within the photography community. Networking can provide valuable insights, potential job opportunities, and mentorship from more experienced photographers. It's also crucial to understand your niche and target market to tailor your portfolio and marketing efforts more effectively. Additionally, developing a strong online presence through a professional website and social media can significantly enhance your visibility and attract potential clients. Finally, consider getting feedback on your work from peers and professionals to continuously improve your skills and adapt to industry trends.

Success comes from: - Persistent curiosity - Commitment to improvement - Resource management All three require a learning, time, and will test our resilience. We can be highly successful. Many undermine a pillar’s value. The outcome is often inevitable. Does your photography faithfully represent your best vision? Are you moving towards becoming an immediately recognized destination brand that cannot be ignored? While this brand concept is often applied to physical destinations, it is relevant here. Name a photographer known for black and white landscapes. Ansel Adams is at the top of the list. His photography is a destination brand. You can be that renown. Maintain these three pillars. How can I assist you in your journey?

Reflect on whether photography truly ignites your passion. Photography transcends a mere career or job; it is an art form. Embarking on a career path aligned with your passion can facilitate a seamless transition.

Most people do not land a job as a photographer working for someone. They end up working for themselves. This demands you have a range of business skills, such as marketing and selling, other than just your ability as a photographer. I read recently that graduates in photography in the UK typically earn less than ￡25k a year when they start out. Think long and hard whether you can live off this AND put money to one side to invest in replacement gear when this is necessary. Also, think on this: if a full-time photographer needs to charge upwards of ￡1,000 to shoot a wedding, for example, how would you compete with a so-called “weekend warrior” who offers to shoot the wedding for ￡400?