Right well here is my situation.. I’m 17, in my first year of sixth form studying English Language, Sociology and Fine Art. I’m expected to get B’s at the end of the year. As much as i like school and the subjects i do, there isn’t anything i want to do at University.

My hobby is photography, i just have a normal digital camera. No knowledge of light, lenses, composition or anything like that. But i still want to be a photographer, as in Weddings, family photos, model portfolios, landscapes e.t.c. I’ve seen photography courses at various University’s, but non of them are what i want. So, here is my proposal, and i want you guys to tell me if its realistic.

1.For my 18th Birthday (in September) my parents are willing to buy me a professional camera, then get some practise with that.
2. Finish my A Levels in July 2011, and have good grades to fall back on.
3. During that summer, get a job (as in a shop assistant or something) to get money. At the same time go to a photography course to gain knowledge and skills.
4. After the course start doing one off jobs for people (Cheap but enough to make a bit of profit), and advertise myself in shop windows/the internet/newspaper e.t.c.
5. Hopefully my business will grow and grow into something professional.

Is this realistic/a good idea? I don’t mind the truth

Hi

I own a commercial studio (take a look at www.powerhousephoto.co.uk) and we get lots of people coming to us for advice on how to get into this industry. My advice to you is based on what’s worked for the vast majority of photographers working in my region, and the ones working here:

Try and get some work experience in local studios (You may have to work for nothing) during your summer time. Just a couple of weeks work will at least give you the reality of doing this as a profession – you will either be encouraged or give it up as a bad idea.

Go to uni and do a degree in photography or an hnd at a college. This will teach you the fundamentals and lots of practical skills (It takes years to perfect, so 2-3 yrs at Uni is time well spent) I’d recommend Blackpool and Newcastle as two respected for Photography. I’m sure there are others (Leeds is getting better) During your summer time, hire yourself out as a photography assistant to local commercial studios. Expect to get paid 50-75/day – it;s not great money but it;s fantastic experience.

After Uni, try and get a job at a studio, or go freelance and continue assisting. In the meantime, build up your own portfolio and style. By this time you will understand the industry and what sells.

Next step is freelance photographer – u can work for studios and try to get your own independent commissions.Day rates vary from 200 – 300/day pending experience/how good you are. Once you have built up enough of your own commissions, you can go it alone with your own studio.

Overall time to get from where you are now to up with your own independent business is 5+ years.

Hope this helps

Neil

Managing Director
Powerhouse Photography

http://www.powerhousephoto.co.uk

I LOVE photography, im only 18 so im very new to this.
I mainly look at Landscape photography and i have one job in the past where i have sold some images to a restraunt.
Could anyone spread some knowledge on who i could start a career, sell my work and where to sell etc etc

thanks

Hi – I have a new love of photography too

I sell my photos online at sites called Dreamstime and Shutterstock they are Microstock websites and sell millions of images.
Your pictures need to be good quality pictures – Dreamstime don’t need an application, you just upload and they accept what they deam to be good shots and they are immediately for sale.
You can upload up to 50 pictures a day on Dreamstime as long as you keep your acceptence ratio % up.

With Sutterstock – you need to apply – They require you to send in 10 of your very best photos and if they accept 7 of them you are in. It is easier than it sounds though – They are harder to please than Dreamstime and photos need to be well lit and in focus (They both have a critique forum to assist new members in taking the right shots and how to improve as a photographer).
Shutterstock do sell more images than other sites though so it is worthwhile applying to both…

I want to double major in phycology and Special Education and Minor in Photography.
My deepest loves are in helping others with disabilities who can’t help themselves and I also love taking photo’s. I am in my junior year of High School and I am taking 4 photography classes- Advanced Photography, Digital Photography, Studio Lighting, and Independent Photography. I am also a buddy in the Special Ed gym class and in 3 phycology courses; AP phycology, Regular Phycology, Sociology and Philosophy.

What schools would you recommend for someone like me?

Schools with all of those majors, prestigious ones if your grades r good enough.

I’m looking for a movie/documentary that shows the ins and outs of photography, shooting with studio light, portraits, even fashion etc.

I’m NOT looking for movies ABOUT a photographer; I’m looking for instructional videos about the actual art.

http://www.digital1to1.com/Default.aspx?k=nelsonphotosupplies&v=Comp-Intro

http://www.studiolighting.net/category/photography-video-tutorials/

I am finishing school in 1 one year and I am considering photography career. Where can I get good qualification? Are there universities or colleges which offer thorough preparation for the world of photography?

there isn’t one…

you could always try the Open University…

Think of the most interesting. :3

Photojournalism
Wildlife photography- Had to include, <3 animalia.

I would like to shoot pictures around the world in disaster areas. War photography, natural disasters, things of that nature. I am currently an admitted freshman at Columbia College in Chicago with the intent of majoring in photography and minoring in art management. Would I need to join AP or a news station of some sort? Any info, or professional feedback from people in the field currently would be great.

Concentrate on photojournalism, join the NPPA. Start shooting any events you can get to and submit them to as many newspapers and magazines as you can – try to get published and build a portfolio. This will lead you to stringer/freelance work and help you land a staff photographer position. Continually try to improve your position to work and learn from the best.
You don’t get war and disaster assignments until you can work independently, and consistently produce quality work under all conditions.

I just graduated in Fine Arts – Studio Photography – I did plan on obtaining a masters in art administration; however, I had a baby in my last semester and that plan vanished. I figure my only option with a new baby and three other children is to start my own business. The problem is since I studied as a Fine Art student my knowledge in digital is very limited. I always had a point and shoot digital and I received a SLR digital a few months ago. My knowledge is growing everyday but I also need to learn color because I’m use to black and white film.

My current (very simple) plan is the following:
(Background knowledge: I do live in a enriched art community – I do not have a lot of money – current equipment- film and digital SLR, clip lamps, white and black cloth backgrounds and no studio just a area in my house)

The plan. Starting out I want to sell my work on the internet and outdoor art markets. In addition,start to take outdoor photos of children, single adults and couples. I do not have expertise with weddings so I’m nerves about that.

Question – Do anyone have any advice for me? How to get started on a small budget? If the plan is going in a good direction? If I should look into another direction? Equipment I need to buy the is not expensive? Advice on marketing is needed. Feel free to give additional advice.
Thank you!

From my experience, it’s possible but it’s going to be hard and grueling. Photography is a job with hard competition, you have to be extremely good or extremely original. I’m not saying you can’t do it, just keep that in mind. The best thing I can say is to get involved with social networking sites(ie. Myspace, facebook, DeviantART, redbubble modelmayhem etc.) and promote yourself through there. It won’t cost you anything either. You can also sell your photos through deviantart and redbubble but its hard.(I’ve only sold 1 print through deviantart). Modelmayhem is the best way to go if you need models to start off with. They will work for free a lot of the time.

You can also make cheap fliers if you have an understanding of photoshop, print them out at staples or something, not too expensive. post them around town. (not sure if that’s illegal or not where you live though haha, it is here)

As for equipment I’m not so great on that… I’d say start off with some cheap studio equipment, a softbox or photography umbrella. The backgrounds will be good. You can also depend on the natural areas around where you live for photography, (that’s what I do and it works pretty nicely).

You already have a good camera though so that should be all that’s really necessary until you build up a portfolio. just be resourceful and use everything around you.

I hope that helps. I’m not an expert on studio photography, I mostly work with bands and models in the alternative scene(music, underground, metal scene) so I mostly do conceptual/themed shoots and I take pictures at concerts for bands as well as promo shoots. I’m also a photoshopper.
Heres a couple of my pictures if you care to take a look hah: http://i222.photobucket.com/albums/dd10/your_maja/efde2a5ef5af65482763a18ba38d19ca.jpg
and

http://i222.photobucket.com/albums/dd10/your_maja/Sometimes___by_korn13blind.jpg

I hope that helps you out! My style is probably way different than yours though so you may have to take different paths to get to your destination of your self owned business. Good luck though!