How to be a professional photographer?

[Poisson Du Jour]

A natural, demonstrated aptitude for visual-spatial application is one of the first indicators to a career in photography. Darkroom skills do not have the great relevance and focii of university courses that they once did have, which is a reflection of the needs of industry and not the desires of photographers in private.

Next is the education: a degree in the arts with majors in photography and electives in subjects like psychology and business. After the degree comes mentorship with an established professional (achieved through word of mouth or personally advertising), usually lasting for anything from 2 to 4 years as an Assistant in studio or location. After that comes registration of a business name, funding, setting of suppliers and accounts and advertising and (often feverishly) putting all your skills into producing work for sale to clients. Now here's the big point: your professional status will be recognised from the quality of the work you produced, not by the camera(s) hanging on your neck. Society has gone troppo judging "professionals" by the latest digital kit in his Domke. It doesn't work that way.

 

[aluncrockford]

I am failing to understand why the general negative attitude regarding working as a professional photographer ,I am one and without exception I would say that all of my fellow photographers are very modest hard working people who enjoy what they do, and in the main I would not describe them as having mediocre skill . And as a matter of interest I suspect they all earn more than plumbers, not that that is of any importance .

 

[2F/2F]

Why does everyone and his brother want to be a professional Photographer ?, I'm retired, but if I had my time over again I'd rather be a professional plumber most of them earn much more than photographers, and they have much less hassle.

They're both shit work, but at least you get to dress like a slob and drive a cool truck as a plumber.

 

[benjiboy]

They're both shit work, but at least you get to dress like a slob and drive a cool truck as a plumber.

At least the plumber can do shit work "at his own convenience"

 

[lxdude]

At least the plumber can do shit work "at his own convenience"

Oooo, that one stunk!

 

[benjiboy]

Oooo, that one stunk!

The Plumbers job is easier he doesn't need to work hard he only has to "go through the motions"

P.S . I apologise to other members for hijacking the thread, I'll shut up now

 

[JBrunner]

The way to become a professional photographer and make a small fortune is to start with a large fortune.

 

[Early Riser]

being a professional photographer takes
mostly connections as well as mediocre skill and creativity.
being able to complete a task on-time, and not mind being "controlled"
by the creatives on the project ( working well with others ) is part of it too.

if you have a niche market, it helps.

All I have to say about that is that obviously you have little first hand knowledge of true professional photographers or only those of the poorest standards and abilities.