Career?

[Wiggly]

EDIT. This was merged with another question I had for some reason they weren't really related... and this one has been answered for me by a friend. Pls scroll too third post. Thanks for the responses so far though!!!! -kris

 

[Wiggly]

One more lol. \/\/\/

 

[Wiggly]

Wasn't really sure where else to put this...

I really want to take photography as a career. I'm apprenticing for my gf's grandfathers wedding business right now and just taking some starter classes at a local communty college. The original plan was to double major (after I transferred to a diff college) in business and photography and see what I could do. Possibly take over his business when he retires.... soon.

I really wanna mix photography and culture though. Work for someone like national geographic, or travel. Something along those lines. I just kinda need a finger in the right direction. Where should I go from here, I'm in the beginning of my first semester of my first year of college. Am I just dreaming something thats been dreamt by many others? Could this be a realistic goal? Or am I gonna end up in the food service industry reaching for it...? ANY advice would be appreciated. Thanks. -kris

 

[LaFoto]

Welcome to ThePhotoForum.

Someone here DOES know books for you, there have been other threads before with answers to similar question as yours. But from my German point of view I cannot really point out anything for you. And I'm afraid I am too unfamiliar with camera brands and numbers and all that to tell you if yours is a good starter camera. I would only think that any is a good starter camera, since it is not the camera that takes the photos but the person behind it.

My suggestion is you browse this forum a lot, also the galleries, read what people write in reply to a photo, and then try out to photograph things around you, post them, and listen to what others say.

What do you think?

 

[LaFoto]

I think this question needs to be posted in The Beginners' Place, too. I shall move it there and merge it with your other question.

 

[chris82]

I am using an olympus x-730 i think its lower specs than yours and ive been getting some pretty decent shots from it if i do say so my self so yours is grand,plus this is the best,friendlyest and most knowladgeable(my spelling stinks)web site around

 

[Rob]

Your first paragraph sounds really promising - mixing working at an established business with some further education is a great idea and a good way in to the industry.

National Geographic, Vogue etc... basically forget it. Why? Because when you're at the top 0.1% of a very competitive game, they'll come to you. Every photographer dreams of being a location shooter for NG or another massive name top mag, so they're not exactly short of a few people to work for them. It is possible that you're talented enough, charismatic enough, lucky enough etc. to get that job, but it's lottery-esque chances. To be realistic, there are great photographic jobs covering more specialised pursuits which are attainable, but the odds of working salaried for one of the big magazines are not ones I would bet on.

Rob

 

[Wiggly]

^^^ thats what I kinda figured. It's just everyone keeps hinting that I'm pretty much guaranteed a life of poverty as a photographer. I'm not chasing money or anything, but I sure don't want to have to scrape by paycheck to paycheck... anyone else wanna chime in? Thanks. -kris

 

[mortallis288]

i was thinking the same thing, everyone hints that there is no money in it but i wouldnt do it for money, although im still in highschool i like it alot but ima keep going with it. how about sports photography is it really that hard to get into that?

 

[Rob]

It is completely possible to make great money with wedding, school, event and portrait photography.

BUT

(you knew there was a but coming huh?)

To charge a good fee and make good money regularly you will need a large customer base, good community relations, presence in your local area and most importantly... lots of hard work! Even given all of those things, all photographers fall on hard times. Almost everyone has a "good" digital camera now, so wedding photography is experiencing a lot more have-a-go people who think having a DSLR is all that's needed to cover the event. /end rant

Sports photography is very hard to get into (at a well paid level), mostly because sports photographers tend to be massive fans of what they're shooting and the kit is mega expensive - think several top end bodies remote controlled with wireless sending and very expensive long lenses.
Also think of a good amount of time spent making friends, trying to get press passes, being one-upped by someone with one good shot... it's tough!

It's very difficult to make a living doing anything, but with photography, love can help pull you through the tough times. I don't especially like working in IT, but it's a very predictable income - would I swap that for full-time photography and all it brings?? Maybe, but I'm getting a bit old for that level of uncertainty and I do like having enough cash for a beer!!


Rob

 

[markc]

Like with a lot of things, making money in photography requires you to be just as good at business as you are at photography, or have someone working for/with you who is. You'll probably find you spend more time on the business aspect of things than actually taking pictures.

 

[D-50]

Dont give up on your dream although realize what comes with the territory of becoming a National Geographic photog. I know someone who actually is and although he says he has been the most amazing places on earth he is not happy at all. In fact he says he is extremely lonely due to the fact he is never anywhere for more than a couple days or a week. He was not able to develop a relationship with any women because he is not home enough to do that. Its a real give and take position. Not to scare you off or anything because you will go to the ends of the earth and see places in person we only see in the magazine. Where you are at now is a great place young and having a passion you want to pursue. I would say get into a good photography program and go from there, to work in the industry without formal schooling is very difficult if not impossible.

 

[JIP]

The way to make it in any pursuit but especially photography is to work work work. You are at a good time in your life now it is o.k. to work for peanuts, and expect to do just that for many years don't look away from any opportunity to learn from another photographer. You need to be a hustler you will never find "Full time photographer wanted for National Geographic" in the classified section of a newspaper noone will hand anything to you bacause there is so much competetion in this business you need to fight for every job you get. Assist people again, for peanuts at first but now is a good time to do that before you get too many responsibilities in your life that make you unable to have those learning experiences. And another thing, if you want to work for Nat. Geo. you need to expand your experience to more than wedding/portrait. Oh yeah, Good Luck.

 

[Wiggly]

Thanks alot everyone! I really feel alot better about heading in this direction. I guess I just needed someone to tell me to go for it. Everyone I know (except my girlfriend) keeps telling me I'm just heading towards a life of struggle and poverty. Screw them. I can't wait to get into a better school now! Thanks again. -kris